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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My contractions were super inconsistent all morning and I didn’t know if it was really labor! My water broke about noon and contractions almost immediately started coming 3 minutes apart. That’s when I knew I would be meeting our little girl soon!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The hardest part about going natural came before I ever went into labor. People were so negative when I shared my birth plan! Other women would tell me I wouldn’t be able to do it without an epidural, and there were a few times I let doubt creep in. Luckily my husband was super supportive and helped me to squash those fears!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Taking the Mama Natural Birth Course really helped me to understand what was going to happen, and I realized what I feared most was the unknown! The course inspired me to watch more birth videos. With this being our first baby I didn’t know what to expect and the birth videos helped me feel prepared for what my body was going to go through!
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What surprised you about your birth?
How quick it was! I was prepared for a long labor and thought I would have more time. I expected the discomfort to slowly set in. But once my water broke contractions became very intense and I needed my coping strategies almost immediately. Our little girl came earth side four and a half hours after my water broke!
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My husband seemed much calmer after the course, I think it helped him to understand his role and see how he could be involved and supportive during childbirth!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Laboring on all fours really helped in the beginning. During transition I wanted counter pressure of any kind, it helped me be more aware of my body and not just focus on the pain. My husband would pull on my hands, or apply pressure to my back and hips.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered in the water. My husband supported my back and arms while the rest of my body floated in the tub. It was so comforting to have him right there!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I felt so much joy to hold her for the first time. The midwife caught her and placed her directly on my chest. Her little face was exactly like I imagined it would be, like I’d known her forever. Such a surreal feeling. I felt such peace that she was finally in my arms- safe, healthy, and beautiful!
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
My husband and I felt so educated after the class! Before that we really didn’t know what to expect. It was important to me to understand what was going to happen to my body and the baby during labor and delivery. My husband seemed much calmer after the course, I think it helped him to understand his role and see how he could be involved and supportive during childbirth!
