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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My contractions became real at midnight, and I told myself I had to ignore them for as long as possible and that would be the test for how real they actually were. I made it to 2:17 AM before there was no ignoring it!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Keeping up my endurance. I had made no plan B for opting out of a natural birth, but keeping up my energy and enduring a long natural labor was challenging.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hiring an amazing doula and trusting God’s design for women growing and birthing babies. Regardless of the challenges it is truly the most amazing and humbling experience to be used by God to bring a new life into this world.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How long it was! Baby dropped and my body started progressing six weeks early and because of that I was prepared to have her arrive early and quickly, but neither of those things happened! She came 27 minutes before her due date after 46 hours of labor.
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Regardless of the challenges it is truly the most amazing and humbling experience to be used by God to bring a new life into this world.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Hot shower! If I could have stayed in a shower with hot water on my back the entire time I would have. Also having counter-pressure and my doula using massage therapy.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back. I didn’t labor on my back, and didn’t even consider delivering in that position, but in the moment it was right.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
There are no words to describe it, honestly. My Husband and I struggled with infertility and waited so long to conceive, waited 40 weeks for her to grow, and another 46 hours of labor; it was almost a surprise when the wait was finally over! The years of bold prayers, fear, uncertainty, and hope all came together in that moment.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
It helped answer so many questions I didn’t know I had! My prenatal visits were helpful with getting answers to questions, but I so often found myself not knowing what to ask.
