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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Contractions felt like they were becoming a bit consistent so we began tracking them. I wanted to track them for an hour to see what kind of pattern we had. They were pretty consistent so we called our Midwife. She advised to take a bath to try to relax and see if I could get some rest afterwards.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This was a Home Birth After 2 C-Sections, therefore, I had never really experienced Labor before. Both my c-sections were scheduled. The most challenging thing was not really knowing if my body could really do this. I read books, meditated, took a Childbirth Class, had a Mother Blessing, surrounded myself with amazing women. I felt confident and trusted that my body knew what to do. But once in the trenches, fear creeped in and I doubted for a little bit if I could really do this with no interventions.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Even though I'm a Doula and a Childbirth Educator, I wanted to take a Childbirth Class Series with my husband. This was a great way to role play and discuss what we thought labor was going to be like for the both of us since this was going to be a first for us both. I also had the best Birth Team! I call them my Dream Birth Team. I chose Midwives that both my husband, my girls, and I felt comfortable with. Our Doula is a friend of ours and she did an incredible job helping me, my husband, my girls, and my mom. I had a Chiropractor friend come adjust me a couple of times while in labor.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised that I never really felt Baby come down or when Baby was crowning. It was only when I asked for a mirror and my Midwife slide the mirror right under me, it's when I saw the top of my baby's head with hair. I reached down to touch him and I couldn't believe I was actually Birthing my Baby, right there, on my bathroom floor surrounded by my people, my tribe. I couldn't believe it! He was there!!
I was also surprised that I was in labor for 24 hours!
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Trust your body because we can do hard things! Take a Childbirth Class. Let go of all of your fears. Find your village and surround yourself with those who support you. Hire a Doula!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
My husband and Doula did a lot of counter pressure and double hip squeeze which gave me some relief. My Doula massaged me a lot with oil and that felt really good. But what I think helped the most was getting in the tub with hot water and showering with hot water. That really helped me relax and not get so tense for the next contractions.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was in the shower when I felt a transition and felt like my body was pulling me down. I got out of the shower and dropped to the floor. While on my knees, I grabbed and pulled on my husband as I grunted with the urge to push. I made sure to take my time and let my body do the pushing since I was afraid to tear. I was too low for my Midwives to see what was going on and was asked to lift myself up a bit. I lifted my right leg and placed my foot on the floor, Captain Morgan style. A few more surges and out he came.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Surreal! It sort of felt like an outer body experience. I couldn't believe I had just done that. I was told by a provider that doing a vaginal birth after C-Section was too risky, and here I was, I had just Birthed my beautiful and perfect baby boy. I was on a ridiculous Birth high!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your body because we can do hard things! Take a Childbirth Class. Let go of all of your fears. Find your village and surround yourself with those who support you. Hire a Doula!
