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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke just after midnight without very strong contractions. I got to the hospital, and the midwife asked if I wanted my cervix to be checked. I was curious, and I was dilated to 5 cm. Around 2 am at the hospital, I started having stronger contractions and soon after I was dilated to 7 cm.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
For me, the most challenging part was believing ahead of time that I could have a natural birth. I used an epidural with my first son, and I had a long labor, requiring pit and coming very close (too close) to a c-section. He was a large baby who was also OP, and I forever questioned if my choice for an early epidural contributed to my long labor and baby being born OP. However, the fear of delivering a large baby naturally was hard for me.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I did prenatal exercises through a couple of different programs, and then I also did hypnobabies along with reading a lot about natural child birth to prepare myself. I had a very understanding midwife and husband who helped me have confidence for a natural childbirth. I can’t say that any one thing helped the most, but the combination helped.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I did it! That surprised me. But really everything surprised me.... it didn’t really hurt more. It was much faster. (The baby was still OP again.... sigh). My recovery was much faster and easier the second time around. I’m sure part of that was because it was my second baby, but I am certain that having a natural childbirth helped because my body was able to do what it naturally does for pain relief and recovery.
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You can do it! I had a large baby (9lb 3 oz) who was OP, and I was very nervous about a natural birth, but I feel so much stronger and confident now.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Rather than being scared of the pain, I saw the contractions as something that was helping to push the baby out. That helped break the cycle of fear/ tension/ pain which helped tremendously. While I didn’t have a water birth, I was in the tub early on, and that was also very helpful.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my side.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Wonderful!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! I had a large baby (9lb 3 oz) who was OP, and I was very nervous about a natural birth, but I feel so much stronger and confident now.