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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When I woke up that morning, a Tuesday, something felt different in my body. I was having contractions here and there, but there was an openness or pressure at the bottom of my uterus (probably my cervix!) that I’d never felt before. Going to my 40w appointment with my midwife at 12 PM confirmed it for me: I was incredibly emotional and she also did a cervical check and said I was 2-3cm dilated. She gave the option of a membrane sweep but told me she didn’t feel it would be necessary. Her gut said I’d be back to deliver that night but definitely before the weekend.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Reaching transition was incredibly painful. I’d already been so strong, mentally, being in early labor and staying in control of my contractions for about 19 hours. It just felt like I was going to break open.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Meditation and yoga, without a doubt! I was in a great head-space.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How quickly baby arrived after I hit transition. Even including pushing, it took about 2 hours from the hardest, most painful part until I was holding him!
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It was such a relief to be done and finally get to meet my little person that had been with me so many months.. it was truly a relief to have him out and snuggled up on my chest.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Having my husband squeeze my hips/pelvis. Focused breathing and low, deep vocalizing/moaning.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Surprisingly, on my back!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was such a relief to be done and finally get to meet my little person that had been with me so many months. He had a nuchal cord that became apparent while I was pushing so it was truly a relief to have him out and snuggled up on my chest.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
I just felt so in control of my experience and so well prepared. I took an in-person class for 6 weeks before my first birth and nothing went as planned, starting with being induced. This time around, I had so much faith that everything would go as it should. And it did! Very empowering. The classes gave me so much confidence.
