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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had Braxton Hicks for a couple weeks leading up to it so at first I thought it was those again, but I did notice a slightly more intense feeling even in the early ones. They continued through the evening and got a little more intense so I knew it was the real thing not just those annoying Braxton Hicks :)
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Dealing with the pain is the hardest but there comes a point that your body just takes over and it almost becomes an out of body experience.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Educating myself on natural labor and birth and ways to help the process. I really loved Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth for learning about the beauty of the midwife approach and Hypnobirthing for the breathing and mental techniques. Only focusing on breathing is what really seemed to help during the transition and birthing phases. Also having a support person to remind you to breathe when you’re not and instead are tensing up :)
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What surprised you about your birth?
It was a lot smoother and faster than my previous birth (natural in hospital). Having midwives really made a difference and the less invasive techniques they use are more productive, in my opinion, to having a successful natural birth.
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Decide you want to do it, that’s the biggest thing. Educate yourself on birth and the process as well as the procedures that occur when you don’t go natural, it’s a really motivating thing to me.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Being able to labor in the tub was really great and I think it helped me relax a little which is really important. I also used some mental and breathing techniques from Hypnobirthing.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Leaning back in the tub.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was amazing yet overwhelming all at the same time :)
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Decide you want to do it, that’s the biggest thing. Educate yourself on birth and the process as well as the procedures that occur when you don’t go natural, it’s a really motivating thing to me. I think for me, knowledge was the biggest thing that helped me stick it out and knowing it was the best choice for my baby and I. My first was a c-section and without educating myself I would probably have had two more repeat c sections (my OB with my 2nd tried so hard to convince me to induce also recommended a c section just because my baby was over his due date). There are risks with induction and all hospital procedures, yet no one talks about them and instead we have a fear based mentality on “overdue” or “long labors” that aren’t really based on any valid points a lot of the time.
