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When did you realize you were really in labor?
About 2 PM on the day she was born. I had been contracting all night and all morning but nothing that had taken my breath away. My midwife decided to stop by and just check in on me and when she got there my contractions immediately got very intense. I think I was just waiting for her to get there to really let things start moving.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
We had found out a few weeks prior that our baby was breech and we spent a ton of time and energy trying to get her to turn. After weighing all of our options and seeking both medical advice and where we were being led through prayer, we decided to go ahead and try to deliver our breech baby at home naturally. This isn’t the best option for everyone but we truly felt that for us, it was the safest option for Mama and baby.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Doing yoga throughout my pregnancy helped me learn how to appropriately breathe through pain and center myself. Natural childbirth can be such a mentally exhausting thing and being able to calm your brain when dealing with the pain is so helpful.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The most surprising thing about our birth was when our breech baby turned during labor and came out head first. When she crowned I yelled, “what was that?” Because it didn’t feel like what I expected her rump to feel like and my midwife said “it was her head. Don’t lose focus. Push her out”
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Every worry I had was erased immediately when I saw her and held her. I was whole. Complete. She is our fourth baby and when I held her I felt like our world was exactly as it should be.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Water worked great for me. It relaxed me and made me feel safe.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my hands and knees on our bathroom floor when I pushed my third daughter out. I didn’t realize it was approaching time to push my body was compelled to be in that position. So when I crawled out of the tub and got into that position I realized, she was coming quickly.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Every worry I had was erased immediately when I saw her and held her. I was whole. Complete. She is our fourth baby and when I held her I felt like our world was exactly as it should be.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I had an amazing team of midwives who have been an amazing support to me through two births now. Being honest with them about any and all struggles I have had both mentally and physically has allowed them to provide me with outstanding care. I could not have done this without their support. I advise any women who are going to have a natural birth, surround yourself with support who knows you well and knows the vision you have for you and your baby.
