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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I began having contractions 10 min apart beginning April 21 at 2:45 AM. I also had bloody discharge.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I did not deliver our baby girl until 4:33 AM April 22 (meaning the entire labor and delivery process lasted 26 hours) - the toughest part was staying up that long with such little energy. I felt I had little to no energy remaining when it came time to push. I wasn’t prepared to labor that long.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Buying The Mama Natural book was the most helpful thing I did. That book served as my doula. I turned to it for all my pregnant questions.
I also maintained a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. I ran a half marathon 25 weeks pregnant and ran up until I delivered. I have always been a runner but I felt healthiest pregnant because I knew what I ate and did directly impacted my baby.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The pain! It was INTENSE. I did not have a doula and I wonder if a doula could’ve provided me advice and help to speed up the labor and delivery process. Ultimately, it was my dream labor and delivery. My birth followed my birth plan exactly. It was painful but I did it!
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Overwhelming. It was wonderful but not as wonderful as I expected.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing, going on walks during early labor, using a yoga ball at the birth center, and getting in the hot tub at the birth center.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Laying down on my back (I felt I had no energy at that point, I just wanted to lay down).
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Overwhelming. It was wonderful but not as wonderful as I expected. I tore during delivery so holding a crying baby while being stitched up (unmediciated) hurt (to say the least).
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Put your mind to it, don’t waiver, and do your research.