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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I realized I was in labor when I woke up just after 11 PM on my due date with contractions.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Wondering if I was capable of doing it when the contractions were strong what I thought was during early labor.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Sit in my tub, riding the waves of each contraction. Then low, guttural growling through the stronger ones.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How quick it was, especially when I thought I was going to be laboring for several hours.
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The Class gave me practical tips for working through the contractions.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing through contractions, and ensuring that my whole body, especially my jaw was relaxed. I also did the distraction method where I would jump from thought to thought, ie. the clock is ticking, the carpet is soft, the a/c is on, etc.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up delivering on my knees, in the back seat of our car, facing the back of the car. Every contraction I had, I would drop to all fours. I found on my knees to be the best, most comfortable position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Truly insane. I delivered her by myself in the car, so pulling her out of my shorts and putting her to my chest was surreal to say the least. I immediately placed her under my shirt for skin to skin and was thankful she was crying immediately, as my husband raced us to the hospital.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
The class gave me practical tips for working through the contractions. I was able to think of relaxation techniques, breathing and sound ideas, and best positions to labor in, which were very helpful. It also helped with the practical expectations of labor, itself.
