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When did you realize you were really in labor?
The first thing that happened was my water broke! I had been having little surges all day, but nothing that I hadn't been having all week. Then at 1am she was kicking away and all of a sudden my water broke, and I mean broke! There was water everywhere and it wouldn't stop! Then the surges really started to kick in.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part was probably being in the hospital! My baby was posterior and labor ended up being 36 hours from water breaking to baby being born. I ended up taking pitocin in order to get my uterus surging, but I think what I really needed was rest, food and different positioning. Pitocin with no pain meds is crazy!
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Utah Birth Photographer
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
My husband and I took 3 classes. They were all helpful and good, but the thing that helped prepare me the most was just committing to myself that this was my birth, my body and I was going to do it the way I had envisioned no matter what. Once I made that commitment, all of the other stuff was just helpful support to get me there.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The length! I knew first labors could be long, but I wasn't expecting to have a posterior baby and to labor for 2 days!
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She was kicking away and all of a sudden my water broke, and I mean broke! There was water everywhere and it wouldn't stop!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The tub was really nice and felt good. However I think the thing that I asked for the most was low back or hip squeeze along with a knee press. That was the money.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
In a sort of squat. I was pretty exhausted by the time that baby came. I was on the end of the bed holding on to a squat bar, but that took all the energy I had left. I think in the end I was sort of squatting, and sort of laying down.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Are there words to describe this moment? I think there was a huge sense of relief. Relief that she was here in my arms, healthy and safe. There was a bit of shock as a first time mom. But mostly there were a lot of happy, happy tears of joy!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
My advice would be along the same lines as I said earlier, to commit to yourself that you will do it. Commit like your life depends on it. Then once you do that, everything else is just momentum to get you there. Take classes, educate yourself on different possibilities. Write a birth plan so everyone there knows what you have committed to. Get a good support team, hire a doula too!
