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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I started having very bad back pain around 2pm. I quickly realized that the pain was coming and going similar to a contraction but I did not have any pain in my abdomen or pelvic area. I called the doctor on call and she suggested me start timing them. By 4pm the pain came and went every 5 minutes. Within an hour and a half, my contractions were down to 2 minutes apart and that's when I really knew I was in labor!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Unfortunately, I was only able to go natural until I was 5-6cm dilated. My goal was to have an all natural birth but due to my contractions being around 1 minute apart from 4 cm on, my body had little time to rest. I asked for the lowest dosage of medicine in my epidural just to take the edge off. I was able to still move my legs on my own and could feel just about everything that occurred during labor. However, I am proud of say that besides the epidural and an IV of fluids, I received no other medication throughout labor! My body was able to progress naturally and I only had to push for 20 minutes!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I went in with the mentality of being flexible. It is very hard to predict how your first labor or any labor for that matter will go! Not having a set birth plan allowed me to stay calm and do what was best for my body and my baby during the actual childbirth.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised at how smooth everything went! I was so pleased that I did not have to be induced, receive pitocin, etc. My body did exactly what I was hoping it would do!
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It was the most amazing feeling in the world! I had never been more proud of myself for making it through childbirth. Seeing my daughter for the first time changed my life for forever! I will never forget the moment they laid her on my chest.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Due to only having back labor, having my husband rub my back through the contractions was very helpful. Also, I used an exercise ball from the moment I realized I was in labor at home until I received the epidural. Bouncing on the exercise ball and walking helped me breathe through the contractions and relieved pain better than laying in bed.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered in the normal position laying on my back with my legs in the stirrups. From practice pushes to delivering my baby was only 20 minutes so we didn't have much time to try different positions! The nurses and doctors came into the room and had to set up very quickly!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was the most amazing feeling in the world! I had never been more proud of myself for making it through childbirth. Seeing my daughter for the first time changed my life for forever! I will never forget the moment they laid her on my chest.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Staying positive throughout the process no matter how much pain you're in is important! Keeping an optimistic attitude and reminding yourself that your body is doing exactly what it's supposed to despite the pain can help you make it naturally!
