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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was 41 weeks and 5 days. I had tried everything in the book to induce naturally, including having my membranes swept 3 time, but nothing had even given me the slightest cramp. Finally on the night before we were set to induce I started having contractions. At first I thought it was an upset stomach from the castor oil (which I had now tried 4 times), but at around 9 pm I asked my fiance to start timing and sure enough they were coming every 5 minutes.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part about going natural was the pushing phase. Up until that point I felt like it was very manageable. By the time I got to 10 cm it had been over 24 hours of active labor and I had gotten little to no sleep. I was exhausted. What made it more challenging was that I never got the urge to push. I remember really fighting pushing because of how intense the contractions were at that point, I just didn't want to move let alone try hard enough to really push a baby out. I remember being on the floor of the shower crying out that I wanted to go to the hospital. Luckily the midwife didn't listen to me and my son was born 2 hours later.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Bradley classes. I would highly recommend them to everyone! Even if you don't plan on having a natural birth.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How long it took! I had felt so prepared and had stayed in great physical shape throughout my pregnancy so figured things would move right along. But all together it was 27 hours.
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Like my whole life had led me to this very moment. And yet the most natural feeling ever, like we were always meant to meet like that and finally it happened.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Having someone press on my back during contractions and being able to stand and move around.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was pushing on the toilet and as he started to crown the midwife had me stand up and lean over my fiance. He was born in the bathroom with me standing.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Like my whole life had led me to this very moment. And yet the most natural feeling ever, like we were always meant to meet like that and finally it happened.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Take the Bradley class and definitely hire a doula! As prepared as my fiance was to coach me, that woman knew all the spots to hit on my back and so many little tricks that ended being incredibly helpful not only for pain management but also helping baby get into the right position.
