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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At about 4:30am. I had been having bloody show since about 10pm the night before. I woke up at about 3:30 with contractions coming every 4-6 minutes lasting 30-45 seconds. I wasn't convinced it was real labor so I went out to the living room to allow my husband to sleep while I timed them. I called my midwife and she told me to wait about 45 min to see if things kept progressing. 45 min later my husband had to call her back because I was unable to speak the contractions were so intense!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This was my third baby but my first natural birth. For me the most challenging part was overcoming the voices in my head that said i had "failed" by not going natural with my first two. Also pushing was my least favorite part and felt like it lasted forever (I only pushed for 18 min). I kept asking my midwives if it was supposed to take so long! ?
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
My husband and I took the Bradley Method course and it helped tremendously. We were the only couple in our course who had had a baby before but for me, in some ways, it was my first time because it was going to be completely different from my previous two deliveries.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How strong the mind body connection is, especially during labor! When I was focused I was able to cope so much better. Your body is made to do this so by keeping that in mind you allow it to do what it needs to do to bring your baby into this world.
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The feelings that rush through you are indescribable. It's a mixture of elation, relief, love and complete disbelief that your baby is finally here! It's the greatest feeling in the world.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Water was key for me throughout my entire labor. As soon as I got to the birth center I climbed into the tub and didn't get out until after I delivered! Also when the contractions got more intense I would say the words "down" and "out" slowly and in low tones. This helped me maintain my mind body connection and also helped me time my contractions that otherwise felt like they went on forever.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on all fours during most of my pushing but when they did a Doppler check her heart rate began to drop so they had me squat in the tub. She came out 3 pushes later!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
The feelings that rush through you are indescribable. It's a mixture of elation, relief, love and complete disbelief that your baby is finally here! It's the greatest feeling in the world. This one was especially rewarding because I felt so empowered. We didn't find out the gender with this pregnancy so it was especially thrilling to find out what our baby was!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it! Keep telling yourself that until you believe it. Read books and birth stories and take a natural childbirth class. I loved my Bradley method class as it not only prepared me for labor but also my husband on how to support me.
