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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke around 2am but I thought I had just urinated. I had mild contractions all day that I thought were just Braxton Hicks. I was only 35 weeks. It wasn't until around 7pm when the contractions started hurting to the point where I couldn't talk during them that I realized I needed to go to the hospital. But I still was in denial that it was actually happening until we got to the hospital and they said "you're having this baby tonight!"
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Pushing. And right up to the point of pushing where the contractions were very strong.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Reading the Bradley Method book with my husband and practicing the exercises. We read and watched a lot of natural birth stories online.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How long I was actually in labor without even realizing it. From the time my water broke to the time my son was born it was almost exactly 24 hours. Even though he was preterm I was thankful the hospital staff didn't tie me down to a monitor, I walked around the hospital hallways and sat on a birthing ball in the room pretty much right up until I had to push and that made a big difference!
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Do your homework, practice and again, set your mind to it!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The breathing and relaxation exercises we had practiced from the Bradley Method. My husband was wonderful, he talked me through each and every contraction using the method which focuses on your mind and body relaxing so you're not fighting the contractions, you're letting them do the job they need to do to get baby out.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Sitting up in bed. I don't think that was the best option but it worked and I'm thankful I was positioned that way because my son's shoulder got stuck and they had to reach in and do something to move his shoulder. I don't think they would have been able to catch that so quickly if I was in a different position.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
They took him right away because he needed to go to the NICU which was heartbreaking. I am 35 weeks pregnant now and I am so looking forward to that experience that I didn't get to have with my first.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it!!! Set your mind to it, think you have no other option and you will do it. I highly recommend the Bradley Method but I know there are other great resources like that one that work just as well. Do your homework, practice and again, set your mind to it!