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When did you realize you were really in labor?
About a week before I went into labor I was leaking water. It was like a leaky faucet. I sat down and told my wife, "I don't feel right." As I stood back up I felt water. Thinking I peed myself I pulled my underwear down and the water kept gushing. I kept saying I probably peed myself because I was in denial. 5 weeks premature wasn't really ideal for me.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I knew that part of my birth plan was going to be no pain medications. It was really hard to push thru the pain and remember to breathe. No amount of pain in the world to me would have made me want a needle in my back.
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kray2
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I did stretches of the perinneal. I ended up not even needing a stitch. We started doing them about 12 weeks, it involves pushing down on the skin between your vagina and anus. It helps with tearing.
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What surprised you about your birth?
When she was born she aspirated merconium. This caused fluid to stick to her lungs and they were also worried about infection so she was sent by ambulance to a bigger hospital to get treatment in the NICU.
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Breathe, Know what you want. I knew and was determined not to have pain medication and I also knew I did not want a episiotomy. Which is where instead of tearing they cut you with a scalpel. Most doctors don't do this but some won't even mention it. If tearing is a concern I would recommend the stretches!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing! Always remember to breathe! It also helped me to grab something like the railing as I pushed.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back with my wife and the nurse holding my feet. It was so much better than stirrups.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It felt amazing. Because she was so sick I didn't get to hold her very long so it made the moment I did get to hold her longer even more special!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Breathe, Know what you want. I knew and was determined not to have pain medication and I also knew I did not want a episiotomy. Which is where instead of tearing they cut you with a scalpel. Most doctors don't do this but some won't even mention it. If tearing is a concern I would recommend the stretches!
