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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After having non-painful/mild contractions off and on for four days straight, I assumed labor was not eminent when those days were followed by a day of no contractions. But, that night, I got up to go to the bathroom and was hit with a hard and and painful contractions upon standing up. I realized it was labor when I got back in bed and couldn't sleep them off and was already having to breath through them.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This was my third natural birth and definitely not my hardest one. Labor ended up only being two hours and fifteen minutes. But I had really hoped this was going to be THE one that was a water birth. But atlas, he came too quickly. Sometimes it's challenging to remember that going natural doesn't mean everything will go according to plan.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Praying! And talking with friends who had recently had babies. And reminding myself that I had done it before and could do it again.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was! My first labor was drawn out over two long days. My second was closer to 24 hours. This time it was 2 hours and 15 minutes! It was fantastic to have it over with so quickly, but this also meant the contractions were really strong and painful! I told my husband the labor was like a speeding freight train!
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Praying! And talking with friends who had recently had babies. And reminding myself that I had done it before and could do it again.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing through the contractions and praying for my husband, children, family and friends in between contractions helped me a lot. Also my husband and doula applied pressure to this spot on my back that really hurt. Drinking water was also very helpful.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On one knee with one leg propped while leaning over a birth ball. By no means elegant, but it got him out!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was such a relief. He was our rainbow baby and it had been a hard pregnancy. I just held him and said again and again, "He's here! He's here!!" He was crying before he was even all the way out!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your gut! Having had two other long and crazy labors, I would never had dreamed of having such a quick labor. If I hadn't trusted my gut and not called my midwife and doula when I did, they wouldn't have made it in time. Also, make sure you choose a birth team who will lower your stress levels, not raise them!
