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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up to use the bathroom and had a backache so I took Tylenol and went back to bed. Then I couldn't fall back asleep because the back pains would come in waves and I thought maybe this was what labor was. So I got out of bed and sat in the living room just being in tune with what was going on with my body and the back ache got intense and then it would ease up a bit, and kept doing this. At that point I used a contraction timer and the sensations I was feeling were happening in a regular pattern so then I knew it was the real deal.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had back labor from the beginning and so my back felt sore continuously. It would be painful and then back off a little but I was always aware of at least a dull ache like pain in my back the entire time.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read a lot of positive birth stories and watched some natural birth videos that portrayed birth as a beautiful, positive, and natural experience. I also talked to the one friend I had that had gone through a natural birth and was going to do it again with her second baby.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised how calm I was and how I just knew what to do when it was time. I was surprised how smoothly the whole process was.
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I read a lot of positive birth stories and watched some natural birth videos that portrayed birth as a beautiful, positive, and natural experience.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Having my husband put counter-pressure on my low back during the peak of my back pains as well as when he would press on my hips for some counter-pressure. I also took deep breaths during the hardest parts and tried to think of everything that I was going through was bringing me closer to meeting my baby.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I spent the entire pushing phase in the squatting position in the birth pool and delivered my baby squatting in the birth tub.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It felt amazing and surreal that he was in my arms and I had a huge rush of emotions. I was just so delighted to finally meet him and felt like I could do anything after bringing him into the world.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your body and the process. It is a very normal process and you can do whatever you put your mind to. We are a lot stronger than we may think we are and positive thoughts and good support go a long way to have a beautiful birth experience.
