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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Around 10 pm I thought maybe this was the real deal as labor was just starting as soon as my 6 and 3 year old fell asleep. I told my husband, maybe we should get the birth pool set up. As we set up and started to fill it my contractions became intense and i started to vocalize. I knew then that we needed to call my midwife!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This was my third natural labor as well as third home birth attempt (I had to transfer for my 2 previous births, one cesarean and one forcep assisted VBAC. Everytime that I came to that transitional stage of labor I got the feeling of, "What am i doing? I'm not sure i can finish this! I'm at the point of no return!" This time, my HBAC was a success! Once i started pushing, i felt strong and powerful, i was praying out loud and found so much peace in worship music and my husband's strong hands.Things were going FAST and well and baby was doing so great!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Creating an uplifting labor playlist and affirmations cards. Prayer, reaching out to supportive friends for encouragement. Trust my Midwife, God and my body! Not allowing fear or negative thoughts to write my birth plan. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was!! Two hours max! My midwife was there for 40 minutes before he delivered. Also how strong and great ( although, intense) it felt to push and feel him desend.
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Surround yourself with love and support! Choose a wise experienced caregiver who believes in you as well as supports your dreams of birth. Know your birthing personality and what would help you feel the most comfortable as well as safest for both you and your child.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Leaning over a birth ball. My birth pool!! Staying on top of my contractions by focusing on the music and encouragement of my husband and midwife
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Standing in my birth pool, squeezing the heck out of my husbands hands!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Victorious! Miraculous and exhilarating!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Surround yourself with love and support! Choose a wise experienced caregiver who believes in you as well as supports your dreams of birth. Know your birthing personality and what would help you feel the most comfortable as well as safest for both you and your child. Write a birth plan but know that it may not go that way and allow yourself to be flexible. Trust as much as possibe! Read and research! Don't just take what's handed to you...know the facts of birth based on evidence!
