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When did you realize you were really in labor?
About a half hour after I got home from work and picking up my older daughter from daycare. I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions for about two weeks so I ignored the contractions during my last hour of work, contributing them to just being on my feet all week( it was a Friday).
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
It all happened so fast and the contractions were right on top of each other, the car ride to the hospital with contractions every two minutes was the most uncomfortable.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
To do a lot of stretching to be sure my muscles were relaxed in my back and neck. When labor began I would try to not resist or tense up with each contraction.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How much quicker labor and delivery was with my second. With my first it lasted 16 hours, I got an epidural and spent an hour pushing. This time labor began around 4:30 pm and we got to the hospital around 8:30 pm, got upstairs around 8:40 and into triage. The nurse came in at 8:47 and got the Doctor who checked me and I was at 9cm. I was told to walk down to my delivery room when my water broke during a contraction in the hallway. I got in the room and was told to get in any position that was comfortable. I got onto the bed and the nurse said they could see her head so I could push. About 3 pushes and she was out at 8:57 pm. About 4.5 hours of labor. It hurt but not as bad as I thought it would and I felt more control, no stitches!
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I never thought that I could go natural, I wanted to but the fear of the unknown frightened me. It’s okay to be afraid but give your body into the process and have a great support system with you.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
To breathe through the pain, I would close my eyes and hold onto my husband who would support me and not let my body tense up.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Sitting up on the bed supported by my husband. I wanted to squat but it happened so fast they couldn’t get the bar up in time.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing and Surreal. Again with the speed it happened she wasn’t crying at all and the nurse had to reassure me saying it was okay, she was breathing but she was stunned too with how fast it happened. Within a few minutes she started breastfeeding.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
I never thought that I could go natural, I wanted to but the fear of the unknown frightened me. My advice would be, it’s okay to be afraid but give your body into the process and have a great support system with you.
