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When did you realize you were really in labor?
It was about 4 am when I felt a contraction so strong that it woke me up! I tried to continue to sleep the best I could, and when that didn't work, I sipped on some water, ate a snack, and got in the bath-- thinking that if it was real labor, the contractions would continue. It wasn't until about 7am with continuous contractions that I allowed myself to think today might be the day!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Surrendering to the process. I think in some ways, we all think of pain as something to overcome, but with childbirth, you're breathing directly into it and you have to allow the process, no matter how excruciating. It's a spiritual and mental battle as much as physical!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Read, read, and read! For me, the more knowledge I had about labor and delivery, the calmer I felt. It was easy to see my own labor as normal and perfect because of reading about all types of other experiences and situations.
It was also amazing to see the results of keeping healthy habits. Eating well, doing exercises, and incorporating herbal supplements (and reading, again!) were all part of what I think made a perfect birth experience!
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What surprised you about your birth?
My body's response to birth. I was fully ready for there to be something wrong or a complication to occur, but in a normal situation, a woman's body is so amazing in that it knows what is going on and will do what is necessary to get baby out the best way! I thought I would deliver in a particular position in the water, but Baby came while I was out of the water standing up! Listen to your body, mamas!
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Just do it! Find a caregiver/provider who believes in you and natural birth, keep reading, and know that it will be the most incredible experience you will ever have!!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Being in a warm shower with the water on my tummy and having my husband perform counter pressure on my back did wonders every time a contraction came. The warm birth pool was also a relief.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I had my husband holding me up while I stood and went into a squatting position every time I pushed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Euphoric.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Just do it! Find a caregiver/provider who believes in you and natural birth, keep reading, and know that it will be the most incredible experience you will ever have!!