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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up at 4 am with cramps after weeks of prodromal labor. There was blood when I went to the bathroom, so I knew it was going to be that day. Contractions began at 6:15 am.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This was my third birth, but even having done it before, I still struggled with focus, especially during transition!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Snacks and a birth playlist!
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What surprised you about your birth?
It was FAST. My first was 36 hours and my second was 27 hours. My third was 9.5 hours start to finish! (Longest pregnancy, too: 41 weeks).
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Believe in your body. It was built for this. Surround yourself with a supportive team. If they doubt you, they don't belong there.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Leaning over a yoga ball on the bed and rocking through contractions, a super wide and low child's pose in the tub and curling into "cat" position during contractions to bring the baby down.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered the head on all fours in child's pose in the tub but it was so intense that I actually frog jumped into a standing position and delivered his body while standing!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
One word: RELIEF.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Believe in your body. It was built for this. Surround yourself with a supportive team. If they doubt you, they don't belong there.
