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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been having contractions for a few hours and decided it was time for my husband and I to go to the hospital since we lived an hour away. When we got there I was monitored for two hours. My contractions were consistent, but I was only dilated 2 cm and 60% effaced. We were sent home, but we knew we would be back soon! My contractions continued, and by 1 that’s morning I lost my mucus plug and knew our baby girl was really coming!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The hardest part about going totally natural was the pain! It was much different than I expected it to be. My contractions got to the point that they never came down before peaking again. This made it really difficult to move, which didn’t allow me to try the different positions we had practiced.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing that we did to prepare for a natural hospital birth was getting in the right mindset. Surrounding ourselves with people speaking positive words about going natural as well as listening to the positive words spoken during our Mama Natural birth classes, really helped to mentally prepare me for the adventure of natural childbirth. For me, if I hadn’t prepared my mind as well as my body, I don’t think I would have been able to push through the pain.
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What surprised you about your birth?
There is so much amniotic fluid! Once my water broke, it just kept coming! I had no idea that my body could even hold so much fluid. It is comical now, thinking about how I left a stream of fluid behind me as I waddled around!
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The birth classes made me feel empowered! I learned what I wanted for my baby and what I didn’t want. My husband and I learned to communicate and practice our expectations for child birth. At the end of the birth class videos, the couples shared encouraging and motivational words. After it ended, I turned to my husband (crying quite hard) and said “Now I’m ready”.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
As I was in labor, my mind went to another place. I closed my eyes and my mind went blank except for focusing on breathing and the task at hand. This allowed me to try to shift my attention from the pain, to what I needed to let my body do during each contraction. My husband spoke affirmations to me to remind me that my body was capable of birthing our baby, and I also spoke to our baby girl during contractions when I was able. . This made me feel connected to her, giving me a reason to keep pushing. Just BREATHE and remind yourself that your body CAN do this.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up delivering on my back with my knees raised. It was difficult to change positions during labor because of how close my contractions were. They didn’t come all the way down before the next one peaked. Once I was on my back or side, I stayed there for most of labor.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
When they handed me our baby girl, I felt as if it was all a dream. How could this tiny darling be here!? Was she really ours?! We had waited to meet her for so long, it felt unreal. She was so warm and soft. Holding her on my chest just felt right, like we melted together into one person.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
The birth classes made me feel empowered! I learned what I wanted for my baby and what I didn’t want. My husband and I learned to communicate and practice our expectations for child birth. At the end of the birth class videos, the couples shared encouraging and motivational words. After it ended, I turned to my husband (crying quite hard) and said “Now I’m ready”.
