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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I started feeling the urge to push about 9 hours after they broke my water. I was sitting on the toilet and the contractions were hard and close together. I thought I was getting close but, right around that time, the nurse came in and I heard her talking to my mom. She said something along the lines of… “She’s probably not as far along as she thinks she is. I don’t think the baby will born on my shift.” I overheard her say this and started getting nervous that I wouldn’t be able to continue labor naturally for another 12 hours if it truly was going to take as long as everyone thought.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part was trying to ignore what everyone else was saying and trust my body. The doctor, nurses, my midwife, and even my mom were all convinced that I was going to have a 24-48 hour labor since it was my first birth and I was only 37 weeks. However, when I finally decided to trust my body and start pushing, it was less than an hour later that my baby girl was born.
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Small-Baby-M-2
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I did everything possible to prepare for a natural birth. When we found out that our baby no longer had a heartbeat at 37 weeks, it took everything in me not to opt for a C-section. I'm so thankful my midwife was there to remind me that I had prepared and I was capable of a natural birth even despite the circumstances.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I had planned to do a home birth until we discovered some complications with the development of my daughter's intestines. Because I ended up having to have her in the hospital, I was surrounded by nurses constantly and I was surprised by how nonchalant they were about presenting the interventions they could do for me. About halfway through my labor, I threw up. It wasn't painful or anything, I could tell my body just needed to get rid of some food and I was pretty sure it was a good sign that labor was progressing. However, when the nurse came in and found out I had thrown up, she asked if I wanted an epidural or any other pain medication. The thought never crossed my mind and I just can't believe how indoctrinated the medical professionals are in practicing births with interventions.
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It was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Switching positions helped so much! I just moved around and tried different things as much as I possibly could. My mom and husband were in the room with me all night. They took turns rubbing my back through the contractions and helping me relax and breathe through the pain. I started out laying on my side on the hospital bed and I would fall asleep in between contractions. As they started getting stronger and closer together, I eventually moved to the tub, which helped so much. My husband used the showerhead to run water over my back during contractions. I sat in the tub for about an hour and finally decided to get out just for a change of pace. I moved to squatting on the toilet around 4 a.m. and that’s when things really started progressing.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. They placed her on my chest and I just held her and stared at her for what seemed like hours. She was absolutely beautiful. My husband came over and the OB on call helped him cut the cord.
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What did you name your baby, and why?
We named her Miriam Lois. My husband has always loved the name Miriam and Lois has a special place in my heart.
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How did the Mama Natural Birth Class help you in your childbirth?
It changed everything for us. Having the knowledge from that class gave me the courage to have a natural birth even despite the circumstances. Throughout the whole process, I was so anxious that I would experience intervention after intervention and that my last moments with my baby would be exhausting, painful, and all-around something I would not want to remember. However, God was with us the whole time. He calmed my nerves and comforted me every step of the way. He gave me the strength I needed to have the natural birth I had hoped, prayed, and prepared for. My husband and I are both so incredibly thankful that we have such positive memories of our last moments with our little girl.
