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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up in the middle of the night having a contraction with lots of pressure. Turns out my contractions we 5 minutes apart.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Reminding myself that my body could do it.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
We made sure we had everything put in one spot beforehand. This was our first home birth, so we wanted to make sure we had everything where we could easily find it.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast and easy it was. My labor was 3 hours and 9 minutes long from first contraction to baby. I labored in silence the first hour since my family was all asleep. The second hour, I simply let my husband know but made sure not to say anything to my 2 oldest kids so they could focus on getting ready for school. It was all me for the first 2 1/2 hours. I had never labored alone before, and while I was afraid no one would be there to help me with the birth since it was going so fast, I still knew I could do it. I was surprised to know that I had it in me to do this alone if it came down to it.
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Trust in your body. It knows what to do. Don't fight it. You are much stronger than you think you are! Before you know it, your baby will be there in your arms.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing and knowing that it was almost over. And not to mention my husband and my amazing midwife. My husband held my hand the whole time and my midwife just kept telling me to listen to my body and push if I needed to. Out of 4 births, this was my least painful because I didn't fight my body, I listened to it.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back. I used my giant wedge pillow to give me some support and comfort and it made a huge difference for me.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was amazing. She was our rainbow baby. I worried the whole pregnancy but here she was, safe in my arms. I fell in love instantly.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust in your body. It knows what to do. Don't fight it. You are much stronger than you think you are! Before you know it, your baby will be there in your arms.
