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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was having contractions and started to time them. And they were getting to be 3-4 minutes apart. Then finally my water broke and I was at work when it happened
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Well with my first child I had an epidural so compared to my second birth with no epidural or medication, I could definitely tell the difference. The contractions were really bad for me. There were so many times when I wanted to call quits but I kept having in mind my goal for my baby. The goal was to provide a natural birth for myself and my baby’s health. The challenge was from 1 pm - 10:58 pm of constant contractions which were 1-2 minutes apart. I was just exhausted from trying to alleviate my pain naturally by going on a peanut ball to having to do squats to try to distract my mind from the pain.
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autumn
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I think having my birth plan given ahead of time to my OB and also the nurse staff helped to reinforce and not deviate from taking epidural. Also having my support team which was my loving husband and my mom. They were there to cheer me on and even to wipe my face as I wen through each contraction. Even giving me a sip of coconut water to keep me hydrated and rubbing my feet when I had a chance to sit down
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What surprised you about your birth?
What surprised me was that I actually did it all natural. I couldn’t believe I did it and was relieved when it was all over and welcomed my daughter into the world. It was really tough and extremely exhausting doing it natural because when it was time to push,I was just tired from the contractions I had to endure through. But it was all worth it in the end obviously.
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What surprised me was that I actually did it all natural. I couldn’t believe I did it and was relieved when it was all over and welcomed my daughter into the world. It was really tough and extremely exhausting doing it natural because when it was time to push,I was just tired from the contractions I had to endure through. But it was all worth it in the end obviously.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
For pain relief I was all over the place. I actually stripped down naked because that was what my body felt more comfortable with at the time. I had no hospital gown on or bra. Just my underwear and hospital socks on. Also having my coconut water to help hydrate me helped. I also had some clary sage essential oil and would take a whiff every now and then. Being in the hospital bed didn’t help my contractions so I was on a peanut ball for a while and that helped me dilate much faster for some reason . It helped open my hips more and allowed the baby to come down quicker.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up delivering in the hospital bed. It only took maybe 8 minutes of pushing
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was so relieved and grateful she was healthy. I couldn’t believe she was finally here,in my arms and in my presence.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
The advice I would give is to not be afraid of giving in or if your plan doesn’t go as planned. Because everyone deals with pain differently and it doesn’t make you less of a woman or mama if you decide to take an epidural. I don’t judge anyone who decides to go that route because pain isn’t pretty and do what your body tells you to do. But i would recommend having a good support team in the labor and delivery room. Just to help you along the way with making sure that you stay on the natural course you have planned to go. It is tough and I can’t sugar coat the experience of going natural because I felt like a train hit me after the healing process but it is a big accomplishment for me.
