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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I thought I was just cramping, but once the cramping was happening in intervals of every 5 minutes I thought to myself that the cramping might actually be contractions and I started timing them out using a pregnancy app. on my phone.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Trying to stay calm and focus my energy inward. If I started to let my mind wander away from breathing and keeping myself relaxed between contractions, I would start getting panicky.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hiring a doula and doing research on labor positions. The doula advocated for me when I was in the midst of contractions and couldn't vocalize my needs. Learning about positioning for active labor was beneficial because I feel like having gravity help me (I labored on my knees and in a squat) made labor progress a lot faster.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How quickly it happened. I wasn't expecting to have a short labor as a first time mom. I was fully dilated within 2.5 hours of my first contractions and labor only lasted just over 5 hours.
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Relieving and joyous. I was so happy labor was over and so excited to finally meet this little baby.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
My doula put cold wash cloths on my shoulders and lower back, and kept switching them out with new cold cloths every 15 minutes. Swaying back and forth and moving my hips during contractions also helped.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered in a supported squat.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Relieving and joyous. I was so happy labor was over and so excited to finally meet this little baby.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Research! Understand the full effect of every intervention that is offered to you and weigh the risks and benefits before you are in labor. If you know exactly what you want and what your goals are it's harder to cave under the pressure of suggestion and temptation. Communicate with your provider and make sure they respect your wishes and you are comfortable with them. Have confidence in your body - I love the affirmation "your body knew how to grow this baby - you body knows how to birth this baby."
