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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My bag of waters spontaneously broke after a week of prodromal labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
After a week of prodromal labor my body and uterus were exhausted. Once my bag of waters broke I had to endure the intense contractions and pain of turning my daughter inutero.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Hire a doula! My doula was fabulous and was such a comfort during labor and pregnancy. I researched and read a lot on birthing and labor before my first child, so I understand a great deal, but having someone who is a third party to help guide you and your husband through the ups and downs of labor is invaluable. My doula was able to help me do exercises to turn my baby inutero so that I was able to have an unmedicated, vaginal birth. My first birth was an OP birth, sunny side up baby, and I knew I did not want to have that happen again!
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What surprised you about your birth?
The difference in this birth compared to my first child's birth. The intensity of the contractions were more intense, despite my first baby being born sunny side up. The labor was longer than expected because we had to turn this baby, and the labor stalled unlike my first labor.
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Read and research so that you understand the process and can be an advocate for yourself and your baby. Hire a doula! Know that your body can do amazing things and trust your instincts and knowledge. Give yourself grace. The thing that labor teaches us is that we, as women, are strong and can overcome so much but that we aren't in control. Knowing that you aren't in control but a strong woman is the first lesson in parenting and one you will be confronted with many times on your parenting journey.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing techniques where I breathed and moaned out the pain. Thinking of each contractions like a wave that I rode up and down. Prayer was important and kept me calm. Also, talking to my baby to tell her that she was surrounded by love and that we would work her down and out together to join the world and meet those that loved her.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Since at a hospital, they insisted that I lie down on my back. I began pushing lying on my side with one leg lifted.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing! I was allowed immediate skin to skin and to see her watching and looking at me while I explained to her how much we loved and wanted her. I was not allowed immediate skin to skin with my first child due to OP birth at 36 weeks. I have always felt cheated out of that experience and this experience helped heal in me that feeling.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Read and research so that you understand the process and can be an advocate for yourself and your baby. Hire a doula! Know that your body can do amazing things and trust your instincts and knowledge. Give yourself grace. The thing that labor teaches us is that we, as women, are strong and can overcome so much but that we aren't in control. Knowing that you aren't in control but a strong woman is the first lesson in parenting and one you will be confronted with many times on your parenting journey.