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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When contractions started and were intense from the beginning, although they felt different from my previous labors. I also realized after the fact that my water had broken about an hour before.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The pressure was SO intense. All I knew was a world of pain. And the ring of fire when her head came out was excruciating.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I hired a doula!!
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What surprised you about your birth?
Maybe I had just forgotten but it felt more intense than my other 2 labors. I went from 4 to 9 cm dilated in about 75 minutes!
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Hire a doula and take it one contraction at a time. It won't last forever and you likely won't remember the worst of it. :)
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Pressure on my back and hips, changing positions often, hot sock filled with rice...
I did get Nubaine in an IV to help me relax (it lasted about an hour and when it wore off I felt like I had a jackhammer in my uterus).
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back with my head curled up and holding my legs back
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
She had breathing problems due to meconium so when I held her 45 min after birth I felt relief.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Hire a doula and take it one contraction at a time. It won't last forever and you likely won't remember the worst of it. :)
