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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When I went to the hospital and the told me I was 4 cm. I thought I was but I wasn't sure since the beginnings of my labors are always very mild.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I think the most challenging thing was having to answer questions from nurses or change positions since it forced me out of my "zone" of breathing and visualizing to stay on top of the contractions. If I was being left alone I did well.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
By FAR practicing the Hypnobirthing methods! The breathing was magical and the visualizations worked wonders.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How incredibly effective the breathing method (specifically pretending to fill a balloon in your stomach and slowly releasing the breath) minimized the pain of contractions. I was also surprised how much being in water reduced the pain as well!
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I was surprised at how incredibly effective the breathing method (specifically pretending to fill a balloon in your stomach and slowly releasing the breath) minimized the pain of contractions. I was also surprised how much being in water reduced the pain as well!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I labored in a tub and birthed in a pool so I was in water a lot which helped incredibly! Also, hypnobirthing was a lifesaver.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Sitting upright against the side of the birthing pool.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing. I was so much more aware this birth than my first, which was chaotic and scary. I was so proud of myself and so absolutely in awe of my precious little baby!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
If not hypnobirthing specifically, find a method and practice it! There really are methods that help to reduce the pain of labor significantly!
