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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke at midnight. After cleaning up the mess I went back to sleep for about 2 hours. Around 3 a.m. contractions were getting stronger. It was obvious to me these were the real thing as it was my second birth.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I honestly didn't find it all that challenging. I did it the natural way the first time around already, in the same birth center, where only midwives work. It wasn't a big issue. Except that other people tried to tell me it wasn't a good idea. But I had the support of my husband and midwives and decided just not to listen to naysayers.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Information was key! I wanted to know everything! And it helped me a ton to recognize all the things my body was doing so beautifully on its own - just as nature intended. That helped me through the rough transition stage. Really, I could do without transition ;)
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What surprised you about your birth?
How much I loved it! No, that was the first time I gave birth - I absolutely loved it (except for transition, see above). This time around, the time it took surprised me the most, even though I knew that second births are faster - this one was less than half the time of the first birth. And only 40 minutes of pushing! My first baby, I was pushing for 3 hours!
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She was born into my hands and I brought her out of the water and up to my chest myself! I felt like I could conquer the world in that instant!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Being in water and counter pressure on my lower back.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
In a squatting position in the tub.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Indescribable! She was born into my hands and I brought her out of the water and up to my chest myself! I felt like I could conquer the world in that instant! She was beautiful, covered in loads of vernix and I fell in love with her completely, there in the water.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Be informed. Have a good support team you trust. Try to have everything else prepared and taken care of, so that you can be free of worries.
