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When did you realize you were really in labor?
There was a lot of back and forth for awhile. I thought I was in labor the night before till I went to sleep and they stopped. I was so bummed. Then they started back up the next night. I wasn't fully sure it was real till my midwife checked me and I was at a 8. That's when we all new baby was going to be here that night!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
When baby's head dropped. This was my third birth but with the first two I was medicated in a hospital. I didn't feel my first two move down so when his head came down and out I was like wow! Haha. My midwife being there to tell me its ok that's good its just being moving down was so helpful. I didn't have to push he just came out as I was focusing on the contracts.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Walking, stretches, reading everything I could find on natural birth and watching birthing videos. Knowledge is power and the more I read the more I felt confident in what my body could and all the what is fears went away. If some part of birth has you worried read about it till you understand it and the fear is gone.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How independent I labor. I thought with having a natural birth I would need more help and support. I did need the support but I didn't need or want touched other then my husbands hand on my hand and midwife hand on my back when babies head came out to keep me in the water. Thinking about hospital birth where I was told push now, lay here, move this way, it amazed me that just listening to my body and doing what it needed was all I needed to deliver my perfect baby.
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Have faith that you can do it. Read, read and read some more till you feel confident in yourself and you understand that you were made to be able to do this.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Moving! Rolling on a birthing ball, walking inside and outside, talking, laughing in between contractions and the birthing pool! Loved that pool so much.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my knees leaning against the side of the birthing pool.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing! Pure joy, relief, amazement that I really just delivered this amazing life safe, naturally and easily in my home!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Have faith that you can do it. Read, read and read some more till you feel confident in yourself and you understand that you were made to be able to do this.
