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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up at 519am in the middle of a really intense contraction. Immediately I needed the bathroom, by the third contraction I just knew that this was it and my 5 days of prodromal early labor (contractions every 5-10 minutes non stop) had finally become active labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The 3 minutes between contractions when he was crowning.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
This was my 3rd. I have taken Lamaze, Bradley, and Hypnobirthing classes, I took doula training, and had 2 other natural births. The most helpful thing I did to prepare for this birth was create my space at home. I had my birth pool, a serene cd on, perfect lighting, a great doula and midwife, affirmation flags hung, and a custom essential oils blend diffusing .
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was. I woke up at the end of active labor and moved into transition within an hour and a half. The whole thing was only 5.5 hours.
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Fear causes tension which causes pain. Contractions only ache like a muscle that is doing really hard work. Learn about what will happen in childbirth to bring baby earth side. Learn what relieves the fatigue and how you best cope with illness or pain. Tell your partner to expect you to lose faith and lose your way once or twice and go over a script for them to say to give you the courage and strength to stay the course. Watch natural birth videos to be prepared for what normal birth looks like.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Growling, low tones, and movement.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my knees, leaning over the side if the birth pool.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Exhilarating, I was shaking from the adrenaline.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Fear causes tension which causes pain. Contractions only ache like a muscle that is doing really hard work. Learn about what will happen in childbirth to bring baby earth side. Learn what relieves the fatigue and how you best cope with illness or pain. Tell your partner to expect you to lose faith and lose your way once or twice and go over a script for them to say to give you the courage and strength to stay the course. Watch natural birth videos to be prepared for what normal birth looks like.
