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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Woke up from a nightmare at 12:37 AM. First contraction happened at 1 AM. Within 10 minutes I knew it was the real thing!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Honestly, nothing.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Learn as much as I could about all different scenarios, from breech positioning to retained placenta to excessive bleeding. I knew no matter what happened I would be knowledgeable and prepared to handle the situation.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Well, my very-definitely head down baby decided to flip last minute and come out foot first! I told the midwife that pushing felt funny, because I couldn't feel the baby moving down like I had my other two. She reassured me she could see a "wrinkly little head". Then said, "That's not a head, that's a FOOT!"
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Don't waste time in early labor worrying about how long it's gonna last or how much it's gonna hurt. Nothing hurt like my upside down and backwards baby, but it's such a short moment of your life that it's not worth stressing over. Just ride it out, it'll be over so soon.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Moving wherever and however my body wanted me to. And hot water in the birth pool!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Dangling from the arms with my bottom off the edge of the bed! Not the most fun, but I got my baby out in a total of three pushes and less than two minutes!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Such a relief, because she made it out safely and perfect, as though she never flipped upside down and dangled by her head from the birth canal!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Don't waste time in early labor worrying about how long it's gonna last or how much it's gonna hurt. Nothing hurt like my upside down and backwards baby, but it's such a short moment of your life that it's not worth stressing over. Just ride it out, it'll be over so soon.
