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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke at 7am. I thought I was peeing myself all morning until I started peeing a lot and realized it wasn't pee. I went to my doctor and was put on the monitor. I was having contractions but I couldn't feel them until midnight that night, so that's when I think of my labor actually starting.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The pushing! It was the hardest thing I have ever done! I now know what they mean by "the ring of fire"!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I listened to birth story podcasts everyday throughout my third trimester.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How big my baby was. 8lbs 5oz. I'm a pretty petite person so I expected a smaller baby!
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It was a crazy feeling. My whole body was shaking and I couldn't believe that such an amazing little human had been living inside me!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing exercises on my yoga ball. I kept putting counter pressure on my thighs throughout my contractions.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my back in the bed which is not how I wanted to be but it ended up working out.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was a crazy feeling. My whole body was shaking and I couldn't believe that such an amazing little human had been living inside me!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Listen to other people's birth stories! It helped knowing what other people had experienced and what techniques they used to get through their labors. Also, practice your breathing! I had practiced my breathing throughout my whole pregnancy and after each contraction I had a very short moment like "I did it!" and I felt ready for the next one.
