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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When my contractions were making me think that I wished my husband was home already from work.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The exhaustion once I was in transition.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Listening to hypnobirthing CDs and practicing with them in calm atmospheres.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Needing a forceps delivery/size of baby (9lb6oz).
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Don't let perfect be the enemy of the good. Keep your mind open to other possibilities.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Hypnobirthing CDs and breathing to the beat of the calming music on my labor playlist.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On back - forceps.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Incredible. I was so relieved to finally meet him and to see that he was healthy.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Don't let perfect be the enemy of the good. Keep your mind open to other possibilities.
I didn't expect to have a forceps delivery, but I went all natural up until that point.
Baby's head was stuck in my pelvis because his head was tilted to the side and despite being to see his head in the pushing stage, he wasn't making much progress after 2 hours of upright positions and squatting while pushing.
I have no regrets and feel thankful and proud that I still had a vaginal delivery and that I didn't have a C-Section as that was the next step if we couldn't get him out.