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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke at 36+3, but it was more of an intermittent leak, so it didn't even occur to me that I could be in labor. I mentioned it to my doula in a text, and she told me I could go to the hospital to check if it was amniotic fluid or something else. Since I had a check-up with my midwife the next afternoon, I decided to wait and let her check it. Once I got to my appointment, my midwife did a check, confirmed it was amniotic fluid, and told me I was having a baby in the next 24 hours. I was speechless! Aside from the leaking fluid, I had no signs that I was in labor, so it was really hard to wrap my mind around that fact.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
For me, the most challenging thing about going natural was laboring through transition and coping with the pain during that stage. That was the point I would have said yes to an epidural, and what got me through was knowing that it was too late for one, which meant it was almost over!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I think listening to other women's birth experiences on the podcast The Birth Hour was the most helpful resource to prepare for childbirth. Knowing that practically anything could happen and that it would turn out all right in spite of the unexpected was really helpful.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How much labor hurt! I thought I would cope with the pain better. The other surprising thing was the adrenaline rush when my baby was finally born and lying in my arms. There's nothing like those first minutes. I felt on top of the world and so in love with my husband and my new son.
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Expect it to be hard, but know that you are fully capable of doing it. Have a good support person with you who will remind you why you're doing it.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I found that breathing techniques and hip squeezes/massage worked the best for my pain relief.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
For the majority of my pushing, I was in a squat position and on hands and knees, but when it came time for the big pushes and baby's arrival, I was in a semi-reclined position. (That was the most surprising part of birth for me--that was the last position I thought I'd use.)
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was in awe and so in love.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Expect it to be hard, but know that you are fully capable of doing it. Have a good support person with you who will remind you why you're doing it. I loved the mantra "I can do hard things" through my labor too.