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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Right after midnight and she was born at 2:05am.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
For me being mentally prepared was the key to success. This birth labor was so fast, I psyched myself out. Despite my previous labor being three times as long and the baby 2 lbs larger, this one was more challenging.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Lots of prayer, and trust. I actually said a hail mary during every contraction in the final stages of labor.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Despite delivering just 2 hours after realizing I was in actual labor...I did not want to push at all. I could feel my body pushing her down during every contraction and I had no urge at all to push. I let my body do everything while I focused on getting through each contraction. Our bodies are so amazing!
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I let my body do everything while I focused on getting through each contraction. Our bodies are so amazing!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Keeping focus elsewhere. You can not think about the pain and you must do anything to focus on something else.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on my knees facing the head of the hospital bed but just before she came out I laid on my back.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Oh man. So many emotions! I guess the most over powering one was relief. I was relived she was ok, relived I was "done" and relived everything went "perfect". Certainly felt quite blessed as well, God had given us another beautiful healthy baby and got me through yet another all natural labor with absolutely nothing but prayers for pain relief.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Plan ahead!! You have to mentally prepare. Have a game plan, and trust your body!
