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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When mild period cramping started about 2 1/2 hours after some of my water leaked. I had also noticed pink discharge and pieces of my mucus plug.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The fear and doubt that continued to resurface during pregnancy, it really took a lot of inner work to work through those emotions. Looking back, I really do not think the contractions were unbearable or as bad as I had thought they would be. What was difficult was the pushing part, this was an intense experience which made me fearful in the moment that I would not be able to do it, but I only pushed for 1/2 hour!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I did a lot to prepare. I would say it was a combination of everything I did: the red raspberry leaf tea, dates, drinking lots of water, walking, supplementation through a muscle response testing practitioner, Reiki, chiropractic appointments, Mama Natural Birth Course, meetings with my doula, and meditation/prayer.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Labor and delivery took about 13.5 hours, but strong contractions really only lasted for about 5.5 hours, and most were not painful. I only had to push for a 1/2 hour and I went from 4cm, 90% effaced to pushing her out in about 3.5 hours, all while in triage alone for 1 hour, being tested for COVID and connected to a fetal monitor for an additional hour due to the nurses/doctors not being able to get a reading on my baby girl.
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Trust your body, labor truly is mind over matter. Of course the more you do to physically prepare your body through nutrition and walking often is also important.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing through contractions, essential oils on cotton balls to breath in, birth ball movements, and the labor tub during active labor/transition.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Surreal! It still is! It truly is the most amazing experience, I remember continuously telling our baby girl she is beautiful!
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What did you name your baby, and why?
Amitola because it's a name you do not hear often.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your body, labor truly is mind over matter. Of course the more you do to physically prepare your body through nutrition and walking often is also important.
