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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was having surges around 4 am. Being only 35+5 weeks pregnant, I thought it was practice labor. I got the crazy idea of going to the hospital by 5:30, because the two showers I took weren't soothing. I realized I was in labor, when I got to the hospital and the nurse accidentally broke my water, while she was checking me. I was 5 cm!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The fact that I didn't get any sleep and thought I would be in labor for a while. My body also started shaking a lot. And it was difficult to ease into my intense surges. One of the nurses didn't help either, she kept bombarding me with the offer of an epidural because I was for sure in "pain".
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I meditated and did prenatal yoga, throughout my pregnancy. At 34 weeks, I started drinking red raspberry leaf tea and eating dates. I also books on hypnobirthing and dabbled on that a little.
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What surprised you about your birth?
What surprised me the most about this birth, is how quickly it went!!! Started around 4 am and baby was born at 7:43 am that same morning. Of course, I wasn't expecting to go into labor at 35 weeks, but I guess our little baby boy was ready to meet us! He didn't need to go to the NICU, and latched on to eat right away!
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To see and hold my baby was, in the true sense of the word, an awesome experience. Love poured all over my body and consumed the whole room.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
When I was still home, I got on all fours and rotated my pelvis. I hummed and took two baths. I also listened to visualizations in the car, on our way to the hospital.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I had no time to go through my birth plan, or even to what positions I would like best. I birthed on my back, holding my legs
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
To see and hold my baby was, in the true sense of the word, an awesome experience. Love poured all over my body and consumed the whole room.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it!!!!! It's the most beautiful and natural thing, us as women do. It's our super power. Don't let other people's perception of what labor is supposed to be inflict fear in you. It should not be scary or painful...you will be meeting your baby at the end!!
