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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After 4 hrs of what I now know to be early labor, I started having to breathe through contractions as my husband and I were watching a movie at home. They had been exactly 5 min apart from the start of dinner at 6pm but I didn't realize it was labor until I need to pause and breathe through them!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Honestly, sharing my decision with others! Both our parents had "emergency" C-Section so they were overly concerned something would go wrong. They weren't very supportive at first and instilled fears in us that weren't welcome. We didn't want to deal with the same negative feedback knowing people wouldn't understand, so we chose to keep it on the down low for the most part! Everyone has something to say and that can be frustrating when you know in your heart that you're choosing what's best for you.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I read birth stories from Mama Natural almost daily! Every story is different which was encouraging because you can't expect it to go a certain way, you just have to surrender and let it happen. I prayed every day during my walks and asked God to provide the desires of my heart-and He did! I was specific in asking for things. I also drank Red Raspberry Leaf Tea and took alfalfa for bleeding and Evening Primrose to help soften my cervix. I truly believe the combination of all of that prepared my mind and body perfectly for labor!! I'd do the exact same if I had to do over.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How easy contractions were and how long I had to push! I had dinner with family and grocery shopped while in labor.. I only had to breathe through them for about 2 hrs. When we arrived at our birth center I was 9.5cm dilated! I was so nervous I'd be a 2 or 3. I expected to push for an hour or two and be done! So I was excited and motivated. But I ended up pushing for almost 4 hours because she was asynclitic (face looking toward shoulder) so she got kind of stuck. We tried every position imaginable but I was completely blown away at how long it took to push her out!
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Words will never be able to describe. My husband caught her, so when I opened my eyes he was crying and handing me our daughter. The most magical, beautiful, miraculous moment I'll ever experience!!! Pure joy.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
In all honesty the pain never got severe. Relaxing on the couch while watching a movie with my husband helped distract me. The peak of the contractions are so short, that I would just remind myself of that every time and then it would be over with. I did take a really hot shower for about 30 min which felt lovely. I felt that leaning over and swaying helped relieve some lower pressure!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back in bed--the exact opposite of what I had envisioned! I wanted a water birth, but after pushing for 3.5 hrs and trying the tub, toilet, squatting, swing, baby girl just needed the pressure from the bed to push her up on my pelvis. She was out 40 min later!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Words will never be able to describe. My husband caught her, so when I opened my eyes he was crying and handing me our daughter. The most magical, beautiful, miraculous moment I'll ever experience!!! Pure joy.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Be confident. Trust that your body was literally created to do this very thing, and never ever doubt that truth. I always kind of wondered in the back of my head if I would want to give up in the middle of it, but I didn't. Yes it is intense. Yes its hard. But you know that's going into it. Have your support system in place and stay strong. You have no idea how empowered you will feel afterwards! I'm still on such a high 4 weeks later! You got this mama-- completely worth it!!!
