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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Contractions started around 7:30am. It wasn't until about 8:00am, after having intense low back pain and pelvic pressure for about half an hour. I was a bit confused as it was such a different feeling than the Braxton Hicks contractions I'd had. After about 45 mins of regular spaced contractions my water broke, and ten or so minutes later our baby girls head started to appear! I hardly remember pushing it all happened soo fast... my husband came rushing across the bathroom in time to catch her and put her on my chest ?
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I truly lucked out as she came soo fast I didn't have a chance to have many challenges! But having it happen so quickly I had multiple tears that have been uncomfortable and taking a while to heal.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Reading the book "Birthing from Within" was VERY helpful! But also taking a birthing class through the hospital and reading articles online like Mama Naturals, provided me with fabulous resources and various things to possibly expect.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The labor only lasted one hour!! She was born at home completely unexpected. I had GD and therefore had to be in Labor and Delivery, though my husband and I'd compromised on the birthing center at the hospital. In the end my dream of a home birth came true! We were then taken to the hospital for monitoring and for me to deliver the Placenta. It was VERY much not how we'd thought it would go, but we have a healthy baby girl and a crazy story?
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Stay true to your wishes!! Educate yourself, asking questions, reading up, however you can! Use a midwife if you can, they are remarkable support and even having GD I was confident in having a natural birth thanks to them! Also have good support, my mom was there to be an extra support person, but with how intense and quick it all was she got a bit shell shocked, understandably so! If we have another baby I might have a doula, but my husband was amazing and our midwives were excellent in helping me to prepare.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Doing my best to focus on my breathing and having someone to hang onto! I also bit down on a towel to help get through the pain. I was so worried about managing the pain I had massage oil and focal points all ready to help me get through the long labor I was expecting to have! ?
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was squatting in the bathroom... Thankfully not over the toilet!
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
After such a surreal and quick birth I was pretty overwhelmed holding her right after... she was"sunny side up" so I'll forever remember my first glimpse her face as she was emerging into the world! But it was in the ambulance to the hospital I was able to really look at her and realize how miraculous this little being is!!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Stay true to your wishes!! Educate yourself, asking questions, reading up, however you can! Use a midwife if you can, they are remarkable support and even having GD I was confident in having a natural birth thanks to them! Also have good support, my mom was there to be an extra support person, but with how intense and quick it all was she got a bit shell shocked, understandably so! If we have another baby I might have a doula, but my husband was amazing and our midwives were excellent in helping me to prepare.
