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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had contractions about every 10 minutes at 3:30am but after dropping off my other children at school they spaced out quite a bit so I went in to my scheduled appointment to have my membranes stripped. She did it and commented that I was really stretchy and felt wet. She tested her glove and it turned out that I had a high leak. I still didn't feel I was really in labor when I got to the hospital at 11:30.... fast forward through lots of walking and nipple stimulation I would probably have went to the hospital on my own- thinking this might be it- around 3:00pm. A half hour drive for my husband home then another half hour to the hospital would have put me there at around 4:00. She was born at 6:37pm!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The monitors! My hospital has ambulatory monitors but mine was quite an annoyance to lug around!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Ina May Gaskin!!! I read everything I could get my hands on.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised I had her on my due date! My husband was really hoping that I wouldn't so he could go to the Texas Tech football game. As it was I had her before the game started and we watched it in tv!
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Doulas are amazing and mine was the key to my success! Stay as relaxed as possible and horse lips are your best friend!!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
She was anterior at first and hip squeezes were amazing! Low moaning and horse lips during contractions were good too and my doula helped remind me many times. Towards the end she turned (hallelujah!) and counter pressure on the center of my lower back was awesome.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I delivered kneeling on the hospital bed facing the raised back of it then flipped over to hold her and deliver the placenta.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was amazing and an instant relief to hold her in my arms.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Doulas are amazing and mine was the key to my success! Stay as relaxed as possible and horse lips are your best friend!!
