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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke up around 4:30am with contractions and I remember from my first daughter that when I can't sleep through them that may be the real deal. I still waited until about 8:30am and they were 8-9 minutes apart then we contacted the birthing team.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing about going natural was dealing with the negative views at first when I started telling people I was going natural but after that the only challenge was not knowing how everything would work out.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful part was first remaining completely positive throughout the entire 9 months I convinced myself I could do this natural and that it was a mind battle once I conquered that fear I could do anything the second best part was staying active I worked out the entire 9 months which helped for a smooth labor.
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What surprised you about your birth?
My entire experience surprised me to start off I actually labored the difficult part without my midwife and I didn't even know it by the time she got to my house I was already 10cm and ready to push and because I never felt contractions that bad I had no idea I was already at the end of labor. It was amazing to find my own personal strength that I never knew existed I wouldn't change any of it for the world.
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Please do not listen to others and their negative energy they may give you for your decision remember our bodies were made to do this and it is possible.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
For myself I did a lot of hip rotations of my exercise ball every time I felt a contraction coming also breathing techniques are extremely important and stretching helped me.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
The plan was a water birth and my midwife was scheduled to bring the water tub however once my contractions became so close she rushed to me and wasn't able to bring the run out of fear that she wouldn't have time to set it up. I was terrified to deliver without water because that was outside of my birthing plan so we ended up in my garden style tub upstairs and we delivered safely in the water.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
My picture I sent shows the best and honest emotion I was overwhelmed with joy and pure honor that I was able to naturally bring her into the world and my husband,mother,mother in law, sister in law and best friend were all there to witness this beautiful experience and cry right along with us it's something I'll never forget.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
My first advice is please do not listen to others and their negative energy they may give you for your decision remember our bodies were made to do this and it is possible.. Secondly use the 9 months to research natural births my husband and I watched one birth on YouTube a week for the entire pregnancy to prepare our minds and lastly the most important preparation is your mind whether you need to read poems or positive quotes you must prepare your mind for this journey and convince yourself you're capable of accomplishing this goal and believe that everything will workout for the greater good.
