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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I actually had to be induced for going over our due date and my baby approaching 10lbs! My first baby was also induced for heading towards 42 weeks.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Once they broke my waters, things started getting painful real fast; getting from 6cm to 10cm was around 2 hours and it was intense! Keeping my face and shoulders relaxed was so difficult through the contractions but it helped a lot!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
A lot of research and pep talks!
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What surprised you about your birth?
We found out the gender at birth! The biggest surprise though with this birth was how much easier it was to push without an epidural or IV pain medications. I pushed a 9lb 12oz baby out in 12 minutes with zero tears! I felt like I didn't even give birth within a few hours! Total opposite from my first birth, where I had IV pain meds and an epidural! It was quite a process to go natural but I feel it had so many amazing benefits and a lot of it being my recovery being so smooth!
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Trust your body. You may feel like you can't do it but you CAN and once the baby is out, the pain is gone!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The nurses and my support team rubbing my back, changing positions as needed, and the gas mask!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back but they encouraged me to deliver however I felt comfortable.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Unreal! There is no other way to describe it besides unreal!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your body. You may feel like you can't do it but you CAN and once the baby is out, the pain is gone!