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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been having what I thought were Braxton Hicks throughout the evening and night. At 3:30 in the morning, I went to use the bathroom. On my way back, my water gushed all over the floor, and I knew it was the real deal.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Definitely, the pain. It was intense!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I'm not sure what was most helpful, but things I did that I would do again are go with midwives over a doctor, hire a doula, get chiropractic care, drink red raspberry tea leaf, and do spinning baby exercises. Mentally, the scriptural birth affirmations were helpful in overcoming my fears about delivering unmedicated.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it went and that there was no tearing.
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I was overjoyed! The pain completely vanished and it was all so worth it! She was beautiful and perfect, and I was instantly smitten!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Leaning on my husband, breathing deeply, and moaning through the contractions. My doula also lent me a TENS unit, which I think helped. The pain never got as bad as it did with my other labors.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On all fours on the bed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was overjoyed! The pain completely vanished and it was all so worth it! She was beautiful and perfect, and I was instantly smitten!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it, and it will all be worth it! (And recovery will be so much easier! :-) )
