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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had been experiencing prodromal labor for more than 3 weeks so I was skeptical any time I felt contractions but something just felt different this time. It wasn't really until my doula agreed that the contraction pattern looked like labor that I was truly convinced. Just an hour after we concluded I was in early labor things quickly changed into active labor and there was no denying this was truly it!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Pushing! I was amazed at what I was able to handle through my 8 hour labor. Even in transition I didn't feel like I wished I had meds. Transition was really hard but I was doing it. Pushing though was so hard that at times I felt like I physically couldn't do it and really needed a lot of encouragement.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I was a VBAC and wanted a natural delivery so mental preparation was key for me. I was so firmly committed to natural labor and delivery that even when things got really tough I wasn't tempted to change my mind.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I expected it to be so much harder. I got to the hospital after just a few hours of laboring at home by myself while waiting for my husband to come home from work and I was already 8 centimeters. I was shocked that I was able to get so far on my own. I kept saying that I was waiting for it to be that unbearable pain people talk about but that really didn't hit until right before I started pushing. Just look at my picture taken only 3 hours after delivery. I expected to be a wreck but somehow I handled things and came out strong and smiling.
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Surround yourself with support so you can have your mental game ready. Make sure your doctor believes in you. Mine never doubted me and that helped so much. If you can hire a doula. My doula was key to my success both leading up to the birth and at the actual birth because she encouraged me and really believed in me even through my own doubt and fears.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Singing. I hadn't planned on it but for some reason I started singing during contractions and it felt like it helped relieve the pain.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back with my feet in stirrups turned out to be the best for me.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing! Shocking! I couldn't believe I actually did it!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Surround yourself with support so you can have your mental game ready. Make sure your doctor believes in you. Mine never doubted me and that helped so much. If you can hire a doula. My doula was key to my success both leading up to the birth and at the actual birth because she encouraged me and really believed in me even through my own doubt and fears.
