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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When my water broke.
I had been having regular, non painful but uncomfortable Braxton Hicks for a long time - over a month. I ended up getting induced (despite my strong desire to not be) first with two doses of cervadil and then with the use of pitocin. The contractions had started coming closer together after pitocin but were still not super painful. When my water broke it was like an 'oh wow' moment of 'ok, so this is really going to happen now.'
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I was hospitalized for 2 1/2 days before active labor began. I knew the doctors at the hospital would be happy to have any reason to schedule a c-section for me, so I felt I was kind of working against a clock. It seemed all signs were pointing toward more and more intervention. Resisting that was a challenge. And the pain that came during 5-10cm. We learned during the pushing stage that my baby was face up. Thankfully she turned.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Well, I had a lot of tools/resources lined up...and I don't know that I used any.
I think being informed and knowing what I wanted was the best preparation. Everything did NOT go as hoped, but, I felt strongly enough to ensure as much of it did as possible. Despite early hospitalization and being given cervadil and pitocin, I was able to have a pain med free vaginal birth and feel my baby being pushed out of my body, which is what I wanted.
Also, my support team. My mother, sister and husband were with me most of the 4 days in the hospital. That was huge to me.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I imagined experiencing early labor at home with my husband and going to the hospital calm and ready for the more intense phases. So already being hospitalized (for what they thought might be pre-eclampsia, but was proven was not) really threw me off my game for a bit. I was not a happy camper. I'm still processing that.
Also, the pushing phase lasted for 2.5 hours!! Once I felt that intense need to push, I really thought it would be quicker. But nope!!
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If you want it, go in wanting it. And fight for it. If the situation doesn't allow it, you'll ultimately do what's best for your baby and you and you can feel good about that! But I think knowledge and determination are key.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
In the throes of it all my strategies went out the window.
I know I moaned a lot.
My sister massaged my legs which I remember I was moving in a rhythmic pattern, and my husband rubbed my shoulders to try to keep my from tensing too much...and both of those felt good for a while.
And sitting on the toilet felt good to me toward the end. There was intense pressure - maybe because baby was face up? - and for whatever reason I kept returning to the toilet.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Sitting up but reclined, knees pulled up on either side of my body, with chin rolled down to chest is how I ultimately delivered.
I pushed in several positions: side lying with one leg pulled up, squatting while holding onto a bar, on hands and knees, and laying down with legs up on the bar.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It felt like a dream, but it felt good. Like a big sigh 'she is here.'
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
If you want it, go in wanting it. And fight for it. If the situation doesn't allow it, you'll ultimately do what's best for your baby and you and you can feel good about that! But I think knowledge and determination are key.