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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was 41 weeks and 5 days when i went into labor, At that point i felt like she would never come and i had given up thinking 'oh this may be it!' 'is this what labor feels like?' Even though Kennedy wasn't my first baby she was my first one i wasn't going to get induced with so early labor was all new to me. I went to see my midwife in the morning and everything was perfect i was 3 cm and 60% thinned out. Later on i went to see the chiro and he did his magic. Three hours later i started to get cramp like 'pains' but kinda wrote it off because i had felt them before and it turned into nothing. So a couple hours went by and they were getting closer together and stronger. My family and i went out to dinner and by the time we left i was on the phone with my doula telling her this may be it. Got home and relaxed a little to see if they would go away and they didn't. I called my midwife and she sat threw a contraction with me and then she said the awesome words 'I think you will have a baby tonight, Ill meet you at the birthing center'. That's how i really knew i was in labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging thing for me was the unknown. Yes, i had two vaginal births but i was induced and had pain meds. My mom had five C-sections and no vaginal births so i couldn't really look to her for advice and the other women in my family also had inductions and pain meds. I think that was the more challenging.. The unknown.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful things i did was taking the Mama Natural birthing class and also watching Ina May videos and reading her books. I look up to her! But mostly even above that it was my faith and how head strong i am.. I knew God made my body to birth babies. I knew He had it under control and i had nothing to worry about. My mind was set on this simple thing 'God made me able to birth this baby, and birthing her i will'.
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What surprised you about your birth?
What surprised me the most was the fact i really didn't NEED anyone. I thought id need my husband and my doula and midwives with me every minute. I thought id need to be told what to do and when to do it. But in reality i didn't.. i knew exactly what to do and when to do it. Its amazing and beautiful how the human body works. I was exhausted and in pain but i never got to the giving up stage or and i never asked for meds.. Maybe because i knew there wasn't any in the birthing center or maybe because i knew i COULD do it! Also i was surprised how much i screamed.. yes, i was a total screamer like on TV. But it helped with the pain. Id just yell it out.
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YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Never doubt yourself and don't let others doubt you either. Have your baby the way YOU want to.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Soaking in the water and when it came to pushing just screaming it out.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was laying back on my husband in the tub.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was amazing. My other kids they took them right away and i had never had that moment of the baby being placed on your chest. I was so amazed and in love.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Never doubt yourself and don't let others doubt you either. Have your baby the way YOU want to.
