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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I tried everything to get labor started. I was fast approaching 42 weeks - I tried all the tricks - sex, spicy food, castor oil - you name it. Finally, my midwife placed a foley bulb and that's what put me into labor. I did have to have a "hit of pit" that evening, and then things really started going.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The pressure to go natural. I built up a perfect birth in my head for 9 months, and when 42 weeks approached my pregnancy went from perfectly healthy to high risk. I risked out of the birth center I had planned on delivering at and had to be admitted to the hospital at 41 and 6 days. It was extremely difficult for me to get in the game mentally at the beginning. I found myself attached to an IV and monitors and suddenly thought it was the end of the world.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Staying active throughout my pregnancy really helped me during labor. My doula said I had the best-looking squat she'd ever seen! It really helped me push through the contractions both physically and mentally.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it went. Even though I had the help of Pitocin, my labor was fairly quick. The pitocin started at 9 PM and I was pushing by 2 AM. My midwife had left for the night thinking things wouldn't be moving yet. She was surprised to be back so soon.
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Don't have your heart set on a perfect birth. Things will happen - just know that God has you and is in control. Surrender and let your body do its thing.. and don't be upset if you need a bit of help.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
low tone moaning and squats! My doula was amazing at rubbing my back and hips and my husband was encouraging me the whole way through.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Reverse on the bed at an incline
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
So surreal - everything about my not so picture perfect birth didnt matter. I was in love and in awe of what had just happened.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Don't have your heart set on a perfect birth. Things will happen - just know that God has you and is in control. Surrender and let your body do its thing.. and don't be upset if you need a bit of help.
