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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After two weeks of light contractions, I woke at 3am at 41weeks and immediately recognized the difference in intensity with these contractions. They were immediately regular and with increasing intensity.,
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had a natural, med-free birth with my first, so I was excited to have another. This baby flipped to breech at 34 weeks, so that provided a bit of stress, till we learned she flipped back at 37 w.,
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I continued my barre3 practice through 39weeks and I stayed active until delivery day.
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What surprised you about your birth?
Everything. She was later than her big sister, bigger than her big sister at birth and nothing, nothing went as planned during labor.
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Do it. Give it your all, but remember that even with our best intentions, best practices, best hopes- the experience may be different than we intended. I labored naturally to 9 cm and I know had baby been in the right position, she would have been delivered fast. I'm grateful I had the opportunity and time to try to reposition her, and I'm grateful I delivered a healthy girl, regardless of method.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I enjoyed being in the shower, so we decided to go to the birth center after only three hours of labor, so I could labor in the tub.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
When we got to the birth center I was checked at 7cm, but it was discovered the baby was face presenting. Not sunny side up, but literally face first. I was transferred to the hospital due to risks. After laboring and stalling at 9, my waters were broken and I received an epidural so we could try to manipulate baby into a better position. I ended up receiving a cesarean section as baby refused to move.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Wonderful. I received a gentle c-section, but it was still a few minutes before I was able to truly hold, and nurse my baby. Seeing her father, my husband, do skin to skin with her was so comforting.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Do it. Give it your all, but remember that even with our best intentions, best practices, best hopes- the experience may be different than we intended. I labored naturally to 9 cm and I know had baby been in the right position, she would have been delivered fast. I'm grateful I had the opportunity and time to try to reposition her, and I'm grateful I delivered a healthy girl, regardless of method.
