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When did you realize you were really in labor?
At midnight on the day I gave birth. I woke up and realized that I was having regular contractions. Although, at that point, they were not intense and I was able to go back to sleep. I did wake up a few times after that though, feeling like I needed to go to the bathroom.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Keeping a positive frame of mind and keeping myself convinced that I could do it while I was constantly telling others about my goal of going natural. I didn't have a lot of naysayers but every time I talked to one, it increased my resolve to prove them wrong. I hoped that my birth went the way I was hoping so that I could go natural.
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aug17
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I stayed physically active through my pregnancy, journaled, and visualized what I wanted. I was open to having to change if the situation required it but I was very protective over making sure my goals would be listened to and met. I asked my midwife a lot of questions about what I might expect during labor at home and at the hospital. I started preparing for the birth day early, as soon as I knew I had a viable pregnancy.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That I was able to labor at home for so long. When we got to the hospital at about 2:45 pm, I learned that I was 10 cm dilated but I had no idea that I was that far along. I would have actually gone to the hospital sooner if I had of realized that.
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Keeping a positive frame of mind and keeping myself convinced that I could do it while I was constantly telling others about my goal of going natural.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Keeping my breathing under control (calm, deep breaths) and going within myself mentally and focusing on riding through each contraction, especially when they increased in intensity. While my mom and husband were available to help me, they kept a distance and only checked on my periodically. I stayed as still and focused as possible.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back. I was holding my legs and a nurse and my husband were pushing against my feet when I'd have to push.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Surreal. It was exhilarating but a shock, like "wow, hello. Now I'm a mom."
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
You can do it. You are much stronger than you may think. Be as prepared as possible for your birth and different situations that may occur but stay focused and determined in what you want. Have a good coach who will support you and give you the encouragement you need when you need it and the way that you need it at that moment. My husband went from just checking on my occasionally, to running interference when my mom started distracting me too much, to helping to encouragingly scream at me when I needed to push and bear down.
