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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I just started to not feel myself for about a day and a half and noticed some mucus plug when I went to the bathroom. I decided to take the morning slow, showered, got ready, then my back was hurting so I thought I would stretch and do some yoga and BOOM! My water broke about halfway through, so I waddled downstairs and about 2 hours later contractions started to kick in.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Not knowing when my body would be finally ready to push the baby out. I had back labor because he was posterior so my back felt shattered the entire time and I understood then why the drugs seemed so appealing but I didn't want them. It was difficult because I was not prepared for my back to hurt so much.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
My husband and I took a 12 week Bradley Method Birth Class which prepared not only me but my husband to be able to be calm, confident, and helpful the WHOLE time. He was my go to and my anchor, I was floored by his involvement. We learned all the different stages of labor the signs to look for and how to cope with each contraction.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How the pain instantly just goes away after that last and final push! It was like freedom haha. I couldn't believe I pushed through so much pain and then it instantly went away. I was also surprised by how well my body just knew what to do, it was very textbook like and I was so thankful for no complications.
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YOU CAN DO IT! Empower yourself. Be prepared, do all you can leading up to your birth to stay healthy, keep baby in prime position with simple exercises, stay educated, and be vocal with you doctor/midwife in all your appointments and birth plan about what you want.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I tried it all...deep breathing, relaxing completely between contractions, kept my eyes closed a lot to concentrate, different positions, Birthing ball, walking, and also the tub.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up sitting up which was not my ideal but I couldn't stay in any other position because of the back pain. I needed something to put my back against once I started actively pushing. I had a nurse and my husband on both sides propping my legs up high as I pushed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was so unreal, I couldn't even believe it. My life forever changed the minute he was placed on my skin. My heart just melted.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
YOU CAN DO IT! Empower yourself. Be prepared, do all you can leading up to your birth to stay healthy, keep baby in prime position with simple exercises, stay educated, and be vocal with you doctor/midwife in all your appointments and birth plan about what you want. You ALWAYS have a choice and they can't make you do anything. It is painful but who said it wouldn't be?! No birth is the same, so own yours and be happy with a healthy mom and healthy baby as your end goal :) I was able to have no drugs, no complications, and heal within 2-3 weeks completely. My baby is breastfeeding and growing and I couldn't be more blessed.
