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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I woke at 3:30 am with regular contractions and decided to take a warm shower to ease the pain and buy time for my husband to sleep before heading to the hospital.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Not asking for an epidural when the contractions got really intense. My husband and midwife did a great job at talking me down from asking when I was transitioning into active labor. They told me how strong I was, how well I was breathing through the contractions and massaged my lower back.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Taking Bradley method classes really prepped my husband and I for what was coming and how to deal with each phase of birth.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast she came once I relaxed enough to allow my body to transition.
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Don't doubt yourself. Trust that your body knows what to do and that you are strong enough to give your baby the best delivery possible.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing through contractions, swaying my hips and having my husband massage my lower back and hips.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was on the bed on my knees and leaned against the raised back of the bed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I felt relief and euphoria. I couldn't believe I did it naturally. I was so proud of my body for making it through without pain medication.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Don't doubt yourself. Trust that your body knows what to do and that you are strong enough to give your baby the best delivery possible.
