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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I lost my uterine seal, and just hours later a started having slight surges.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
My labor was quite long. It started Monday morning, and our daughter was born on Thursday.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
We took a Hypnobirthing course. The breathing exercises, affirmations and relaxations helped me to go through such a long labor, and made it possible to keep a smile on my face until the moment our daughter was born.
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What surprised you about your birth?
The moment our daughter was born the long labor and discomforts I had felt just didn't matter at all anymore.
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It was an amazing feeling, I think there are no words to describe it. After nine months of preparation we finally had the love of our life's in our arms!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
It varied during the different stages of labor. Most of the time it really helped to move, walk, do hip swings. I really couldn't stay in bed. The birth ball also helped because it allowed me to move my hips as well. Warm water was definitely what worked the best. I spent hours in the bathhouse tub. And of course the hip squeezes I received from my partner and doula.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was squatting in a bath tub until her head was out. Afterwards I turned around in a sitting position so my husband could receive our daughter.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was an amazing feeling, I think there are no words to describe it. After nine months of preparation we finally had the love of our life's in our arms!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Prepare well! That's what we did and it really helped. The needs of preparation might be different for each mama, but here are some of the things I did:
1) focus on nutrition 2) exercise 3) read, watch and listen about positive birth stories 4) yoga and meditation 5) HypnoBirthing course 6) choose the right care provider 7) have a birth plan but be really flexible about it 8) practice with my partner 9) hire a doula 10) research a lot and make our own decisions instead of just following trends 11) listen to my body
