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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I had a full day of false labor at 40+4, and then was having contractions on and off for days and days, I was exhausted and miserable when my midwife and I decided to induce at 8 days overdue.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
It wasn't planned! I was hoping to make it as long as I could without medication and then go ahead and get an epidural, when my water broke and I said I was ready for some pain relief I found out that the anesthesiologist was in surgery and wouldn't be out for 40 minutes! By the time he made it to my room I was ready to push.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Having one of my best friends as a doula, she calmed me and talked me through contractions in a way no one else could.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was in comparison to my two other births that I had epidurals with. When my water broke I was dilated to 5, my daughter was born just over an hour later. Recovery was also so much easier than after an epidural.
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Your body is made to do this! Even if you don't think you can make it through in the moment, your body will continue to do its thing and you will have a baby at the end of it all!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Getting off of the bed and moving. The ball helped during early labor and the tub was amazing when things picked up speed.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Reclining on the bed. My midwife wanted to check me, and the contractions were coming to fast for me to get myself into a different position at that point.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Shocking! I was so amazed that I had given birth without major pain control and it all happened so fast that it was both a shock and a huge relief to hold my sweet baby in my arms.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Your body is made to do this! Even if you don't think you can make it through in the moment, your body will continue to do its thing and you will have a baby at the end of it all!
