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When did you realize you were really in labor?
After several nights of prodromal labor that I kept thinking would turn into the real labor, I was woken up at around 7am with contractions I knew were real
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Trusting my baby and my body to know when to go into labor. I had my son at 40+2 and after having my daughter at 39 weeks exactly, those were the longest 9 days of my life. Getting induced was sounding pretty good towards the end.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Positive affirmations! Reminding myself everyday that my body was made for labor and delivery, that I could handle anything for a minute at a time, and the contractions were a good thing because each one would bring me closer to meeting the newest love of my life!
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What surprised you about your birth?
I couldn't believe how much faster, easier, and light-hearted everything was compared to my first time around. 15 hours of labor with my daughter and I was miserable the whole time. With my son, labor started at 7, I was still going about my day until 1pm when things really picked up. I relaxed at home in the shower until 3pm when we left for the birth center, got there at 3:25, and after getting situated in the bed and finding a comfortable position, my water finally broke and soaked my poor midwife (sorry Melissa! We all had a good laugh about it right then though) at 3:38, and he was born at 3:47. We knew he would be big, but 9lbs 10oz was pretty shocking!
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Trust your body and your baby! They know what they are doing! Stay active during your pregnancy and as far into your labor as you possibly can. You can do it!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
The shower and deep breathing. The warm water running over my contracting belly and focusing on my breath and not the intensity of the contractions made labor relative easy.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Lying on my left side in the bed. I was planning on another water birth, but my little guy was in a hurry! I tried kneeling but it felt like he was coming to fast and I want to be totally in control to avoid tearing like I did with my daughter.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was absolutely magical! We didn't know his sex, so pulling him up onto my belly and getting to announce "we have a boy!" could not have been more perfect! I felt like a goddess and a superhero!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Trust your body and your baby! They know what they are doing! Stay active during your pregnancy and as far into your labor as you possibly can. You can do it!
