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When did you realize you were really in labor?
The day prior to the day he was born. I was having contractions and lower back pains. After about 10 hours my parents convinced me to head to the hospital.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Pain management!! The pain was intense because the baby was in stress and i stopped dilating at 5cm and my water hadn't broken. After 4 hours of not dilating the doctors decided to break my water. It was full speed ahead from there.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I kept working up until the week before I was due. I'm a cook so I work on my feet all day and walk a lot. I also used my yoga ball everyday to stretch my hips and reduce some back pain.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How euphoric I felt immediately after delivery.
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Just let your body do what it was built to do. I've done the natural birthing 2 out of 3 times. It is very possible if you want it to be.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Music and my husband being a squeeze pillow. Sitting up also helped a lot.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my back because it was most comfortable for me.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Unfortunately I didn't get to hold him immediately after birth because his umbilical cord was wrapped so tight around his neck he was blue and limp. It didn't take long for him to let the world know he was perfectly fine though.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Have a supporter or several. My husband was amazing. We spoke about different things we wanted done and not done throughout the pregnancy. We also did a lot of research. It is not impossible as a matter of fact it is easier than you think. Just let your body do what it was built to do. I've done the natural birthing 2 out of 3 times. It is very possible if you want it to be.
