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When did you realize you were really in labor?
The evening of my due date I started having light cramping while I was sleeping, but I assumed it was just a warm-up. Who gives birth ON their due date?! I knew it was labor when I woke up the next day and the cramping continued.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
This was my second birth and although I went 30 hours with no pain medication for my first birth, I ended up having an epidural for the last 9 hours, so I didn't know what that final opening would feel like. The most challenging thing for me was letting go, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Even though I wanted to feel it this time I kept saying "no" to feeling my body...verbally and mentally. I think I was clenching everything I could be clenching. I was convincing myself I could just not push and it would be over.
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griffin
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Honestly, I stayed away from most of my birthing books this time around. Part of the reason was the fact that I have a 3 year old, so I didn't have time to sit and read and reflect and the other part was that I felt more relaxed about birth by not hyper-focusing on it. I listened to some birthing meditations that a local midwife made and those were really helpful.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How FAST it was! I went from light cramping to full-on late stage active labor in an hour. About 2 hours later we were preparing to get out of the house. The baby almost made his appearance in our truck. We were rerouted by our doctor to a closer birth center. What also surprised me was that the pushing did actually feel good and the "ring of fire" feeling at crowning was not nearly as bad as the contractions. So, once I did let go and allow my body to relax and open and ease the baby down and out, I was rewarded with a little less pain!
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Surrender. Surrender to your body, to the process. Let go of your expectations and don't beat yourself up if things don't go the way you dreamed.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Walking was my best friend for this birth. With my first, I didn't want to move...I planted myself on my birth ball and stayed there unless I was told I had to get into the bed for some reason. With this birth I wanted to move and walk outside. When the contractions became extremely intense standing bent over my bed and gyrating my hips really helped.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Partially reclined holding my legs up.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was in a cloud of bliss, so I can barely remember exactly how I felt. I suppose I should say BLISS! I felt so accomplished having finally let go.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Surrender. Surrender to your body, to the process. Let go of your expectations and don't beat yourself up if things don't go the way you dreamed. Both my births were completely different from what I was expecting and I feel wonderful about both. My births went the way they were supposed to go. Enjoy the ride, Mamas!
