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When did you realize you were really in labor?
My water broke at 3pm and that was the ""this is real" moment for me. I had been having contractions on and off all day, but they weren't severe enough to interrupt my time of Netflix watching and eating chocolate. I did call my doula in the morning, so she ended up watching Netflix with me. I was planning on sending her home after I had a nap, but that plan changed once my water gave way.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The sheer intensity of the contractions toward the end of labor was the hardest. I didn't push at all during the labor, but breathed the baby out. It was difficult to maintain a high level of control and not push, but to breathe instead. I am so glad I chose that path, since I only had a slight tear (due to the midwife roughly pulling the rest of the baby out, not from the actual labor itself). The nurses were amazed at how little damage I had and my daughter's head was perfectly round after the birth.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Walking was my savior. I guarantee that it shaved time off of my labor. This was my first birth, and my labor was 4 hours.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised at how little control I had over my body once the labor kicked into gear. My body completely took over, and I didn't have to think about pushing or controlling the birth.
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Develop a support team that will encourage and help you, truly believe your body will come through for you, and walk a minimum of 1 to 2 miles a day.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Repeating a mantra, gripping and focusing on my doula.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
A squat
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
I was overwhelmed and she was yelling and mad upon her entrance. I realized that here was a unique, sentient little person, who came through me, but was not of me.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Develop a support team that will encourage and help you, truly believe your body will come through for you, and walk a minimum of 1 to 2 miles a day.