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When did you realize you were really in labor?
Our baby girl a-was born early on. Thursday morning and I realized I was having very minor contractions on Monday! My hubby and I went to the hospital after some red discharge and they said I was 4 cm! I could either go home or stay and have them break my water for me...needless to say we headed home. We both wanted as natural a birth as possible for our first child!!!
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The most challenging part for me was right before "the ring of fire"! The contractions were extremely painful up until all that pressure, but with a good mindset and deep breathing we can literally get through anything! There were definitely a couple of times I said out loud "I don't know if I can do this" and my husband and nurses were so very supportive- it really helped!!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
The most helpful thing I did in preparation was walking, meditation and talking to the baby. My mother-in-law is a reiki practitioner and gave her lots of love and good energy during my pregnancy as well! Meditation was probably the best thing I did for both of us. To calm and center yourself and visualize an easy, pain free labor- 100% works!
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What surprised you about your birth?
I surprised myself by going natural and now that I know I can do it, it's given me a new outlook on what I'm capable of doing!
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Do it!!! It's completely worth it and you'll gain so much mentally and emotionally as well.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
When the contractions were getting a bit longer I would repeat to myself, "relax, relax, relax" and we had a birthing bar in the room that I would just hang from and let gravity do a lot of the work. When I started to push after my water broke, I had to vocally release at times into a pillow and it really helped to connect my body with sound for extra strength!
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I was either standing or on all fours for the entire labor and delivery. I ended up giving birth on all fours, it just felt more natural instinctually.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Surreal.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Do it!!! It's completely worth it and you'll gain so much mentally and emotionally as well.
