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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I was 9 days past my due date and started lightly bleeding 7/27/16 in the morning with small and irregular contractions and continued all day. I met my midwife at the hospital at 5pm and had her check me. She decided I was showing signs of labor and broke my water.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Pain! Anxiety about the pain! Fear of the long recovery postpartum. My first 2 births took about a year for recovery.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Watched the weekly Mama Natural vlogs!
Hired a great midwife.
Avoided birthing videos.
Prayed.
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What surprised you about your birth?
How fast it was this time. Broken water around 6pm and delivery right at 9pm.
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Do your best and don't beat youself up for not being perfect or if things don't go exactly how you plan.
Process your own placenta if your midwife or hospital don't offer that service. It's VERY easy.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Breathing and moaning in whatever position felt best (usually standing with support) really got me through intense contractions.
For the last couple of hours I was using Nitrous Oxide. It helped avoid the epidural or intrathecal, and while I still felt the pain, it was tollerable.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
I ended up getting out of the bath so my midwife could assist me better during the pushing and delivered my baby on the floor (on blankets) on my back.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Amazing! Such a relief for it all to be over and to finally meet my baby!
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Do your best and don't beat youself up for not being perfect or if things don't go exactly how you plan.
Process your own placenta if your midwife or hospital don't offer that service. It's VERY easy.
