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When did you realize you were really in labor?
“Oh you will know when you are having a contraction,” they all said to me, “you will definitely know.” Welp, guess what humans of America, I didn’t “definitely know” anything.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
4:45 am: I woke up with a strange uncomfortable feeling in my back. My stomach was really tight, and I just thought that the baby was push out on my belly, causing it to stretch the skin on my back and that’s why it was hurting. I thought to myself maybe I’m just finally experiencing that whole ‘sleeping discomfort’ thing everyone talks about. And then I changed positions a few times and tried to go back to sleep.
5:30am: The pain was not going away, and on top of that it felt like I was having terrible menstrual cramps. So, I laid in bed and Googled “what do contractions feel like.” I searched around on the internet for a while, and while I still wasn’t convinced I was having contractions I decided to give myself the benefit of the doubt and pretend like they could be contractions. I downloaded a contraction timer and started timing when I would feel the tightening pressure and then when it would end. I decided I would do this for an hour before I called my doula. I was so not about to wake her up before 6am for nothing. The pressure was lasting 30-45 seconds at a time and coming every 2-3 minutes.
6:30am: Pacing around my house, I finally called my doula.
me: “Oh good morning Jamie how are you?”
her: “Hi good what’s going on?”
me: All nonchalant, “oh not much I was just wondering if you could tell me what contractions feel like.”
her: Chuckles. “Why don’t you tell me what you’re feeling.”
me: Still not convinced I’m in labor, proceeds to tell her all the feels.
her: “Yeah those are definitely contractions and you are definitely in labor. I’m going to head over.”
me: Finally convinced I might be in labor.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
The back labor!
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
I worked out about 5 days a week during my pregnancy and maintained a healthy eating diet.
Also, my doula. She was my saving grace.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was surprised to find that I loved pushing so much. It was the best part of the whole thing because I finally felt like I could do something about it!
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It's amazing how one moment can completely transform your whole world. How in one second you can so quickly be sure you'd give up your life for this little being that you barely know, yet is already so apart of you. There is truly nothing to compare it to.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
My doula and husband took turns applying firm pressure to my hips when the contraction would start because the back labor pain was so bad since my baby was in a posterior position.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Sitting up on the very edge of the bed with my feet almost in a squat like position and holding on to the pushing bar with all my might. I really liked having something to grab.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
Indescribable. People told me I'd fall head over heals in love the second I had him in my arms, but I didn't fully understand how that could be. I couldn't comprehend how something so strong like that could just happen in an instant, but they were all right.
It's amazing how one moment can completely transform your whole world. How in one second you can so quickly be sure you'd give up your life for this little being that you barely know, yet is already so apart of you. There is truly nothing to compare it to. On July 14th at 12:24pm, I fell so madly in love with my perfect 6lb 5oz little man. I don't think I'll ever be the same again.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Hire a doula!
