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When did you realize you were really in labor?
When I woke up in the morning I knew I was having real contractions, especially since I had begun loosing my mucus plug the day before. It wasn't until a couple of hours later that I was fairly confident I would have her that same day.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Regardless of how or where you decide to give birth, there are always risks involved simply because birthing can be unpredictable. However, a lot of people tend to believe medical intervention equals less risk. At times it was challenging to feel judged or have to defend our decision to have a second home birth. But going natural pushed me to better understand the birthing process and current birthing trends, which ultimately re-enforced our decision.
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libbybirth
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
It's difficult to pin-point one single thing I did that made my birthing experience go as smoothly as it did. It's common across the board for second births to be easier. But I certainly noticed that this time I was better prepared mentally, emotionally, and physically than with my first. I believe the things that helped were my confidence in my ability to birth, the yoga I did before and throughout my pregnancy, healthy food habits, and all of the red raspberry leaf tea that I drank every day for several months.
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What surprised you about your birth?
I was amazed at how quickly my birth went - I experienced only 2-3 hours of active labor! I was also so surprised and grateful that I was able to go through the entire labor and delivery with absolutely no intervention from the people surrounding me - I didn't even have a vaginal check! It was incredible to be able to listen to my body and do the task at hand on my own. Finally, to our surprise, our little girl, Liberty, was born still en-caul in the birthing tub. A rare and beautiful thing!
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Educate yourself through and through on the reality of the birth. Surround yourself with informed and positive people who can help support you in your decision. Women have been giving birth naturally since the beginning of time - you're in good company! Believe in the beautiful gift that you've been given in your ability to grow, birth, and nurture your child!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
I cannot imagine birthing without a doula present. She was an indispensable help to me and through her encouragement and instruction the pain was manageable. Laboring and birthing in water also gave relief. Towards the end my husband join me in the tub and having him to support me helped me feel grounded through the contractions.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
Sitting and leaning against my husband's chest in the birthing tub.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was a flood of pure joy and relief - words cannot adequately describe how incredible it is to hold your child for the first time.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Educate yourself through and through on the reality of the birth. Surround yourself with informed and positive people who can help support you in your decision. Women have been giving birth naturally since the beginning of time - you're in good company! Believe in the beautiful gift that you've been given in your ability to grow, birth, and nurture your child!
