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natural childbirth

Has anyone had a natural childbirth before? If so, do you have any  pointers or techniques? Is there anything I should know to prepare beforehand?
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Thank you so much for that. I am due kn 7 weeks and I'm a FTM as well. I am so nervous about doing it natural, but my heart is pretty set on it because I can only imagine how rewarding the experience may be. I'm glad you reminded me of the birth plan so I can go back and review mine. I feel like my boyfriend is going to be the same way so I definitely hope my mom will be there too lol we're in different states!
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@GeekMom1213 best advice for natural birth. I'm a FTM,  and due in 6 weeks. I'm planning on natural without epidural. I'm scared but I pray and hope I can do it!
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More than anything I wish someone had told me about the transition stage of labor. It's basically what happens as you reach full dilation and get ready to start pushing. And you feel like you're going to die. Like you absolutely need drugs, like you can't possibly keep going, like nothing you've ever felt before. That's when you'll give in and give up, if you've got people in the room who will let you give up.
When I begged my midwife for "something to take the edge off" because I wanted to quit, to die, to stay pregnant forever rather than keep going - she knew it was transition, and she laughed and didn't even think about giving me what I asked for. My birth plan was very clear and she knew I'd be pissed later if she let me give in. She's seen thousands of women go through transition. She knew it was temporary and she knew (though I didn't) that I was not in fact going to die. Look it up and understand it so it doesn't get the best of you.
Do not let anyone in the room who does not believe in you as much as my midwife believed in me. Make sure you've got someone in the room who will remind you to breathe through it every time a contraction hits, because you will forget and hold your breath and it makes it so much worse. My mama was a great coach, my husband was a supportive but very quiet hand holder who didn't know what to do but will do way better this time. I'm so glad I had them both.
More than anything, what you have to do to prepare is to remind yourself of what you are going to do. That you're going to be strong and stubborn and powerful and you're going to do it your way no matter what. Tell yourself constantly that your body was built for this, that women have been doing this forever,  that you're totally capable and nobody is going to change your mind. Tell yourself until you believe it with all your heart and then keep telling yourself because it's amazing what it does to you to feel so strong.
It's going to be awesome and you can totally do it. I can't wait to do it again. It's such an amazing thing that you can do when you trust your body. And when it's all over they give you this beautiful little prize, all bloody and gross and wailing and perfect, and it'll all be worth it. Best of luck. Enjoy!!
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Breathing through the pain and just tell yourself that the pain you are feeling is good pain!
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