VAGINAL DELIVERIES

I notice on this board that many women have had a natural childbirth. I am so nervous about episiotomy's, C-sections, vertical incisions etc! I want a natural childbirth (I'm 35, and this is my first) but how do I prevent the doc from jumping the gun? I'm thinking of switching to another doctor that uses nurse-midwives. I don't know why I'm hesitating and haven't just switched (I'm at almost 18 weeks now).

[AndiJ78]

My best advice for a first time mom, go into your delivery with an open mind. I would never have dreamed of going natural the first time around and am glad I didn't. It is a pain and experience like you have never felt before and it can get the better of you and make matters more difficult. Go into with an open mind, realize that even by using meds, you are no less of a mother. you are performing perhaps the most difficult task a person can do, you have grown a baby in your womb and are delivering that precious baby into the world!

Some women cruise through it, had my first been like my second, maybe I could have gone natural the first time. But it wasn't : ( I went natural with my second (not on purpose,lol) and felt great, but the delivery was heads and tails different from my first. I did still have an epidural placed, just didn't use it. I always knew if something went wrong, I didn't want to risk being put out due to the effects on the baby from a general. So I felt better having the epidural there, just in case.

There is no crime wanting to go natural, hopefully you can. But keep in mind you can't prepare for most things and do try to be receptive to suggestions if the staff feels like things aren't progressing well. All too often women will make this decision, refuse to bend, even when medically necessary, and this can have some very real and scary consequences.

By all means, if you feel your doc is one who will push too hard for unnecessary meds or intervention, find a new one now. Remember a midwife still has to work under the supervision of a doc during delivery : )

Good luck!!

Andi

[Red_Rose]

I think ul be fine, I dont think most women on here choose the c section unless theres a certain reason. Just simply tell ur dr u want to avoid c sectionetc as much as possible, and ty and change as soon as possible so u feel comfortable who ur with. Thats gonna be really important cos u want to know u can trust them to do what u want as far as pos. And at the worst if u do have a c section its nothing to worry about. :-) Hope that makes sense kids have got my mind everywhere today!

[JDLAWSON]

If you are comfortable with your doctor--start discussing with him the options you would like to have during delivery.  See if he/she is receptive.  If they agree with you there is no reason to switch.  Lay out a birthh plan that you would like to follow and have the dr. approve it.  As long as everything goes smoothly with your pg the dr should not have a problem with it.

I had to be induced both times and with the drugs making you have labor the pain I think is a lot stronger than natural labor--just be prepared for the things that can happen.  With my 1st pg as I said I was induced but was also given demoral for the pain worked wonders knocked me out for 1 1/2 hrs--time to deliver.  Second one still induced--demoral did not work that time--oh well--the town I am they do not give epidurals at all--so no hope for that option.
Have a good rest of pg.

[diamondtracy]

I went the natural route, I had always planned to try but was also aware that the drugs were there if i needed them , but a few weeks before delivery I had some complications and was told that I wouldn't be able to have any pain meds , I was a little scared not having the option there if I needed it but I was also deteremined that I was going to do it. For myself the best thing I did when the labour really starting getting intense was to close my eyes and just really focus. Believe or not it really worked! Time just flew by with me having my eyes closed trying to block out all the hustle and bustle around me and 21 hours later ( I stll can't believe it was that long)my son was born. I've never meditated before or anything like that, I'm not even sure if that's what I was doing, I just kept my eyes closed , breathed and tryed to work through the contractions. I hope this helped a little , just remember to try and have some confidence in yourself.I also think you should talk to your Doc. about your concerns and maybe write out a birth plan. Labour can be unpredictable and weather you chose the natural route or end up needing a little help, I think that if you end up with a heathly baby in the end then it was a wonderful sucess!

[trinity1528]

My 1st delivery was at 22 and was natural although I did tell my doctor I wasnt pushing anymore until he cut me since i felt as if I was going to tear! LOL I had an episiotomy and everything was fine that was until afterwards when I had to have a BM and refussed for almost 3 days! sheesh Everything will be OK and generally c-sections arent practiced unless an absolute have to. Best of luck- all will be fine :)

[jill06]

I would have really like the same with my first child--not necessarily natural, but at least vaginal. I ended up having to need an emergency c-section as my son was a footling breech baby. Up until this point, my whole pregnancy had been a breeze so I was frightened and shocked initially to say the least. However, the procedure itself went very well and was surprisingly fast. I recovered quickly and only have a small scar to show for it. I certainly understand your fears about c-sections, but in the case of an emergency, I am certainly glad the option was there. I too would say talk with your dr and at the very least let your wishes be known. After that conversation, you should have a clearer understanding of the physicians ideas or philosophies and then make your decision from there. I wish you luck!

[Liza55]

I chose an elective c-sect. that couldn't have gone better. I wouldn't do it any other way and honestly don't understand in this day and age to do it 'natural'. But- that's what's sooo important- we have a choice! Make sure you and your doctor are on the same page. No judgemental views to deal with, just support for your decision. If your not getting that w/ the current MD, by all means switch! You are the one to be in control here!

[greenpixie]

First, if you think your DR won't support you with a natural birth then you may want to get another DR or a midwife. Secondly, start reading some good books on natural childbirth.  Two good ones are: "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin, and "Birthing From Within"- sorry, I can't remember who wrote that one.  Also, HIRE A DOULA!!  If you are serious about going the natural route, but are birthing in a hospital then you need a doula.  You can go to www.DONA.org or www.ALACE.org to find one in your area.  The general rule for going the natural route is to stay at home as long as possible.  Once you go to the hospital you get "put on the clock".  This is when you are more likely to have medical intervention b/c the DRs and nurses want you to progress at a certain rate.  Oh, and when you make your birth plan you can put on there that you don't want any pain meds offered to you.  That's not saying you can't request them on your own, it's just saying that you won't have a nurse offering them to you every 30 minutes.  OK, finally, check the stats of the hospital you will be going to.  Find out their rate of C-section, VBAC, natural, etc.  This may give you a good idea of how supportive they may or may not be of your desires. HTH.

[have 2 kids]

my first was a vaginal birth - no pain meds but did need pitocin because my water broke and no contractions. No episiotomy. It was painful but not the worst pain I've ever had.  
My second was an emergency c-section. I had a spinal block.
God intended for us to have vaginal births whenever possible, and with the availability of pain meds you don't need to fear pain.  
I would never elect to have a c-section without a valid medical reason.  It's major surgery.