birth

[angel669]

So this is my first child. I do not want to use epidural. I'm scared it will turn out bad, experience in my family where they come back and are paralyzed from waist down. I don't want that! So going natural. Please, how bad is it really?

[Mrs_Baze]

I was induced with my first, no epidural. They scare me as well! It was certainly the most painful experience I had ever had, but not as bad as I was lead to believe. I took Tylenol until an hour or two before I was ready to push, then I got IV Stadol, which is a narcotic. They said it would take the edge off but I would still be able to feel everything. It was fabulous; I started hallucinating bowling cows during my contractions. But when it came time to push I was right there with it.

This time I am going to try no pain meds at all, particularly if I go into labor on my own. I keep hearing that induction hurts more, so I think natural labor will be totally doable for me.

The thing that kept me going despite my doctor trying to convince me every few minutes to get the epidural, was the knowledge that it's happening, I can not get un-pregnant any way BUT pushing her out, so there's no use regretting anything. The process cannot be stopped so just go for it and make your labor and birthing experience your *****!

[larryloo87]

I had a water birth with my 1st and no other pain relief, of course it's painful but I found the water really helped and am planning on having another with my second.

[sadiasaqib]

I wudnt advice epidural honestly it hurts alot after wards specialy wn u hv another baby your back completely gives up. From my experience I will honestly say avoid epidural uf u cn

[heatherr322]

Yeah agree. If u go natural try a water birth. Also i was in labor for about 30 hrs and i was trying to doall natural but i did give in to nuban. Its just a shot and helps soooo much. Put me to sleep for like 6hrs at a time. No huge.risks like an epidural. Even the water birthing center gave it to me. I did end up have a c.section after i pushed for over an hr. Contractions are very painful but with nuban its sooo much betterit. Ask ur dr about it

[havincinco]

If you are determined, just go natural. It really is quite painful for a little while, but the minute the babys out, it goes way way down, then gone. So its kinda motivation to push. Ive had the epidural too, which felt like vacation. With my first I tore really bad though, and was super grateful for the epidural, because she exploded out on the first push! Doc was still scrubbing up. #2 I had epidural because I went through 24 hours of solid back labor and by the time I could push my muscles were all in spasm. #3 was epidural because I'd already done it so I figured oh well. #4 was natural, painful, and awesome. Plus I was up and walking within minutes and felt great. Will go natural again this time but have no hesitations about the epidural just in case. Read up on the pros and cons and just be open to whatever you are comfortable with and let labor dictate. You never really know until you get there.

[Mrscrow1]

This is my first baby too, so I really don't have advice. I am serious about having a water birth with no other help. You should look into it. Supposedly it eases labor.

[Heatherm4]

I had 2 babies naturally. No epidural, no gas, no nothing. I did a lot of reading and making sure I knew my options. I really liked the idea of the Bradley Method. Made the most sense to me. I used the tub with my second baby. The best advice I can give is done tense up with the contractions...instead relax your body as much as you can and that makes it hurt a tad less. Sarah is right...transition is def the worst part but the quickest..plus thats the point of no turning back anyway. lol
If you live close to a hospital then labour at home as long as you can and then head in when your contractions are like 2-3 mins apart for at least an hour.
It is definitely do-able!! I can also say that I am a WUSS when it comes to pain but somehow was able to do that. If I can do it...anyone can do it! lol I'm stubborn at the same time though.

[Sarah765]

Ive had 3 natural labors.  My first and third were pretty difficult, my second was pretty easy (relativly speaking).  I had back labor with my first which was really horrible, and I was exhausted because it was all night.  Plus I had to push for about 2 hours which was exhausting.  She was probably my hardest, labor was about 19 hours.  My son I was in labor for 5 hours, didnt really even get to the point where the pain was unbearable, and pushed 3 times and he was out.  My third was slow to dialatw, after 17 hours I wasnt even 5 cm.  I was exhausted.  The pain wasnt too nad at that point, but the exhaustion was.  They decided to nreak my waters to get things moving, I went from not even a 5 to 10 cm in about 20 min, it was incredibly painful, the worst pain Ive ever felt, but then she was out in 3 pushes, and Im glad it went so quick, but I think thats why it hurt so bad.  Honestly up until transition it is painful, but not horrible, after that it gets really hard, but its the shortest stage of labor, so you can make it through it.  And you may get lucky and have a fairly simple labor.  I hope I do this time around!  I used the tub a lot with my second and that was really soothing too. I hated it with my first and didnt have the option with my third.  Just do your research, know what to expect, and different cooing techniques.  No matter what as soon as that babies born all the pain goes away, you get a rush of energy back, and its the most incredible feeling in the world.  Good luck, you can do it!  

[Flickan]

If you can, take a birthing class. That may help with some of your fears. We women have been giving birth for thousands of years without and epi...but not everyone can handle it. Keep an open mind. That's the best plan. Whenever something is brought up make sure to ask what the risks and alternatives are. Good luck!

[robsangel13]

I had both mine natural. I got an epideral for myvson but delivered in 15 mins so it didn't actually take effect. Just BREATHE

[neli2013]

I had an epidural with my first and just like you i was scared..up until the birth i had said no epidural but at last min i ended up gettin it..everything is fine..its risky bc it does go on da spine but i have friend thata have done it and they arent paralyze so just relax...you might be able to bare the pain with out it so dont stress it now..you never know..best of luck.

[jerica86]

I had an epidural that didn't work and was very painful with my first so went natural with my second and now will be again with my third. That being said they can give you things like small doses of morphine to help manage the pain if you opt out of an epidural but need something just to ease you for a little. I won't lie labor and delivery is one of the worst pains I've ever felt in my life it's an emotional physical mental time but as soon as you see the baby and they hand them to you you totally forget the pain. You maybe sore for days after but that baby makes it worth it

[sassy_8986]

I highly recommend the epidural.I went add long as I could without it.I was crying  so hard I couldn't breathe.which was worse for the baby.they are really good at them now and chances of paralysis minimal but everyone is different so talk to your doctor about it

[1sttimemummy]

I dont have any experience of the pushing stage asI needed an emergency c-section because my lilI girl was so early but what I can say is and there's no point in sugar coating it - contractions do really hurt but it's not unbearable or severely agonising! I made it to 6-7cm dilated with only 20mins gas and air (first baby). That being said, everyone's pain threshold is different and there are many options for pain relief. Have a read up on the options and really keep an open mind because noone can tell you how you'll cope with labour. I imagined it to be 1000x worse, I dont think it's ever as bad as we imagine