natural, epidural or hydrotherapy?

[mhietotski]

now that we're almost due have you girls already decided if you will go on natural birth, with an epidural or try the hydrotherapy?
my hospital offers hydrotherapy but i am not familiar with that. does it mean i will soak in the water during labor? and gonna deliver my baby in the water (water birth)? or they will transfer me to the bed once im dilated? im 34 weeks and still undecided. im planning natural birth but i know that things might change and couldnt handle the pain.

[lorinewmum]

Im a ftm at 32+3 wks and planning to go natural. I don't want any drugs/artificial options to start with. Im mentally preparing myself for the worst type of pain imaginable and I've made peace with the fact that many women have done this before me, some without even basic hospital facilities (and the fact that many women have told me how you forget the pain afterwards, lol!). Ive researched all the options and natural birth to me sounded like the option that I would most likely cope with. I'm scared of surgery and would best want to avoid it if possible.

[rayla_chanel]

But it u dont want to have a catheter put it, u have to pee constantly to keep ur bladder empty but they may still need to use one because women tend to always keep some liquid in their bladder.

[rayla_chanel]

The catheter will be nothing compared to the labor pain. I had to have one for a surgery one time and it was very unpleasant when they took it out so i have the same fear, but we wont be able to feel any pain due to the epidural so we may not need to worry.

[mhietotski]

irene_aczer: for the epidural, i know that it requires to have urinary catheter. how does it feel? or can u even feel anything when u pee? epidural is an option for me but im scared of the urinary catheter!

[PrincessMommyToBe]

I've chosen to go natural, and surprisingly I'm not afraid, but as time gets closer, that may change, lol. I'm a ftm and I really don't want any drugs, I'm going to inform my doctor to not mention drugs to me during labor.

[Bgoter]

I an 34 weeks, a ftm, and am hoping to have a natural birth. Honestly, I'm pretty nervous about it but have been preparing so hopefully that will help.

[rayla_chanel]

Because u are tensing ur body

[rayla_chanel]

But the most important thing to remember whether u have an epidural or not, is to practice breathing techniques to help u relax. Getting plenty of oxygen to the muscles helps the uterus contract and ur labor progress naturally. When u don't focus on breathing and u stress over the pain, it actually slows ur labor down because ur muscles aren't getting the oxygen they need to work, actually making ur labor MORE painful.

[rayla_chanel]

A friend of mine had an epidural with her first child but went natural with her last two and said she regretted having the epidural the first time around. But she just used visualization, and breathing techniques to keep her mind off the pain,which is what they teach in lamazze classes. U can look up breathing techniques for pain management during labor on youtube. As well as exercises that help prep u for birth. U could also look up diff positions to do while in labor to help gravity bring the baby down to speed up ur labor.

[rayla_chanel]

I already plan on getting an epidural once the pain becomes unbearable. But honey,it's totally up to u! If u decide to go natural,just believe in yourself and know that u can do it. Many women have! U can go on youtube and see many vids of natural births and draw inspiration from those powerful women. I liked what one woman said,that docs don't give women enough credit for what we are able to endure and accomplish with our bodies. But if u don't want to be offered pain meds unless u ask,u can inform the docs and nurse not to offer it unless u ask.

[irene_aczer]

I wasn't planning on getting the epidural with my first son but the contractions hurt so bad i was getting dizzy and I didn't want to cry so I went ahead and got the epidural. I'm 35 weeks and most likely going to get the epidural again, the pain is ridiculous