Natural Birth or Medication?????

[redrosesrsweet]

So I tooked this 4 week class for soon to be parents. We talked about the choices of medication and how it works etc. I also have a few books that I got given to me and I read in them. I am worried about using any kind of medication just because of the cautions and everything that comes alone with it.
So I live in Toronto Ontario and only a few hospitals here have the option of the "laughing gas" I guess you can call it. And the hospital I am giving birth at does not have it there so that is no option for me. But as for the Epidural, Fentanyl and Pudendal Block, I have those options.
Okay so I heard that if you are breat feeding that they will want to keep you in the hospital until the baby is breast feeding well. With all those medications they seem to have side effect of making the baby have a hard time breat feeding. How common is that? I dont want anything to hold us back from being home right after birth because let me tell you I am such a light sleeper I doubt I will be able to sleep in a hospital so I want to leave as soon as I am able to.
I have been told as well, how long your mother was in labour with her first child depends how long you will be in labour. Which I believe, I have a good feeling about that, she was in labour for only 4 hours thats a bonus :) But I was considering a Epidural but now I dont even want one because of these reasons.
--> you will not be able to get up and walk around or anything like that it can take 2 up to 6 hours I think it was until it could wear off.
--> You have to be hooked up with the thing in your spine and a tube for you to pee in, I rather just be able to get up, I dont want to be cramped on the bed and feel more tired then what I am because I wouldnt be able to get up
--> and okay they say there is a possibility that having that medication can give you a hard time pushing because it numbs you out and they have to use these tools to pull out the baby if thats the case. And so with saying that with my moms first she had a epidural and the doctors had to end up using the tools to pull my brother out!! That sound horrible I dont want my baby to be pulled out with those things.

People say that labour and birth is so painful that most women rather have a c-section if they can, I am not one to get that because of the pain and heeling time and other complications of that other words, I rather have a natural birth, but could I handle it without the pain medication, I am so into the methods that can help you coping with the pain like the water therapy (sounds nice), but I just dont know if I can handle it without medication, but I want to avoid using medication because of the possible side effect. I have seen stories in movies and read a few things that women go through the killer pain of labour anf birth. How can I cope with it and try and stay away from taking medications. What do you think? Lots of advice would be great!!

[carpediemforlife]

The best advice I was given......expect the UNexpected since you havent done it before.  This is my first baby as well.....so I have close friends that have prepared me for ALL options of birth.  And for that Im grateful because I really WONT know my own personal situation until the day of birth.  And keep in mind....if something goes in a different direction and you have a c-section you will have an epidural anyhow. I wish you all the best in your pregnancy and birth plan.
:-)

[redrosesrsweet]

well I have already asked alot of other ladies about what they think and I get good stories and bad about epidurals and natural, most ppl are saying do what you think is best for youself but be prepared to have a back up plan if u cant handle the pain and i totally agree but i dont think i will change my mind about having a epidural;

[Ainsleigh]

I agree that it's totally a personal choice.  Right now I'm hoping to have a natural intervention-free birth (in the hospital) for similar reasons that you have.  I've started to do a ton of research and look into classes, etc to learn what to expect and how to manage the pain.

I have been really surprised how OPINIONATED people are about the decision to go natural vs. having epidural, c-sections, etc.  Some people are literally angry that I would even think of having a natural birth and they have lectured me on how I NEED the epidural and how I won't be able to do it without.  Jeez!!  I am in no way saying that epidurals are bad or that someone is "weak" for getting one.  Each of us are different and should have the right to choose how we give birth!

Anyway, my point is, be prepared for a lot of unwanted opinions from people you know.  I've decided to not even bring it up unless someone asks.

[jenandjon]

That's so true about everyone's body being different.  I went to Bradley birthing classes and tried to go natural.   I actually have a very high pain tolerance (when I was 18 I danced competitively and performed 6 routines on a broken foot).  But like I said before...my body doesn't do labor well.   I stayed at home until my contractions were consistently 3 minutes apart and still spent 18+ hours at the hospital laboring.  I've done the music, the candles, the meditation, the massage....try and just see what works for you.

Good luck!!!  

[carpediemforlife]

Well I live in the US and Im 19wks along.  I think it is a personal choice but I have been a "birth buddy" 3 different times.  Healthcare here (as you know) is managed entirely different.  And I can tell you that the epidural seems to be a great option.  However my one girlfriend has had 4 children natural at a birthing center and goes home about 2 hours AFTER birth. Its amazing. I also think alot of it is personal pain tolerance. Im going to work w/a doula for my delivery and stay at my home as long as possible before heading to the hospital. And if I can progress with breathing, walking etc and manage the pain naturally I will....if its too much I will ask for the shot. And in an emergency situation if Csection is my only option then so be it.
But remember every pregnancy is different.....and what you read or see here or there will probably not exactly be the same as it will be for you.

[Marcus's Mommy]

Stressing causes more pain than not stressing.  A woman can have a normal delivery even if they are in a coma. Your body knows what to do, just don't fight it.

I live in Brantford and I think we have the laughing gas, a friend tried it. I never did. My first labour was a silent kind, less than 2 hours of pain and 3 pushes. No drugs, no time.  My second son was more painful, 3 hours and probably 15 pushes. I was stressed out because husband works in Mississauga and I had no one to take me to the hospital and I had a 2 year old at home. That stressed me out. Only had the little needle to the butt, to cut the pain. Think it was newbain. sp:? Don't think that does anything.  Now I'm pregnant with first girl.  Hopefully it will happen on a weekend or when hubby is home so that I'm less stressd.

Best wishes

[jenandjon]

I've had the epidural with both mine so far.  My body does not do labor well.  36 and 28 hours for my two.  I tried to go natural and had thrown up so much from the pain and was so weak that I broke and had the epidural.  Things went so much better after I did.  My body relaxed and nature took its course.  The epidural can be at a lower dose so that although you may not be able to walk, you can still feel to push.  This time around my DP's mom is a nurse.  She suggests a scheduled induction.  They put this gel on your cervix to soften it and get it to dialate and efface.  I'm planning on doing that the night before.  Then start a pitocin drip the next morning.  Epidural at 4cm and hopefully delivery that same day.  Everyone's body is different so my opinion is to go in with a birth plan that outlines what you want...but don't be so rigid in it that you can't do what's best for you and your baby if things don't go the way you plan.  

I should have taken the epidural on my first baby earlier instead of being in complete misery for 18 hours.

[jhh42]

Every women will have an opinion about this one. We are all different. It is a personal choice. Whatever you decide is ok. For me - I decided to have an epidural when I was in labor with my son. I wasn't completely numb - I felt just enough that I knew when/how to push. When the time came - I didn't push that long and did not have any problems.

Now...he was born at 2:00 a.m. so i slept the rest of the night and by the a.m. epidural had certainly worn off and I was free to move about.