Natural Birth!

[Chanelly6]

Heyy!!
Okay, so ive been doing my research about having a natural birth or a medicated birth, and ive come too find out alot of different things!!
A natural birth is the BEST for you and your babyy. He/she will come out more alert, as well as having an epidural...that prolongs your pushing time! Who would have known!!!
A medicated birth will help you with SOME of your pain, and help you relax a bit more.
Im leaning towards a NATURAL BIRTH. Some people have told me im crazy, that i CANT do it. But either way, your going to have pain right?!
Why not take some more pain for your little one ;)
What do you guys think?!

[amandaxx3]

my first was medicated and i had a quick active labor (water broke at 5cm after 4days of early labor) and i had delivered within 9 hours of my water breaking (pushing took maybe 45minutes). im choosing natural this time but i think every momma needs to do whats best for them at that point in time. (choosing natural with a cpm because if I can't make it to the birth center she can come here, she expects this baby to arrive VERY quickly LOL)

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I personally love my epidural.  I have had them w/ some and not with others.  (I have had 6 kids)  The not was not by choice either.  It was simply circumstances.  All of my babies have been very alert and healthy afterwards and I am up walking around within an hour of giving birth.  In fact, the nurses will "make" you.  I don't like pain and don't really see the point in it but I certainly don't think anything one way or the other about someone doing it naturally either.  It is a personal choice.  I just recommend keeping an open mind.  Best of luck :)

[Brittny27]

I am planning on going as long as possible all natural. I am leaving an epidural as a choice if needed. If contractions are anything like my period cramps I think I might need an epidural. I usually am curled up in the fetal position crying when I have cramps for the first two days. I take ibuprofen every two hours and it barely cuts the pain.

So for me I am leaving the option open.

I really want to be able to move around and try different positions to labor in. I know that once I get an epidural I will be stuck in bed. I can switch between laying on my back and each side but I can't really do much more than that which I'm not a fan of.

I commend anyone that does an all natural birth. I sure hope that I can.

[Chez_lee81]

Natural birth all the way.

There is not a better feeling in the world then delivering your baby drug free. Walking yourself to the bathroom to shower and bathing your baby for the first time. The baby attatching to the breast within minutes of being born. Oh I cant wait to deliver this one. No IV's, you telling the midwife when YOU ARE READY to push.

I get the vomits and shakes during labour. After that settles some hormone must kick in because I become so calm and serene. Super aware of my surroundings and what my body is doing. I cant imagine wanting to stop that feeling.

[Ladybugbc]

I watched a recent episode of " A Baby Story" and the woman was in labor and the doc casually walked with a grin on his face and bragged to the Grandma to be at the baby will be born at 10:35pm.
Then he broke the waters and ordered her to be hooked on Pitocin,..C'mon why would one have to be on Pitocin if she was in labor on her own.
I think the doctors use it to get the labor moving faster so that they can finish that business and move on to the next one REALLY fast.

[Spiket77]

I love Joy's response :) Although I am pregnant for my first child I am pretty fanatical about natural birth. I try to keep it mellow on the boards. Why? I have no idea.

My husband is very pro-natural birth. He and his sister were both born at home in the 70s. He keeps asking me about doing a homebirth. I am going natural but feel more comfortable going to the birthing center. It isn't even in a hospital. For me it's about them having everything needed and cleaning up. I know that is silly but I do all of the cleaning around here. HA! We get to come home 4 hours after giving birth too. I think that it is awesome to be able to recover in my bed with my child. I will have the best nursery in town...it's called MOM. :)

I believe birth should be a natural experience and not a clinical experience.
Joy's enthusiasm is contagious! Go Mamas!

[Ashelen]

laughing my butt off Joy you're so funny about how enthusiastic you get...it's adorable LOL. I also have to say that it's your enthusiasm that makes me sad that a non-medicated birth is a bad idea for me...at the beginning of this pregnancy i was set on getting another epidural birth but it was YOUR enthusiasm and YOUR logical supporting of facts that convinced me that I might want to try a natural delivery..unfortunately things have occurred that have swung the verdict back to needing an epidural because, as you know, things aren't going as smoothly as they should be for me right now...

But I just want to commend you for how much your enthusiasm and honesty affected me and I hope that you can convince women with healthier pregnancies to give natural birth a try, I sure wish I could :(.



To All::: I had an epidural birth with my daughter. I had no trouble dilating or pushing, but I did tear quite severely, possibly due to the epidural...but the problem came when they couldn't stop my bleeding and I had to spend about an hour in the OR and nearly died from blood loss. in that occasion I was lucky to have gotten the epidural (catch 22, possibly) because while it may have worsened my tearing it allowed them to transfer me directly to surgery and treat me with no delay. I will be having an epidural with this delivery, because I've been experiencing some very serious complications that require me to be as disconnected from the "trauma" of birth as possible (heart problems mostly, but some neurological ones as well). And quite frankly...I'm depressed about it. I would've have loved to given natural a go...

and my best advice would be...give it a try, everyone. you can always request the epidural, but you can't UN-request it once you've gotten it. I don't want to sound like a hypocrite because obviously 2 out of 2 births for me will be medicated, but I highly recommend attempting natural delivery...I sure wish I could, and if your pregnancy is progressing normally I would highly HIGHLY recommend giving it a shot!

[JoyRenee]

Can I just add that I watched The Business of Being Born AFTER I gave birth naturally. I was mesmerized by the entire documentary and it reinforced everything for me. When my husband got home that evening I put it back on and had him watch, too. He really did NOT want to watch but after it got going he had to watch it all and he apologized to me for not being more supportive. He thought the doctors and IVs and laying on my back in a bed were the norm and that I had become some crazy hippie who was going to die in childbirth. After seeing the truth right in front of his face, even after our natural birth, he is definitely on board for natural labor and delivery.

Oh man this makes me so excited to get pregnant again and do it all over! Birth is EXCITING to me! I LOVE it! The birth is dirty, messy, painful but so beautiful and each is so different. I might have to become a doula when my babies are grown because I am just obsessed with birth. I just love love love it!

[JoyRenee]

You CAN do it. Watch The Business of Being Born (all of you) online for free at letmewatchthis. A Baby Story is really cute and all but birth is so much more than whisking into the hospital, being hooked up unnecessarily to all these machines and pushing out a baby while applying lip gloss. It is a sacred, magical experience and a lot of that magic is lost in the synthetic hormones they pump into your veins while in labor. Believe me- I've had epidurals with my first two and I had a natural birth with my third.

Without going into what made labor faster or slower or pushing easier, blah blah blah, the final thing was not wanting my baby affected by the drugs. The final choice for me was making birth as safe as possible even if it was more painful. Safe not only for me but for my baby.

I know it is a touchy subject and so many women say, "I've had one, it's no big deal! Believe me, you'll be begging for one!" But the bottom line is that even if it was no big deal for Sally So-So doesn't mean there are not risks and complications for someone else. Everything carries a risk. And epidurals and other things doctors push on you while in labor can INCREASE the risks of the bad things happening.

Most people don't know this but America has one of the highest mortality rates in labor and delivery. We need to look at WHY. What are we doing differently than other countries? We're putting women flat on their backs with IVs in their spines and telling them to hold their breaths and push. We have forgotten to tell women to listen to their bodies, we've forgotten to tell women to get up and move around, we've forgotten to tell women to push as they need to push.

Are there problems and things that can go wrong? YES! And that is why having OBGYNs arouns IS a good thing. But ONLY in an emergent or problematic situation. Midwife means "with woman". An OBGYN is a surgeon. Why are surgeons birthing babies?

If I could've given birth to my last child at home I would have. My husband was too freaked about that so I compromised and had a midwife delivery at a midwife-friendly hospital. Husband had the security of having a NICU and doctor down the hall and I had the natural, low-intervention birth I wanted. It was the best of both worlds and we both felt at peace with that choice.

I cannot tell you the HIGH I felt when that baby was out and I realized I had done it "unconventionally" (at least here in the West; we're all about our own comfort and convenience here).

I commend you for doing your research, for finding out a better and safe way to give birth and for listening to your body. Even if no one else agrees with you you're doing something amazing. My husband fought me every step of the way and once our baby was born he was in AWE of me. I cannot tell you how relieved and wonderful that felt. He thought I had gone off my rocker when I said I didn't want IVs, no continual fetal monitoring (the bands around the belly), didn't want an epi, etc. He said no way, no how. But it happened and all he could do was gloat about me afterward and how proud he was of me. SUCH an amazing feeling! So even if no one is on board now... they WILL be later!

I would recommend hiring a doula. Some do slide-scale pricing. Most people say they don't want a doula because they're a stranger but the truth is that you get to know them better than your OBGYN or midwife. Most women don't realize when they give birth at the hospital that they'll have about a half dozen strangers staring at their vagina as they push. A doula will be your friend and confidant during this vulnerable time. They'll make sure your wishes are met in the event all is well (non-emergencies).

Finally I want to mention that my epidural births resulted in 2nd degree tearing. My second daughter's collarbone snapped during delivery (because I was pushing on my back!!!). But with my third birth I pushed laying on my side and had ZERO tearing (if you've torn in previous births you will tear along the same tear from those previous births). I really wanted to get up to push but I couldn't move. That baby was coming out fast so laying on my side was great. She was PERFECT!

[Sasha80]

I am not pregnant right now but want to share my experiences anyway.  I have had two births.  My first was all back pain.  She was face up which made things more intense.  I was adament about doing it all natural but only made it to the 14th hour and then begged for an epidural.  The epidural only lasted 3 hours.   Start to finish was 23 hours with 3 hours of pushing including the use of vacuum and forceps.

My second was 5 hours total (12 minutes of pushing).  By the time I got to the hosp, I was too far along to call in an anestisiologist (spelling?) so I chose fentynyl for a bit of pain management.  It by no means relieves the pain but subsides it a little bit.  They give you a dose through IV every 5 min (if you need it and you do once contractions are closer together).  The only side effect that I had was that I kept passing out between contractions.  Once it was time to call in the doc they stopped the fentynyl and I was on my own.  

I have never had a problem with my spine since having an epidural.  

  

[cminamyer]

I've giving birth twice...the first time I got and epidural and the second time was without any pain meds at all. I was given pitocin both times to get my contractions going because my water had already broken.

I had no pain at all with the epidural, but didn't like the "recovery" not being able to walk or having to be cathed...also when the epidural wore off the pain was worse.

My second birth was longer then the first aslo with pitocin, but I didn't have any type of pain medication at all.

Things to keep in mind...for me...the contractions ARE THE WORST part of labor. They get more intense and closer together at the end, but the pusing is a releif! It actually feels good to push! Also, I vomit during labor...it helps you dilate, lol. If this happens don't freak out...that's what I did with my first labor and that's why I got the epidural.

Epidural I pushed for 45mins.  Couldn't walk afterwards!
Natural I pushed 3 times...not even 5 mins.  Was up walking within an hour...It was awsome!

[anonymous03]

This is my first pregnancy, so I don't really have experience for how it will go, but know that I want to have an epidural. I have had one before for a surgery I had and it was very easy, you can't even feel it. It helps out with the pain a lot! And if it's done correctly, there are no lasting effects. I know that with my medical issues, it'd be better for me to have the epidural. I think it's nice when women go for a natural birth, though it's not something I want to do. I hope your delivery goes smoothly. Though keep an open mind, since sometimes unforeseen things happen and your plan might have to change.

[Ladybugbc]

I had my first baby a 6lb 6oz baby boy 8wks ago. I was planning and hoping to do a natural birth and went upto 8cm with no meds. But after that I had back labor and was passing out as the pain was unbearable. Then I opted to have an epidural.

But I wish I didn't have to take it as after 8wks I am still suffering with bad back problems and very painful calf muscles.

What ever path you decide to take on, wish you the best of luck!!

[katsmommy]

i am doing natural...i plan on sitting in a bath and walking intill its time to push,i have anxity when it comes to medication so im going to do my best without any it may hurt but just knowing it will go away and i get a gift for the pain....

[pol79princess]

They'd better not even touch me before that needle gets in my spine lol! :)

[msniesha]

I Plan on having a natural childbirth being that I already have back problems and I want to do it the right way. I sure hope it works out well for me!!!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

This can be a touchy subject for a lot of people.  Here is my personal experience and opinion.  I have given birth 5 times so far.  1 c-section, 1 drug free birth and 3 epidurals

My drug free birth was by far my fastest and easiest recovery, even though all of my recoveries were quick.  I also had a HUGE sense of accomplishment and pride in what I had done.  I had a very supportive L & D staff who helped me through my contractions etc.  I can tell you it was freaking painful...My then 7 yo was in the waiting room and heard me screaming, but once she was out it was like I had never felt any of it.  I was in labor a total of about 7 1/2 hours from my water breaking to delivery.   I had to have an IV though becuase I was delivery VBAC.  But I had no drugs for pain or to assist with contractions.  

With that said, my deliveries where I DID have an epidural.  Let me mention that becuaes all of my vaginal deliveries have been VBACS I cannot receive the full epidural dose.

the first one I won't go into because there were extenuating circumstances

the second, I wish I had skipped the epidural simply becuase my labor went extremely fast.  I was admitted to the hospital at 330, they came to administer my epidural around 6:20, during the insertion of the epi cath my son dropped and i started having the gotta push contractions.  As they laid me back down he was crowning.  He was born at 6:54.  So it really didn't have time to help much.

My third I was induced, I received my epidural and dont' regret that one.  My labor went smooth from start to finish and total labor time was under 8 hours.  

I personally have NEVER had a problem with prolonged pushing, with an epidural or otherwise.  All of my vaginal births were delivered with less than 5 sets of pushes and in under 25 minutes of actual pushing.

I applaud any woman who opts for a drug free birth as it IS the way nature intended it.  It is indeed the absolute best for mom and baby when it is possible.  I just like to caution women who are set on natural births to keep an open mind as you can not control labor & delivery and need to keep your options open.  Make sure you have done your homework on all of your options should you change your mind or the scenario change.

[rebekah385]

if you wanta natural labor go for it! don't listen to anyone who says you can't do it, like you said women have been having babies for hundreds of years without medication! I am currently pregnant with baby #4 (due next month) my first 2 babies I had completely natural and it did hurt, but the pain was managable, with my 2nd one right at the end I wanted something for pain, but at that point was fully dialated , with the end in sight I knew i would fine! with my third i decided to have some kind of pain med through an IV it took the edge off the contractions for about 45 minutes and then wore off when I was at 9cm, I almost think having the med was worse, because I could'nt feel the contractions building up and they kind of hit me all at once at the end when ti wore off! this time around I am planning on going all natural again, it hurts, but once the baby is out atleast for me you feel almost instantly better (not completely back to normal, but much better) and going without medication, I was able to get up and walk around within an hour of giving birth and both me and baby were alert and able to spend time together. I also think it's fine to have an epidural, if your in pain and really feel you need it, I know a lot of people who swear by them.

[Spiket77]

It is a personal decision. I believe if you are healthy and prepared that natural is the best choice. Pain management is all about being prepared. In high risk situations...forget it.

I'm going for natural too. We are lucky to have a natural birthing center here. Find a midwife that will support your decision and do your homework!

Best of Luck!

[jade_and_janessas_mommy]

I was super dehydrated when I had my first and the labor went so quickly I was "past the point of no return" before they could find a vein to put an IV in.  So I had to do everything all natural, no nothing but an oxygen mask towards the end.  And you know what?  It was fine, I survived, and now I wouldn't do it any other way.  I'm having another that is due somewhere between Oct 29th and Nov 6th (they can't make up their minds) and I am planning to not have anything.  You would be surprised how little you actually feel "down there" while everything is going on.  Women really were made to have babies.

[Clysta]

Ahh..Homebirth. I'm so jealous!! Haha. I really wanted to do that, but it was a losing battle. DF and my family don't want to risk anything, so I had to opt for the next best choice which was at a hospital that will more or less be "home like" but not my own things.

[becca_3456]

You absolutely can do natural childbirth!!! You need to prepare your self first. I suggest you read Natural childbirth the Bradley way. It has lots of info about techniques you can use to manage the pain. You CAN do it. Women have been doing natural childbirth since the beginning of time!!! Dont let anyone tell you that it cant be done. Have faith in your body, it was meant to give birth. I am planning a homebirth this go round. I had my DD 3 years ago, it was a LONG labor (33 hours). I got an epidural and some IV drugs. My DD was fine when she was born but I now have issues with my back where they did the epidural. I had originally had planned to go natural but I did not prepare for it first and like first time moms I got scared of the pain. I regret getting the IV drugs and epidural. I will not be doing a hospital birth this time around so me and my husband are taking the Bradley method classes and I am reading every book that I can get my hands on about natural childbirth. Labor does hurt but it is pain with a purpose and it only last a little while. It can be dealt with naturally and it will not kill you. You can do it!!

[Cassandrajane]

I wouldnt wanna be numb from waist down tbh or have something in my back. Mentally I would feel it and freak out and make everything bad...
Pethadine and gas and air, Gas and air I can control my Self and Pethadine Is like a drip.
I couldnt have an Epidural, my paranoia and anxiety would go on overload....

x

[specialmom]

Honestly, epidurals aren't that bad.  I was pretty thankful for them.  

But to each their own.  Hope your plan works out perfectly for you and you have a happy and easy delivery!  good luck