Who wants to go natural?

[Cheesecake7]

So I know that we are still about 7 months away, but Im trying to think toward the more enjoyable future, rather than the stressful present.  Anyway,  I have always wanted to have a natural childbirth. But, I am from California, where there are lots of midwives and birthing centers and the concept of a water birth is not considered pagan.  Now, I live in Missouri and I am encountering a great deal of resistance.  I have to have an OBGYN, because the closest midwife is over 100 miles away in another state. Water births are not allowed at my hospital, and my doctor is fairly resistant to going natural, although he will begrudingly support it.  Natural childbirth is important to me, I want to be able to say that I have done it, at least this first go around. What do you all think?

[natemomma27]

o0o the birthing ball...i recommend that! i was scared with my first son so at 3cm i took the epidural then with my 2nd son i held out until 8cm and then took it, but it didn't do much so i think im going to TRY natural, but no promises!

i read that water births aren't all that great b/c of risk of infection...any one care to enlighten me or let me know b/c its something i wanted to at least try at one point but was kinda turned off to then.

[nikko*ttc]

IQ 4pts higher... Haven't heard that one. It's rather funny. Doubtful that it is true, but funny. I was waiting until I hit the 12 week mark before making such plans. I haven't wanted to get my hopes up too much having m/c'd twice. Everything seems to be progressing well enough though. My next OB appt is the 30th of June. Can't wait to see my baby in the U/S again (20 days and counting)... I think that once I hear the hb again and see that he/she is forming well, I will have come to grips with the fact that I am actually going to make it this time. I do know that I will more than likely have my baby at the same hospital as I did with my first child. The had jacuzzi bath tubs, which was wonderful to help with the cramping and the postpartum pain. I am definitely going to ask about the water birth option though.

[Cheesecake7]

This is a very interesting statement from the OB.  I dont think I believe that at all.  Honestly what difference could the epidural make to the IQ, you would think if anything it would be better to keep the extra chemicals and meds out of the body,  but I dont think it makes a difference at all to be honest.  I have heard that having a natural birth is empowering, and that is just something I want to try.   I am glad that you shared your story, it made me feel better to hear that it wasnt as bad as you thought. Thank you!   I am glad that there is someone else who would like to go naturally too. : )

[rachie204]

with my son i was planning on going natural but he was my first andi wasn't sure how much more pain I was going to be in and I got to the hospital I was already 8cm...i went ahead and got it at 8cm which did absolutly nothing.  Within 10-20 minutes my son was already born.  It wasn't as bad as I was expecting.  This time I am planning to go natural.  Our hospital doesn't do water births, and the OB said he does require I have an IV in but aside from that I can get up and walk around and use things like the birthing ball.  My son was my first and was out 4 hours after my first contraction so my only real goal is to make it to the hospital before giving birth.  LOL  By the way I had one OB (not mine) tell my that when a mother gets an Epidural the baby generally has an IQ 4pts higher than a child whos mother didnt get one...I dont know if it's true or if I beileve it but i'm still going to try and go natural.

[nikko*ttc]

Or even if the hospital allows it.

[nikko*ttc]

I did the epidural with my first, for all the good it did. I am one of a very small percentage of women that stop progressing when it is administered. I almost got sent home for failure to progress. But the epidural finally started to wear off and I began active labor again. This next one, I want to try natural. I thought it would be neat for a water birth, but not sure how my OB feels about that.

[Cheesecake7]

It is the epidural that I dont want.  I want to have baby in a hospital settin with doctors and such in case something does happen, then anything the baby or I could possibly need will be right there. But, I have always wanted to try and have a baby without an epidural. It seems in Missouri that is about the closest that one can get to a natural birth. I wont rule it out, I mean if I get into it and I cant do it, then I am not above an epidural, but I would really like to try it.  

I too am looking at the 12 week milestone. It is just that I have been so worried and bogged down that I am trying to look forward to more enjoyable times. I am determined that I am going to have this baby, so I want to try and stop focusing on what could go wrong, and instead focus on the joys of pregnancy.  I dont know how I will do at this, but I have just been so consumed with worry, I have to try something to take my mind off of it. What better than planning for this baby  : )

[Kash12]

:))
I didn't give it a thot yet..:) Well currently I am looking at 12 w.. once I cross over this bridge..I'll start thinking ahead..
But cheesecake... r u thinking atleast abt epidural?

[Helen72]

Good for you!!!  Sorry that going natural will be so difficult in Missouri.
I am too paranoid as it is.  I want as many physicians around me as possible  :)

[StressHead]

I'm not bothered which way my babies come out as long as they are healthy