Nervous to commit to unmedicated birth

rmm17

Hi all! I am almost 9 weeks with my second baby (first is about to turn 3). I am much more educated and informed about birth choices this time around. I do truly want to have a unmedicated birth but something inside me is afraid to commit to it. I am not sure if it is my fear of being disappointed or if it is the memory of my first birth experience. I know that it can take a lot of mental will power that I worryI don't have.
I went into labor in my own but my BP was so high they started pitocin immediately and I wasn't allowed to move from my left side. I made it about 5 hours this way but couldn't manage the pain so I got an epidural. I had an extremely painful recovery and I think that complicates things as well.

I have switched to a natural birth friendly OB and plan to get a doula (if I can convince myself to commit).

Does anyone have words of encouragement or have suggestions/similar experiences?

mhbraymer

With my first I wanted a natural birth and I caved after about 5 hours of labor and got an epidural and it wasn't the birth I wanted but baby was healthy and that's all that mattered. With my second I wanted to try again for a natural birth again so I labored at home for as long as possible especially since my husband was at work and I had to wait for him. I got to the hospital ready to push and they checked and I was at a 10 and he was on his way. So I suggest staying at home longer to labor.

rmm17

I am still in the first tri so I haven't taken a class yet or know if I will have BP issues yet. I was looking at different options and feel like hypnobabies would be a good option for me. My husband isn't a great birth partner so I think a good doula could Bret my saving grace here.

catsinawindow

My situation with DS was somewhat similar to yours. I was induced due to PreE, on a mag sulfate drop, needed to labor in bed, and consented to an epidural due to "medical necessity" and a pushy anesthesiologist. My DS was born by forceps and i had a very difficult recovery. Needless to say, my birth was far from what I had planned. Even with this, I am committed to a natural birth this time around. BP issues and PreE tend to be a problem of FTMs. If we have these problems again, they are likely to be less severe.

During my birth I was completely blind sighted by everything that went down. It sounds like you were too. At least in my case, I wasn't able to advocate for myself very well during labor. If you felt the same, a doula could really help you, even if you don't feel ready to commit to a natural birth. Having a natural birth-friendly provider is huge too.

Best of luck with whatever you choose!

rooftop

I just want to say I am impressed you made it 5 hours with pit and not being able to move. Changing positions was a big deal for me so the fact you held out that long has me cheering for you. I second the hypnobabies since having that first experiance could lead to fear that causes complications if not addressed. Every birth is different and having a support system is key. You can do it!

Chichigo

Did you take any natural birth classes prior to your first delivery? If not, see if your husband will attend with you this time. It might make him a better coach.

If not, interview a few doulas and see if you can find a good fit. Remember, you don't need to commit to a med-free birth in advance-you can change your mind once you are in labor. Even if you hire a doula, she will have helped you through your early labor before the meds, and can still coach you through delivery.

Rrrrrachel

You don't have to commit to an irrevocable decision ahead of time (well, most of the time, outside of decisions like hospital vs birth center).  I also don't think it's nearly as awful as we build it up to be in our heads.  I mean transition sucks and back labor sucks, but it's all (relatively) short term.

HARLEYSMOM2010

I've had 2 Unmedicated births.. First one I went In because of my waters leaking with no contractions at all the tested me and then admitted me when it was my waters they sent me to walk which started very irregular contractions and when I was no progressing past a 3 they put me on pit it got contractions going but bit nearly fast or strong enough so about 8 hours later they realized the water the I was leaking was my back waters and in fact my water bag was still intact so the doc popped it and bam went from 3-10 and baby out within 3 hours pushed about 4 minutes I did tear had about 3 stitches but I knew I was not giving into an epidural 100% unless I needed a cs... With my second I had same thing happen with my waters but that time I had a home water birth so I called my midwife and she came and popped my waters at about 230pm I stayed at a 6 for hours and we didn't understand why until we realized baby was face up instead of down so my MW called a back up and she came and literally went up there and turned baby with her hand I went from 7-10 and baby out within an hour crazy shit but I will be doing a home birth again ... I highly recommend a natural birth it's so much better and you can move around immediately after birth shower get up go to the bathroom whatever without having to be frozen

ktbug3000

You would be nervous no matter what. You venture into the unknown when you go into labor. Everybody has the horror stories in the back of their mind but just stay strong and never ever question the fact that your body will do its job if you just let it. Personally, I would not trade my natural birth experience for anything. It was beautiful and I am convinced that a medicated birth would not have produced the "happiness bubble" I lived in for the first several days afterward. Its labor, its supposed to hurt! But you get through it and then you have a perfect angel and a special experience.

MommyAtty

First, no one is going to hold up your birth plan like a blood oath and say "Nope! No pain meds for you!" I went into mine hoping for a natural birth but totally willing to wimp out if need be. I get migraines, and frankly I think migraines are more painful than my labor was, except for about 10-15 minutes when I was trying not to push until my doc got in the room. Hoping this time is the same, but again I'm totally open to wimping out if need be. But I'm more confident thus time that I can do it since I did last time.

Cecilbear

A doula will be useful to you even if you do opt for an epidural.