Who's trying med-free and how?

JFH2010

I'm curious what everyone's strategies are for a med-free L&D. I've mentioned before that I'm doing hypnobabies, which was very successful with my son, but I think this time will be somewhat different. My son was early and small (~5.5 lbs), and labor was only ~7 hours from the start of contractions. I also labored entirely at the hospital, since my water broke first and I was pre-term. I'm nervous about having to drive to the hospital while in labor!

I feel like I need a few extra mental tools to make it through. Tell me how you're preparing and/or what coping strategies you plan to use! (or what you did during prior labors).

JNU76

I went med free with my first, and am hoping to do it again with this one. I didn't use any specific techniques, but it helped me to keep moving, keep breathing, take one contraction at a time, and keep reminding myself that even the longest labor ends eventually.

My early labor was really strong and very fast, and I had an hour drive to the hospital. It helped me to kneel on the floor in the backseat, leaning on the seat, and just to breathe through each contraction. I don't think I could've handled sitting in the front seat like a normal person. I know some people recline the front seat all the way and kind of kneel on that. The drive was my biggest concern before it happened, but it ended up being such a small part of the process, it really wasn't as big of a deal as I expected.

Good luck!

hiketheworld

Visualization is my strategy #1. I did Bradley and I will have a doula as well to help with other techniques. I use visualization when I'm doing other physically painful and demanding things and it works well for me. I also count to ten slowly and then start over at one when I hurt so bad but must keep going.

howin23

I'm planning to go med-free because I can't get an epi/spinal and my hospital won't give me laughing gas or a fentanyl drip.

My plan is:
-calming music
-two squeeze balls, one for each hand (so I don't break hubby's hand)
-hot and cold packs
-showers early on (no baths at the hospital)
-different positions and walking to distract me
-mental image of my "happy place"

And I'm banking on the fact that I'm pretty good with pain because I learned to deal with it as a kid due to some health issues.

abbyful

I took Bradley classes when pregnant with DS.

Things I did to cope:
- Stay up and moving as long as possible.
- Breath deep and down.
- Try to keep your jaw relaxed (if you clench your teeth, your whole body will tense up).
- Take 1 contraction at a time. Don't think about the ones to come, focus on getting through the current one.
- When it hurts the most and you think you can't do it, it's almost over!

joshua+rebecca11

Hired a doula! We are also delivering with a midwife at a hospital that is very supportive of natural birth. The car ride there has me kinda worried, too, it just doesn't sound pleasant to be riding in the car in full labor!

shindylahoe

I think the drive to the hospital will be the worst part.

I plan to labor in the shower and eat my wonderful ice chips. I just focus on working with my contractions and thinking about opening up.

I have only done fentanyl with my last two babies and I really think I can do it with out this time.

luvalways77

I'm trying to do breathing exercises and thinking of how awful having a really long needle sticking into my spinal column will be. That needle is the only reason I'm going med free. But other than that I'm going with the flow.

Carebella

FTM, but planning to go med-free was an easy decision for me. I hate needles/shots, women clearly were able to successful have babies for centuries without meds, and epidurals can hinder labor and/or wear off. It will probably help that I'm stubborn and have a reasonably high pain tolerance. But the biggest help is probably going to be that we have access to a birth center that supports the birthing process. They have everything from birthing tubs to a bed and support you moving around and eating and drinking like normal. Between all the support they offer, being used to focusing on my breathing when I run, being stubborn, and knowing we are built for this, I figure I've got all the tools I need. As long as everything progresses normally, FX...

Soonergirl131

This is my first and planning on med free, we didn't take any classes but I've read several books on natural labor. I am a pretty determined person and I've really researched all there is to know about medicated and non- medicated births, I just feel very strongly that med free is the best option for me. Also as PP have mentioned, even the longest labors eventually come to an end. I've used the philosophy many times in my life and I think that coupled with the great support system I have in my husband and mother I will be successful.

snarkylibrarian

I'm a FTM trying for a med-free birth and have taken childbirth classes with DH which taught us lots of positions to open the pelvis, breathing exercises and meditations. I'm giving birth in a birth center with midwives and a doula, so I'll have plenty of support from my care providers to try to stay med-free. DH wants to be the main labor coach, so we've been practicing positions, massages and he has been reading "The Birth Partner". We've also been doing perineal massage, daily meditations, lots of kegels and sitting on my birth ball all the time to open my pelvis. Baby is posterior, so I've been doing some suggestions from spinningbabies.com to get him/her to turn around.

I hope to labor at home for as long as possible, but the birth center has tubs you can labor in, birth balls, straps, all sorts of things to try for comfort measures. I'm also bringing some music, aromatherapy essential oils and candles, and my own nightgowns for my own comfort. I plan on trying a variety of techniques, since I really have no idea what will work best for me.

That being said, I'm not deadset against getting an epidural and the Birth Center that I'm going to has pain meds, if I want them. It's a last resort, but it's there if I want it. I don't know what to expect and how things will play out, so I am trying to be kind to myself and have a positive birth experience regardless of whether or not I went med-free.

soulcupcake

Planning another homebirth. Assuming we get the birth tub filled in time, I plan to use hydrotherapy and perhaps the relaxation techniques from when I did Hypnobabies homestudy with #2. I'll have to brush up on it again soon. I also plan to buy a childbirth essential oils kit that I also used with #2 when I used the shower. Music is another option. I've thought about playing some epic orchestral music to get me in the right place.

Basically, whatever feels right at the time. We suspect it will be another extremely precipitous labor/birth.

bumpuser10336873

I'm a FTM as well. We're taking hypnobirthing classes now, we've read the Bradley method book and I've read Ina May's book as well. I practice breathing exercises daily and listen to the hypnobirthing relaxation meditations. The midwife group that I use is supportive of med free births, and the hospital has tubs for labor (no water births) which I plan to use. My husband is very supportive of a med free birth, and I know he'll be a great advocate for me. We'll just take it one contraction at a time!

highbornhunter

We took the birthing class through my hospital which talked about all the options but did focus a lot of birth as a natural process, that your body is perfectly made to do, and on natural pain management options.    I also read Ina May Gaskin's book Guide to Natural Childbirth and I found the positive birth stories very encouraging.  I am definitely planning on doing the "horse lips" thing to keep my mouth and face loose.  DH does it with me and it makes me laugh, which I hope will also help keep me in a positive mindset.  I stayed active throughout my pregnancy and took Gentle Yoga twice a week, which I feel helped me prepare for breathing calmly and staying focused, as well as keeping me strong and flexible for the work of labor.

We also hired a doula, who has been super supportive through all these frustrating pre-labor contractions, emailing support, making herself available if I want to talk, sending helpful positioning techniques to try to help the baby get in the right position to engage.

And now to do dishes and run the vacuum before my Mom gets here, she's coming to spend a couple days in hopes that the baby might show, or that she can at least spend some time with me and help me get ready, keep me from sitting around going "Is that a contraction?  Is that my water?  IS IT TIME YET?"

mb314

My baby is already on the outside, but he was my second med free birth. We took Bradley with DS1, but my main way of dealing with pain is with water. With DS1 I labored in the hospital's labor tub and it was awesome. I never even wanted an epidural .

DS2 came at 36 weeks, and my hospital doesn't allow you to use the labor tub if you are less than 37 weeks. My 2nd labor was quick and very intense (just four hours), and I had a harder time, I think because I wasn't allowed in the tub. I asked for every drug, and even asked for a csection While in transition. Ha! Anyway, my doula, DH and midwife were good about diverting my attention from the drugs. I was allowed to labor in the shower and that helped the pain some. Also, in my second labor, I was better about moaning through contractions in a deep, low voice rather than tensing up and that also helped me deal with the pain.

Long story short, I highly recommend laboring in water, whether it be a tub or a shower.

misterdonut

i read bradley, hypnobirthing, and attended regular hospital courses. i wanted to get a full scope of education so that i could pull out whatever tools resonate with me at time of labor...pulled my favorite relaxation techniques from each and made a little cheat sheet for my DH! 

oh, and lots of lots of post it affirmations!

runningmama14

So we took Bradley classes and I was fully mentally prepared for a med free birth. My plan was to do lots of moving around and tub/shower usage.

Now it's looking like I'll probably be induced due to BP issues, so I'm not quite sure how all this will work. I can't even get a straight answer on whether or not I'll be able to give birth at the hospital's seperate birthing center or if I will have to go to the hospital l&d ward.

I would really like to still go without pain meds, but a little daunted by the idea of handling pitocin contractions while not being able to use a lot of the coping techniques we've worked on. Add that to the fact that I probably won't be attended by my mw and I may have to deal with a high risk ob who is more intervention prone.

rox825

I'm hoping for a med-free birth.  We took a regular hospital class but there was a lot of focus and practice on breathing exercises and other pain management techniques.  As long as my water doesn't break I plan to labor at home til contractions are 2-3 mins apart and I can't talk through them.  I definitely plan to use the tub/shower, as well as counter-pressure and meditation.  I've done yoga for years and have some good meditation music on my phone so I'm hoping that all of the practice with meditation/relaxation will help.  A friend also gave me the same advice that others have mentioned- you only need to get through 1 contraction at a time, so I'm going to try to stay in the moment.  I've also been telling myself daily that women have done this for thousands and thousands of years without epidurals, and reminding myself daily about the fear/tension/pain cycle.

Of course, all of this goes out the window if I end up induced, strapped to monitors and bed-ridden with pitocin contractions.  @runningmama14 I share your concerns about being able to handle that!  Crossing fingers for labor to start on its own in the next 2 weeks.

mamaluzi

I'm planning on refusing an Epi as long as possible (though I'm not fully opposed - I just hate needles and the idea of not feeling anything in my lower chest, abdomen, and legs *shudder*). I plan on using Nitrious Oxide, showers/baths, breathing, and focused relaxation techniques. I also am open to the idea of IV meds but, like the Epi, I'd rather not (don't like the idea of making baby woosy and/or myself less alert). I read the book "Easy Labor." It was a fantastic, non-biased overview of basically every single type of pain management (medical and otherwise) out there, with first hand accounts from people who have used them, etc. Really great read and very informative - definitely something you can inhale in about 2-3 days of solid reading, so pick it up from the bookshop ASAP if you can!

kayd8

runningmama14 said:

So we took Bradley classes and I was fully mentally prepared for a med free birth. My plan was to do lots of moving around and tub/shower usage. Now it's looking like I'll probably be induced due to BP issues, so I'm not quite sure how all this will work. I can't even get a straight answer on whether or not I'll be able to give birth at the hospital's seperate birthing center or if I will have to go to the hospital l&d ward. I would really like to still go without pain meds, but a little daunted by the idea of handling pitocin contractions while not being able to use a lot of the coping techniques we've worked on. Add that to the fact that I probably won't be attended by my mw and I may have to deal with a high risk ob who is more intervention prone.

I'm in the same boat, for different reasons.  I knew induction was a possibility when we took our childbirth class, so I asked the L&D nurse who taught it about this.  She said that we should tell our nurse we'd like to go med-free/without an epidural from the beginning, and they can start your pitocin lower and ramp it up slower.  I don't know if there might be instances where they can't do this, but I'm definitely going to ask when we arrive.  

Showing up at the hospital not in labor is not how I envisioned birth, so I'm rethinking my plans and hoping I can gain a vision for an induction I'd be happy with.  

kfo22

metaphysique said:

Planning another homebirth. Assuming we get the birth tub filled in time, I plan to use hydrotherapy and perhaps the relaxation techniques from when I did Hypnobabies homestudy with #2. I'll have to brush up on it again soon. I also plan to buy a childbirth essential oils kit that I also used with #2 when I used the shower. Music is another option. I've thought about playing some epic orchestral music to get me in the right place.

Basically, whatever feels right at the time. We suspect it will be another extremely precipitous labor/birth.

For those worried about the car ride to the hospital, our birth instructor suggested bringing lavender oil on the ride (or even for the room too) as a tool to help you relax. She said 20 drops in a spray bottle of water with a splash of alcohol as astringent would be the perfect air freshener.

So, yeah we are taking this birthing class together to learn and practice coping strategies.

Remember, we are made for this !!

mrsodonnell12

Home birth for me so no choice but med free. Nothinf special I am doing for pain management. Planning a water birth though.

moroccojade

I hope to labour at home as long as possible.   Maybe use the bath tub and shower.  (Although NEITHER appealed to me last time.)

I really want to zone out as much as possible with the help of music and a dark room and no lame distractions.  Of course, I plan to move around, too, when things pick up.  Although the early labour I do plan to rest as much as I can.  The first time I was so busy trying to keep labour going (lots of acupressure) when really, I should have tried to nap.

So no magical formula here.  I did a ton of prep last time...   this time I am just going to go with the flow a bit more.

Melodyhay

FTM here and I feel all over the place on this topic. I would love to have a med-free birth, but I am also terrified of the pain.

My family is confused why I would refuse an epidural. "Why be in pain?" 

I think that my DH and Mom are afraid I will eat them alive if I'm in pain because I can have a temper. DH says he supports me not getting an epidural but I think he is more pro pain meds than I am.

The idea of a birthing plan I've learned from my birthing class is kind of a joke. No one knows how it will actually go, so I can't control the outcome or plan it. Having said that, I still made one and talked it over with my OB. Basically I told him I want to avoid being induced and an epidural, but I still want the option of having one if I change my mind. He seemed to think that was the perfect plan. Being open.

If I do have a med free birth, I will be bringing a scentsy warmer for smell, a few movies for distraction, a birthing ball, a tennis ball for massage, heating pad and rice sock as well as some wash cloths to wet and cool my head. My hospital doesn't have tubs, but they said I can labor in the shower. Also have a playlist made on my phone and am bringing headphones. Also at my showers, guests made a prayer flag with well-wishes I want to hang up in my L&D room. I also like the idea of visualizing my happy place. We practiced that in birthing class and it really took me away from it all. Breathing too. Not super well versed in what breathing techniques are best, but I'm sure they can tell me. All I know is "hee-hee-hoo-hoo"

We'll see how it goes! Good luck Mamas!

kfo22

@Melodyhay Re: breathing techniques... Check out the "greeting/resting breath" during labor. So far, that's the one I seemed to like from what we've discussed in class. We also talked about counting our breath, 1-2-3-4 on the inhale, 4-3-2-1 on the exhale. Or however many numbers makes sense.

kfo22

runningmama14 said:

So we took Bradley classes and I was fully mentally prepared for a med free birth. My plan was to do lots of moving around and tub/shower usage. Now it's looking like I'll probably be induced due to BP issues, so I'm not quite sure how all this will work. I can't even get a straight answer on whether or not I'll be able to give birth at the hospital's seperate birthing center or if I will have to go to the hospital l&d ward. I would really like to still go without pain meds, but a little daunted by the idea of handling pitocin contractions while not being able to use a lot of the coping techniques we've worked on. Add that to the fact that I probably won't be attended by my mw and I may have to deal with a high risk ob who is more intervention prone.

I hope you get to go into labor on your own!! I have a fear of pitocin, too.

MuchlyGen

Planning my third home birth. 

A lot of it was visualization, research, and reading birth stories beforehand. Accepting the contractions as being a good thing, and not trying to fight against them. Relax into them, don't tense away from them. I try to be aware when I'm starting to tense up a part of my body and relax it, especially when it comes to the jaw and mouth. I find it helps to vocalize (actually for me it becomes uncontrollable) and I try to keep the sounds low and open instead of getting tight and high-pitched. 

To be honest though, while this makes it sound like I put a lot of thought into it, mainly I don't really think about anything while I'm /in/ labor - I just go with it and do what feels right at the moment. 

AuthorMomof2

My first labor was just like yours OP except a little faster and I had to take an ambulance. My first son was born even smaller and got stuck. That was extremely painful having the doctor going elbow up my vag to free the baby and help him out but oh well, worth it and I'm happy. For being a first time mom in preterm labor going through all this without any meds, I know anyone can do it without an epidural and I will with this one. I just go in when the baby is ready, push, and become a mom. No scents, no laboring in the shower, no meds, no music or focal points, just getting it done and taking care of business.