All Natural Birth

TaylorGonzalez

I was wanting to deliver all natural- no meds, or anything. Anyone think I should reconsider??

GirlOnTheBeach

This seems like an odd question. Do you WANT to reconsider?

melanier26

If that's what you want to do, do it. I'd say be open to the option of pain medicine so you don't feel like a failure if you do end up with an epi (I've read other women feel disappointed if that happens). Do what works for you.

TaylorGonzalez

Well, I previously asked to have labor pains described to me, what I got most from it was that the Epi really helps. However, I've heard medicines they give during child birth could have long term side effects. I'm just not sure which way to go.

gotdiesel2007

Why not just play it by ear on how you feel during labor ?!

bpwife&mama

gotdiesel2007 said:

Why not just play it by ear on how you feel during labor ?!

This. Go in with an open mind and do what's right for you and your body.

FWIW- I had an epi with my son and I'm fine.

TaylorGonzalez

I just don't want the medicine having an effect on me later on in life.

WDDCH

If you're unsure then you should probably take a childbirth class, maybe watch some birth videos (all kinds: surgical, natural, epidural, at home, at the hospital, etc.). There are many on YouTube and many ARE very graphic.

You can find The Business of Being Born on Netflix I think.

If you do want to have birth without meds then take a natural childbirth class that goes through techniques on breathing and what to expect. There are also many, many books out there. Check them out at a local library if money is tight.

bpwife&mama

TaylorGonzalez said:

I just don't want the medicine having an effect on me later on in life.

Then it sounds like you want to go med free.

Miz_Liz

Based on your profile, it looks like you are still relatively new here. I would recommend that you use the search box at the bottom of the forum to look up some of these questions - the three you have posted recently (Labor, Stretch Marks, Med Free Birth) have been discussed at length on numerous posts and you may find a lot of useful information in them. It is a great starting point and then if you have additional follow-up questions after reading through some of the responses, maybe make your questions specific to those. Not trying to discourage you from posting or be rude, but simply saying that since you are relatively new you have missed a lot of the posts that have already been posted and discussed on at length on these topics.

EastonRhy

I wanted an all natural birth until I got about 6 hours into labor (with Pitocin).... lol. Really though I think it depends on your pain tolerance. mine is almost nonexistent. I say go as long as you can then if you decide you can't handle it, unfortunately, like I did you can still get it.

Edit also, I don't have any issues and we're going on 2 1/2 years later.

TaylorGonzalez

Really, I'm new to it all. Not just the app, but to pregnancy in a whole. I am only sixteen years old.

WDDCH

TaylorGonzalez said:

Really, I'm new to it all. Not just the app, but to pregnancy in a whole. I am only sixteen years old.

Welcome! There are many first time mommies here as well. Like I said, watch some videos on YouTube and get some birth books from the library. You can make more informed choices when you know what is going to happen

Miz_Liz

TaylorGonzalez said:

Really, I'm new to it all. Not just the app, but to pregnancy in a whole. I am only sixteen years old.

That's okay, there are lots of us on here who have questions and lots who are on their first pregnancy as well. Some of us are young, some are "old" by some standards - some are FTM's and some are experienced. I am not trying to discourage you from participating, I think it is great that you are, just wanted to let you know that you can find TONS of information using the search function. It will show you all of the posts about those topics by all boards, not just the August birth month.

TaylorGonzalez

I thank you, this was all very helpful and I could use the guidance.

abbybaby19

Watch videos, read books and get as much info as you can. Having a med free birth is not easy, im gonna be honest, but if you go in with a plan with relaxation techniques and positions then you can do it. Try reading Ina Mays guide to Childbirth or Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. Im reading these now and finding them very informative.

Miz_Liz

When are you due? As you poke around the site too you will start to see some of the "regular" threads we have - for example every Wednesday we do "HDBD" which is "Hump Day Bump Day" and it is when everyone can show off their growing bumps if they want to. We also do some GTKY posts where we just ask silly questions. There have been posts on where everyone is from, how old everyone is, etc., which can be fun to search and read through. Keep participating though and get to know us hopefully you will find we are a very supportive fun group (even if we do get labeled a bunch of meanies at times).

victoriaaa1

I want to have a natural birth and as a FTM I have NO idea what I'm getting myself into . Although I do have a high pain tolerance I know birth can't even line up with a pain tolerance scale . Yes , natural birth is obviously possible it's been done way before the epi existed and still happens all the time in this day and age . I feel it's all about your state of mind and that's what helps you through it most.
I will be going into L&D with an open mind , I could possible end up doing all natural as I wish but I definitely will not turn down the epi if I needed it .
I've also started a discussion on natural birth and epi birth a while back but can't remember the title of the discussion. /:

TaylorGonzalez

I am due August 22.

Huler

Go in with an open mind. Everyone's labor is different -- it all hurts, but your body's reaction might be different. With my first, I was fine (in pain but ok) until I started throwing up EVERY contraction. I never puke, so it was pretty bad. The epidural was awesome. With my second, it was a fast labor and I got the epi more out of a habit than need (I was already 8 cm and had him twenty minutes later) and looking back, I probably could've gone without. No plan for this one. I will say that while meds are a personal choice, I chose the epidural over the IV meds (not IV fluids, but the meds that you can request) because the epidural leaves you still feeling like yourself, just pain-free, while the IV meds are said to make you feel drugged and can possibly affect your baby, from what I remember reading.

Have you taken a class? Your hospital or OB should be able to guide you to one before delivery. It is a great way to get educated and you will feel better going into delivery knowing what to expect. You learn a lot about the stages of labor, meds, delivery intervention, and often infant care. I was 25 when I went to mine and I still found it really helpful!

kettlekitten

Also search topics like hypnobirthing (on this board and on the web).

If you are keen for a drug free birth, I suggest you prepare for it as though you -will- be doing it drug-free (ie research alternative methods of pain management), but do keep an open mind that you have pain relief options available to you if you can't tolerate the pain.

I went into my first labour unprepared but not wanting to take any drugs, for various reasons, and in the end I was asking for some as I could no longer deal with the pain... But that was because I was 10cm dilated and ready to go, and it was too late for drugs. Once the pushing part started it almost seemed easy in comparison anyway!

jesicabrennan

Here's my advice. If you're going to do this med-free you need to mentally prepare for it. Once you're in the thick of things and if you're just "going with the flow" you're going to cave and accept meds if they're offered. If you've mentally prepared and learned some breathing/pain relief techniques you will be much more likely to succeed in a med-free birth. You should also make sure everyone involved in your labor and delivery knows you want med-free so they're not constantly offering you drugs. I made it 24 hours with my first birth before I asked for the epidural, I'm hoping to go all the way this time.

reyannasimpson

I went in 3 times since 15yrs old, this my 4th @ 28, wanting to go natural but i was induced each time for no reason at all. The pitocin speeds up the labor so the pain increases quickly and I could not take it, so epi it was. I say go for a natural birth tho, it does hurt to get the epi tho. I have had some back pains over the years but no other problems. It depends on the situation and your tolerance for pain. Like most pp said go in with an open mind. Good Luck! Every experience is different

puccagirl77

I would not be concerned about the meds affecting you later in life. Ten thousand women give birth in the US every day and more than half of them get an epidural. Any long-term effects would be an epidemic. Epidurals are well-tested and very safe. You should discuss the safety of pain meds with your doctor at your next appointment.

lifesabeach85

puccagirl77 said:

I would not be concerned about the meds affecting you later in life. Ten thousand women give birth in the US every day and more than half of them get an epidural. Any long-term effects would be an epidemic. Epidurals are well-tested and very safe. You should discuss the safety of pain meds with your doctor at your next appointment.

I believe it's closer to 80% get an epidural and less than 1% have complications from it.

If you want to go without, more power to ya! But I wouldn't be afraid of an epi personally.