Anyone else not planning a natural birth?

eightynine

I feel like a pariah these days when I tell people I plan to have an epidural (or nitrous oxide, if it's available - not sure). There's a lot of things that are important to me (like skin to skin contact after birth to promote milk production etc, not being induced if I can avoid it) but going all natural is not one of them! Now, of course, if I don't feel that I need an epidural, I won't have it. Or if I'm too far along and I can't. But it's something I am very happy is an option. 

estephenson13

I'm with you! I had an epidural with my first and was able to sleep before going into active labor....it was so important for my health and recovery! If I don't NEED it I will abstain but I won't be super concerned if I do

marajay6

Like last time, I am taking a wait-and-see approach.  I ended up getting an epidural then and will probably get one this time. I have not and have no plans to do any of the prep for med-free birth (i.e. hypnobabies, hiring a doula, etc.).  My husband probably prefers that I get an epidural - he found it incredibly distressing to see me in pain.

COmama87

Epidural all the way! I knew when I was pregnant with DS that I would get it and it did not disappoint! I'll be getting it again with this LO. I was so much more relaxed and able to focus after getting it. No way I'll be going without it this time either.

mamadomino

Team epidural.  Mostly because I'm having twins and if baby b needs an emergency c section I don't want to be knocked out.  Also there's something called a breech extraction... Don't google that. You've been warned. 

mommytimesfour

I prefer not to use the term "not natural" because epidural or not, I'll be very naturally giving birth. But, to answer your question, I'll be having an epidural. I have no desire to give birth med free and my last two deliveries with epidural in place couldn't have gone better. 

steminist

FTM, but definitely planning on an epidural and maybe some anxiety meds.  I am really bad at dealing with blood and injuries (very often passing out or nearly even for relatively minor things), so even a smooth birth will likely cause some problems for me.

vampirina

I'm undecided, but I'm definitely not ruling out any options or medications at this point. 

Sarafuss

I always plan on an epidural (this will be my fourth birth).  But after my experience last time, I plan on researching natural pain relieving techniques because my epidural didn't really take.  I've never had that happen before and it was scary to realize, well I guess I'm doing this mostly med free!  I felt ill prepared.  So I still do plan on an epidural (and likely induction due to health issues) but I want to be better prepared if it doesn't work again.  

marajay6

@Jabreen - In my experience, the bloody part of labor was pretty much unnoticeable to me.  With my son, I tore a lot and that meant a lot of blood. It freaked my husband out - he said that he thought there was no way someone could bleed as much as I did and still be ok. I had no idea how much I bled. With the angle I was positioned, I couldn't really see what was going on at all.

618mom22boys

I'm having a repeat c/s which is about as far from natural as you can get.

Tippy05

618mom22boys said:

I'm having a repeat c/s which is about as far from natural as you can get.

Me too.

steminist

@marajay6 That's reassuring.  I'm really nervous about vomiting or passing out during labor...I know we will already be doing all kinds of other gross stuff and will have crazy levels of adrenaline to keep us going, but I don't want to cause complications from being woozy or unconscious!

Kimmy717

I am planning on using nitrous oxide as my pain medication option. I have no interest in having an epidural. Seeing that long ass needle wigs me the hell out. i have felt that way since the first time ive seen the epidural needle in health class. Im not damning anyone for wanting to use it, its an effective and great option but its not for me. 

camichael84

With my first, I hadn't ruled out an epi, but didn't go into it planning on it either. Ended up getting one before I was even 4 cm... best decision ever. This time, I'm sure I'm getting one. 

PSUBecky23

I think the key here is to shutdown anyone who feels the need to offer an opinion on how you choose to deliver your baby.

AMT1107

Aren't we all planning a natural birth 

I'm also having a repeat c-section.  With DS, I had no plans on passing up the epidural!  To each their own, my SIL was hailed a hero by all in the family when she decided to have a drug free birth with her 3 children, no thanks!  I'm all about the drugs. 

kosmo86

um yea, tell them to stuff it. First, I would say don't offer up unless it is someone you trust and can rely on. Not their body not their business. 2nd- if someone asks tell them you want to have a healthy baby and you will do what is needed.If they decide to lecture them tell them you will do your own research.

Lastly- Don't let people bully you!!!!! I know that is easy said then done. I am a type A personality pit bull. I don't ask people any questions or judge peoples decisions BUT if they decide to judge me... I WILL make them feel bad about it. 

mrsvoorhees-2

Epi for DD1, Epi for DD2. The only thing I don't want is any pain meds that make me feel loopy. I really hate that feeling and get panicky and all David After Dentist about it thinking, "is this forever?"

MojieJo

I plan on having an epidural.  

I'm really good with pain but have bad anxiety and hospitals make it skyrocket into panic, so if I can have one less stressful thing (an unmedicated birth) on my plate, that's a good thing.

I don't feel even a little guilty about it.  My view is strictly "you do you" when it comes to birth.  You want to go unmedicated, great.  You want an epidural or nitrous, awesome.  No shame in whatever path you take.

marikkita12

Part of me wants to try a drug-free birth but I know that I have a really low pain tolerance so im not against it and will most likely end up getting an epidural 

LaVandTony

I had a vaginal, non-medicated birth with my last pregnancy and I'm planning to do the same this time.  Hopefully I won't be required to stay on that bed with monitoring stuff hooked up to me.  That's what made me uncomfortable.  But my pain tolerance is pretty high.

berh2001

With DS since it was my 1st delivery I said let me see how it goes, but the pitocin contractions SUCKED and after a couple hours of "dealing" with the pain I chose to get the epidural.  Start to finish my labor was only 5 hours but I couldn't predict that after hearing the horror stories of inductions that end up in 24+ hour labors.  This time I will probably do the same, see how it goes and if it gets to unbearable I will request the epi.  I still felt a lot of the actual delivery at the end but over all the epi saved my sanity and my husbands hand from being crushed

marajay6

I said above that I will see how it goes but probably get one as I did before. While I don't have a fear of needles, the thought of an epidural being administered does freak me out a bit. It makes me hesitant to make it my plan in advance. However, once I am in labor the pain will chase away the anxiety.

TheTamedShrew

I am taking the wait and see approach like I did last time. I ended up getting the epi around 5 cm...but my labor was also 30+ hours long so...yeah, I'll just do what I feel like. It would be great to experience it med-free this time, but hospitals aren't the best setting for that IMO. The IV, the fetal monitor, the painful cervical checks every couple of hours, and the lack of a birthing tub were not helping me manage the pain at all.

mamadomino

AMT1107 said:

Aren't we all planning a natural birth 

I'm going to plan an artificial birth for my clone babies. 

mrsvoorhees-2

I do plan to labor longer this time though, because the Epi made me too relaxed and I had to do pitocin. So I'll try to go as long as I can before getting it. Also, I'm dreading actually getting it because last time he grazed my sciatic nerve and kept shooting pain into my ass cheek. And the skin on my right leg was numb for about 4-5 months after. So weird.

camichael84

MrsVoorhees said:

I do plan to labor longer this time though, because the Epi made me too relaxed and I had to do pitocin. 

It's funny how people respond differently to things. The Epi relaxed me and I dilated much, much quicker after it was placed. I had gone from a 2 to a 3.5 in 3 hours before Epi then went from a 3.5 to 10 in 4 hours after Epi.

SarahDarah333

Team epidural! Unless by some strange miracle it doesn't hurt that bad lmao!

bunnymay

I had an epi with DD and totally plan on having one this time. 

Themaritimemama

4th time at the rodeo and I'm on the epi train. No shame. I *could* do without, but why would I? The needle wasn't that bad (especially when done in the throes of contractions) and I didn't have any adverse effects. 

ETA: the tone of my response sounds aggressive... Totally unintentional  

Shiva14

LaVandTony said:

I had a vaginal, non-medicated birth with my last pregnancy and I'm planning to do the same this time.  Hopefully I won't be required to stay on that bed with monitoring stuff hooked up to me.  That's what made me uncomfortable.  But my pain tolerance is pretty high.

This was me too! I'm hoping to speak with the hospital beforehand and get a clearer verdict on their policies this time since our tour told us they supported any laboring position. Turns out the nurses on duty that night didn't agree. 

As far as epidural/ unmedicated it baffles me that people would even ask you that (although I know pregnancy makes everyone think it's OK to ask you crazy intimate questions). You do you and don't feel like you owe it to anyone to let them know how YOU plan on giving birth (also remember plans can change anyway).

homebird

A natural birth to me means a vaginal delivery. I assume you're talking medication though? I always try to go as long as I can without it, but I've had an epidural with the last two births and probably will with this one as well. I don't go in with a plan though. Last time I made it to almost 8 cm without so who knows?

One of of the crunchier moms I know (she's also, like, supermom. I want to be her, lol) told me "No one gives out medals for being drug free. Motherhood is not a competition."

sunshinern96

I will be going for the epidural this time and I hope it works! With DS1, I had pitocin the entire time because my water broke but I wasn't contracting on my own. Those pitocin contractions were out of this world so I asked for an epidural after a few hours. Something went wrong with the epidural and the medication was leaking out of the tubing all over my bed. So after a couple of hours, I was getting no relief. By the time they tried to help me fix the problem, it was too late because I had to start pushing. I pushed for 2 hours, felt everything, tore really badly and had to be stitched up for 45 mins with no pain relief whatsoever. I will spare you any more details but I just am really hoping for a good epidural experience this time!!

SuperFudge00

I've grown my baby in my uterus and plan on him coming out of my body. I'm not having an unnatural birth.

rn1stbae

Omg, it's a little off topic but still on topic of the "aren't they all natural births?.  One of my husband's friends came over recently and said "One of the worst smells I ever smelled is when my wife gave birth.  She had a natural birth so it was awful." And he stood there like it was his badge to bear. I was like "An epidural doesn't change the smell of placental and amniotic fluid." And looked at him like he was an idiot.

beachmama14

Last time as soon as I checked in I told them I wanted an epidural.. I then proceeded to tell every nurse and Doctor that came in. I just wanted to make sure I didn't miss my chance haha. I plan to do the same this time. The epi was magical and I hope I never have to go without!

KimmySchmidt

I'm not judging others, but I honestly don't understand giving birth med free. Would you get a root canal with no Novocain? Have a surgery without anesthesia? I don't have a problem with modern western medicine. I have never personally known anyone for whom having an epidural affected their child negatively. It seems like a lot of unnessary pain when the only reward is being able to smugly brag to other mothers who could care less how your baby came out of you. (Again, not saying any of you do/will do that, but I have met several die hard "natural birth" enthusiasts who have had this attitude.)

I needed pitocin and requested an epidural for my first after 5 hours of contractions. I labored for 12 hours after the epidural, so I think I made the right call. 

This is time I'm a candidate for a csection due to my labor injuries, but I haven't decided on a course of action yet. I'm waiting to see how big the baby gets or if any other complications arise. 

ducks6

KimmySchmidt said:

I'm not judging others, but I honestly don't understand giving birth med free. Would you get a root canal with no Novocain? Have a surgery without anesthesia? I don't have a problem with modern western medicine. I have never personally known anyone for whom having an epidural affected their child negatively. It seems like a lot of unnessary pain when the only reward is being able to smugly brag to other mothers who could care less how your baby came out of you. (Again, not saying any of you do/will do that, but I have met several die hard "natural birth" enthusiasts who have had this attitude.)

I needed pitocin and requested an epidural for my first after 5 hours of contractions. I labored for 12 hours after the epidural, so I think I made the right call. 

This is time I'm a candidate for a csection due to my labor injuries, but I haven't decided on a course of action yet. I'm waiting to see how big the baby gets or if any other complications arise. 

I get where you're coming from and think each of us has to decide what's best for us and our family. However, I am not planning on an epidural if I can avoid it. The reason isn't as you stated "a lot of unnessary pain when the only reward is being able to smugly brag to other mothers." My reason is that I really hate needles, and would like to avoid the risks to myself that epidurals pose. My research tells me that epidurals pose very little risk to the baby but risks for the mother are higher. 

I'm a FTM so who knows what will actually happen in labour and I'm open to an epidural if I need it. I'm also really glad you were able to get the epidural you wanted/needed. I just don't think there's a need to judge those of us making the choice to try without an epidural. 

camichael84

RN1stBae said:

Omg, it's a little off topic but still on topic of the "aren't they all natural births?.  One of my husband's friends came over recently and said "One of the worst smells I ever smelled is when my wife gave birth.  She had a natural birth so it was awful." And he stood there like it was his badge to bear. I was like "An epidural doesn't change the smell of placental and amniotic fluid." And looked at him like he was an idiot.

What an asshat. I don't recall birth having a smell, let alone "one of the worse smells ever". And, as you stated, how would a "natural" birth effect that? But mainly, who tells people that!? Even if the smell thing was true, I'm sure his wife loves him parading it around. 

@KimmySchmidt I'm team Epidural with this pregnancy, but with my first daughter my reasons for not wanting one was because I wanted to be able to move around during labor and not be bed bound. Turns out the contractions made me want to stay bed bound, so my reason for not getting it went out the window. But I see the mother not wanting to tied to the bed as one of the valid, non-sanctimommy reason to go med free.

Shiva14

KimmySchmidt said:

I'm not judging others, but I honestly don't understand giving birth med free. Would you get a root canal with no Novocain? Have a surgery without anesthesia? I don't have a problem with modern western medicine. I have never personally known anyone for whom having an epidural affected their child negatively. It seems like a lot of unnessary pain when the only reward is being able to smugly brag to other mothers who could care less how your baby came out of you. (Again, not saying any of you do/will do that, but I have met several die hard "natural birth" enthusiasts who have had this attitude.)

I needed pitocin and requested an epidural for my first after 5 hours of contractions. I labored for 12 hours after the epidural, so I think I made the right call. 

This is time I'm a candidate for a csection due to my labor injuries, but I haven't decided on a course of action yet. I'm waiting to see how big the baby gets or if any other complications arise. 

Idk this seems a little judgy to me. 

I personally don't want one because there's a higher chance of stalled labor/ c section when having one. Also, the thought of not feeling my legs freak me out and I know several women who has permanent back pain in the spot they got their epidural. Other meds don't sound appealing because I don't want to be loopy and I don't want anything to pass through to the baby. 

That being said, I have very short labors and getting an epidural may not even be an option for me (wasn't last time). It makes more sense for me to prep for not having one so I at least feel in control of my labor. I most definitely understand wanting one especially with longer labors though, and if I ended up having an average lenght or long birth, who knows, I might get one. But saying the only benefit is bragging rights is kind of ridiculous.