@Gators&BoSox YES I did for sure! In fact, a few minutes after it was all over with, I announced "I can't wait to do that again!" It was the best feeling I have ever had in my entire life, without a doubt.
@Gators&BoSox Yes the high was "other worldly".
Which is why I get frustrated when people who haven't experienced it make childbirth seem like no big deal. It has the potential of being THE BIGGEST deal.
ETA: my 2nd was a CS due to breech presentation, and while her birth was a joyful moment for me, it personally didn't compare to the nonmedicated birth of my first, which is why I'm hoping for VBAC.
@Gators&BoSox YES I did for sure! In fact, a few minutes after it was all over with, I announced "I can't wait to do that again!" It was the best feeling I have ever had in my entire life, without a doubt.
I said the exact same thing in the delivery room! "Let's do this again!" My husband still teases me about it!
I've had two unmedicated out of hospital births and will have another with this baby. I highly recommend taking a comprehensive class such as Bradley Method to prepare not only yourself but your partner. Definitely choose your care provider and birth place very carefully and do a lot of research. There's a lot you can do during pregnancy to make your birth quicker and easier. Look into optimal fetal positioning (check out Spinning Babies website) and try do do all you can to keep your baby in an ideal position, this will go a long way. Consider hiring a doula as well, especially if you'll be in a hospital.
did any of you mamas that already did the med free birth get that overwhelming "high" people describe... obviously I was elated when DS was born but wondering if the other worldly experience is real
Yes! I was READY to have 4 more after DS was born. It felt like it lasted several days lol
I forgot to add that I had a pitocin induced labour with no meds, so it is possible but I can tell you that those pit contractions are far worse than any "natural" contractions I experienced with my daughter.
You are a tough woman! I went into labor with no plans either, just that I was going to go as long without pain medication as I felt was possible for me. I did end up needing pitocin to augment my labor, but even after hours of those horrendous pit contractions I was still only at a 2-3. Finally just caved, went with the epi, took a nap and woke up at a 6. I think my whole labor ended up being something like 24 hours long (28 if you count from when my water broke). I have no idea how I would have ever managed that with the pit but no epi. Crowning after the pain meds tapered off was a cakewalk compared to those damn pit contractions. You are Wonder Woman! Still, I'll probably go with the same no-plan "plan" this time and just hope I don't end up needing the pitocin.
March 2017 September Siggy Challenge: Favorite Fall Things
did any of you mamas that already did the med free birth get that overwhelming "high" people describe... obviously I was elated when DS was born but wondering if the other worldly experience is real
Yes. 100%. After a full 24 hours of labour felt wide awake like Christmas morning. I felt so peaceful for several hours but so full of nervous energy at the same time. I remember saying to my husband moments after he was born, "I could do that again."
The bad part was I physically couldn't sleep since he was born at 8pm because of crazy hormones. So I was awake for something like three days, lol.
Everyones experience is different. If you don't get a high it didn't mean anything is wrong...it's just your body reacting how it reacts! That's okay.
We took the Bradley Method classes. It was amazing and taught not only me but my husband a lot. There's no way I could have made it through having a natural birth without him! You can read natural childbirth the Bradley method, but I highly recommend the classes!
Wow, I wish I'd had that High... I though "that was the worst pain of my life... thank God it's over, and holy crap, I have to do that again knowing what it's like if I want another". Mine was unmedicated, but not by choice. It just happened too fast. I also thought pushing was worse than Transition... but during Transition I literally wasn't sure if I could do it. I tore 2nd degree too and felt panicked and rushed and in fear that my OB was going to cut me. She actually said "well, I haven't had to cut you yet" while my son was crowning. She kept telling me it would only get worse with no breaks to catch a breath,(not true) AND she kept tugging on my vagina to stretch it. (That was worse than Transition or pushing) I had a really bad experience with my OB and the nurses. My IV got pulled out of my hand because one nurse was standing on it, even after my husband asked her multiple times to get off. I just wanted to get that baby out so they would leave me alone. This time I hope for a better experience. This is why it's so important to trust your provider. The bad thing was that I did trust her, but her delivery room manner was way different than her appointment manner. During the act, all I could think about was the pain, but that's ok. I was so relieved when my son appeared because the pain stopped. When he was out, my next thought was Thank God I'm Not Pregnant! All that bonding and love came way later for me. I think it's important not to set yourself up for great expectations and let yourself be disappointed. Birth is an animal that can't be tamed. You never know how your body and mind will react to it until you experience it. But... this is also why I switched to a midwife this time. I don't want anyone close to me who knows how to wield a scalpel. Even after all of that, here I am willing to do it again just because the love I feel for my son is that great. I don't know why women can't rule the world if we can do this stuff and turn around and volunteer for it again
WOW I am so sorry you had to have that awful experience. I hope this time around is different. Thanks for sharing your story. My experience was very different in that my OB didn't even show up until my baby was already born - maybe I should be glad considering what could've happened!
I completely agree with you - that if women knew what they were capable of we'd rule the world.
I had a "medicated until transition stage" birth with DS. I labored for 30 hours and small doses of fentanyl were to attempt to get some sleep (which didn't work). Epidurals are not offered at the hospital I had DS and where i will be having this baby as well.
By the time I was pushing all drugs had worn off, and I absolutely for the elated high feeling. I had gone my whole pregnancy saying that I would see how I felt when in labour to decide whether or not I'd want drugs. Honestly I'd go the same route again. I felt the pain of every single contraction. It just was enough to take the edge off and get rest, even though I didn't sleep.
I have a midwife this time, so I am sure the whole experience will be different and I will make the decision while i am in the midst of labor.
Re: Natural childbirth?
Which is why I get frustrated when people who haven't experienced it make childbirth seem like no big deal. It has the potential of being THE BIGGEST deal.
ETA: my 2nd was a CS due to breech presentation, and while her birth was a joyful moment for me, it personally didn't compare to the nonmedicated birth of my first, which is why I'm hoping for VBAC.
#2 3/2015
#3 3/2017
#4 10/2019
The bad part was I physically couldn't sleep since he was born at 8pm because of crazy hormones. So I was awake for something like three days, lol.
Everyones experience is different. If you don't get a high it didn't mean anything is wrong...it's just your body reacting how it reacts! That's okay.
Wow, I wish I'd had that High... I though "that was the worst pain of my life... thank God it's over, and holy crap, I have to do that again knowing what it's like if I want another". Mine was unmedicated, but not by choice. It just happened too fast. I also thought pushing was worse than Transition... but during Transition I literally wasn't sure if I could do it. I tore 2nd degree too and felt panicked and rushed and in fear that my OB was going to cut me. She actually said "well, I haven't had to cut you yet" while my son was crowning. She kept telling me it would only get worse with no breaks to catch a breath,(not true) AND she kept tugging on my vagina to stretch it. (That was worse than Transition or pushing) I had a really bad experience with my OB and the nurses. My IV got pulled out of my hand because one nurse was standing on it, even after my husband asked her multiple times to get off. I just wanted to get that baby out so they would leave me alone. This time I hope for a better experience. This is why it's so important to trust your provider. The bad thing was that I did trust her, but her delivery room manner was way different than her appointment manner. During the act, all I could think about was the pain, but that's ok. I was so relieved when my son appeared because the pain stopped. When he was out, my next thought was Thank God I'm Not Pregnant! All that bonding and love came way later for me. I think it's important not to set yourself up for great expectations and let yourself be disappointed. Birth is an animal that can't be tamed. You never know how your body and mind will react to it until you experience it. But... this is also why I switched to a midwife this time. I don't want anyone close to me who knows how to wield a scalpel. Even after all of that, here I am willing to do it again just because the love I feel for my son is that great. I don't know why women can't rule the world if we can do this stuff and turn around and volunteer for it again
I completely agree with you - that if women knew what they were capable of we'd rule the world.
By the time I was pushing all drugs had worn off, and I absolutely for the elated high feeling. I had gone my whole pregnancy saying that I would see how I felt when in labour to decide whether or not I'd want drugs. Honestly I'd go the same route again. I felt the pain of every single contraction. It just was enough to take the edge off and get rest, even though I didn't sleep.
I have a midwife this time, so I am sure the whole experience will be different and I will make the decision while i am in the midst of labor.