November 2018 Moms
BabyBoyH92016
member
Unmedicated Birth
BabyBoyH92016
member
I know there was some interest in starting a thread on unmedicated birth, so here it is!
I thought a few questions might get this thread going, but feel free just to post. As time goes on, we can post questions and update the group on what we are learning.
1. What made you consider having an unmedicated birth
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
4. Questions/comments
I thought a few questions might get this thread going, but feel free just to post. As time goes on, we can post questions and update the group on what we are learning.
1. What made you consider having an unmedicated birth
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
4. Questions/comments
Re: Unmedicated Birth
I had a bad experience with having an epidural last time. The short of it is that it failed. They were unable to adjust the medicine. I was in extreme pain, but unable to move or get out of bed. I also had back labor so being on my back was the last thing I wanted to to.
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
No
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
None yet. My goal next week is to start looking for doulas. I’m hoping she will prepare me.
4. Questions/comment
Would love to hear from those who have already had an unmedicated birth and what they did to prepare for it. I have a toddler, so I’m not sure how realistic it is for me if I need to go take a class somewhere.
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it. - I did with my son but not by choice. I wanted an epidural however I waited too long to go to the hospital and the baby was already coming. I kept waiting for my water to break or my contractions to get 5 minutes apart. neither of those things happened and when I went to meet with my doctor they said I was already dilated to 9 and it was time!
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself. I honestly have done nothing to prepare other than just reminding myself I did it last time and it was fine lol. (I completely realize this is not always the case and this pregnancy is VERY different already so I am already expecting a horrible labor and delivery.
4. Questions/comments The biggest comment I have is just to do what is best for you and to realize things do not always go as planned. You can prepare for delivery for 9 months and it doesn't mean that is how things will turn out. I 100% was getting the epidural with my son and had never even considered another option but that option was not available so I had to be willing to change that. This was difficult for me because I like to stick to a plan. In the end all that matters is a healthy baby at the end. I will try unmedicated because my recovery really was great with it but I honestly had a very quick easy birth with my son. If this birth takes 3 days and I am miserable I am not opposed to doing whatever I feel I need to.
I'm just not big on medications, I try to tough out headaches and the like before I go with any kind of pain relief.
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
Yes- I did have to induce both kids, but by the time I was ready for drugs, it was too late, LOL. I did a lot of deep breathing, especially with the Ujawi (sp?) breath and I focused on my husband most of the time to help me feel grounded. I find I can't talk during the intense contractions, I get really quiet and meditative.
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
Last time labor was more-painful because it was a lot of back labor and I delivered DD2 sunny-side up. I had not taken yoga during that time, and I think I didn't practice the breathing enough. This time I'm going back to yoga to help me practice breathing and will be swimming to help the baby position correctly. I also have resources for a chiropractor who's known to help babies reposition correctly if needed.
4. Questions/comments
I think recovery was really decent after both births, so I'm hoping to keep the tradition going on this one. I find that focusing on your partner and having them to help you stay focused (and awake when you get sleepy- because you can!) is really a great way to stay focused.
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it. Yes I gave birth to DD unmedicated in a hospital. It was a very positive experience. I'm not saying it was pain free, because it wasn't. But it was pretty fast for a first birth - 12 hours from start to finish. I woke up with a strong contraction at 2am (I had been having them on and off but not progressing and not very painful or strong for about 36h) and they began progressing. Called the doula around 5am, left for the hospital when I was at 3min apart and arrived at 7am. I was so upset to discover I was only 3cm dilated! The doctor said I could go home but I was NOT getting back in the car! They filled up a big soaking tub for me but I wasn't allowed to get in until I was at 5cm - which they confirmed at 10am. The next two hours were really really tough, contractions were strong and right on top of each other, but when they checked me again only two hours later I was fully dilated and given the OK to push when ready. She was born at 2pm, and my water didn't break until she was literally crowning so I didn't get the "ring of fire." I was able to nurse DD while they were stitching me, get up and walk almost immediately after birth and left the hospital only 24h later.
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself. Unfortunately we moved since my last birth from DC to NC. My old OB, hospital and doula were all fantastic. I basically didn't even need a birth plan the last time because basically everything I would have put on there was SOP at the hospital anyway. The doctor who delivered was very happy for me to labor in the tub, in various positions, to eat/drink, have intermittent monitoring, etc. The OB I am with now is generally fine with it, but the hospital is a bit more old school. The main things I have done are hire a doula, start prenatal yoga, and start working on a birth plan. I'm on the fence about switching to a midwife/birth center...
4. Questions/comments Has anyone delivered at a birth center rather than a hospital? There is only one hospital in the area that delivers babies and they're not very progressive. A birth center just opened up but I'm on the fence about it. I would have to leave my OB practice. Side question - does anyone have experience doing an unmedicated birth in a hospital where it's not really common?
There are a lot of different reasons. Im squimish about needles so the idea of inserting an epidural is worse then the idea of a painful birth to me (although I fully expect to change my mind on this when I actually go into labor haha). I've also known a few women who had bad experiences with medicated births, so I'm trying to avoid if possible. Also part of me really just wants to see if I can do it. I'm open to medication if needed--whatever it takes for baby to arrive safely.
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
No, this will be my first birth.
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
We are interviewing doulas now and taking birthing classes in August. I've been reading a lot about labor and pain management too. I've also started doing more yoga to work on flexibility, breathing and focusing through discomfort.
4. Questions/comments
As others have mentioned, you can plan birth all you want but it probably won't go as expected. I'm trying not to get caught up on an idea of the "perfect" birth experience, but knowing my preferences and options for whatever might happen.
1. What made you consider having an unmedicated birth
With my first, I was open to anything but wanted to labour at home as long as possible. I had been walking around at 4cm for three weeks, but wasn't in labour, so my midwife let me stay home as long as I promised to stay close to the hospital (because at this point I wad preterm still). At my 38 week appointment, I was 5cm but still not in labour, so she said to go home, pack your bags, and I'll call you in tonight. She encouraged me to walk, have sex, do anything I could think to get labour going so I wouldn't have to be induced. That night she called and i told her, no change. So i went in, they checked me... and i was 8cm! I hadn't had any contractions, or so i thought! They broke my water, and about as hour later I was ready to push. 20 mins later she was born! I was able to walk around during my labour, and only have periodic monitoring which definitely helped. I honestly laboured on the toilet more than anywhere. It was a great experience, but I think it was largely due to me working there, and delivering with my team that I worked with hundreds of times before with. I knew I could be successful with them...
My second was very different overall...I was only 3cm at my 39 week appointment. Felt my first contraction at 11pm a few days later. Knew instantly that I was in labour. I had bloody show in my panties, so I knew I was dilating and fast. We were 30 mins away from the hospital, so we left immediately. I got there about midnight and was 8cm... again! This time i wasn't able to walk around...I had to stay on the monitor. And they took 6 times to get my IV in. They insisted on putting my feet up in stirrups at only 9cm, even though i didn't want or need them as I could support myself. The OB that delivered me, i didn't know... and she kept stretching me with her fingers even though i was telling her that it hurt and to please stop. I was literally crawling up the bed away from her hands, begging her to stop. It was completely distracting, and I couldn't calm myself at all. I basically screamed the whole time. I swear she made me push before I was complete. Baby girl came at 0110 in the morning. So only after an hour of arriving at the hospital. I think this particular team was just not used to delivering someone without medication...It was not the best experience...
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
This time I will insist on hands off... the stretching that happened last time WILL NOT happen again, or I'm going to kick someone's hands. I will be more prepared to not have the ability to walk or move around... though I've heard this hospital is really good about letting you. And if course, labouring at home as long as possible, but not too long in my case
4. Questions/comments
The biggest thing is being able to focus, to breathe, and be left alone in my opinion. Try to limit your distractions. I prepped with reading The Bradley Method. It works, if you can block everything else out. I honestly was very lucky in both labours.... they were very fast! I think if I had long labours my birth stories would be completely different. I'm just hoping this one is quick!
I hope your next delivery team is more considerate!
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
Yes, with my 3rd. He came too fast so I had no time to get an epidural. It was painful but not having meds available made things progress faster and pushing shorter. I'm glad I had the experience.
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
Before I decided against it in my first pregnancy, I learned how to breathe through contractions, positions to labor in, and looked up reading information. I have a friend who took a course and she found it really helpful. One of the biggest things I read is that if you are open to meds, you will probably take them, so you need to go in very determined to say no to any drugs. Talk to your partner and make sure they won't let you change your decision during birth since it might get to the point that you want them. And let the staff know that you will be having an unmedicated birth and not to offer drugs. Obviously, things can happen and plans have to change even if you don't want them to but going in determined will help if the birth does go according to plan.
4. Questions/comments - I know I have heard that unmedicated births mean a faster recovery from birth for mom but that wasn't my experience. My recovery was pretty normal and in fact, I had a quicker recovery with my 2nd (and epidural), than with my unmedicated birth.
Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
There are so many reasons. First, I like challenging myself just to see if I can accomplish something and since this may be the only time I will be able to give birth (fertility issues) I want to see if I can do it. Second, I saw how badly both of my sisters and a few friends did when they had epidurals. Long story short, all of them didn't push effectively even though they dilated appropriately and all needed c-sections. Third, my husband is the youngest of 13 and his Mom had unmedicated home births with all of her children and she jokingly says that American's are weak lol (they are from South America). I kind of want to prove her wrong.
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
No, I'm a FTM.
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
I've signed up for hypnobirthing classes at the hospital which will start in 3 weeks for a total of 5 classes and I'm going to do perineal massage at home starting around 33 weeks (I'll likely deliver early because of the twins).
4. Questions/comments
Did any of you do perineal massages before. TBH it kind of freaks me out...I'm worried I might hurt myself. Also, did anyone use a birthing ball?
Two Furbabies: Mika (american eskimo) and Gypsy (wire-haired terrier, dachshund mix)
Twins: Kaiden and Zara born 10/2018 conceived after 6 years of infertility via a medicated IUI
*i had one with my second and it was just so much more amazing! I had never considered it but now that I have I want to try again
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
*with my second I had been dilated to 6cm and on bed rest for three weeks so we knew when he came it would be fast. I didn’t think it would be to th point of no meds so I just had to do it. It wasn’t terrible, but the recovery was so much easier with my second than my first whom I had an epidural with. His labor was also fast and after getting the epidural i just felt super high after I had him and I hated it!
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
*i haven’t taken many, I’m just going with the mind set that I can do this. If it doesn’t happen I won’t be mad though.
4. Questions/comments
*i don’t even know why but I have a lot of anxiety about this birth. My first was an hour, my second was 20 min and I just have this wicked fear this one is going to be terrible, I need to shake it!
Last birth, my epidural was way too strong. My legs were numb and it was such a scary feeling not being able to control them at all. I am considering it for that reason alone.
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
No, I haven't. With DD, I went unmedicated for 12 hours of her 18 hour labor. They started Pitocin around the 8 hour mark and those Pitocin contractions, plus a sunny side up baby, were no joke. When I started throwing up, I got the epidural. It was incredible. The doctor did a beautiful job with it somehow allowing me to still feel the need to push, but also managing all the pain. DS was a different experience. My epidural was way too strong. My legs were completely useless and tingly almost. It scared me big time.
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
I am going to a prenatal chiropractor now and am considering using the doula they recommend. We haven't taken any proactive steps though. I need to because I know it is something I can just wing.
4. Questions/comments
I feel like both of my recoveries were extremely quick after having an epidural, so I guess I'm interested to see how much better it can be. I'm still not 100% on no epidural though.
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it. Nope I'm a FTM
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself. We have hired our doula and are about to start with online hypnobabies classes. Hypnobirthing is obviously new to us (FTM), but is something I'm really connecting with. We will staying with my parents when we are back in the states for the birth and we are really fortunate that they live really close to Dartmouth hospital. Its the best of both worlds, high tech (in case there's an issue) but also very alternative. The midwives and OBs are used to hynobirthing and have signs for the door ect. We will also start taking birthing classes once we are back in October.
4. Questions/comments - I'm 37, is this going to make delivering naturally even more painful?? Does anyone have any online prenatal yoga classes that they are enjoying?
It took a lot of work for us to get pregnant both times. I have PCOS so nothing is certain about any future pregnancies. We had to use Clomid since I don't appear to ovulate on my own. I want to experience this birth completely in case it is the only one I can have.
**TW**
I experienced a miscarriage last August and as soon as the pain got really intense (pretty much right away) I gave in and took Vicodin. It knocked out the pain but also knocked me out mentally. I completely regret tuning out mentally and emotionally when I delivered my baby. When the drugs finally cleared, I was in shock and horror. I don't want to ever check out again.
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
I have not. FTM here.
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
Yoga, meditation, breathing every day! I also have a doula who will be helping. I'm going to try some of the videos suggested above too and have saved a few on relaxation and pain management for later.
4. Questions/comments
My doula says that the more scared you are, the more tense you are and the harder it will be to deliver. Your body activates fear mode and that mode signals you should not be having a baby in such distress. The key (I gather) is to stay calm and trust your body. I'm hoping to focus on that!
how is everyone feeling about their plans to have a low intervention/unmedicated birth? Are your partners/friends/family/health care team supportive of your plans? Any complications or road blocks that have arisen?
Any reviews of doulas/birth classes/books/methods youd like to share?
I would love to chat about birth plans. Do you think that would be worth doing a thread for the whole group on?
Married 10/28/17
Our TTC Journey
Team Green turned Team Blue 10/15/18
TTC #2 January '21
BFP June '21
MMC/Blighted Ovum that led to D&C July '21
Jan '22 - started IF testing
BFP Jan '22
MMC/Blighted Ovum that led to D&C Feb '22
BFP May '22
I still intend on trying to have an unmedicated birth. I’ve hired a doula to help with pain management. I breezed through Ina May Gaskin’s guide to giving birth. I found it interesting, but I wouldn’t consider it a must read. One tidbit that stuck out is that the book states that being medically induced makes it much harder to have a natural birth. The reason being is that pitocin contractions are much more intense, and that when your body is able to go into labor naturally, there are just certain things it does that make an unmedicated birth easier. I was indcuced with my first bc I was late, and recently got a Gestational Diabetes diagnosis which makes the possibility of induction much higher. So upon learning that, I definitely feel worried about induction derailing my plan.
I fully intended on doing prenatal yoga, but never got around to it. I don’t like yoga, so getting motivated to do it was difficult.
And I definitely would love a birth plan thread.
1. What made you consider having an unmedicated birth?
Too many bad stories from people that had bad experiences. One of my friends to this day doesn't have feeling in her toes after getting the epidural. She got permenant nerve damage.
2. Have you had an unmedicated birth before? Tell us about it.
Nope FTM
3. What steps have you taken/will be taking to prepare yourself.
I haven't taken any yet. I really need to start doing something to get ready.
4. Questions/comments
My DH thinks I'm crazy for even considering having an unmedicated birth. I'm hoping in the middle of it I don't change my mind but if I do, I won't beat myself up about it (as long as the baby comes out healthy).
@iheartbooks 36 hours is just beyond, you were ridiculously patient!
@BabyBoyH92016 swimming is another good option if you are having a hard time getting motivated to do yoga. I really endorse yoga for the breathing and meditative stuff it enforces to prepare you, but swimming helps with positioning. You can also just find videos on breathing techniques that help on the interwebs.
I will say that I probably handled the inductions well because I was already 4 cm dilated each time and I did labor in the tub a good deal to handle the pain. At the end of the day, induction or no, having some tools in your toolbox can help you try to go unmedicated, and one of those tools should also be the acceptance that it's okay if you need intervention. It took me a good deal of mental preparation for that acceptance piece!
DH and I took a really awesome birth class on pain management techniques, what to expect in labor, etc. and I've also done a lot of reading and listening to The Birth Hour podcast (which I highly recommend.) We also hired a doula, so overall I feel really prepared. I'm trying to do more physically to prepare because I haven't been great about that (stretching, squats).