July 2019 Med Free Labor & Delivery Thread

nolemomma14

I thought we could use this thread to ask questions, share any resources. If any of the STMs have already had a med free birth and want to share their experiences, I think that would be great as well! I know it’s still early on, but figured it would be nice to have this as we get farther along! 

nopegoat

I've had 2 med free deliveries. My first one I tried to get an epi and they didn't make it on time. Hoping for another med free delivery again. The epi with my first was amazing but I love the freedom med free gave me after birth. 

Bear14+

I don't go here... But i just want to say to FTM's please please be open minded, things happen that can be beyond your control and sticking to a strict birth plan can be very hard on a mom when things don't go as planned. Birth plans are great, but know that a lot of them go out the window because L&D is so unpredictable!

FrancesGrace630

Hi @nolemomma14 ! I had a med free birth with my daughter (almost 2 years ago!). It was an amazing experience. I highly recommend anyone considering going med free to really focus on your mindset leading up to labor. I spent at least 10 minutes a day focusing on diaphragmatic breathing and repeating birth mantras in my head - "My body was made to do this." "My baby will fit." "I'm strong. I can do this." Sounds kind of hokey, but I was really able to go to that place in my head when labor started and I was able to be calm and just breathe through contractions. A doula is also invaluable. My husband said we will never have a birth without one. We both really appreciated the support she gave both of us. Also, I recommend checking out Birthfit on youtube (they also have different locations around the country and offer prenatal, postpartum, etc. classes). They have some great exercises for prepping your body for labor and also healing after the birth. 

nopegoat

@Bear14+ absolutely!! Healthy baby and momma should be your #1 goal!

mamanbebe

I'm going for a vbac, so meds are not a good idea + I cannot have an epidural because of a spinal deformity. I did not go into labor last time, so I am both looking forward to experiencing it and on a bit of a journey to ready myself for it. One of the things I've talked about with my midwives and my therapist is clearing unresolved worries during the pregnancy so that I'm more relaxed during labor and am not tensing up worrying about things. Otherwise, my plans include terrible jokes from my husband, a personal play list, birthing tub, showers and pretty much letting my midwives take the lead otherwise. 

Like @nolemomma14 I'm definitely interested in hearing about other women's birth experiences. 

nolemomma14

I had planned to go med free with my second pregnancy. I had to be induced, and decided I would get the epi because it felt like something I could control in an unexpected situation. Joke was on me, my son came to fast and I didn’t have time for an epidural, so I got my med free birth lol. 

Like @nopegoat I did like the freedom I had of moving around during labor. I would like to go med free again this time. I read Ina May’s book last time. It was very informative but would love any other recommendations. 

@Bear14+ 100% agree that while having a plan is great, things can change so quickly, that it’s important to keep an open mind. Healthy baby and mama is the number one goal! 

runsoncoffee

I've gone into each pregnancy thinking/hoping I'll try for a med free delivery. Unfortunately my babies are evicted at 37 weeks with induction so it's not intervention free which makes it hard to be med free! I think I could have done it with my second but I thought I had 12+ hours to go when I asked for the epi and instead he was born 1.5 hours later. So I'm going into it again attempting med free but being realistic it may not happen!
ETA a friend of mine sent me the hypnobabies soundtracks and said they really helped her so I'm going to try it!

erynpdx

I was hoping for a med free birth, ended up begging for the epidural but we all waited too long and it was baby time. I really credit the bathtub I hung out in for like 2 hours. I wish I could water deliver at the hospital but they’re not set up for it. A big shout out to the doula who suggested the tub 🙌🏻

nolemomma14

@erynpdx I wish my hospital had tubs, I would definitely labor in it! I’m hoping not to be induced this time and be able to labor at home for a while in the tub! 

Cbeanz

My first and third were pain-med free but unfortunately I had pitocin both times. Even my VBAC I was given pitocin which is not ideal. In my dream world I would have no IVs so I'm free to get in the tub this time. I've been dreaming of that damn labor tub since 2012. Fingers crossed for #4. I should get a doula. 

geoduck21

I am planning an unmedicated home birth. I planned a birth center birth (so also med--free) last time, but ended up with a c/s delivery. I used hypnobirthing last time and haven't decided whether to do a refresher on that or another option (hypnobabies?) this time.

nopegoat

I didn't really do any research besides just listening to others experience on nonmedicated births. Remembering to breath and focusing on getting through one contraction at a time helped me the most. I'm the type of person that just needs everyone to stfu and leave me alone when I'm in pain or need to focus. I'd probably try to kill H if he tried to coach me lol. 

I think part of it is recognizing how you deal with pain and stress and focusing on what you can do during labor to help that process along. 

Cbeanz

@geoduck21 Does your medical provider approve of your home birth plan?  I also wanted to VBAC at home but my OB talked me out of it saying my CS scar made home birth too risky.  Most physicians where I am will refuse to treat a patient if they know their plan is to VBAC outside of a hospital.

I fully support your choice and would actually like to have a home birth myself so I'm curious as to what your Dr/midwife is recommending.

Cbeanz

@nopegoat I'm the same way as you when dealing with pain!  My first labor, we had a whole suitcase packed with an iPod playlist/speakers, massage tools, yoga balls, aromatherapy, you name it.  I used none of it.  In fact, the one time hubs asked if he could rub my back I just yelled "Leave me alone!" and I think he was silent until the baby was born.  A very supportive silent

nopegoat

@Cbeanz yes. Love it. A very supportive silent lol!!! I think the only time my H spoke with our last was when I told him to call the nurses in because I could feel the baby starting to crown!! 😂😂😂

mamanbebe

@Cbeanz @geoduck21 I think it depends on the state, the kind of provider and insurance (both yours and your provider's). I'm in Oregon and my midwives will not perform a vbac at home, I think because of their own liability insurance, but they will at the their birthing center. 

nopegoat

Our insurance won't cover a home birth no matter what. I looked into it because damn it would be soo convenient in case we can't find anyone to watch the boys. The birthing centers were too far away for my comfort too... 

FrancesGrace630

@nopegoat it's too bad your insurance won't cover a homebirth. It seems like a good deal for them, sometimes less than half what a non-complicated vaginal delivery at a hospital would cost! I personally don't want a homebirth, but my aunt is a homebirth midwife and I think home births can be amazing! 

Cbeanz

We toured the new hospital birthing center today.  I was really impressed.  They seem to be really pro-natural and had all the amenities I wanted (hydrotherapy, birthing bar, mirrors) and even things I didn't care about - nitrous, a kitchenette in every room (hubs was excited about his personal coffee maker).  They tout themselves as a low-intervention center and the nurse assured me that if I feel uncomfortable with any nurse assigned to me, I just have to tell the charge nurse and they'll reassign me, no questions asked. And they will let me in the shower/tub with an IV. This is one of the biggest deals for me.  It made such a difference laboring with my first I have wanted it ever since.  So I think we're set.  It's a 25 min drive from home so I just hope my labor is long enough to get there in time!

mamanbebe

@cbeanz That sounds amazing! 

runsoncoffee

@Cbeanz wow, that sounds really neat!! 

nolemomma14

@Cbeanz that sounds really great! 

I want to Labor at home as long as possible, but am also terrified of not getting to the hospital in time. The hospital is about a 25 minute drive, maybe a bit more with traffic. My second came two hours after my water broke. I know all labors are different, but I feel like I would be cutting it close! 

nopegoat

@Cbeanz wow! That sounds perfect!

@nolemomma14 I think having the side of the road is one of my biggest fears. I have super quick labors too. My last one my water broke on its own we left immediately and made it to the hospital with only 25mins to spare. 

nolemomma14

@nopegoat yes!! Terrified of this baby being born in the car!! That is crazy fast! My first one was a pretty average labor for a FTM. 16 hours from first contraction to when he was born, 12 of those hours were at the hospital. My dr told me it isn’t uncommon for subsequent births to be quicker, so I guessed my second would be maybe 8-10 hours, but no!! I was induced, but didn’t start having contractions until they broke my water, and I went from 4-10 in 2 hours and he was out. 

nopegoat

@nolemomma14 that's exactly what happened with #2 and #3. Went in for my 38wk appt was 4-5cm with no contractions or anything so I was sent to L&D to be induced by breaking my water. 1.5hrs and 1hr 45mins later they were born. 

hakele

Holy cow! That is crazy! 
We are also 25 minutes from any hospital even though we live in a people-dense area, we just happen to be spaced perfectly between the hospitals with baby delivery centers. And I’m so worried it’ll all go down in rush hour which will make it closer to 35-40 minutes. 
I wish I could go to the midwifery, but the only one covered by my insurance is about 30 minutes away with no traffic on a route that always takes 1 hour or more because of traffic unless it is the dead of night. Not risking that! With summer, the baseball stadium is between us and the birth center, so that is a no. 
But our hospital was the first in CO to be named baby friendly by whichever organization gives that designation. I’m looking forward to our tour to really understand what is available to me. 

ameliabedelia-2

I don’t go here,  but just wanted to stop by to say, y’all cray ❤️

leylea89

My hospital has laboring tubs, but obviously you can’t give birth in them. I’m going to try to wait as long as possible to go in. It’s my first baby and from what I’ve seen with family is the sooner you go in and the longer you labor there, the more likely it is they will intervene medically. I feel like if the pitocin comes out, I’m just gonna opt for the epidural.  I hear it is so much more painful and I’m not down with that. 

nopegoat

@ameliabedelia-2 with my first I completely agree. I was terrified I wasn't going to be able to get my epi for some reason or another! Not going to lie either, the epi was pretty amazing. After getting the epi only for pushing accidentally with my second I was like, "Hey! I can do this next time." 

Sunshine4020

Was dead set on having a med free birth with my DD (May 15 baby). Ended up laboring for 8 hours and getting stuck at a 7 so I finally gave into the epidural. At the time it felt like the best decision ever!! It definitely slowed progress though. After 28 hours of labor, she was born vaginally at 9lbs 8oz 🤪 I am hoping to try again for a med free birth, but going in with a very open mind! @hakele I am in CO too! What hospital is it? 

kingdommom

@Bear14+ Yes I agree. I so wanted a med free birth. My husband and I did the Bradley method. I was able to go med free the first time, but it involved 5 1/2 hours of pushing and a vacuum assisted delivery. Not at all what we had anticipated. The second started going the same way but ended up an emergency c-section. I felt so cheated and like I had failed! It's awesome that you guys want a natural birth and there is nothing wrong with planning for that! Just prepare yourself for the unexpected. Birth is extremely unpredictable. It doesn't mean you fail, but sometimes medical intervention is absolutely unavoidable.  I'm thankful for modern medicine. That being said, I'm hoping to have a vbac this time but also trying not to get my hopes up.

asupernovablizzardstorm

I was all for a med free birth. Then I labored in my back. The whole way to the hospital was "my back, my back, my back" 

hakele

@sunshine4020 Good Sam 

xtinecatherine

This is my fifth.  I was included with pitocin with three of them and had epidurals. I was able to go into labor naturally with my last after them breaking my water and had a med-free birth.  I would say there is a night and day difference in the recovery from med free to having an epidural.  I was walking and moving around so much better after my last with my others.  However, my labor also went much faster with my last. one. If I would have had the 22 hours of labor that I had with my first, there is no way I could have done it without an epdidural.  So it definitely is awesome to have a plan, but don't beat yourself up if plans change. 

alliecourcel

I am hoping for a second med-free homebirth since my first was such a lovely experience. Labour was eighteen hours from first contraction to my son being born. I ended up stuck at a nine for a couple hours because my waters were in the way but once my midwife broke them my son was born within the following hour.

My husband was there to manage our dogs (who were only evicted to another part of the house once we decided to break my waters), and my mom was there as well (to support my husband mostly - he's not good with body/medical stuff). My mom essentially played hostess to the midwives and we all spent most of my labour chatting and drinking tea while I paced the floors and bounced on my exercise ball.

The last four hours or so were spent in the bedroom really getting down to the birthing business (there was no way I could hold a mug at this point). It was only right at the very end that I thought, "I wonder if this was a bad idea..." and then baby was out! I honestly couldn't have wished for a better experience.

If it turns out I'm not a good candidate for another homebirth I'm perfectly comfortable with the hospitals in my area. The one I'm registered at is very baby-friendly and it's somewhere I've spent a lot of time (for work). My midwives deliver most of their patients' babies at this hospital and have nothing but good things to say about the freedom of movement and informed choice the hospital staff provide. Plus, if I stay overnight I won't have to listen to my dogs snoring!

emills14

We were able to have our first with a Med free birth in a hospital setting with help from our amazing doula and her doula in training. I labored for 18 hours and had some platues in progress but with hypnobirthing on loop in my noise canceling headphones and changes in positions I was able to meet my daughter the way i envisioned. 
Trust your body. Say affirmations. Hire a doula if possible. Do your hw. And relax. 
I always thought labor would be like an endurance sport but what makes the biggest difference is how calm and relaxed you can remain despite the wave of contractions. Also, for me pushing was the easy part. It wasn’t s short few pushes for me by any means but the pressure really changes when the baby is on the brink. It’s a whole different feeling. 

geoduck21

@Cbeanz
My midwife has no concerns and has attended many home vbacs. The risk of uterine rupture is about 0.4% higher during vbac births than births without prior c/s (I forget the exact figure, but I'm almost positive it's this).
In Washington MW's liability insurance does not cover them when attending these births, so my insurance due not cover it and we are paying out of pocket for the birth. Incidentally, it's illegal in Washington to vbac at a birth center.

nerdtoyourmother

I don’t go here (an unmedicated c-section would be quite unenjoyable, I imagine...) BUT, has anyone heard of 5W by Nature’s Sunrise (or Surprise... I forget)

I have an older friend who is a doula and she HIGHLY recommends it for an efficient labor. You start taking it around 35 weeks at a dose much lower than what is recommended and work up so you are taking the full dose when you are full term. She says it prepares your uterus to do its job well when you’re in labor and is supposed to make for a quicker labor. 

Of course do do your own research, but she swears by it. 

LandS2016

@Bear14+ Exactly! With my first, I planned an almost med free birth.  The adventure of 40 hours of labor and a face up baby changed all that.  I only wanted pain meds and got a couple doses of morphine in the IV to help with contractions.  I wanted to avoid an epidural because I HATE needles, not because I necessarily didn't want help with the pain. We did hypnobirthing classes and practiced breathing techniques. We were all sorts of prepared.
I was induced with cervidil (a medication that is in sort of a tampon form that is supposed to help your cervix start to soften and dilate) and my water broke at around 4:30 am the morning after the cervidil was inserted.  At about 10pm that night (yes, 16 hours later) I decided that the epidural was the best choice.  I am epileptic and knew that if I had a seizure from not sleeping for 2 days, I would have to have an emergency c-section and the seizure would endanger me and the baby.  The epidural was as awful as I thought it would be and I hated every minute.
I wasn't ready to push until about 18 hours after the epidural was inserted. They gave me more meds, but by that time the epidural had become INEFFECTIVE!  I essentially had a med free delivery and felt every little thing.  By that time they had ramped up the pitocin to levels that made me feel like I was breaking in half with each contraction. Felt it all.  I could even get up and walk to the bathroom a few minutes after delivery.  
Be open to other options, but realize that epidural medication can become ineffective if your labor and delivery lasts a long time.

Cbeanz

It's amazing how much bad advice there is out there.  I told a coworker my birth plan and her response was, "Don't try to be a hero."  Excuse me, what?

Telling women to have a backup birth plan is like telling someone on a diet to bring a donut with them "just in case."  It doesn't make logical sense to tempt yourself with a fallback plan if your goal is not to use it.  I say, empower each other and encourage other women to reach their goal.  Birth is HUGE and IMPORTANT and birth affects us for the rest of our lives.  Having a personal goal does not mean that we don't care about our baby's safety.  We have a right to our own choices in birth, period.  And I say, be a hero!  Be a hero for your baby, your family, and most of all, for yourself.