S/O epi vs.natural- 2+ Moms who went natural

Tcarrol12

What are the things you feel that helped you the most to make it through active labor. And what did you bring that you never touched, I know with DD before I gave in the tub, and the ball were my best friends but the Pit got me in the end and I couldn't take it anymore. But im praying for a natural L&D this time, and would love to hear what helped you.

ncbelle

Really I'd say the biggest thing was having a DH who talks a lot - he just babbled on about random things which was the perfect something to keep my mind occupied.  It was also very helpful to have such a supportive midwife who was there for all the hard hours.  Both of them also recognized that I really didn't want to be fawned over so they just let me do my thing.

I thought I'd love the ball but ended up not using it much.  I also didn't push in different positions like I thought I would - although I will this time I think.

~adamwife~

A doula.  period.

I couldn't have done it without her.  Whenever I started to question whether or not I could do it or felt like the pain was getting too intense, she knew exactly what to do or say to make me feel better.  I could have kissed her after we were done.

I never touched the birthing ball.  I just prefered standing and leaning against the wall or another person during labor.

Also, I loved having snacks there.  I wasn't supposed to eat, but I snuck some bites of an energy bar when I felt like it and it was just enough to help get me through labor.  My biggest complaint with #1 was how hungry I was and I swore I would never go through labor hungry again.

~adamwife~

I have to agree with ncbelle about the talking too.  I had my mother and best friend in the room with the doula and I and they all chatted while I dealt with each contraction.  I hated the complete silence, because I felt like everyone was staring at me and it was hard for me to focus on anything but the pain.  But it was comforting to hear laughter and a bunch of women talking about their birth experiences in the background to distract me from what I was feeling at times.

Tcarrol12

ncbelle:

Really I'd say the biggest thing was having a DH who talks a lot - he just babbled on about random things which was the perfect something to keep my mind occupied.  It was also very helpful to have such a supportive midwife who was there for all the hard hours.  Both of them also recognized that I really didn't want to be fawned over so they just let me do my thing.

I thought I'd love the ball but ended up not using it much.  I also didn't push in different positions like I thought I would - although I will this time I think.

lol my DH is a talker as well im just hoping he doesn't take to much offense to me wanting no talking when things get seriously painful!

MallratsMom

music, hot bath/shower, walking and rocking on hands and knees. At the end nothing helps until you can push. When you think you can't take it and will snap in half from the pain means you are so close to the end.

missfire

My doula and a supportive midwife - you need a great team! Practicing hypnobirthing relaxation techniques ahead of time. Being in a dim, quiet environment. Having my DH press on my hips during contractions. Just doing what felt like it was working for my body rather than being "coached" on breathing or relaxing or pushing.

Symharmony

I had fast labors, so that helped me a lot.  I didn't really have anything to distract me. 

snickers83

I was lucky to have a fast labor during transition and the pushing. Before transition I walked a lot and took a hot bath. But once transition happened I was in bed and miserable until DS came. I want to do it better this time around. I want to control my pain better instead of just screaming during every contraction.

kappanole

MallratsMom:

music, hot bath/shower, walking and rocking on hands and knees. At the end nothing helps until you can push. When you think you can't take it and will snap in half from the pain means you are so close to the end.

I have a real question and this is not snark...I'm a first time mom and i am SCARED TO DEATH of labor. If it hurts so bad you think you might "snap in half" why would you not use an epidural? Or, if you used one before why do you not want to now? I'm genuinely interested. My 2 or 3 friends who were going to go natural all wound up doing epis, so I don't really have a personal recommendation on natural and why it might be preferable despite all the pain. (I am not afraid of not being able to walk around afterward). 

 

HockeyWife4Life

I spent a lot of time in the bathroom sitting on the toilet because that was the most comfortable position for me during contractions.  When I wasn't in the bathroom I alteranted between sitting on the birthing ball between contractions and standing up during contractions. 

Tcarrol12

kappanole:

MallratsMom:

music, hot bath/shower, walking and rocking on hands and knees. At the end nothing helps until you can push. When you think you can't take it and will snap in half from the pain means you are so close to the end.

I have a real question and this is not snark...I'm a first time mom and i am SCARED TO DEATH of labor. If it hurts so bad you think you might "snap in half" why would you not use an epidural? Or, if you used one before why do you not want to now? I'm genuinely interested. My 2 or 3 friends who were going to go natural all wound up doing epis, so I don't really have a personal recommendation on natural and why it might be preferable despite all the pain. (I am not afraid of not being able to walk around afterward). 

 

Its much healthier and "natural" obviously for you and the baby. Everything that goes into you during labor will get to the baby. Obviously they come out just fine and healthy with epi's and meds but its  almost a brag worthy accomplishment in my opinion. I will be much more proud of myself if I can do it natural.

GRISMINO

you won't believe me.... I had back labor so what helped me was having my sister and DH punching/pounding on my lower back. We laugh about it now but at the time they took it seriously, they were just doing what I asked them to... it totally helped relieve some pain... it felt like my back/hips were splitting/breaking and on fire

Naylynn384

I did natural because I was afraid of the side effects of an epi. I had no desire to be stuck to a bed after,I didnt want to chance getting a  nasty migraine after, one of my friends had an epi and she still doesnt have all the feeling in one of her legs that they believe was a side effect from the epi. Was labor painful yes but I felt that the benefits of going drug free were better for me. Really its what you feel is the right choice for you.

mrsminkles

I was actually more scared of having an epidural than not so I did it both times without anything. It certainly is painful, but so worth it in the end. Thank goodness baby #2 was much faster than #1 so I'm hoping this third will be even faster.

I agree that my midwife really was awesome and she helped me get through it. She had great ideas for things to do to get labor progressing naturally and how to deal with the pain. I took a hot bath and that really helped. Walking was great too. My dh doesn't talk all that much, I'm the talker. I found that breathing and letting my body do the work was how I got through it. I knew I had to get that baby out so I just let labor happen and not try to fight the contractions if that makes sense.

kg_08

I had back labor, and the tub was what helped the most. I did bring one of those little hand massager things from bath and body works.. it's in the shape of a cat with little balls on the feet... anyway, that felt really good too.

I also brought some lotion for aromatherapy, but forgot about it.