Natural?

samc.103

Anyone else here going with a natural birth? Or using a nurse midwife or midwife?  

Just thought I'd see who was with me  

*daisy*311

I'm still looking into my options, but at the very least I'm planning to try for a natural birth.

There is a new birthing center in my area that I want to look into, but DH is nervous about delivering anywhere other than a hospital. 

00jennifer00

I will be having a natural birth.  I wanted to have my first natural, but the hospital staff was absolutely horrendous and were in my room every half hour asking if I was ready for the epi yet.  I finally gave in about 7 hours into an induced labor.  My other 3 were natural (homebirths).  This one will be too barring any medical complication that would require intervention.

gravytrain225

Team pass me the epidural!

ebp913

I had a med free birth with my daughter in the hospital.  It was painful but great and I'd like to do it again but we'll see.  I had really bad hip pain last time (this is not a normal thing) and if that happens again I'll probably be getting an epidural.   

EJPint

My first prenatal is scheduled with a certified nurse midwife.  My preference for now is to go as "natural"/med free as possible.  She works as part of the hospital, so I feel like I can try it, see how things progress, and then certainly if any issues arise, I can easily transfer to an OB. 

I still have a lot more research to do on this, but that's my gut feeling for now. 

samc.103

MrsG0718:

I'm still looking into my options, but at the very least I'm planning to try for a natural birth.

There is a new birthing center in my area that I want to look into, but DH is nervous about delivering anywhere other than a hospital. 

You should see if your state has nurse midwives.  That is what I am using- still a hospital birth, but with more natural options if you want them.  Plus they (CNMs) get to know you better throughout your pregnancy, so you're not just a number to them (at least according to every account I have read)  I will be sure to report back when I meet my CNM on Aug. 1

https://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/03/ob-or-midwife-finding-the-birth-provider-that-works-for-you.html

This is where I first read about my choices, but there are many other sites, too. 

greenMama79

do you mean med free?

I consider all birth natural. 

MeenaJo

I "plan" on trying to go natural this time around. But after being induced early with Colby and having a few hiccups thrown in I know how much "plans" can change. We'll see what happens.

amykins1283

I made it all the way to 7 cm with my first (induction after membranes ruptured but contractions didn't start) before I got an epidural which I was proud of.  It'll probably be similar with this one.  My epidural was fantastic and I had a great labor and delivery experience.

CloudBee

I can't have an epi due to heart problems (congenital defects, leaky valves, and arrhythmia).  I was told that I will either labor naturally, or will be given general anesthesia if a c-section is needed.  Apparently they can't risk such extreme anesthetics/sedation with me without the fear of compromising my breathing, heart, etc., so if a c-section is necessary they would rather put me to sleep and intubate to have control of my breathing and vitals.

I met with a perinatologist when we were almost ready to start TTC.  I'm happy to have a bit of insight, and have had the opportunity to ponder it all.

Sooo, I will be going natural, or will have very minimal IV pain meds. 

PalaceMama

I had an epi and OB with my first and it was an awful experience.  With my second and third I had a midwife and went med-free and loved it so that's definitely my goal and plan for this baby as well.  The midwife approach is definitely works well with my personality and beliefs on birthing.  Best wishes to you!

LJM0521

My first two were med-free.  The dr. broke my bag of water with DS2 to push me into labor (I was already 6 1/2 cm at 36 weeks), but I didn't use any meds.  With my 3rd, I'm going to check out a birth center later this week.  I'm not sure if it's the right place for me since I have really fast labors and it's a half hour away, and because I had a preemie.  Whether I deliver at a birthing center or hospital, I'm planning to go as natural as possible again.

SamanthaKate85

I'm going through a Midwifery Center and aiming for a natural birth. This is my first pregnancy so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can handle the pain! 

00jennifer00

SamanthaKate85:

I'm going through a Midwifery Center and aiming for a natural birth. This is my first pregnancy so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can handle the pain! 

 

I won't lie, for most of us, it's HURTS.  A lot.  I knew a lady that said one of her births was 30 minutes and pain free, her doctor thought she was insane.  lol  But for the rest of us, it's usually really painful.  But it's so worth it.  If you REALLY want to go med-free for labor, do some good reading on the effects of pain meds in labor, and also induction meds (because a VAST majority of hospitals seem to use pitocin in every labor so they can control the timetable better, and it's not necessary).  Some awesome books are "Active Birth" by Janet Balaskas (although I personally disregard the yoga/spritituality stuff as it goes against my personal beliefs), "Gentle Birth Choices" by Barbara Harper, anything by Sheila Kitzinger-I have "The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth", and things by Ina May Gaskin (though I've only read a bit of her stuff, the spirituality is hard for me to get around and I feel like my knowledge is pretty well rounded without).  Read lots of birth stories too, all kinds, you can learn something from any of them.  But especially read natural birth stories and typically-managed hospital birth stories to see if you can handle what is sometimes forced upon patients.

mentalmel

I am using a midwife this go around !! And I couldn't be more excited! I have my first appointment with her on the 1st.
We are aiming for a home birth, or if not, then at the birthing center.

I had a hospital birth the first time around, no epi. But hated the whole experience. I felt like I was treated like I was just "vag birth #5" or something. Felt it was a very impersonal experience.

puzzlepieces

greenMama79:

do you mean med free?

I consider all birth natural. 

 Best.

Shoshie

gravytrain225:

Team pass me the epidural!

Amen!

Heartstrings13

I plan on going med-free.  But I'm keeping the option of an epidural open if the need arises.  haha.  I have always planned on going med-free and since finding out that any type of pain med/anesthesia/etc. makes me vomit, I'd rather not risk the edipural doing the same. 

momtojad

I am using a midwife in a free standing birth center, wanted a home water birth, but my house was built so long ago that it won't hold the birth tub in our living room, so i had to cancel that idea.

LiteraryFoodie

We are planning a natural, med-free birth with midwives at a free standing birth center.

Flears

I am pro-drugs. 

aWm2010

I have always wanted to try a med-free birth, but if I need the meds, I won't feel bad. And, we will be at a hospital with an OB. I love my doctor!

anesguer

Med-free for me again.  I did a hospital med-free birth with my DS and plan to do the same.  I suggest watching 'The Business of Being Born.'  I watched it after my son was born but wish I had watched it before.  It's definitely a challenge but well worth it.  

 I had one of my evening nurses tell me she sees for the most part epi births (OC, CA) but can tell a difference in responsiveness of infants, breastfeeding success, etc. in natural birth babies.  She had an epi for her first but after working in OB was going all natural for the next.  

Jelly Bean 001

I'm wanting to have a natural birth, but I usually have no pain tolerance what-so-ever.  All I know is that I am not having an epidural unless I have a c-section birth.

5dogs

It's my goal to go natural unless I get an induction again. I went three days of natural early labor at home + 16 hours of hospital labor (after 3 days of no sleep) at which point I took the epidural, took a nap, and had my daughter at 22 hours of hospital time.

I did Hypnobabies and loved it!

Mrs.Watson06

I'd personally love to do a home/water birth, but my insurance will only cover a hospital birth. I registered with a midwife practice an hope to go over my options for going as natural as possible with them at my first appt. The annoying thing is, I live minutes from NH where insurance MUST cover home birth, but because I am in MA, it's a no-go.

5dogs

anesguer:

  I had one of my evening nurses tell me she sees for the most part epi births (OC, CA) but can tell a difference in responsiveness of infants, breastfeeding success, etc. in natural birth babies.  She had an epi for her first but after working in OB was going all natural for the next.  

I had DD in Orange County and will probably deliver there again (St Joseph) and I was told the same thing. Even though my birth plan had been signed off by my doctor and I told everyone to stop asking me about pain meds, everytime someone came in it was, "Are you ready for your epidural yet?"

lioness13

I'm planning to try for a natural birth. We'll see....

KYmama9286

I was induced for DS and made it through 26 hours of pitocin contractions med-free...decided it was best to get an epi and by the time they were done placing the epi DS was born like 20 mins later. It never kicked in, I was up walking around immediately after birth so I consider that birth going natural despite my waste of money epidural haha

I was completely med free with DD and I HIGHLY recommend it- It is an awesome feeling after having the baby- a high like no one can describe :-) As for pain, it is intense and painful but not impossible or unmanageable. I think the most important thing is to REALLY educate yourself about whats going on in your body so you know what to look out for (emotional signposts), have an idea of what different things mean, etc. We did the Bradley Method classes and I really recommend them. I plan on going med-free this time around also.  

luvmyfamily09

After much research, thought, and prayer, DH and I have decided to go with a midwife and use her birth inn (a house that she owns solely used for childbirth). We would do a homebirth, but we are 30 minutes from the nearest hospital, and especially with this being our first, we would feel more comfortable being closer to a hospital in an emergency. We interviewed her several months ago before we started TTC.

 Even though I won't see her until week 11, she's already been so helpful. I am free to call her office, her cell, or email her at anytime with any questions. I am already feeling like we made the right decision for us

 The most important thing, IMO, is to be comfortable with and trust whomever it is that is providing care for you and your LO. My best friend uses a doctor and she knows that she needed to have a c-section with baby #2, and she has good memories of that time. If she hadn't been able to trust her doctor, she may not have felt as good about her birth experience.

Dania&Dustin

I gave birth to my DD med-free in a hospital with an OB.  This time around, I'm planning to use a midwife and am evaluating my delivery location options - hospital, birth center, or home.  We moved last year (wish I could be with my old OB and hospital) and I'm finding most of the hospitals in my area are intervention-heavy.  The only hospital I feel comfortable delivering at right now (as far as having my wishes respected) is 25 minutes away.  My labor progressed very quickly last time, so this is worrisome for me.

I highly recommend learning as much as you can about natural labor (read books, watch videos, take classes).  I went into my delivery knowing that I wanted to try for a med-free birth, but that I would not be disappointed in myself if I needed pain relief.  I also labored on my feet for the duration (all but the drive to the hospital, the first 30 minutes of required monitoring, and pushing), which helped tremendously.  Movement is key! 

 Also, try to stay as active as you can during your pregnancy (walking, stretching, yoga, etc.), it will really help you manage your labor.

MommyMattson2013

I'm using a midwife and I have plans to do a natural birth or at least as little intervention as possible. If I do end up having to need an epidural I will be okay with that, but I really don't want any pitocin.

MizMess

I'm hoping for a natural birth, but not going to lose sleep over it if I end up needing an epidural.  I am trying not to be so set in my ways that I am totally derailed by a change of plans.

MizMess

I am working with an office of midwives operating out of a hospital, so I think I have all my bases covered - they will presumably advocate for my natural birth decision, but I'll have all the hospital facilities at my disposal if need be.  I think that's helping me go with the flow a bit more than usual lol.  I'm normally a major worrier.

Dana86

I will be doing a natural hospital birth for baby #2, and I am actually pretty excited about it lol

SandiaPinaMama

I admit I didn't read the responses, so I apologize if I'm repeating PPs.

I am using the same MW practice (there are 3 of them--like fairy godmothers) I used with DS.  I had intended to go with the OB/GYN I had been seeing for years, but it didn't feel right.  I interviewed two other MWs, but as soon as I met these ladies I knew they were right.

They are affiliated with the local hospital, so that is where I deliver, but the nurses there know how the MWs roll, and they treated me very differently than my friends who went through OBs.  I was able to have a med-free birth, despite some intense circumstances.  If I had been with an OB, I would have had a very different experience, probably a C-section.

If you are thinking about going med-free, read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin.  I read this out loud with DH during my pregnancy.  We will read it again with this one.  She's a bit farther down the spectrum of "natural" than I am, but I enjoyed her book immensely nonetheless.

 

futuremrsdavidow

Shoshie:

gravytrain225:

Team pass me the epidural!

Amen!

i commend anyone who has a med-free birth, but this exactly!

mhickey426

I am going for an epi.  I am absolutely petrified of it but I definitely want meds.

erpetdoc

The practice that I go to is a mixed practice with certified nurse midwives and OBs.  I'll start with midwives, and if necessary, see an OB throughout the pregnancy.  I plan on using a doula in the hospital.  I'm open to a med-free birth, but if I get to a point that I feel like I *need* an epidural, I'm not going to beat myself up over having one. 

With my daughter, my induction lasted 3 days, and by the 3rd day, I was emotionally and physically exhausted.  I felt like I needed the epidural to keep going.  It certainly helped!  56 hours of labor plus 2 hours of pushing before our sweet daughter arrived.