Please Help!

MZMISHA

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Hello,

FTM and I really want to go natural as long as nothing out of the norm happens! I have been hearing all these horror stories and people telling me to get the epidural instead of going through unneccessary pain.. I know everyones labor is different but if I can please hear from some people that have had kids and went the natural way and would not have chosen any other way..  Thanks

Amanda&EricB

Well, it's painful. It's nothing like I could ever describe. But, one thing that really  helped me was reminding myself over and over that it wasn't going to last forever. It was temporary, and it meant my baby was going to be here soon.

Also, my husband was very supportive and gave me space when I needed it, and was there by my side as I needed it (during labor, I mean). During pushing, he was right there the whole time.

Oh, and I also asked the nurse a lot of questions along the way, to make sure I always understood what was going on.

NoeK

I replied in your BMB post but just in case, I will again here:

I went natural with my other two and will do so with this one. Do not listen to the horror stories! Yes there is pain but its from your body working hard and the reward is knowing you are giving your baby the best possible start you can in life.

I do not regret my natural births for a minute! I labored at home for as long as possible, so I was able to walk, drink something, eat a little (even though I didn't feel like it) and just zone out in my own space. I believe this may have enabled me to have relatively short labors (6hrs for DS and 4 for DD). And my recovery time was super quick.

Just make sure you have plenty of fluids and use the bathroom even if you don't want to, labor can be a bit more painful if you don't.

Most of all. Don't let anything discourage you, you CAN do it!

mlrafiki

I'm also an FTM, so I don't have personal experience to share, but I wanted to mention that the one consistent factor I notice in almost all birth horror stories in which the pain is unbearable is: Pitocin. By nearly all accounts, Pitocin makes the pain worse, so women end up with the epidural because they can't stand it. By contrast, women who refuse Pitocin seem to have more manageable (although still very painful) contractions, and they also tend to be in a state of mind where they are more mentally prepared to endure pain, because they've already taken control of the situation.

Again, this is only an observation based on the reading I've done, but it's important to keep in mind when you hear those kinds of stories.

yogiibearr

You can do it. You are going to hear horror stories no matter what. At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide what you believe. I studied Hypnobabies and read a lot on natural birth including Ina May's Guide to Natural Childbirth. I had to have the mind set that I could do it and I did! Towards the end, it wasn't easy but after everything was said and done, it was so amazing and worth it for so many reasons. Hopefully you can find it within yourself to make the decision to go all natural!! You won't regret it.

MZMISHA

Thanks to everyone for your advice!!

Joyfullnoise

Do you run or work out? I'd describe med free childbirth like the end of a race. Yes, your body will be hurt and exhausted but the mental high is incomparable to anything else and your focus becomes 110 about your new little life. It was completely worth it for me.