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December 2010 Moms
paigeapoe
member
I'm swaying...2+ moms... advice?
paigeapoe
member
So I have never been dead set on a natural birth, I just want a good experience... but the closer I get to this birth, the less important going natural seems to be for me.
I know it isn't a badge and I know that as long as it is a good experience I won't regret getting/not getting the epidural, I also don't want to plan on getting one, I just hate the idea that my labor (however long) could be filled with me being snippy and cranky with the people I choose to share it with, I would much rather look back and have enjoyed it... especially since my mom is flying (she's terrified... hasn't ever done it before) all the way to SC to be there. So at this point, I'm very open and I think I have come to the point where I know, I won't regret it either way and the decision will be made the day that I am in labor since I have no idea what to expect.
But really though, Moms or 2+ Moms, If you had one with and one without... which do you view as a better experience overall? Would you go back and change one of the experiences if you could? Anyone else wanna chime in?
BFP#1 EDD 12/31/2010, Mommy's little girl Born 01/05/2011
Married My Love on 07/07/2012
BFP#1 EDD 08/14/2013. Suspected m/c 12/16/2012
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Re: I'm swaying...2+ moms... advice?
Well, I've only had one child so far but here are my thoughts...
Going into labor with DD, I was completely for a natural birth. I think it was because my #1 fear was of the epidural and the process of getting one.
Well, my water broke and I wasn't progressing so I had Pitocin, which made my contractions STRONG and I got to the point where I asked for an epi. Best decision I ever made because from the moment I received it until DD was born I was comfortable, relaxed, etc. Such a contrast from what I was before I had the epi! (Stressed, freaking out, uncomfortable, etc.)
I did exhaust all the techniques I had learned (focusing, breathing, etc.) before requesting the epi, but they just didn't help me in the long run.
I think ultimately, just trust yourself and go with the flow...
With DD, i had the same mindset. I went in wanting a natural childbirth, but wasn't opposed to the epi. When I went in, I was 4 cm dilated. A couple hours later, the dr didn't feel like I was progressing fast enough, so she gave me pitocin. I will say that before the pit, I was happy, walking around, and barely feeling contractions. Once the pit started, the contractions got strong and close together, and that's when my mood completely changed. After suffering through contractions, I got the epi, which the anesthesiologist had the hardest time getting in btw.
I think my advice would be this: If you want to try doing the natural thing, stay home as long as you're comfortable. Your mood will probably be better, you'll be able to move around as you please, and no one will be asking every 15 minutes if you want the meds. Once you go to the hospital, go with how you feel. If your contractions are strong, but effective, take really deep breaths through them and just focus on yourself and your baby. If they are too strong for your comfort or they're not effective, ask your doctor what s/he recommends and discuss it with SO before you decide.
Good luck and HTH!!
I was very laid back re: my birth plan last time - just to get the baby out safely. In the end I was very frustrated, not so much by the c/s I had (though I do have issues wiht how I got there) but by the way I was strapped into bed and had meds pushed at me.
This time, while I'm not going to even try for a "natural" birth (well, it depends on your ideas of natural - I'm trying for a vbac, and that's natural enough), I will steer clear of most pain meds. I'm happy with an epidural IF I'm progressing fast enough, but that's the big worry for me. I will gladly accept pitocin to speed it up if that means avoiding a repeat c/s.
In answer to your question, I see no problems with not having a drug-free birth. I disliked how much I had, but mostly b/c it didn't touch the pain, it just made me spacey, and meant that things slowed right down. I think too much emphasis is put on this idea of 'natural'. It islike a badge of honour, and at the end of hte day, what difference does it make? Yes, it's nice for baby to be alert etc. But despite all the meds I had, including what was nec for the c/s, W was still totally alert and latched on and BF fine within minutes. I wish I'd been more pro-drug-free birth, so I'd have been more in charge, but not nec in order to avoid all drugs, if you see what I mean. But, for me, 48 hours of latent labour just sucked all the will power out of me.
I think you should do what you're comfortable wtih. If there are certain things you def don't want - e.g. morphine, an epi, etc, be clear about it. Let your nurses/MWs/OBs know what you're happy with.
THIS.
My labor started when my water broke at 2:30am - no contractions before. I was contracting for 1 minute every 3 within half an hour. It was like I was induced. That being said, I had an epi and have only 1 regret that I wasn't able to hold out longer.
I also ended up on pitocin later when my contractions started stalling out. The epi helped me to relax and get some sleep. My labor ended up in a c-section because DS was basically stuck with his head tilted toward his shoulder rather than straight in the birth canal.