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December 2010 Moms
Mommysaurus123
member
Birth Plan 180?
Mommysaurus123
member
So ever since I was in high school and saw my sister in labor, I have known that an epidural is a girl's best friend.
In the past week, though, I've been thinking that I would rather go drug-free and just try some of the other relaxation techniques that we've learned about in childbirth class.
I think part of the reason I *had* to have the epi before is because I only know women who have had the epidural... I don't know any recent mommies who did it without drugs.
What's your choice and what influenced you to make that choice?
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Re: Birth Plan 180?
I'm a stubborn kraut so the more people tell me that, oh, I'll be begging for drugs, the more I dig my heels in thinking "NO I WON'T!"
Not exactly the most mature approach....
Also, reading thru our book from the hospital and taking the classes makes me feel a bit more prepared for what's in store and how to cope. The hypnotism course was really empowering because it treated the epidural like just another "tool" that you use when you need to.
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I have 2 sisters who each have 2 kids. 1 sister did both births drug-free & the other sister did both births with drugs. I was there for all 4 births, so as far as them influencing me, I am right in the middle!
I will say, though, that with my sister who used drugs, what I did not like is that it seemed like they kept going back & forth with drugs to induce, then slow down, then speed up, etc.
Also, my SIL got an epi, but it didn't work correctly in that only one side of her body went numb! And with my cousin, they messed up & she was leaking spinal fluid & they didn't know it until she told them she had a really bad headache. These types of things scare me!!
After watching videos & doing research now, I just feel like one drug leads to another & it's all more trouble than it's worth. I also don't like the idea of not being able to walk around or go to the bathroom for that long of a time.
Lastly, I have always been the type to just deal with pain or being sick, rather than going to the doctor & getting meds. So, going drug free for labor & delivery just makes sense to me.
I am going to approach labor with an attempt to go drug free. I really hope everything goes smoothly & I am able to it!!
This. Most people I know went natural and I am getting hassled big time for saying that I will most likely get an epidural. One of the reasons I want one is because I've heard some pretty gnarly episiotomy/ripping stories and just the thought of it makes me wanna cry. A friend of mine actually declined an episiotomy and ripped upward instead of down.
No, thanks...I'll pass on feeling that...
What's your choice and what influenced you to make that choice?
I like this question. I'm preparing to have a natural birth by taking a natural birth class at my hospital and doing a home-based hypnosis course. My sister's experience giving birth to my nephew is what motivated me to learn as much as I could about child birth in advance. She took the typical child birth course at the hospital, but didn't spend any time after that preparing herself mentally or emotionally for the experience and had a total melt down when they got to the hospital. She gave birth to a health baby boy with the help of an epidural so everything worked out fine, but I want to make sure I do what I can to prepare for a positive, natural, fear-free experience. Of course, I have no idea what it'll be like when I get to that point, but at least I'll know I've done my part to help my body do what it needs to do to have this baby.
My mom had 2 natural births and my MIL had 3 natural births (and one of her kids was breech!).
My mom had great birth experiences (fairly short labors, said there were only about a dozen or so contractions during each labor that were really hard w/o the drugs) and she always talked about how great having a baby was. So I just grew up hearing great stories from her. So I always assumed I'd go natural if possible.
And overall, neither DH and I run for the medicine cabinet when we are sick/in pain. Neither of us really go to the Dr's unless it's an emergency (or my annual exam - and all my prenatal care, obviously). In fact, we only have some nyquil, tums and tylonel in our medicine cabinet. And the tylonel is getting close to being expired since it was included in a gag gift bachelorette party thing someone got me.
So right now the plan is to go as natural and intervention free as possible. It just fits with our lifestyle and we didn't put too much thought into it at first. We went to a childbirth class at the hospital and DH said it helped him a lot since they showed different techniques for relaxation and helping me through contractions. And my prenatal yoga classes have been a great prep for me as well.
We both know that if something goes wrong or interventions are needed then we'll be open to them - but it's not our default/go-to decision and each intervention that is suggested we'll weigh the pros/cons and talk about it before just letting the Dr's/nurses do them automatically (unless it's life threatening, obviously).
It's all a really personal decision and as long as you are happy and your DH is supportive and you have a happy and healthy baby then it's all good in my book!
natural, drug free, vaginal child birth. my mom had 3 natural births, my MIL one. they talk about it being managable. pain is in the mind, so we will use relaxation techniques, different positions, and different birthing positions and perineal massage/support so no tearing. i feel empowered by the bradley method course we took, all of the reading i have done (multiple natural, drug free books), and most importantly DH is pumped about being the coach!
of course things can happen, which we are educated and will be able to make educated decisions, and not just accept whatever our MW or doctor on call suggests.
i think people do judge on the birth that you have, but everyone woman is different and needs to do what is right for her life, a birth plan that makes her happiest. If all goes well and we have a natural, drug-free birth, i know i will be so pumped and share our story with everyone and not shy away from it just because another mom had an epidural and it should be vice versa for moms with medication because having a child is the most amazing thing we will ever do and will be proud because the end result is the most important! baby!
This. Every birth is different and I am not going to go in thinking one way or the other...we will see what happens. The best laid plans and all..
I am preparing to go drug free. I have been doing the Hypnobirthing class and exercising so I will be strong enough endurance wise. All of my friends have gone natural, as did my mother so to me I never heard those negative birth stories that other people have.
Good point. DH and I don't go to the doc unless it's an emergency, and (other than prenatals, and now Zantac), the only meds we ever take are for migraines (him) and really bad cramps (me). I guess it makes sense to be as drug-free during birth as possible then, too. Never even thought about it that way... It's just that every mom I know had an epi so that seemed like the "normal" option and the only way to go. Feeling better about being able to do this relatively drug-free every day!