(Not pregnant yet) Some questions about natural birth...

forensicmama · November 2010

Hello, ladies. First an intro: with my daughter, I was delivered at a hospital with an OB. I was induced, for what I now realize was a very stupid reason and I had a rough birth where I felt like I was starving throughout the whole thing and in the end I ended up with a crappy epidural that just numbed me from my knees down - my daughter was posterior and almost 8 pounds and I'm a petite 5-foot-2. I ended up with a nasty episiotomy and terrible side-effects from pain meds. THE GOOD THING is that I learned how powerful I could be. Even in the worst of situations - having a small pelvis and my daughter being large (for me!), with a large head and being posterior, I was able to birth her with virtually no pain management or help from a doula (which would have been very nice). And then I breastfed my daughter for 2 years and 5 months. I feel very empowered despite the bad memories. With my next kiddo, I would love to go au naturale with the help of a doula and midwife. It would be wonderful! I do have a few questions...

1. I know how it's a no-no to eat while in labor - if you're in a hospital anyway - would a midwife let you eat a little? I felt like I was starving to the point where I had no energy and was having a hard time staying conscious with my daughter. Terrible experience. I know I would have been more effective if I had a little something in my tummy. I'm just not sure of the rules here (I'm a little terrified of a repeat experience as with my daughter's birth).

2. So, with the episiotomy, would I risk tearing along the episiotomy? Would it be non-stretchy to the point where it causes problems in delivery?

3. My husband doesn't feel comfortable with a birthing center birth, sadly, but I understand his concerns. Could I get that same natural birth experience in a hospital room? What are your experiences?

Sorry for being so chatty. I guess it's a stream of thoughts while my husband and I contemplate our second child.

Thank you!

SoxChamps · November 2010

If I were to go back to a hospital, I would eat. There is plenty of time when the staff is out of the room!

I believe you can do some stretching of the tissue to help break up scar tissue and make it more stretchy. And natural birth in a hospital can be a challenge, but it is definitely possible! You mat have to fight for it depending on the hospital and the providers, but if you prepare yourself and have a good support system, you can do it!

Manderlin923 · November 2010

I think it's becoming more common to eat (lightly anyway) during labor. I could have eaten whatever I wanted but besides early early labor (when I had a brownie and milk) I wanted nothing but apple juice and water. I think you have to find a provider who is open to your wishes.

I had two 2nd degree tears. It's hard to say what's better since I didn't have an episiotomy but from the research I've done, tears heal faster with less painful side effects. I would not want an episiotomy unless I was going to tear UP.

Do you have birth centers around you? Maybe if you were able to take a tour and meet with a midwife your husband might feel more comfortable with the idea? It is possible to have a natural birth in a hosptial, sure, but I think it really, really depends on your support people (doc, nurses, etc).

Good luck!

forensicmama · November 2010

Thank you both! That's great news that some places will let you eat lightly during labor.

And tearing UP? I had never thought of that as a possibility. I guess I could include that in a birth plan. I suppose I have a lot of time to do some research considering I'm not even pregnant yet and I love the idea of doing a tour. It might help him feel more relaxed about it and if I can find a place very CLOSE to a hospital, then that might make a difference, too.

Anyway, thank you all very much. I really appreciate it.

forensicmama · November 2010

SoxChamps:
If I were to go back to a hospital, I would eat. There is plenty of time when the staff is out of the room! I believe you can do some stretching of the tissue to help break up scar tissue and make it more stretchy. And natural birth in a hospital can be a challenge, but it is definitely possible! You mat have to fight for it depending on the hospital and the providers, but if you prepare yourself and have a good support system, you can do it!

I think I'll definitely be stretching down there as much as I can to try to avoid complications again. Same with Kegels - I'll definitely do those this time - might help with healing time. (And I was planning on, if I ended up in a hospital, sneaking bites of food lol...)

BakerMommy · November 2010

I had MWs at a hospital (in Seattle--I noticed your from WA). They were extremely supportive of natural birth, as were my nurses. There were graham crackers, saltines, popsicles, and juice for us on the L&D floor, and we could eat snacks from home. When I was hungry and almost ready to push, I wanted a snack and they gave me a popsicle instead of something more substantial, but that was the only time I was limited in what I ate or drank.

I ended up with a crazy induction/epidural situation, but my friends who have birthed with the same group of midwives have all had fabulous natural births in the hospital.

rlscheck · November 2010

1. I think eating is more doctor / hospital dependent. A lot of times they are concerned about the possibility of surgery where having food in your belly is dangerous. Some doctors say nothing, while others say clear liquids are okay, and some are okay with small candies (nothing substantial though).

2. Don't know

3. Your experience at the hospital I think is totally dependent upon how well you express your needs and who your doctor is. Find someone that you feel comfortable with and I think that'll help you have the best experience.

BostonGayGal · November 2010

Have you watched "The Business of Being Born" with your husband? That has been helpful for a lot of ladies.

Best of luck to you getting pregnant again and getting the birth you want.

patter01 · November 2010

We're giving birth in a birth center and it is mandatory that I eat and drink while in labor. They want me to stay hydrated and energetic. That said, in a birth center you don't have an IV. In a hospital you would receive hydration at a minimum through an IV and they are more concerned with the fact that they could be doing a c-section.

sschwege · November 2010

1) Some hospitals let you eat, mine encouraged it. So ask what their policy is. Maybe if they won't let you eat they would allow you to drink coconut milk or something. Also try to labor at home as long as possible, this way you don't have to worry about hospital policies and you can eat what you want.

2) I don't have an answer to this one. Ask your MW if perineum massage would be beneficial.

3) I had a med-free birth in a hospital. I labored at home for as long as possible. When I arrived at the hospital I was dilated to 6. Spent all of transition in the tub, which was pure heaven. I was allowed to eat and drink, so I never needed an IV or even a hep-lock. The only intervention I had was my MW broke my bag of water right before my DD's head was crowning.

You can definitely have a natural birth in a hospital. Do your research, find out about hospital policy, right up a birth plan, and stay strong! You can do it!

katcarls · November 2010

1. Many hospitals will let you eat and drink now. I had packed light snacks, hard candy, and drinks but we barely made it to the hospital so I didn't use any of it. A lot of hospitals say they require an IV but if you have the right provider you shouldn't have to unless it's needed for some reason. At worst you may have to do a hep lock. You just have to discuss this stuff with your provider so they know what you want.

2. One of the main parts of my birth plan was absolutely no episiotomy. I don't know how your previous one could affect delivery but I'm sure your provider has experience with that.

3. My DH is the same way. I would have considered a home birth but he thought I was crazy. There were some complications so I ended up being glad we were at the hospital. A natural birth in the hospital is possible but a little harder since you're going against a lot of their standard practices. I think the biggest keys are having a midwife who has the same ideas you do about natural childbirth and staying home as long as possible.

It sounds like your first birth was pretty rough. I hope you get the positive birth experience you're looking for with the next one.

forensicmama · November 2010

BakerMommy:
I had MWs at a hospital (in Seattle--I noticed your from WA). They were extremely supportive of natural birth, as were my nurses. There were graham crackers, saltines, popsicles, and juice for us on the L&D floor, and we could eat snacks from home. When I was hungry and almost ready to push, I wanted a snack and they gave me a popsicle instead of something more substantial, but that was the only time I was limited in what I ate or drank.
I ended up with a crazy induction/epidural situation, but my friends who have birthed with the same group of midwives have all had fabulous natural births in the hospital.

Thank you! I'm not too far outside of Seattle, but we'll likely be moving to Portland (the area) after we graduate from uni in May. I've found that there's a huge support for natural birth in the Northwest. I'm really thankful for that. I might just have to do some shopping around for the right place.

forensicmama · November 2010

rlslcheck - Thank you for your input. If I've learned anything about the last birth, it's that I have to have a birth plan and be vocal about what I want. I was just 22 when my daughter was born, so I think I'm a lot more solid in my sense of self now and I'll be doing a lot more vocalizing!

BostonGayGal - No, I haven't, but I'll have to look into tht. Thank you.

Patter01 - That's awesome! I love that rule and I think it's fantastic.

sschwege - I think you're right. I'll have to make sure I ask about these policies beforehand. The coconut milk is a great idea. I'll definitely try that perineal massage this time around. I was too freaked out last time about it, but now I see its benefit! Thank you for your story about a natural hospital birt. I think that's more likely in my situation, as I want to respect my hubby's feelings and I totally get it. Thank you for everything!

katcarls - Thank you!!! I am so excited about having a MW next time around and being able to labor on my own (barring any medical necessity). Thank you very much. I'm encouraged by this information that a lot of hospitals are allowing eating and drinking while in labor.

Thank you all, ladies.

ironmommy · November 2010

1. You can eat. I have been told that this rule has been deemed ineffective and fairly "old school." It wasn't an issue for me with my first because I delivered within two hours of being at the hospital, but I would either ask about their policy or just sneak food in the next time. It's insane to me that you were starving to the point of exhaustion and passing out. Just craziness.

2. This I don't know the answer to. I also had an episiotomy with my first, but I don't yet know how this will impact my second labor (I haven't read pp's yet; I suspect someone knew the answer to this).

3. My H also doesn't feel comfortable with a birth center. I was going to fight for it, but I've sort of come around to going the hospital route again. I had a med-free birth with my first in a hospital. So it can be done. A doula will help. You may also want to interview other OBs to see if you can find someone more in-tuned with your med-free birth desires. Some hospitals also allow midwifes, and if there's one in your area that would be something to check into. You just have to be very well-informed and ready to really stand up for what you want -- as in, no pitocin, minimal monitoring, etc.

With my first, I labored at home for as long as I could and arrived at L&D at 8 cm. I did this in large part to avoid the potential for intervention, and for me this plan worked.

Want a personalized experience?

(Not pregnant yet) Some questions about natural birth...

Re: (Not pregnant yet) Some questions about natural birth...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards