Natural Birth, Medicated, or C Section?

domesticatedhuman · May 2011

So I have been reading up on different types of birth and am definitely leaning towards natural birth, if I can, for me.

Have you guys done any reading, have any suggestions? What are you thinking is a good choice for you?

CamJack mom · May 2011

I've had 1 medicated (epidural), demerol, ambien, pitocin, etc. and 1 csection. I am hoping for a vbac this time. I don't know if I'll go completely unmedicated, but none of the "take the edge off" drugs this time. I had demerol and Ambien the first time, that made me more drunk than the c-section meds.

mrskimm09 · May 2011

Im giing to try to do a med free or at least no epi.

DiademChi · May 2011

I doubt anyone prefers a C-section unless they are designer moms into having the tummy tuck plastic surgery at the same time (it's becoming very popular among the rich in NYC).

I am hoping to avoid most medications, but I don't know how I'll handle that level of pain. Being stressed and scared through delivery because of insane pain levels is not what I want. I'm just going to try as best I can and cave for an epidural if I feel the need.

robynlynn83 · May 2011

I have had two emergency c/s and a third scheduled section. This will be c/s number four.

Hopefull11 · May 2011

I will be having another natural birth, same as I did with ds.

Pocky873 · May 2011

I'm going to try and go med-free as long as possible, but won't kick myself if I cave and get an epi.

Last time, I made it all the way until 7, almost 8 cm dilated before I begged for the epi. Then the epi only worked on one side of my body. They flipped me from one side of my body to the other, but it didn't work. I ended up getting a bolus injection at 9 cm dilated, then couldn't push for an hour until the drugs wore off. In the end, I was fine with it - after all, if I hadn't waited, my DD wouldn't have been born on Mother's Day. If I do get an epi this time, I'm really hoping it'll work on both sides of my body. The contrax at 8 - 10 cm were really excruciating.

Leap08 · May 2011

With my daughter I wanted an planned for a natural birth with minimal interventions. I ended up being induced early (low fluid), and a whole slew of interventions followed until I ended up with a c-section. This time I'm hoping I go into labor naturally and have a med-free vbac.

Cherryblossoms07 · May 2011

I am hoping for another natural birth. I had planned on getting an epidural with DD, however DD arrived much to fast. DD was delivered within an hour of reaching the hospital, before the anesthesiologist and my OB arrived. The nurses who delivered DD all have a bet on me not making it to the hospital in time with #2, so if they are right I will have no choice but another natural birth. Delivering DD completely med free was no day at the spa, but it was not so bad that I am not willing to do it again.

I would take a birthing class no matter how you decide to birth, that way you are prepared (or at least have an idea of what is going on) for whatever situation may arise.

whirlygirl00 · May 2011

I'm hoping to go into labor naturally, I'd really rather not be induced unless medically necessary. I will be choosing to get an epi, I know me and I don't handle pain well at all.

domesticatedhuman · May 2011

I'm mostly worried about the intervention train, once you get on that it sometimes doesn't stop! Totally paranoid of a C-section as well. I have never had mjor surgery before and really don't want to start if I can help it.

I'm also petrified of being at a hospital that forces me to labour through all the pains laying down in a bed. I heard it's soooo much harder that way. Really hoping the facility we will end up at in England will let me do what my body feels it needs to.

Anyone ever had a water birth? Would love to hear more about those.

COmommy · May 2011

I had a C Section with my daughter 5 years ago and will have another scheduled C Section this time around. It was very easy and the recovery wasn't bad at all.

May524 · May 2011

I labored from 12PM-5AM without an epidural but caved and had DS at almost 8AM.

I plan on holding out as long as I can again.

JNicMTek · May 2011

I tried natural with DD. After 24 hours, I was begging for the epi. I am glad I got it, because it was still another 7 hours before she made her appearance.

I'll attempt natural again, but I won't hesitate to ask for the epi should I feel I need it.

klafle3 · May 2011

I am planning a non-medicated birth with a CNM. I'm leaning towards doing a water birth since the hospital I'm delivering in has birthing tubs in the rooms.

dbob · May 2011

The only thing I have really thought about so far is wanting to avoid a c-section if at all possible. It's nice that there are so many here who have gone through this at least once before...I'm sure us first-timers will have many questions about this as we move along.

TwoBoxers · May 2011

I had an epidural with my DS; I went in very open minded. I wanted to go natural but I had to be induced so I knew that may not be what will end up happening. I am going to go into my next one with the same mind set. I don't want to be disappointed in the end because I couldn't make it, so I plan on going natural but if I need an epidural I'm going to get one.

mrs.tashnash · May 2011

I'm planning an unmedicated home birth pending everything goes smoothly through the rest of my pregnancy.

I had DS at home and loved the experience and have nothing but the best to say about midwives so I know this is the choice for us.

Mye · May 2011

i have been reading that 50% of twin births are c-sections, it really depends on their positioning, etc, at this point i will have to wait and see

ShellBelle1 · May 2011

I have not really read up on this topic, but I am thinking that I will want the drugs . . .

Mass-girl-at-heart · May 2011

I will have an epidural. I had one with DD and it was the best choice for me. I have an anxiety disorder and so I was very nervous about how I would handle the delivery. Luckily the anesthesiologist pretty much followed me into the delivery room and I had my epi right away. I was admitted around 4AM and Teagan was here by 11:48, it was a great experience.

BFab11 · May 2011

I was induced and had an epi with DS and it led to complications and a terrible, traumatic recovery.

This time I would love to have a natural home birth, but we're having some trouble with my insurance.

Germanwife2b · May 2011

I have already had one natural birth and will definitely go for another one with this baby. Read read and read some more and you will find that you are not only leaning toward natural birth, but you will be excited about your natural birth too!

peeper72 · May 2011

I went nearly natural. It was a great experience. I suspect I'll lean the same way again for this one.

If you are interested in an expanded explanation of how I viewed pain management you can read about it in my birth story:

https://peeperblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/baby-peeper.html

wintersnight20 · May 2011

I have no desire whatsoever to be induced and will only do so if medically necessary...However I will sign up for the epi because I know I'm a giant crybaby.

KansasFarmMomma · May 2011

I'm planning on an epidural. I have a very low pain tolerance and I have zero desire to do this "naturally". The pain killers are there...I'm gonna use them! The hope of an epi is the only thing that has kept me out of a sheer blind panic about december....

Becky&Barrett · May 2011

I was induced for my last two pregnancies (both for medical reasons) and I had an epidural both times. My labors were 18 hours and 14 hours. I couldn't walk or even get out of bed once they broke my water). I wouldn't have made it without an epidural. Both of my children were large (8 lbs and 9lb10oz) so I am lucky to not have had c-sections. This time around I would love to go into labor naturally and hopefully my pregnancy will allow it. However, I am not promissing to go unmedicated. I enjoyed the experience better when I had the epidural both times. I was able to enjoy family visits during labor (especially my kids...they weren't concerned about me but excited about the new baby). My blood pressure sky rocketed each time, and the epidural helped me to relax as well.

getnmarried910 · May 2011

Drugs for me! I will likely be induced again, so pitocin and an epidural. Against the norm, my two inductions were far less painful than my spontaneous delivery. I think it just varies from person to person. I do not relax during pain, therefore my husband and I both know the epidural is the best option for me. When I went into labor on my own with my son, I almost had to deliver drug-free, and it was horrible and I couldn't relax at all. Once I got the epidural, everything was smooth sailing. You just have to research your options and make a decision that is best for you.

chankins14 · May 2011

I wanted to go natural with DS but he didn't cooperate. My water broke with no contractions, I went in to see my midwife & there was meconium so I had to be induced. 24 hours later (2 of those pushing) with no pain meds & it was determined that I needed a c-section. DS wasn't positioned right & his head was bruised & swelling.

This time around, my midwife has told me I am a good candidate for a VBAC, so I'm gonna try this natural thing again. Fingers crossed!

DH & I took Bradley classes & I would recommend them. If you are interested, get the book Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. I also recommend the movie The Business of Being Born. What an eye opener.

GoldenPeaches · May 2011

I am going 100% natural and med-free. I am delivering at a birthing center where meds aren't an option so I know I will stick to this plan (obviously except in an emergency hospital transfer.) I have read up on the risks/benefits of pain medicine and I think natural birth is the best option for me and my baby.

capulet · May 2011

I had an emergency c-section with DD. I am trying to decide between a RCS and a VBAC, which is a tough decision because my c-section recovery was easy and labor, to the extent I experienced it, was awful. I am willing to try for a VBAC, but there is no way in hell I am going to do it without the option of meds.

kwcw · May 2011

With DD I had an epidural but it failed so I ended up going natrual. This time around I would like the epidural, but I know that I can do it without it if I have to.

uncharch7 · May 2011

I'm planning to go unmedicated, I'm really hoping to avoid a c-section.

asyph107 · May 2011

DiademChi:

I doubt anyone prefers a C-section unless they are designer moms into having the tummy tuck plastic surgery at the same time (it's becoming very popular among the rich in NYC).

I am hoping to avoid most medications, but I don't know how I'll handle that level of pain. Being stressed and scared through delivery because of insane pain levels is not what I want. I'm just going to try as best I can and cave for an epidural if I feel the need.

Not totally true. I am scheduling my c section because my birth with DS was horrible and I don't want to spend 12 hours in natural labor with horrible back labor to just end up there again anyway.

afwifestrecker7706 · May 2011

I have not made up my mind 100% but leaning towards a repeat c-section. I had a great recovery and only issues I had was DS was taken away from me to quick but that was cause he was a early and they need to check him out good. My water broke at 2am got to hospital at 3am and he was born at 4:17 he was complete breech for c-section was only option. It would be nice and easy to plan a repeat have someone here to watch DS but we will see. If I do decide to do a vbac I want to go natural for as long as I can.

Jillynn · May 2011

I plan on go natural by using the birthing tub, birthing ball and probably the birthing stool as well. If you want a good read about completely natural childbirth Ina May Gaskins Guide to Childbirth is great. Its definitely very granola but a very positive read

Ruby_Soho · May 2011

I was hoping for a med free homebirth with DS but I had an emergency c-section instead! I went from waters breaking to 8cm in 4.5 hours. When I arrived at the hospital the did and u/s, confirmed emerg section and gave me an epi.

Labouring to 8cm was no worse than the usual period pains I experience. So I'm hoping for a med free birth this time round. Preferably a homebirth but I'm not sure if that's allowed.

alexvause · May 2011

I am going to educate myself on the different options but be open to whatever I need to be when the time comes. So many people have this exact birth plan and then are so disappointed when something happens to derail the plan.

lageorgiapaperie · May 2011

I will definitely be getting an epi! I also won't have a concrete birth plan because I know I'll be disappointed if things don't go the way I had intended, so I will be going in very open minded, and whatever way is the safest way for the baby to enter the world is just fine with me!

MissBHaven1024 · May 2011

With my DD, I had an epidural and at the end of a 12 hour labor, I had a C-section. This time around, I will be having an epidural again, but I am going to try for a VBAC!

elviebird · May 2011

I'm hoping for a natural birth but I won't beat myself up if I decide I need the epidural. The hospital I'm going to has water birth tubs so I'm excited about laboring in the water (well, as excited as anyone can be about labor, I guess).

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