Physical endurance needed for natural birth?

shanbrite2 · May 2011

I'm a first time mama, and had planned to go natural for my birth before life decided it had other plans for me. I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma that spread to a lymph node, so at 37 weeks pregnant, I am recovering from 2 surgeries with a total of 8 hours of anesthesia, and am 1.5 weeks out from the last, most major (6 hour) surgery. Thankfully, it looks like we got all the cancer!

The docs have given me the OK to push 2-3 weeks out from surgery (if she comes in the next week or two, I have decided to have an epidural at some point during labor to reduce any chance of the feel of needing to push). However, if she is late, like her mama and dad were, I can definitely push with no problem.

My question is about how much stamina is needed for labor and delivery (knowing of course that every birth is different). I currently can do about 1-2 hours up and about (e.g., I went to Target and tried on clothes for 1 hour and was pretty tired after that). I know it will increase as time goes on and I focus on resting and recovery, as long as she stays put, but I am fairly nervous about seriously fatiguing during birth to the point of danger (her or me).

I have already had my mourning for the birth I planned and am now open to the reality that I may need to have an epidural or other intervention to safely birth this baby. My wonderful OB has already said that c-section is the absolute LAST resort, since that would be yet another major surgery to recover from, but I do know that having an epidural increases the chances for a c-section.

We have hired an AMAZING team of doulas, who I know will help coach us through to whatever birth we end up having, but I would love some input from other mamas who have already had a birthing experience. And I sincerely hope that people here can understand the possible need for medical support in this case, despite my complete belief and desire for a truly natural birth.

mrsashkennedy · May 2011

So if you go into labor in the next couple weeks you aren't allowed to push, as is the reason for the epi? Are they going to do a section if she comes in the next couple weeks? But after that you can deliver vaginally? Sorry I'm kinda confused on what's happening..

sschwege · May 2011

So glad to hear that they got everything!

As you said every experience is different. But for me labor really didn't take much of my strength. I know some women like to run around and distract themselves when they are in labor, but I was just the opposite. From my first contraction until I started pushing I would just rest between contractions and relax as much as possible while I was contracting. This not only helped make it more manageable, but conserved my strength. Another thing that helped me was not pushing just because I was fully dilated. My MW told me that I was fully dilated, but since the baby was at 0 station I choose to wait and labor her down more. I was fully dilated for 1.5+ hours before I started to push.

Pushing on the other hand did take a lot of my strength. So I think if you can, your best bet is to labor the baby down as far as you can before you start pushing. And if at all possible don't let them break your bag of water. If your bag of water stays intact it will reduce the pressure you feel thus taking away some of that urge to push.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

julyjennifer · May 2011

I'd say sometimes yes, sometimes no, depending on the birth. I've had 2 natural births and they were very different.

My first birth, my DD was posterior and it took a lot of effort and exertion on my part to push her out and to push in the position I was pushing in. It was 3+ hours (probably 2+ of that pushing really hard), and with the position I mostly pushed in I used a lot of my upper body strength to pull myself forward toward the squat bar using a sheet tied around it. I was glad I was in good shape--it felt like a big athletic event.

My second birth went very fast, less than 4 hours, and my baby was anterior (the easy way) and my body did all the pushing for me without me having to actively bear down. The last 45 minutes were super intense with me doing a lot of yelling during the contractions...they seemed like a freight train bearing down on me and I couldn't get a handle on them anymore. At the end of each of these my body pushed involuntarily. The only time I consciously pushed was after his head was out, after that contraction I bore down a little and his body slipped out. I don't think it took near as much energy on my part...it was more just hanging on for the ride.

I actually liked the first birth better...although it was more work, it was less intense, and there was more time for my body to produce endorphins and for me to get a grip on things.

Sounds like you're in a good place, and ready to take things as they come. With your team of support, they can help you to find a way to labor in a way that makes the most of your energy. Best wishes!!

MawrtyrB · June 2011

You definately seem motivated enough. Your body can do amazing things when you need it to. Give it a try. I had quick easy labors, so I can't really talk about stamina. DD was nearly 9 lbs and I had her out with 3 pushes. The twins I didn't push at all, they just "arrived" like little cannon balls. There was no stopping them. No one even caught the first little guy. Oops.

God bless you and your little one.

star173 · June 2011

You sound like you have a really good outlook on this situation. I'm sorry you had to go through this, but I'm glad they got everything- this is truly a case of "healthy mom, healthy baby" is all that matters.

I would advise you to look into hypnobirthing- get as much info and practice as much as you can...some people can literally "breathe their baby out" with little to no "pushing"....maybe that's an option. Good luck!!

bestmaid6 · June 2011

1. I am SO happy to hear that you are doing well and that all of the cancer is gone! Happy dances all around!

2. I have no first hand experience, but I remember my birth instructor saying she got to a point in her labor where her husband and midwives were literally lifting her in to a pushing position during contractions and then laying her back down to sleep when it was over. She had totally run out of steam but her birth team was there to help her through it.

I think if you can conserve your energy in a similar way you will totally rock this birth. Let you doulas and husband help you move, rest as much as you can in between contractions, make sure you are getting something to eat and drink regularly to refuel and you will do great!

AutumnBride929 · June 2011

The only pushing I ever did was what my body instinctively did on its own. I never forced myself or tried to push if that makes sense. So are you restricted from even that? Hypnobirthing might work wonders for you but you'd have to do some major practice here pretty quick, lol.

I think childbirth requires way more mental stamina than physical.

smilelari · June 2011

I pushed in the squatting position and squatting for 1.5 hours certainly took some endurance. But, there are definitely other choices for positions

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