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March 2012 Moms
natural or not natural that is the qu
so i started doing research about having a natural birth vs an epidural.... so far all of the pros of natural are outweighing the cons. I have a very low tolerance for pain, but i'm thinking it would be best.
what are your thoughts? plans?
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Re: natural or not natural that is the qu
I had an epi the first time and have every intention of having one the 2nd time
For me, I see absolutely no reason to put myself through that much pain when I don't have to. I had an amazingly relaxing birth with DD, I watched a movie through labor and was laughing and talking with family up until the moment I had to push. And even then I didn't really feel the pushing.
Natural = no thank you for Sassy.
Our Journey to Brenden
IVF #1: 4/11(Follistim/Menopur/Ganirelix) 10 retrieved/8 mature and all 8 fertilized / 2 embies transferred ... nothing to freeze Beta 5/10 = BFN
IVF Take 2 Long Lupron July 2011
ER 7/3/11 (our 6th anniversary) - 8 retrieved/7 mature/fert ....ET 7/6/11 - 2 beautiful grade A 8 cell embryos
Beta 7/18/11 - 149!!! Beta 7/21/11 - 311 Beta 7/28/11 - 2,000 8/5/11 - Empty Sac 8/8/11 - There's a yolk sac and maybe a heartbeat 8/12/11 - Fetal pole, yolk sac, heartbeat 8/18/11 - Baby looks GREAT!
3 babies waiting on ice
The term "natural" is generally used to mean a non-medicated birth. Most people use the term as a synonym. An epidural is generally considered "unnatural" because your body doesn't produce a natural painkiller like that.
I am one were I want to have it both ways so I think I am going to try and go as long as I can with out getting the epi but also will be ok with saying enough is enough and bring on the drugs. I want to at least be able to say I tried and lasted as long as I could and that I know what my labor felt like. My sister got the epi with both of her kids as soon as she walked in the front door and that is fine but I just dont think I want to go that route.
Birth plan: get baby out alive. Don't kill me either. I'd prefer to not be cut open, but whatever works.
I work in medicine, so I'm not planning too much out. I know how quickly things can change and require a completely different plan. This is my first, and I have no idea what contractions feel like--some people find them fine, others...intolerable. Since I've never even had bad period cramps I'm not sure if I will use medication/epidurals or if I can tough it out.
I'm thinking of hiring a doula to help with transition etc. The most important thing is that my parasite comes out happy and healthy!
With you on that! I'd like to wait as long as possible and ideally avoid having it altogether. My body just doesn't like medicine in general, haha.
This is me too.
Couldn't have said it better myself! I intend to go for a while just for the overall experience of, Ok so THIS is what it feels like. But as soon as I can't take it anymore, bring in the epi!
I come from a set of friends who ALL decided they just had to go natural. Frankly, I think after a while it became a competition to see who handled it better (I'm not even kidding!) and half of them have said, NEVER AGAIN! One of which I was right outside the room during her labor and talk about traumatizing! She screamed bloody murder and the minute it was over she said to her bff "Get the epidural!!" haha!
I know everyone is diff but like Sassy said.... why put yourself thru it if you don't have to. I'm all for taking advantage of tried and true medical advancements feeling thankful for being born in this era where we have proven methods like EPIDURALS! Thank you, God!
Same for me. After they got my epi placed (it took a few tries) I was so much more relaxed and I was eating popsicles. I will definitely do it again. I'm happy to take advantage of medical advancements that can make the pain disappear.
I already have a phone consultation set up with the anesthesiologist.
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Exactly my line of thinking.
This. I had an epi with DD and I'll have one with this LO. Even so, I'll still be naturally pushing him/her out of my vagina. An epi doesn't change the way your baby arrives. Unnatural would be if you pushed it out of your butt.
I think we're arguing semantics here, haha.
Anyway, as far as medication goes, for myself (because I don't do well with most medications - I have some drug allergies and negative reactions in my history), I'm definitely avoiding it, but if it's really bad/has gone on long enough and becomes an issue of exhaustion, I'm all right with asking for painkillers. I just don't want to start off that way if I can avoid it.
I didn't want to get an epidural for multiple reasons for DD, but ended up getting one because I had to be induced after my water broke. Pitocin made my contractions come one after the other with no breaks. None of my fears regarding getting a epidural came true. It was actually a wonderful experience.
That being said, I will try for a un-medicated birth this time around. It's more of a personal goal based on very little other than a personal desire to do it.
I went without meds last time and I hope to this time as well. I started out with the thinkinging that I had never had a baby before and I didn't really want the meds but if things got awful, I was not going to be angry with myself for taking them. I was able to labor most of the time at home and had an uncomplicated labor and delivery (and compared to some stories people will tell you/ you will read here, it was "easy" although I don't really think it was an easy thing).
If it is something you are seriously considering, lurk on the Natural Birth board - there is a lot of interesting info there. Look into different strategies, whether you just take the hospital class and learn how to breath (this is what I did) or use the Bradley or Hypnobirthing methods, find something that you think will work - and have backups, because the big day might arrive and what you thought you would want is no longer the thing that is comfortable or whatever - it is important to be open to all possibilities. You could also look into a doula, someone to support you and your partner while you labor.
I had a natural birth planned last time...but was persuaded to be induced at 41 weeks (even though the NST checked out perfect). 18 hours of no pain meds my midwife suggested an epi...and hour later DS had heart deceleration (due to the epi, it's a common side effect) and I ended up with a c/s.
This time I have a new midwife and am planning an all natural, home VBAC.
I agree.
And I, for one, have no need to be a hero. I don't really care about bragging rights after the fact (and some people do -- not saying everyone, but there are some). To each his own, but having my first will be such a life event that I want to spend as little time as possible scared or in serious pain. I also realize plans can change, and I will go along with whatever it takes to get baby here in a healthy way... but for right now, I say, bring on the epi!
This
I did not have an epi for DD. They told me I'd need a catheter (I've never had one, but it sounds awful and scares me!), so I put off asking for the epi as long as possible. By the time I asked for it, I was too far dilated and had to go unmedicated.
Now that I know I can do it, my plan is to do the same thing again. I do not want a catheter and I'm sure I'd be one of those women who ends up with a killer migraine from the epi. I'll take the pain of contractions for a few hours over a migraine & catheter.
Question for the epi moms, re: Catheter:
Can you feel that going in? You'd think with all the things I could be scared about during childbirth, the least of my worries should be a damn catheter and if it does hurt, I'll still suck it up, but I just wanted to ask so I could be prepared.
I felt pressure but no pain from it going in. You're numb by then (hopefully). I will say that I confused the feeling of needing to pee with being ready to push for about an hour before finally complaining to the nurse that the catheter was bothering me. She went to check it and realized the head was right there!
Oh well, this makes me feel better! For some reason, I was under the impression that you got the catheter BEFORE the epi. I don't know why I thought that. I may be rethinking my birth plan then
Wedding 6.18.04 Cole 11.20.06 Gavin 3.31.08 Parker 07.15.10 Logan 04.03.12
let me premise this by saying that i am a clinical specialist in the medical field.
for DD i had a very "go with the flow" mentality. read a little bit about the risks of epidurals, read a little about natural birth, etc. i wish i had taken the time to do a bradley class or hypnobirthing, hired a doula, or to discuss the potential interventions with my OB. i was an "excellent patient", but i regret just about every part of her birth, which ended in a C-section with a terrible recovery.
i honestly think that had i done some more preparation, it could have been avoided.
this time around i am fighting for a vbac in a very un-vbac-friendly state. i'm reading everything i can about having a baby without medications and interventions because i believe that is the only way i can try to avoid another surgery. my fear of another post-op ileus, infection, 2 wk long hospital stay, PPD and lack of bonding with my newborn trumps my fear of contractions.
if you are a FTM, please just ask yourself this question- dig into your deepest emotions and answer it honestly- what kind of birth experience are you looking for?
had i really given that a hard thought instead of relying on "standard procedures", my experience could have been completely different.
My Wedding Bio!
I didn't feel it going in, they do it after the epi is in. All I noticed is the feeling of relief because apparently my bladder needed emptied and I hadn't noticed it with all the pain of the contractions.
I am going to try to go med-free. If I need the meds I will take them. I have never done this before so I am not really going in to this with a plan.
My friend that was determined to have a natural birth (Gung-ho! That was the ONLY way!) ended up with an epidural and says that for her second she will get one too. She loved it.
I figure I am not going to know until I am in the delivery room. Although I did hear that if you get Pitocin you are more likely to want an epidural than if you just go into labor on your own. I may have to ask about that.
Me (33). DH (37). DD (2.2012). MCs x4. After 4 years & 7 months, due 4.2018!
While I don't judge anyone for getting an epi or doing what they please during their birth, I chose to go natural because I felt/feel it's more beneficial for me and for my baby and because I want to. My body was designed to give birth so why not let it do it's thing. I know way too many women that have gone through an unmedicated birth and describe it as the most beautiful experience, and all of them have chosen to go that route again for all of their other kiddies. I guess I have not encountered any yet that have regretted it or none that have not admitted it? I am preparing myself for it, I am not just walking into it because I know that I would not be able to handle it without practicing relaxation techniques or maybe birthing positions, etc (Bradley Method). Do your research and make the best decision for you and for your baby and your situation, nobody should tell you what to do or judge your decision, it's your birth. You also need to listen to your body and be open to have interventions if needed because your health and baby's health should always go first, and if you can't take the pain there is nothing wrong with an epi! With that being said, check out the natural birth's FAQ's they are a great resource and so are the ladies on the board.
https://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/58246051.aspx
HTH! or PM me if you have any q's
I don't remember it hurting much going in. It's trying to pee afterward they take it out that was painful. : )