Natural Birth
Stef33
member
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For those of you who have been through natural birth...
Stef33
member
Hello!
I am currently 25ish weeks pregnant and have been doing a lot of thinking about how I want to give birth. Up until now I have been 100% on wanting an epi, but after quite a bit of research I have been considering going Au-natural 
. I just had a couple of questions and wanted to get some opinions from some women who have been through it before.
1. Did you give birth at a hospital, birthing facility, home, etc.?
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)?
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice?
Thanks for all of your input!
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Re: For those of you who have been through natural birth...
1. I had one med free birth at a hospital and one at home.
2. I read "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" before I had DD and skimmed through it again before we had DS. I didn't do all the practicing they recommend, but it was an extremely helpful book.
3. My experiences were both wonderful! I had some issues with the hospital procedures after DD was born and that was one of the main reason we chose home birth for our second. We plan on having a third someday and will try for another home birth if I remain low risk. If I end up having to be at a hospital for some reason, I'll still go med free if at all possible.
I did a home birth, and we took Bradley Method classes.
Overall, my experience was AMAZING. If we have any more children, I'm definitely doing it med free and at home. I was up and at 100% within hours of the birth, I didn't tear down there at all, and my baby boy was so alert from day one.
Something I think people fail to mention about a med free childbirth is that your body provides a natural drug. I swear I was in a foggy trance then entire time I was in labor. I had hard labor for 12 hours and it flew by! During pushing, I transitioned to an amazing sense of clarity. Also keep in mind, during labor it is normal to doubt yourself and to want drugs--it's called transition. Make sure you have a partner or care provider who knows what you want and will be willing to tell you "No, you can do this drug free."
Best of luck.
1. I gave birth at a hospital
2. I took lamaze classes and started out using the breathing and relaxation techniques but once I hit transition all of that went out the window and I found my own method of coping which consisted of putting myself in a trance like state and making some kind of repetitive sound like "ah" with a few screams and groans in between.
3. I had relatively good experience. My nurses were awesome and never once offered me the epidural once they found out I wanted to go natural. Going into it I had a different vision of what I was going to do than what actually happened. I thought once I got to the hospital I'd continue to move around, use the birthing ball and shower but all I wanted was to lie in bed. I also thought I'd get to hold my baby and put her to breast right away but it was 2 hrs before I got to see her because she was slow to respond and ended up having the highest blood sugar levels the hospital staff had ever seen in a newborn. She was taken to the nearest hospital with a NICU (2 hrs away) and I was discharged just 10 hrs after giving birth so that I could be with her. I honestly don't think I would have had such a quick recovery if I didn't go natural...
Pipsqueak born 6/9/14
This was me. Pushing was my favorite part of labor cause it just felt so good and I was so aware.
At one point during a really long contraction during transition I did say something along the lines of "I can't do this" but I and so glad DH was there to tell me "yes you can". About 10 minutes after saying that I was ready to push.
Pipsqueak born 6/9/14
1) I had a homebirth.
2) I didn't use any method--I read Ina May's book, watched a few documentaries, read some articles, lurked on this board, but no method or classes. I figured it was a "sink or swim" situation, and sinking wasn't an option.
3) I loved my experience, and if I'm low-risk, I'll plan on home births. Something that gets overlooked (imo) when deciding a med-free birth is that the recovery tends to be much easier, and there's less risk/severity of tearing. Also, the natural high and endorphins that kick in once the baby is born is an amazing and beautiful feeling. I think that the moments after birth when the baby is in your arms are well worth any and all of the efforts of a med-free birth.
1. Did you give birth at a hospital, birthing facility, home, etc.? I gave birth at a hospital with a MW.
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)? We took a modified Bradley birthing class, and I used what I learned there as well as in my prenatal yoga class to help me through.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice? Overall, I feel it was an amazing experience. I plan on going med free again this time.
And, just to agree with PP, I also think it is natural to doubt yourself. I started to beg for an epi and/or a c/s during transition. My MW, looked at me, and said, "you're being irrational" lol. I had chosen to go with this practice because I knew they were on the same page as me in my wants. I wonder what would have happened at that point had I been with an OB who wasn't as pro-natural as my MW's were.
GL
Chemical Pregnancy 10/5/10
BFP 2/7/11--m/c 2/12/11
TTD pics taken by knottie jen&louie
1. Both of my children were born at a free standing birth center.
2. For my first, I just winged it. For my second, I studied and used Hypnobabies.
3. I have done it twice:). My experience with my first was, to be honest, very hard and scary, but I was determined to do it again and have a better experience so that's why I did Hypnobabies. My second experience was the complete opposite of my first, it was peaceful, empowering, everything I wanted it to be. I definitely plan on doing it (with Hypnobabies) again.
2. I did a lot of general reading about med-free birth but I didn't take any special classes or study one specific method.
3. It was an amazing experience and I'm actually looking forward to doing it again.
med-free birth x2, breastfeeding, baby wearing SAHM
My BFP Chart
I started out thinking I'd want an epi, but by mid-pregnancy I'd changed my tune.
1. hospital
2. no method...just yoga breathing, different positions (mostly bent over), walking, relaxing into contractions.
3. Great experience! I had supportive bunch of nurses and husband. Only "ow ow" part was in transition for a few contractions. Hoping to do it again with #2!
I gave birth twice at a natural birth-friendly hospital with a midwife (cnm) for prenatal care and delivery.
We took Bradley method classes.
Both experiences were positive, and my second experience was overwhelmingly positive because it was so much easier the second time around. We plan on having a third child and I plan to go natural again. Every time I hear a "horror" birth story, it is always one that was filled with multiple interventions, and I always can't help but wonder how many of those interventions were necessary. I know others who have had natural births and while natural birth is physically demanding and not exactly easy, we all describe our experiences as overwhelmingly positive.
I highly encourage you to go natural, good luck!
1. Location: DD = at hospital, DS = at home (after planning hospital birth for most of my pregnancy), this baby = will be at home (planning homebirth from the start)
2. Method: DD = Bradley, DS = Hypnobabies, this baby = Hypnobabies
3. Experience: Fantastic, both times! Obviously it was NOT something I wouldn't be able to handle twice, because I did handle it twice
I'm really looking forward to this birth, too!
Mommy to DD1 (June 2007), DS (January 2010), DD2 (July 2012), and The Next One (EDD 3/31/2015)
1. I had DS at a birth center under the care of MWs. It was a waterbirth and a great experience. I had DD at a hospital under the care of an OB. It was a pretty standard hospital birth, but was also a good experience. Once the nurses knew I didn't want drugs they never offered and were very encouraging. I do feel that having had the previous natural birth experience gave me the confidence to do it in the hospital setting, where I was more nervous about interventions. I am having #3 at another birth center with more MWs. I'm really looking forward to doing it this way again.
2. I didn't use any method with either birth and wont this time. DH and I did a lot of research, by reading books, watching documentaries, and attending a great prenatal class taught by a doula. I had a lot of confidence in my body's ability and had worked hard (mentally) to not fear labor.
3. Overall I had great experiences. My labor with DS was 30 hours long, so it was a challenge. I stayed home for about 15 hours of that, and was at the birth center for the last 15. It was mega-exhausting but DH was very supportive and with me every step of the way. I labored and delivered in the birthing tub, and the water birth experience was wonderful. The water eased some pain and allowed me to move around freely. I pushed for 65 minutes. Labor with DD was very different. With DS every time I changed activity or position my labor would slow, whereas with DD every time I moved the pain tripled and contractions came constantly. That made walking/moving to cope very difficult. I was at home for only about 3 hours, and in the hospital for 5 (total 8 hours labor). The things that helped me cope with #1 didn't work with #2, and new coping methods emerged (I ended up vocalizing through my contractions, which I was not planning or expecting, as I was fairly silent the first time). I only pushed twice and DD was out.
DDs labor was more painful than DSs, by quite a bit. Though DSs was so long! I'm not sure what I would prefer, but it did show me that labor is pretty unpredictable and every time is different. I'm a little nervous to do it again, but the benefits of natural birth still far outweigh the risks for me, and I'm confident and happy to do it again
1.Did you give birth at a hospital, birthing facility, home, etc.? Hospital in NZ (Very natural friendly here)
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)? I didn't use a method. We did a general ante-natal class. I used the shower and the hot-tub at the hospital for comfort which was really helpful.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice? I had a great experience. LO was 10minutes old when I said, "let's have another". It was definitely hard work but also completely manageable. I never hit a wall where I thought, "I can't do this anymore".
I had a day and a half of regular timeable contractions before things got serious. I had 7 hours of active labour/
Our second baby is due in January, and I can't wait to give birth again. It was such a positive experience for me and for lack of a better word I enjoyed it.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
I gave birth at home
I didn't use a method, but I might have considered it if I was giving birth in a hospital.
My experience was challenging, empowering, and amazing- story in bio. I am planning another homebirth in February and cannot imagine choosing to do it any other way.
1. DD#1 was at a hospital and DD#2 was at a birth center inside a hospital (it is the best of both worlds in my opinion).
2. I didn't use a specific method. I took a general child birth education class. I am a researcher by nature so I was very informed, which I think is important because when you are educated you are much more able to roll with the punches when you get thrown a curve ball (and chances are you will have at least one thing happen during L&D that you weren't planning for). I mainly focused on relaxing and breathing.
3. My experiences were both pretty amazing and I already did it again, we are planning a third and I will be planning another natural birth then. Both of my labors were pretty long 24.5 hours for DD#1 and 27.5 hours for DD#2 (my water broke at the beginning of labor with both). During neither birth did I ever feel the need to ask for an epi. It was hard and for a little while I thought I was going to die with DD#2 because I was in transition for over two and half hours and was having contractions one on top of another and started to hyperventilate. That was the worst part but I had an amazing support system and I made it through. I think there is nothing more amazing than the feeling of giving birth naturally. It is hard work but so worth it.
1. Did you give birth at a hospital, birthing facility, home, etc.? I gave birth at a hospital, with a doula.
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)? The birth class I took was BirthWorks, which teaches different methods of coping with the pain but not one specific technique (like hypnosis). I really loved it and would highly recommend.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice? I was able to have the natural, intervention-free birth that I wanted, but next time I'm doing a homebirth. I could definitely handle it again if I were able to labor on my own terms (at the hospital, I was forced to stay in the bed instead of moving around during contractions, which made the pain 1000x worse).
Good luck with your decision! If you're really interested in going natural, doing research and educating yourself will really help. I don't think I could have done it without taking my class beforehand so I knew what to expect and how to cope.
TTC #2: BFP 12/17/11, m/c 1/7/12 and D&C 1/12/12
baby blog/cooking blog
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)? nope, just took the regular hospital childbirth class
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice? I had no complications during labor and delivery, but it was honestly pretty painful. Even still, I never considered an epi even during the worst of it. I'm very, very glad that I chose a med-free birth. If I am lucky enough to get pregnant again, I will definitely plan for another med-free birth.
TTC since 11/05...ectopic pg 4/08...early m/c 6/09...BFP 10/5/09!
Nora B...June 15, 2010...8lbs, 8oz...Med-free birth!
TTC #2 since 7/11...cycle #3 of Clomid + IUI = BFP
Malcolm...September 21, 2012...8lbs, 6oz...Another med-free birth!
1. Did you give birth at a hospital, birthing facility, home, etc.? Hospital
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)? I read a lot, but didn't have a specific method last time. I'm doing a little more with hypnobirthing this time though.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice? Wonderful. Aside from a couple of eyerolls from the nurses, I had a great birth with my son. I would do it again (and am planning on it!!).
Good luck with your decision.
Hi! Good for you for doing your research- no matter what decision you wind up making, it's good for all mammas to be informed!
1. We gave birth at a hospital, with a MW. IF we have another, we would like to have a home birth. That decision is not based on a bad hospital experience, but just having more confidence that we CAN do this, without the hospital setting!
2- We took Bradley Birth Method classes. We are both so passionate about the Bradley Method, that I became an instructor (although I can see the benefits of any type of preparation for Natural birth!)
3- Overall, it was life-changing wonderful. I am a very self-confident woman, so I never doubted that my body could do this. But still, I was, and am still, super-amazed that I birthed another human! It's truly amazing what the female body is capable of, and I find all the intricacies of childbirth fascinating (as PP said, the body has it's own way to combat pain, as well as a bunch of other things it does when it's left alone to give birth "normally").
I would have an intervention-free birth again tomorrow! I am just not sure I want anymore kids!
P.S. Giving birth leaves you tired and sore. But it's a wonderful, natural feeling. Like you feel after you've had an invigorating walk through the woods. You feel like you used your body correctly, and now it's taking the time to recuperate. IMO!
1. Technically hospitals both time, the second one was more of a non-traditional hospital.
2. Bradley, bradley, bradley, and educate yourself as much as you can.
3. Regular hospital experience was horrible. Nontraditional hospital (natural friendly) was great. Took a doula both times. Definitely going to do it again. It was easier the second time around because I felt more in control.
1- med free at a hospital in a birthing pool (after a 48h induction due to high blood pressure, though, don't know whether that truly qualifies as "natural")
2- no method, just did what came naturally - I started chanting long, low, steady "oh"s and kept my body and face relaxed. That really heped with the pain.
3- It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life and I'll definetly do it again - only probably at home.
1. Did you give birth at a hospital, birthing facility, home, etc.? Hospital with an OB.
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)? No real method, more mental preparation than anything.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice? I had a great experience overall. I wish I didn't have to have an induction but my Dr. didn't want me going past 41 weeks. I plan to go pain-med free again this time around.
1. first time home-birth non-emergency transfer during labor for c/s. second time hwbac.
2. first time bradley, second time HypnoBirthing (keep in mind there are at least two methods that utilize hypnosis during labor: HypnoBirthing, Hypnobabies and i think there is another as well).
3. first time was ok until it wasn't. the second time was spectacularly beautiful and perfect. i'd love to do it over and over and over again!
1. birth center
2. nada
3. I had had a prior birth in a hospital, and unless there is a reason that I NEED to be in a hospital, I will never do that again. I loved my natural birth, it is a positive exp. for me to talk/think about, and recovery was SO much easier than my very medicated first birth (pre-e,- pitocin,- epi, -mag sulfate). If we have another child I will absolutely go med-free.
1. Did you give birth at a hospital, birthing facility, home, etc.?
I planned to deliver at a birth center, but I went into labor at 36 weeks, so I delivered at a hospital where my midwives have privileges.
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)?
Hypnobirthing.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice?
I'm pretty happy with my experience, my labor was about 6 hours, I labored at the hospital for less than 2 hours and I only pushed for 45 minutes. For me, the discomfort of a natural birth isn't as bad as an appendectomy, so I'm sure I'm tough enough to do it naturally again. My worst contractions reminded me of the cramps I've gotten with food poisoning. When it was time to push, the contractions were less noticeable and the sharp pain of the "ring of fire" was very brief. I know I can handle it, it's not the scary unknown anymore.I plan to deliver number 2 at the same place with the same midwives.
1) We were in a natural birth friendly hospital and my DD was caught by a CNM.
2) We used Hypnobirthing and had a wonderful experience with it. The other 3 women in our class also went without an epi. I would highly recommend it!
3) Overall our experience was wonderful and I actually look forward to doing it again. It was such an amazing, empowering experience! I found labor to be extremely intense but always manageable. Despite the fact that I was in the hospital I never once considered getting an epi.
1. Hospital, but labored at home for most of it. When we got to the hospital I was 7-8 cm dilated and I started pushing a couple hours later.
2. We took Bradley classes
3. Overall I had a great experience and had no doubt that I'd do it again. I would love to have a home birth, but complications make me high-risk and the hospital is where I need to be. Laboring at home for as long as possible was definitely a great decision though.
Good luck!
BF help & support * My Charts
1. Did you give birth at a hospital, birthing facility, home, etc.?
Non hospital free standing birth center
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)?
No real method for me. I read lots of birth stories online and researched about the general progression of labor. I read a few books but reading it online helped me more.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice?
My birth experience was totally amazing. It was the most empowering and intense thing I have ever done. I definitely plan on doing it again, hopefully at a freestanding birth center. If there are none in the area (DH is military so we relocate a lot) I will have a home birth.
Breastfeeding and pregnant!
1. Did you give birth at a hospital, birthing facility, home, etc.? I was in the hospital with a obgyn
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)? I used nothing, no method, no classes or books. I just did it.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice? The experience was fine. I didn't enjoy it any more than when I had the epidural. I was more tired and found it more stressing to my body than having the epidural. I could certainly do it again but that doesn't mean I will. I will decide that when the time comes. (not even pg yet)
I did it once with an epidural and once with nothing. Both were great experiences and I didn't enjoy the natural any more than the other. I felt stronger with the epidural but I wouldn't say that next time I will have another. I prefer to go with what I need at the time.
I really think it's important to use what you feel you need to have the experience you want. I don't think a natural birth makes you any more of a mother than an epidural and you're not crazy for doing it natural either.
#1 - hospital with a CNM and we had a doula. Normal birth with no interventions except artificial rupture of membranes (they broke my water) and internal fetal monitoring. DD was positioned posterior (sunny side up).
#2 - planned homebirth with midwives and doula. the end went so quickly that DS was actually born 5 minutes before the midwife walked in the door, 10 minutes before the doula arrived, so it was just DH and me (with DD asleep upstairs). He was born in the water.
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)?
We took a Bradley childbirth class during the 1st pg, which I found helpful to learn about nutrition to stay low-risk, what to expect from labor/birth, and relaxation techniques. I also did a lot of reading. To prep for #2 I did more reading. I wouldn't say we necessarily used the bradley "method" per se, but we did use many of the tools we gained thru the class, and I thought the class was awesome to prepare for the birth.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice?
Both were great experiences. #1 was 14 hours long with a longer pushing stage due to her being posterior, and it was a lot of hard work. Not very much discomfort though. I felt like a champ and immediately said "I'd do that again!"
#2 was under 4 hours long, and much more intense the last 45 minutes. The intensity of the sensations was greater, and I honestly felt right afterward that I didn't like it better than my first. I wonder if it wouldn't have seemed so intense if my doula had been there... After birth #2 I can kind of understand more what all the "fuss" is about childbirth. It was definitely intense. Nonetheless, I would have a home birth again for sure if we have more kids, assuming I was low risk.
Attempted at birthing facility, transferred to hospital. (I was 7 cm when I arrived at the BC and was fully dilated/pushing within 2 hours. 5 hours later, no baby. He was posterior and wasn't budging. I got an epi only so I could rest for a couple of hours and attempt a vaginal delivery. In that time, LO moved into a better position, I regained my strength and met my son!) I won't lie - the epi was heaven (and the thought of one beforehand made me cringe)... but I'd been fully dilated and pushing for hours. I did the hardest part med-free and I would/will try natural again in a heartbeat.
Bradley
Loved the birthing center and my midwives and that will be my plan for the next one.
1. I had a great water birth experience in a hospital, but I think next time I'll go for a birth center. My L&D went perfectly, but I didn't like the stay there afterwards.
2. No particular method. I had a doula and she had some hypno tracks that I listened to (they helped a lot with pre-labor stuff), but other than that, I did my own thing.
3. I am actually looking forward to doing it again. Recovery was a beast, but it's going to be that way if you get an epi or not. Giving birth was probably the single most empowering thing I've ever done in my life.
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)? We did not use any method it was a full go with the flow type thing.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice? Am defiantly planning on it again, It was hard but the feeling of instant relief once my sone was out was amazing and I have no fear about labour this time arounnd.
2. Did you use any method (Hypno, lamaze, bradley)? We did not use any method it was a full go with the flow type thing.
3. How was your overall experience? Do you plan on doing it again or was it something that you wouldn't be able to handle twice? Am defiantly planning on it again, It was hard but the feeling of instant relief once my son was out was amazing and I have no fear about labour this time around.
1. Both girls were born at a birthing center.
2. I didn't use any methods.
3. I didn't have an epidural for either labors. Labor with DD1 wasn't completely natural. I was induced with Pitocin and ended up using some narcotics to take the edge off. DD2 was completely natural as she was almost born in the car. I'd like to have something in between for another baby. No induction, definitely no epidural, but I don't want to be laboring in the car either. It was super painful with both births, but quick.