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rew123
member
If you didn't use drugs, how did you get through transition?
rew123
member
Hello all,
This will be my first baby, and I'm aware that I really won't know what I'm in for until I'm in L&D, but I would like to try for a natural birth and am looking into what might be most useful in helping me get through it. I'm particularly scared of the transition stage.
So for those of you that got through childbirth without drugs, what did you do to manage the pain? Anything you'd do the same/differently next time around?
Thanks!
Rebecca
This discussion has been closed.
Re: If you didn't use drugs, how did you get through transition?
I had an all natural child birth, I don't really know when the transition stage hit, I was in active labor for about 10 hrs. I made the decision I wanted to go drug free, (if at all possible) before hand. My husband and best friend both knew my wishes before hand as well as the nurse. They were my support team and really helped me through it. Moving around helped a lot, walking, sitting on the ball etc. I remember being very focused on what was happening and just letting it happen. I had a terrible pain in my back and I think that was worse than any of the contractions. As soon as my little guy was out back pain was gone and I felt great. Good luck, and do what feels right for you and you will be fine.
If at all possible get in a warm tub. Knowing I was in transition was always enough to get me through it. Knowing that I was so close to holding my baby. My secret is just lavender oil and a personal water mister.
The other important question you will probably have is how do I know when to go to the hospital. When your contractions last more than an hour get into a warm tub at home. Just relax and listen to music or whatever. GIve yourself about 15 minutes to relax if after that if feel they are getting more intense then have your husband get everything in the car while your continue relaxing so you only have to worry about getting yourself to the car. If while in the bath the contractions stay the same just stay put at home (and/or in the tub.)
Most importantly ALWAYS trust your gut. If you feel something isn't right get the hospital and don't let them send you home. (Trusting your gut is your most valuable tool.)
I had a long early labor and 2 hrs of active labor. Get into positions that feel good (I was leaning forward on things). My husband held my hips together a lot. And I used yoga breathing to "breath through" any pain. Sometimes I vocalized a little hum into my exhales.
Transition for me was also a moment when I thought I couldn't do it, there were a few "ow ow" contractions, maybe 2-3 in a row (whereas up until then I could totally manage them). The nurse asked me to try and wait another hour. But suddenly I was feeling pressure, and after that the urge to push. Transition was already done!!!
Pushing felt good, couldn't help but push and I liked that I had full sensation (and wonderful natural painkillers flowing, which made it so I didn't feel any pain after that).
This is alot like what I was going to say. I know alot of people would recommend a doula which I think is great. For me both times my mother and sister where my extra support people, they had 5 natural births between them and knew what was important to me.
My SIL was my "doula" and it was awesome. She has two of her babies at the same birth center- it was perfect!
I forgot about the throwing up, with my first labor they had a bag handy in case I needed to throw up as I felt kind of queasy a few times. My doula said she knew I was in transition when all of a sudden I said firmly "Get the bag!"
I didn't end up throwing up, but I sure felt like it!
I think two things really helped me. One was having lots of options. I didn't end up using most of the techniques I'd learned, but taking the childbirth prep class really helped. I tried various things- walking, ball, showers, etc, and you can't really know what will work for you until you are in it. Some things were the same between my two drug-free births, but some were very different. It was nice just having different options available and that was an area where my husband was really useful- he could remember/suggest other positions/techniques that I was in no position to try and remember.
The other really helpful thing was just reading about and becoming more comfortable with childbirth. Hearing others birth stories- medicated, un-medicated, planned c-sections, emergency- whatever the situation was- just helped me remember that women do this all the time and that no matter what happens, I was hoping for a healthy mom and baby at the end. During transition, when I'd feel myself start panicking (which can add to the pain) I'd remind myself that the pressure is purposeful, its not because I'm sick or injured or anything scary that I don't understand. Each contraction is helping the baby descend, helping baby get ready to breathe on the outside, etc. For me, just really understanding what was going on helped immensely.
You probably know if they have tubs or not, but if they don't- I wonder if you can rent your own. I think I remember them saying to me before I switched my care to the Puget Sound Birth Center.