First baby, wanting to go all natural.

FirefighterWife24 · May 2012

My husband and I are expecting our first baby this December, and I do not want pitocin or an epidural or anything the hospital tries to force on me. I really want to do this naturally because the way I see it, that is what my body is made for and I know I can do it, I just don't know where to start or what information I'm going to need to be prepared. Any advice or information will be greatly appreciated.

MommyLuvsMe1210 · May 2012

if you go through some of the posts on this board, you'll find useful information that may answer your questions.

meagan.pilkington · May 2012

I'm hoping for this as well. One thing my natural childbirth class emphasizes is that you have the right to decline procedures (even though the hospital staff may act in a way that makes you think you have no choice). They also stress the importance of being assertive and asking if the procedure is really medically necessary or not, etc... It is also important to know both the risks AND benefits of common medical procedures so that in case of emergency or medical necessity, you can make an informed decision and it is YOUR decision, not them forcing it on you. Here is an article I read a few days ago on fitpregnancy's website, it's a good start for your research!

https://www.fitpregnancy.com/labor-delivery/labor-delivery/intervention-intelligence?page=2

amber323 · May 2012

Read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and choose a method of birthing that will help support what you want, like hypnobabies, hypnobirthing or the bradley method. Also watching the Business of Being Born is an eye opener, and Pregnant in America is pretty good too. Best of luck!

meagan.pilkington · May 2012

amber323:
Read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and choose a method of birthing that will help support what you want, like hypnobabies, hypnobirthing or the bradley method. Also watching the Business of Being Born is an eye opener, and Pregnant in America is pretty good too. Best of luck!

This book is awesome and I highly recommend it as well! Forgot to put that in my first post

lily225 · May 2012

I made it through without drugs for my first just with the basic hospital class. But I felt really out of control and knew I could do a better job. I heard great things about Bradley method so I looked into that. I didnt want to pay for the classes so I just borrowed the book from the library. That alone helped me tremendously for my second labor. I felt so much better during (more on top of things) and better (satisfied with my birthing experience).

I would research the different methods and see what you think might be best for you. I would definitely still take your hospital course so you can be familiar with how things are done at your specific hospital.

WifeyMommy2011 · May 2012

First of all YOU can do it! People will look at you like your crazy and say there is no need to be a 'martyr' for your baby. At least thats what all my friends and relatives told me lol. The thing that helped me the most is never made the epidural an option, that made it alot easier to deal with the labor. Know that the labor will only last for so long. I never read a book or went to a class before labor so I'm no help there I preferred to not know, because I would have made myself nervous the whole months before.

miemou · May 2012

This is my first pregnancy too and I am hoping to go natural. My mom suggested using the Bradley method. She said it helped her the most with pain tolerance and it includes your husband which is nice.

judahsmommy1 · May 2012

mrscjmb9410:
You can absolutely do it without medications!

I think this statement needs to be qualified. Assuming you have a healthy pregnancy and there are no complications, you can absolutely do it without medications! There are absolutely appropriate times to use the interventions that care facilities have available, but you and your spouse (with the assistance of your care provider) should be the ones to determine if they are necessary or not.

I think one of the most important things that I did was to educate myself on the various interventions that are used commonly, the times when it is appropriate (and important!) to use them, and how to determine the difference between a necessary intervention and an unnecessary intervention. Going into labor with the idea that something is going to be forced on you could set you up as an adversary to the people who could be trying to help you accomplish your goals. I think if we approach things with an attitude of, "Tell me more. Help me understand why you think this is important" we're more likely to get the support we want. So if someone approaches you with an intervention, you then have the ability to listen, judge it's importance, and respectfully decline with valid reasons. That is likely to garner a lot more respect than going in with a "No, No, No!!!!!1111" attitude.

SWBs Wifey · May 2012

The best thing I did for myself was to align myself with a health care provider that excels in natural birth. They have high standards for delivery at the birth center they maintain and I had to meet several requirements that some people may not have wanted to do (attend a natural birthing class approved by them, attend an open house, attend a special "3rd trimester" class and, of course, maintain a low-risk status for delivery). In addition to choosing my providers wisely, I also hired a doula (a student doula, actually) and she was AWESOME. We had a doula for DS1's birth, but other circumstances prevented me from having a NB.

jennakg · May 2012

I'm a FTM too, but I would say that you should take some classes. I'm taking HypnoBirthing. Do some research and find out what you identify most with. Then I would recommend talking to your provider (OB or MW) and making sure they're on board with what you have planned. If not, find someone new.

You can totally do this! And congrats!

ridesbuttons · May 2012

Right now I'd focus on staying fit and healthy throughout your pregnancy. Eat sensibly: 3 meals and 2 snacks per day. Plenty of water, exercise and rest.

Read everything you can. Talk to women IRL who have done it.

It is not a mystery; nor is it some kind of magical journey. It is childbirth: about as common a human experience as there is out there.

Keep a positive attitude!

jlh2716 · May 2012

You've already gotten excellent advice as to how to educate yourself on the matter, and I don't feel there's anything I can add. The only thing I want to suggest is to perhaps adjust your mindset from "they're going to try to force an intervention on me" to "they're going to approach me with an intervention they recommend". If you have no complications, then yes, you should be able to do an unmedicated birth, but those interventions do have their place if you need them. Ask questions, then decide. Otherwise, I feel like you might be setting yourself up for a fight, which I can't imagine will be at all conducive to a smooth, problem-free labor!

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First baby, wanting to go all natural.

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