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Natural Birth
pammi2003
member
My natural hospital birth story(Long)
pammi2003
member
I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to have a natural birth with my 2nd baby. With my first pregnancy, I was one of those women that never prepared herself for labor because I had this perfect picture in my head of what I thought was going to happen. I pictured myself heading straight to the hospital as soon as I began feeling the contractions, I saw myself getting the wonderful epidural, I then saw myself dozing off until I felt the need to push. I was not expecting for plans to change.
For once, I ended up being induced with my first pregnancy due to pre-e. I did get the epidural at 3cm but it only worked for 35 minutes. It completely wore off. It took nearly 3 hours for me to push my daughter out and with back labor.......let's just say I swore kids off forever.
But I knew I had a few challenges up ahead when I decided to go natural with this baby. For one, I did not have a doula or a midwife because I could not afford one. I also had to delivery at a very pro pain medication hospital because my insurance does not cover birthing centers. So yeah, I was very terrified of the challenges up ahead. But I was determined. From the first day I got my first positive test, I started my research. I read many articles on natural birth, watched videos on various breathing techniques and read over and over "Birthing from Within". I did not, however, read anything on the Bradley Method or Hypnobirthing"
At my 39 week appt, I was already 4cm dilated and 80% effaced. My doctor kept asking me if I was feeling any contractions, I said I'm not sure but I was feeling some mild period like cramping. She then told me "I should not suffer" When I told her I did not want an epidural. Oh boy, another challenge right there.
The day after my appt, the cramps got a little worse but they still resembled period cramps so I thought nothing of them. The day after that, the whole family went to Disneyland in hopes all the walking can bring on the contractions (I was very tired of being pregnant at this point) We walked for 5 hours straight and at the end of the night, the cramps got a little more painful but still very manageable and they were coming in at 10 minutes apart. I also had a ton of rectal pressure. Which I simply attributed to that huge, greasy chimichanga I had earlier. The next day, the cramps for more intense. By 1pm, they were 5 minutes apart and the rectal pressure was out of control. Sitting in the toilet helped so much relieve some of the pressure. I also took 2 very long warm baths, they were absolute heaven. I seriously did not feel the contractions while sitting in the tub. I wanted to labor at home as much as possible so I was moving a lot while still at home. I tried many different positions to help with the contractions. Sitting in the toilet and squatting helped the most. I did imagery, I pictured myself in a very serene place while I was having a strong contraction, and I listened to music on my headphones.
By 4:30pm, the contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and were to the point to where they were hard to walk and talk through them. I still wanted to wait a bit longer until we drove to the hospital (Our bag was already in the car, the hospital was 10 minutes away and my mom was already at the house ready to watch my daughter, so I felt there was no big rush) But at 4:45, I told my hubby to get in the car, we needed to go now!
We arrived at the hospital around 5:30pm, the nurse checked me and told me I was a good 6cm, and asked me if I wanted the epidural now, I said I'm having this baby natural. She looked at me like I was the craziest person in the world. I couldn't help but laugh. She laughed too and said "Well, aren't you something" When she left the room so I can put on my gown, I immediately told hubby I had to go to the bathroom because I needed to poo. I sat on the toilet until the nurse came back, which was 30 minutes (She took forever) She told me I needed to get back in bed because I needed my IV put in, and they needed to monitor the baby's heartbeat. I told her sitting in the toilet helped with the contractions. She was getting mad because I wouldn't come out so she opened the door a little and asked me if I felt like I needed to push, I said no, but that I had a lot of rectal pressure.
I got out, put my gown on, nurse put the IV in, checked the baby's heart rate and told me to let her know if I changed my mind about the epidural. I told her again I'm not getting it. She smiled and said ok. She walked out and a few minutes after she was gone, the pressure in the lower back got super intense. I wanted to unhook all these wires and go to the bathroom so I can sit in the toilet. I told hubby to please go get the nurse because I had to use the bathroom bad. Nurse came in, told her I needed to use the bathroom to go poo and that I needed to go now. She gave me a weird look and told me she was going to check me first. I said "Hurry up!, I gotta poo!"
She checked me and I was 9cm. We were all shocked.
Everything went by so fast then. She paged the doctor, they wheeled me into the delivery room, doctor came in and in less than 30 minutes, my son was born with absolutely zero pain medication. I tore a bit and had some heavy bleeding later on that night, but thank goodness it got under control.
If you are planning a natural birth at the hospital, the best advice I can give you is to do as much research as you can about natural childbirth and to labor at home as much as you can. Your bath tub and toilet will be your bffs. I had no midwife, no doula, the staff at the hospital were not very supportive, but I still did it, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Jaiden Demetrius. Born August 2nd at 7:34pm. 7lbs 1 ounce and healthy as a horse
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Re: My natural hospital birth story(Long)
Congrats on your adorable baby boy. Glad you got the birth you wanted.
Thanks for posting the story. It is really helpful for those who are planning on giving birth at a hospital.
It was tough and I was very scared of not having all the support I thought I needed to have in order to labor naturally (Like a doula or midwife) But I was so determined. I think that was what gave me the push move forward and not give up. My determination. And I would do it again. It was a wonderful experience.
You can do it. If I can, anyone can
Just do your research and labor at home as much as you can!