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Natural Birth
Encouraging Natural Birth Stories?????
I'm 22 weeks pregnant, and have been planning from day one to have a natural delivery. All I keep hearing is how horrible labor was and how it's impossible to get through it without an epidural. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, and have survived menstrual periods where I've blacked out from the pain. I know labor is going to hurt like hell, and last what seems like forever, but is there anyone out there who has GOOD things to say about going all natural and sticking to it?
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Re: Encouraging Natural Birth Stories?????
One of the lovely ladies on this board put a link under the FAQ for natural birth stories. I posted mine there and I know lots of other ladies did to. I would check out this out and read the inspirational stories posted!!
https://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/63138647.aspx?MsdVisit=1
For some reason this clicky link is not working. The post is from 8/3/12 by tokenhoser and titled :Add your natural birth story to the FAQ. If you click the link she posted you will be taken to birth stories posted.
GL!!
Our due dates must be pretty close!
If you PM me I would be happy to share my birth story with you. In my experience labor was intense and required all my concentration, but at no point did I ever consider an epi. Have you considered studying a method, Bradley or Hypnobirthing? I did Hypnobirthing and I think that's a large part of why I never found labor to be unmanageable.
Before my birth (which was natural, about 17 hours from period-cramp-like early labor through to delivery), I found the childbirth stories in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth to be inspiring and empowering. (even though some of the language--rushes instead of contractions--got a little "crunchier" than I am...)
I agree not to get caught up in worrying about the pain. It'll hurt. And it'll probably be the most intense feeling of your life, but, it really doesn't hurt the same way as an injury hurts. Although, around transition, I completely understood why someone would get an epidural. Thing is though, it passes! It's not a permanent pain. It goes away almost immediately and then you're done!
I also thought it was key to be able to "feel" during the pushing stage. Everyone said it's like pushing out a big poo. Not True! At all! But, your body knows what muscles should be pushing, and so will you. I also liked hands & knees. Never thought about the face thing--but it's true!
Good thought! Totally agree, those stories totally get me excited to have another baby!
More Green For Less Green
Check the FAQ (linked in my siggy).
My labour really wasn't that bad. I mean, I plan to do it again.
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What people are telling you is obviously untrue. Every week, more and more people on here tell their natural birth stories...natural at home, natural in the hospital, with a breech baby, with induction, twins, etc etc. Not all are women with fast labors or other unusual circumstances that make their delivery "easy."
I gave birth 3 months ago in a hospital drug free. I get annoyed by hearing that its not possible and you "can't deal with the pain" etc. It was painful and intense but it was not unbearable and I will gladly do it again.
This. And https://mamabirth.blogspot.com/
This is one of my favorite posts!
https://mamabirth.blogspot.com/2012/07/natural-birth-isnt-big-deal.html
Just prepare yourself - take a natural-birth focused class (Bradley, hypnobirth/babies, birthing from within) and read the birth stories in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth or Spiritual Midwifery and you'll start finding the people who have and tell positive, enlightening birth stories.
You can do it.
...baby #3 is here...
I had serious menstrual issues before pregnancy and still had a great unmedicated labor! My MW and doula were so helpful to me the few times I started to feel discouraged. If you think you might have anxiety about this, talking to your support person or people about it can really help.
Also, FWIW, aside from transition, the labor pain was really more of a discomfort. It was much more manageable than my menstrual issues were when they were at their worst. I bet you will find the same.
I was in labor with my first for 3.5 hours in a hospital. The only time I was uncomfortable was in transition. I sat and did a puzzle up until then. I had no desire to get up and walk around or sit on a ball or in a bath. I was totally comfortable sitting on the bed. When I hit transition, I did move to all fours. I pushed for about 20 minutes and she was born. I pushed as I saw fit and the doctor even told me to take a break at one point because baby needed to change positions. One contraction break and she was out the next. No stitches. No IV or Heplock. No medication of any kind. The only intervention was that they broke my water because I was 7cm and I told them they could. Honestly the worst part was when they pushed on my stomach after the placenta was out.
My biggest piece of advice is not to make it a bigger deal than it is. Your body will do what it is supposed to do and you'll be fine. I didn't do any classes or read any specific books about natural birthing. I just went with what my body was telling me to do. I explained everything clearly and logically with my HR doctor and we discussed a plan. He gave me some information that I took to heart and we discussed further. After talking collaboratively together we had a "birth plan" of sorts (nothing written down) and it was no big deal.