You would think I've never done this before... (encouragement please!)

lily225 · August 2012

My first two labors were med-free. I really enjoyed the experience and was so proud of myself after and really enjoyed that high after my girls were born. My third labor was induced and I ended up with an epidural. Now that I'm pretty darn close to this fourth labor, I keep going back and forth between med-free and epi. For the last couple weeks I've been really pumped to go for med-free again. This may be our last child and I would really like to experience that again.

Then yesterday happens. horrible contractions for almost 2 hours while out mall/store walking with DH, that had me close to getting on the ground during them. Maybe they would have been "easier" had i been at home with my things, but man, they scared the crap out of me and now I'm doubting myself all over again that I can do it without drugs. How crazy!?!?!

Please, any last words of encouragement would be great. Besides the contractions yesterday, I am almost 3cm, I've been having bloody show since 4:30am today and have been crampy. So I'm thinking it's going to be game time soon and I need to have my head together!! Thanks ladies!!

Sawyerplus1 · August 2012

There's no real right or wrong, you just have to decide which experience you want more (or perhaps which one you'll regret least). With my 3 pregnancies I would always think about the reasons I wanted to go med-free, the benefits to me and my LO, the wonderful feeling of achievement afterwards, the natural birth 'high', the quick recovery period, etc. With #2 and 3 I would encourage myself by reminding myself that I've done this before and can do it again. And I always found reading positive birth stories very encouraging, like in Ina Mays books. I love those stories and they always get me psyched up to do it again. But ultimately, search your heart, figure out what you want, and best of luck!

aylafsu88 · August 2012

You can do it and you have done it before! Have your DH tell you positive, encouraging things and remember that at the end of your labor you will be rewarded with a beautiful LO!

RockyMtnMama · August 2012

I think planning for what is coming is a different sort of planning than planning for the unknown. I'm a little more nervous this time than my first 2 kids, but I think staying in your comfort zone and reminding yourself about being present only in the moment and not dreading/stressing about the next moment or contraction is best. Do you have any hypno-birth/babies stuff or relaxing music you could keep with you on your i-pod so even if everything hits when you're out or with the kiddos, you can try to center yourself?

Good luck, you can do it again.

mystrana · August 2012

Well, it sounds to me like the contractions were tough on you because you were at the mall instead of home. In any case, if you've been able to med-free twice, I'm sure you can do med-free a third time!

But, I think it's important to not focus on how it will be your last birthing experience because ultimately, whatever works for you is your best experience and I don't want you to feel like you failed if something goes differently than you want it to.

That being said, again, it sounds like you are super capable of making med-free work and go for it! Good luck!

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You would think I've never done this before... (encouragement please!)

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