I did it! Med-free hospital birth

lupineaura · September 2012

I have a birth story typed up but it is waaay too long to post. I'll post the highlights and some tips for what helped me through the experience. If anyone has questions or wants more details just ask

I really wanted a med/intervention free birth, but of course was willing to do anything which was medically necessary. I was very lucky that my labor went quickly- that probably helped more than anything (which is unfortunate because it's largely out of our control!). I started early labor around 9:00am, but for hours contractions weren't bad at all and came sporadically. I labored at home until around 8:00pm. Contractions still weren't unbearable, but were definitely painful and were getting very close together (3-4 minutes apart). By the time I was checked at the hospital it was around 9:00pm (stupid check-in process) I was already 5cm and 100% effaced! That was very encouraging.

I was able to labor in a birth tub for about 45 minutes before I needed to get out to get a saline lock. The birth tub was awesome, and it really helped me relax/progress- when they checked me again I was 8-9 ("closer to 9") cm! Unfortunately I couldn't get back in because they were having trouble inserting the saline lock.

I mostly labored standing up, and felt my body pushing before the doctor could even get there. Finally he did, and I got on the bed to push. My doctor coached my pushing. I admit he was telling me to push for longer than the contractions were lasting/after I stopped feeling the urge, which is why I think I got a 2nd degree tear. However, I don't mind, because my daughter was out after only 15 minutes of pushing/about 3 pushing "sessions"! She was perfect right from the beginning She also latched right on and we breastfed for 20 minutes on each side while she was alert.

Any woman who has given birth, no matter how, should feel proud. I do admit; however, I feel proud of myself for getting through the birth with no pain meds. It was hard- transition was literally the worst pain I've ever felt in my life, and the pressure was unbelievable and often worse than the pain. I also got the shakes, which SUCKED and made it impossible to rest between contractions. So, anyway, here are things that helped me:

* I found a hospital which was very natural-birth friendly. In fact, they have a "holistic birth program" where you meet with a nurse four times before the birth to help you create a birth plan. When you arrive at the hospital, you are also identified as a "holistic birth plan" patient and your birth plan is already in your chart. As I mentioned above, they also had a birth tub to labor (not deliver) in. I think having a natural-birth friendly hospital is just as important as having a doctor who is on board with your plan, because the doctor is really only there for the end of your birth experience.

* I had a great support team. I had my husband, my mom, and a doula, all of which were 100% on board with my birth plan. None of them ever asked if I wanted pain relief, which was HUGELY helpful. I think if it was offered, I might have taken it. It really helped that my mom had 3 out of her 4 kids without pain relief (the last three, by her choice), so she was hugely supportive. I would advise not to have anyone with you who is not fully behind your birth plan.

* Regarding the doula- she was helpful and I'm very glad I hired her. However, I think I could have done it without her since I had such a supportive mom/husband. Where she was MOST useful was helping communicate with the nurses.

* I was allowed to labor in any position that felt good- for me it was standing/leaning into my husband. I would not have anticipated that/ I was looking forward to the birth ball, etc, but my body just told me to stand and I listened.

* I took a birth class which focused on lamaze breathing, which helped a bit, but TBH I didn't follow any strict program. I'm not saying this helped me, but I think it's nice to know it's totally possible to have a med-free birth without being fully trained in Bradley/Hypnobabies/etc.

*LABOR AT HOME AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. This was a biggie.

And really, having a fast labor, ha. My baby was born about 3 hours after I got to the hospital. I got lucky there- although the doula says the labor tub is what helped me progress so quickly once I got to the hospital.

Good luck to all of those still pregnant!

Tiger269 · September 2012

Thank you for posting your story, and congrats on your new addition! DH and I are expecting our first in Feb, and for various reasons have not been able to find a class that works with our schedules. Nice to hear that it is possible to go in with some basic knowledge and just listen to your body!