Natural vs medicated

bmlind80 · October 2012

I'm sure this has been asked before but have any of you ladies experienced both a natural birth AND a medicated one? I would like to hear from someone with both types of experience, as I am leaning toward a natural one, but I get a little scared...

3GirlsMama · October 2012

My first 2 deliveries were vaginal with epidurals. My 1st was induced with cytotec and I'm very glad I got an epidural and it worked as well as it did. My 2nd was spontaneous labor but my parents and sister were there (as in, wanted to be in the room), and although I could have gone naturally I had a hard time with feeling like I had to "put on a good show." My 3rd was natural - just DH and I - and it was amazing. The main differences to me (although I know there are benefits to baby) were that I was able to be up and around right after delivery, I didn't have all the itchiness that I had had after the epidurals, I didn't have to have a catheter (big mental plus here), and I didn't have near the level of backache that I had had PP with the epidural deliveries. HTH -

Temp76535187505890 · October 2012

I've had both. First was vaginal with epidural and the last was completely med-free. I must say the med-free was, hands down, completely awesome which makes me regret my decision to get the epidural with the first. There first was textbook in that I progressed well, needed no augmentation or intervention and it was quick (got the epi at 7 cm) but I just feel like it was something that happened to me and not something I did, accomplished or experienced like with the second. I would do the med-free birth again in a heartbeat.

blush64 · October 2012

I had two wonderful experiences. One with an epidural and one med-free.

I did not need a catheter and I haven't seen anyone need one. The epidural allowed me to be more fully awake and aware after my son was born. I was more rested and I was able to stay up longer with the baby and breastfeed longer. I had no issues with the epidural and having a break from the pain was great.

In no way was my med-free birth better but it wasn't worse either. I was more tired and by the time my son was born I was ready to sleep. I still breastfed right away but I was really needing sleep by then and I didn't do it as long as I could. The pain for me was horrible and it didn't help to know that if was "good" pain because it didn't feel good. That being said I am glad I have both experiences. I hear the experience of others who have gone med-free and my just doesn't match up. There was no spcial glow or feeling that came with my med-free that didn't come with my epidural. I felt as in love and as happy and accomplished with each one.

For this next one I lean to a med-free birth but I'm open to what I decide my body needs to deal with everything. I think everyone needs to listen to their body and do what they feel is the best thing.

EDIT And in no way did I feel like I accomplished less. Nothing was "done to me" I still birthed that baby even though I had an epidural, it just did't hurt as much during labour. If you do choose pain relief don't ever let someone make you feel as less of a mother or woman for it.

sbevmc09 · October 2012

blush64:
I did not need a catheter and I haven't seen anyone need one.

How did you control your bladder?

wifeofadam · October 2012

#1 was an epi.

#2 was med-free in a hospital.

#3 was at home (med-free obviously).

I'm planning another homebirth with #4.

My epi experience was wonderful. DS was posterior. I made it to 7 cm on pitocin with a posterior baby and needed the epi. I am very thankful it was an option (one that I may not have needed without the pitocin). But after all of my experiences I prefer to be at home and med-free. I feel better right after the birth and the spiritual gain I get from "conquering" the birth is priceless.

mrstorrestobe · October 2012

blush64:

I had two wonderful experiences. One with an epidural and one med-free.

I did not need a catheter and I haven't seen anyone need one. The epidural allowed me to be more fully awake and aware after my son was born. I was more rested and I was able to stay up longer with the baby and breastfeed longer. I had no issues with the epidural and having a break from the pain was great.

In no way was my med-free birth better but it wasn't worse either. I was more tired and by the time my son was born I was ready to sleep. I still breastfed right away but I was really needing sleep by then and I didn't do it as long as I could. The pain for me was horrible and it didn't help to know that if was "good" pain because it didn't feel good. That being said I am glad I have both experiences. I hear the experience of others who have gone med-free and my just doesn't match up. There was no spcial glow or feeling that came with my med-free that didn't come with my epidural. I felt as in love and as happy and accomplished with each one.

For this next one I lean to a med-free birth but I'm open to what I decide my body needs to deal with everything. I think everyone needs to listen to their body and do what they feel is the best thing.

EDIT And in no way did I feel like I accomplished less. Nothing was "done to me" I still birthed that baby even though I had an epidural, it just did't hurt as much during labour. If you do choose pain relief don't ever let someone make you feel as less of a mother or woman for it.

This. Thank you for saying this. I was surprised to read it from the pp.

blush64 · October 2012

sbevmc09:
blush64:
I did not need a catheter and I haven't seen anyone need one.
How did you control your bladder?

I went before I got the epidural and it wasn't even a thought. I'm not sure how long you had the epidural or what was different for you but I didn't get one. My sisters didn't need one. My cousins didn't need one. (except one who had an epidural and a c-section)

The doctors and nurses didn't discuss possibly needing one at all. I didn't know people still had them so I was surprised to have read that here. How did I control, I just did. To me it's like asking how I'm controlling it now.

EDIT I'm curious now. I will ask my doctor at my next appointment why some people would have one put in and why it's not something normally done--at least where I am.

Either way, I think if follow your body and mind you can have a great experience.

Temp76535187505890 · October 2012

mrstorrestobe:
blush64:

EDIT And in no way did I feel like I accomplished less. Nothing was "done to me" I still birthed that baby even though I had an epidural, it just did't hurt as much during labour. If you do choose pain relief don't ever let someone make you feel as less of a mother or woman for it.

This.  Thank you for saying this.  I was surprised to read it from the pp.

If you're referring to my comment, all I can say is that is how I felt. It wasn't passing judgement on anyone and their birth choices. I didn't feel the rush and exhilaration or "labor high" after my first birth and it was a truly awesome feeling I experienced after my second. I still bonded with and breastfed both easily but the true elation from the experience... not the end result of the baby in my arms....was missing from the first and I regret denying myself that.

wifeofadam · October 2012

ArmyQM:
mrstorrestobe:
blush64:

EDIT And in no way did I feel like I accomplished less. Nothing was "done to me" I still birthed that baby even though I had an epidural, it just did't hurt as much during labour. If you do choose pain relief don't ever let someone make you feel as less of a mother or woman for it.

This. Thank you for saying this. I was surprised to read it from the pp.
If you're referring to my comment, all I can say is that is how I felt. It wasn't passing judgement on anyone and their birth choices. I didn't feel the rush and exhilaration or "labor high" after my first birth and it was a truly awesome feeling I experienced after my second. I still bonded with and breastfed both easily but the true elation from the experience... not the end result of the baby in my arms....was missing from the first and I regret denying myself that.

I get what you are saying. I love my children the same and my experience with the epi is just as memorable as my experiences without, but they ARE different. While the feeling I had toward my babies has been the same with every birth, the feelings I've had personally have been very different in each setting and under each different circumstance. I do feel like I was pressured into an epi the first time around and wasn't as supported as I needed to be in order to have the natural birth I wanted (totally my fault though for not being educated and surrounding myself with a proper support team). Because I didn't meet the goal I set for myself, there was some let-down after the birth. That was very different than the sense of empowerment and the spiritual high I encountered with my med-free births. And I can also say that the feeling was also extremely different being home vs. being at the hospital. After I did it at home, on my own turf, there was an even bigger sense of empowerment.

I don't think the spiritual or emotional outcome is the same for all women. Some women may view all of their births the same way, regardless of how it happened. But I don't think there is anything wrong with a woman expressing the differences if they do remember them. It doesn't mean they cherish the entry of their child born with an epi any less than they do the other or that they didn't feel it was beautiful or miraculous.

blush64 · October 2012

+adamwife+:
ArmyQM:
mrstorrestobe:
blush64:

If you're referring to my comment, all I can say is that is how I felt. It wasn't passing judgement on anyone and their birth choices. I didn't feel the rush and exhilaration or "labor high" after my first birth and it was a truly awesome feeling I experienced after my second. I still bonded with and breastfed both easily but the true elation from the experience... not the end result of the baby in my arms....was missing from the first and I regret denying myself that.

I get what you are saying. I love my children the same and my experience with the epi is just as memorable as my experiences without, but they ARE different. I don't think the spiritual or emotional outcome is the same for all women. Some women may view all of their births the same way, regardless of how it happened. But I don't think there is anything wrong with a woman expressing the differences if they do remember them. It doesn't mean they cherish the entry of their child born with an epi any less than they do the other or that they didn't feel it was beautiful or miraculous.

Actually I wasn't replying to that post but reading it had made me think of things a woman at work had said to me. She had a med-free birth and felt that if you didn't you aren't really giving birth. (don't get started on a c-section even if it's necessary) She acts like the rest of us who have had an epidural didn't do it "right" I like her very much but we don't talk about that stuff anymore.

I agree things can be different and certainly you all may have had the "high" only after a med-free birth. I was just stating that it's not that way for everyone.

I think it's important for everyone to express what they felt to give an accurate picture. Everyone who experiences a big difference and those of us who did not.--And it's not a case of not remembering a difference, some of us just don't view it the same way. I wasn't meaning anyone here was wrong at all, just that my experience was not the same as some people on this board. My med-free birth was no more spiritual, emotional or anything else. I felt an amazing emotional high after each one.

sbevmc09 · October 2012

blush64:
sbevmc09:
blush64:
I did not need a catheter and I haven't seen anyone need one.
How did you control your bladder?
I went before I got the epidural and it wasn't even a thought. I'm not sure how long you had the epidural or what was different for you but I didn't get one. My sisters didn't need one. My cousins didn't need one. (except one who had an epidural and a c-section)
The doctors and nurses didn't discuss possibly needing one at all. I didn't know people still had them so I was surprised to have read that here. How did I control, I just did. To me it's like asking how I'm controlling it now.
EDIT I'm curious now. I will ask my doctor at my next appointment why some people would have one put in and why it's not something normally done--at least where I am.
Either way, I think if follow your body and mind you can have a great experience.

Hmm... yeah, maybe it depends on how long you have the epidural. I had one for quite an extended period of time... ~18 hours? And the urinary catheter was placed with the first epidural was placed. Obviously it's not good to labor with a full bladder and you couldn't go for an extended period of time without emptying it anyway. I know that some hospitals do use an alternative method to a traditional urinary catheter where they actually come in and relieve your bladder for you rather than it just being a constant kind of thing. Seems like they'd have to do something though, or at least have the ability to do something because they don't really know how long it's going to be from the time they give you the epi until you actually deliver. Or at least not in the overwhelming majority of cases.

BostonGayGal · October 2012

I have only had an unmedicated birth but fibroids made post-delivery very difficult.

There was no hormone rush that I was aware of, and I remember being relieved that the baby was healthy and getting checked out but hoping someone would realize something was wrong with me. Then I felt like I disappeared. Delivery changed the blood supply to my fibroids and the pain was horrendous. I didn't know it was a girl for probably about 10 minutes.

Despite a natural birth they needed to place a catheter because the swelling kept me from being able to pee. I couldn't walk even with help for almost 8 hours (and I was in great shape prior to the birth so it wasn't that). I only mention this because med free doesn't guarantee anything though it may make it more likely

During transition I remember telling my wife and mother, "this whole natural birth thing is overrated." I will do it again if possible for two reasons 1) because I don't want the cascade of interventions 2) my first labor was only 7 hours and she was posterior for 5 - if the baby is positioned ideally the next time the midwife says I may end up giving birth like my cousin did - 17 minutes after her water broke on the living room floor.

hpopo · October 2012

Do not worry, everything will change for the better!Good luck!

3GirlsMama · October 2012

Just thought I would reply to the catheter issue - my labors were all around 5 hours, but with the amt of fluids they pumped in me to do the epi and then to keep my BP up (I had quite a drop after the epi was administered) - I could tell my bladder was full and wasn't able to take care of it myself (I tried, believe me!). Both times after they "drained" me I was fully dilated and ready to push. The nurses were surprised, they said my kidneys processed the fluid really fast...IDK that much about it, just my personal experience. And no, it wasn't a big deal, but I just don't like the idea of a catheter - I find it kind of creepy!

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