Natural Birth?

texasmommie · July 2013

I am a first time mom and I am a bit confused on which route to take for delivery. I have seen friends and family go thru a C-Sections and they look so in pain for days to weeks... this is what leads me to not have one. However, lately I have been reading on natural births and even watching videos. It freaks me out. I do not want anything in my back (epidural, etc.) due to having back issues already and its just a terrifying thought to me... plus also scared of ripping...so.. is a natural birth considered to be a vaginal delivery without any meds at all?

Are their other ways to take away the pain without an epidural? Just trying to see what my options are ahead of time as I am pretty nervous of it all.

I hope my questions dont sound too dumb.

mrssamarataylor · July 2013

Usually natural birth is without pain meds or interventions. It can also be categorized as an unmedicated vaginal birth. Since you have some time I would completely recommend doing some reading. While I'm a FTM also, I found it very reassuring to watch movies encouraging natural birth and even movies that highlighted choices you have in child birth. I am sure more experienced moms will give you better reading and watching material, I personally liked the movie "business of being born" I also thought that the book "What to expect while expecting" gave a really good breakdown of all the pain relief options you have from drugs to natural solutions. HTH

aylafsu88 · July 2013

There are various ways to reduce pain while in labor. The one I utilized was laboring in the tub. The hot water really took the edge off of my contractions and made them bearable. I highly recommend trying it while in labor. I also found that the ability to change positions and move around helped. This was really important when I was in triage and on my way to the hospital. Some woman find that counter pressure and hip squeezes can be really helpful. From what I hear Hypnobirthing which is a form of relaxed self-hypnosis has been helpful to many woman. I have also heard of people using aromatherapy or music during labor to help them relax. There are a lot of options out there that you can use to help with the pain. Take a look at them and figure out which ones you think would work the best for you. Honestly, I was terrified of tearing as well. However, when I was in labor that thought completely left my mind. I was to focused on labor and delivery to worry about tearing. GL!

24karat · July 2013

Your Q's are definitely not dumb...there's a lot of info out there and it can be confusing, scary, and overwhelming sifting through it all. My mom and MIL had 4 c/s each for medical reasons and I was determined to try a natural birth, or at least as few interventions as possible my first pregnancy. Water birthing/laboring, massage, and alternate positions were my top options for pain management. Long story short, I used all of them and was pleased with how they worked. I ended up using a low pitocin kick and some pain meds for the last bit because I was in labor from Thursday pm to Saturday afternoon so my birth wasn't natural in the strictest sense, but I was able to avoid the c/s and use my alternatives for the vast majority of my labor which made me very happy. If you can find a local midwifery practice, they are usually very natural birth friendly and have heaps of great advice for alternative pain management options if that's what you feel is right for you.

lioness13 · July 2013

First, pain is relative and it depends on the person. On a scale of 1 - 10 I don't think my labor was a 10. Maybe I am just lucky but don't let everyone scare you about the pain. For many women it is totally bearable. I had a natural labor and birth and I was in labor for 31 hours. I took a hypnobirthing class and it really helped me with techniques to stay calm, relaxed and breathe through the contractions. Also, remember that even during labor you get a break. Between contractions I was able to laugh and joke. In my experience, it was not nearly as bad as some people make it out to be. Just remember that women have been doing this for thousands of years. You can do it! And yes, I had a small tear. It was a little painful to get it stitched up but I'm 2 weeks postpartum and I already feel about 80% back to normal down there. Its gets better and better every day. You may want to listen to some birthing affirmations to help relieve your fears. Look up Pregnancy Relaxation by Gabrielle Targett on Amazon.

Crinita · July 2013

I haven't had a baby yet, but I can speak to what is giving me confidence leading up to the birth so far....

I enjoyed watching The Business of Being Born (avail. on Netflix FYI)

I really liked reading Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth

I have been reassured by my midwives and by reading this board

& attending Prenatal Yoga has built up my confidence too.

IMHO, pain has a large mental component aside from just being physical. I think going into something with a positivity and sans panic can go a long way (though of course it is not everything)!

texasmommie · July 2013

Thanks for all the great replies. I do still have a lot of time and I spend each day doing more and more research. I know I cant say I will not have a C-section as if that's what the doctor says I need at that moment then I will do anything to keep the baby safe. What I have read on natural birth makes me want to try it. I heard that it is best to have a episotomy to help reduce risks of just ripping, but I am still weighing my options. All of my family has had C-sections so its hard to get a 2 sided story. Thanks again for all the replies.. they have all helped. Big Smile

lioness13 · July 2013

econcha:
Thanks for all the great replies. I do still have a lot of time and I spend each day doing more and more research. I know I cant say I will not have a C-section as if that's what the doctor says I need at that moment then I will do anything to keep the baby safe. What I have read on natural birth makes me want to try it. I heard that it is best to have a episotomy to help reduce risks of just ripping, but I am still weighing my options. All of my family has had C-sections so its hard to get a 2 sided story. Thanks again for all the replies.. they have all helped.

Look up more info on episiotomy. More research shows that tearing naturally is better. An episiotomy can cause more complications. Many people say perineum massage and kegels can help avoid tearing as well.

Arielle27 · July 2013

aylafsu88:
There are various ways to reduce pain while in labor.nbsp; The one I utilized was laboring in the tub.nbsp; The hot water really took the edge off of my contractions and made them bearable.nbsp; I highly recommend trying it while in labor.nbsp; I also found that the ability to change positions and move around helped.nbsp; This was really important when I was in triage and on my way to the hospital.nbsp; Some woman find that counter pressure and hip squeezes can be really helpful.nbsp; From what I hear Hypnobirthing which is a form of relaxed selfhypnosis has been helpful to many woman.nbsp; I have also heard of people using aromatherapy or music during labor to help them relax.nbsp; There are a lot of options out there that you can use to help with the pain.nbsp; Take a look at them and figure out which ones you think would work the best for you.nbsp; Honestly, I was terrified of tearing as well.nbsp; However, when I was in labor that thought completely left my mind. I was to focused on labor and delivery to worry about tearing.nbsp; GL!

I definitely agree with hypnobirthing suggestion! Helped me with my first two unmedicated births and plan to use the techniques for my third in September as well. I also highly recommend getting into hot water to help reduce contraction pain.

Arielle27 · July 2013

lioness13:
First, pain is relative and it depends on the person. On a scale of 1 10 I don't think my labor was a 10. Maybe I am just lucky but don't let everyone scare you about the pain. For many women it is totally bearable. I had a natural labor and birth and I was in labor for 31 hours. I took a hypnobirthing class and it really helped me with techniques to stay calm, relaxed and breathe through the contractions. Also, remember that even during labor you get a break. Between contractions I was able to laugh and joke.

Good point. My experiences have been on the other end of the spectrum.

After a lot of regular, but barely painful contractions 12 hours the first time, nearly 4 weeks the second time due to irritable uterus and preterm labor, my water broke. Then from the first 'real' contraction, I had a 10 on the pain scale, with only 2 to 3 minutes between contractions for the first few hours and then No time between contractions thereafter on the monitor you could see one starting as another hadn't yet finished. So there was no resting...

BUT my whole labor each time from water breaking to birth was under 6 hours. Definitely manageable.

Arielle27 · July 2013

lioness13:
econcha:
Thanks for all the great replies.  I do still have a lot of time and I spend each day doing more and more research.  I know I cant say I will not have a C-section as if that's what the doctor says I need at that moment then I will do anything to keep the baby safe.  What I have read on natural birth makes me want to try it.  I heard that it is best to have a episotomy to help reduce risks of just ripping, but I am still weighing my options.  All of my family has had C-sections so its hard to get a 2 sided story.  Thanks again for all the replies.. they have all helped.
Look up more info on episiotomy. More research shows that tearing naturally is better. An episiotomy can cause more complications. Many people say perineum massage and  kegels can help avoid tearing as well.

I've heard this as well, but it isn't necessarily or rather always true... I had to have an episiotomy with my first as he was 9 lb., OP and with a nuchal hand. I pushed for nearly an hour, didn't tear and he wasn't budging... So they cut. I didn't feel it and actually asked later if they ended up not needing to cut because I hadn't felt it because of course they consulted me about it first. I had no complications with it and didn't need one the second time around.

JackieJarek821 · July 2013

mrssamarataylor:
Usually natural birth is without pain meds or interventions. It can also be categorized as an unmedicated vaginal birth. Since you have some time I would completely recommend doing some reading. While I'm a FTM also, I found it very reassuring to watch movies encouraging natural birth and even movies that highlighted choices you have in child birth. I am sure more experienced moms will give you better reading and watching material, I personally liked the movie "business of being born" I also thought that the book "What to expect while expecting" gave a really good breakdown of all the pain relief options you have from drugs to natural solutions. HTH

I am also a first time mom, planning on a natural birth. I also watched "The Business of Being Born" (on Netflix) and found it very informative. I would check out "The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin... I haven't read all of it yet, but again, it's very informative. Like others have said, our bodies were designed to do this! Movies, society, etc. make birth look so scary and painful but birth is a natural process! Also, I would suggest looking into finding a midwife... I was seeing an OB until about 20weeks and then I found a midwife practice that actually delivers at a hospital... which I liked because part of me was too nervous to not deliver in a hospital, especially because this is my first baby, so I have NO idea what to expect! Both my husband and I are SO HAPPY that we switched to midwives... they just "get it." They are very much into giving you ALL of the information and letting you make the decisions, informed.... the vibe we got from the OBs was that they know better. Which, obviously to a certain degree is correct, because they are doctors! But the midwives inform us and then let us make the decisions.. they just don't seem quite as bossy as the OBs. And I feel like a person, not a number.... my first appointment with them was over an hour, because I had a million questions!!

Oh, and this board, "Natural Birth," is super helpful and encouraging!!!

Good luck :-)

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JackieJarek821 · July 2013

mrssamarataylor:
Usually natural birth is without pain meds or interventions. It can also be categorized as an unmedicated vaginal birth. Since you have some time I would completely recommend doing some reading. While I'm a FTM also, I found it very reassuring to watch movies encouraging natural birth and even movies that highlighted choices you have in child birth. I am sure more experienced moms will give you better reading and watching material, I personally liked the movie "business of being born" I also thought that the book "What to expect while expecting" gave a really good breakdown of all the pain relief options you have from drugs to natural solutions. HTH

I am also a first time mom, planning on a natural birth. I also watched "The Business of Being Born" (on Netflix) and found it very informative. I would check out "The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin... I haven't read all of it yet, but again, it's very informative. Like others have said, our bodies were designed to do this! Movies, society, etc. make birth look so scary and painful but birth is a natural process! Also, I would suggest looking into finding a midwife... I was seeing an OB until about 20weeks and then I found a midwife practice that actually delivers at a hospital... which I liked because part of me was too nervous to not deliver in a hospital, especially because this is my first baby, so I have NO idea what to expect! Both my husband and I are SO HAPPY that we switched to midwives... they just "get it." They are very much into giving you ALL of the information and letting you make the decisions, informed.... the vibe we got from the OBs was that they know better. Which, obviously to a certain degree is correct, because they are doctors! But the midwives inform us and then let us make the decisions.. they just don't seem quite as bossy as the OBs. And I feel like a person, not a number.... my first appointment with them was over an hour, because I had a million questions!!

Oh, and this board, "Natural Birth," is super helpful and encouraging!!!

Good luck :-)

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kcs7 · July 2013

Hi! I'm a FTM and love everyone's advice on this subject too and I have/had some of the same questions.

I too am reading, but I also have signed up for birthing classes with someone I trust and also I am looking into hiring the services of a Doula to help me and I find interviewing them and the thought of hiring a doula to be very comforting. Just a thought to look into as well. I hear some insurances will reimburse the cost of a doula also. Best of luck!!

April! · July 2013

You've gotten some great advice! I'll just add that you should check out birthwithoutfear.com. There are a lot of great birth stories on there, both natural/unmedicated and not. It was helpful to me to read lots of other women's experiences.

mb314 · July 2013

I was terrified of tearing when I first started reading up on birth, natural and otherwise. You're actually more likely to tear and have bad tears with an epidural. I had an unmedicated birth, and did tear, and honestly, I didn't feel it or know it and it wasn't a big deal. I had no idea I tore until after it was all done and the midwife had to give me some stitches. It wasn't that big of a deal.

A few things to do if you're considering a natural birth is talk to your OB or midwife to see what their thoughts are. You will want to have a supportive provider. Also look into what your hospital offers. My hospital had a tub for laboring, and honestly, I didn't ask for an epidural because the tub was so nice and I knew that if I got an epidural I would need to leave the tub. Some hospitals offer nitrous oxide for pain relief.

You may also want to consider taking a natural birth-focused class. We did the Bradley Method, and many others have done Hypnobabies. I liked Bradley because it helped prepare DH for natural birth.

evelyntaylor · July 2013

The best advice is for you to do lots of reading and take a natural childbirth class like hypnobabies or bradley method. You also want to involve your partner so that he can learn how to help you through pains. I also had my mom as a labor partner and having two people who could tag team and take turns made me feel less stressed about my DH being overtired. He was able to rest on and off.

smciver0626 · July 2013

I would HIGHLY recommend watching "The Business of Being Born" and "More Business of Being Born". They are extremely informative and helpful!

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