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FTM New to Board

woodsie915woodsie915 member
edited September 2013 in Natural Birth
Hi. My name is Samantha and I'm due on Valentines Day. DH and I are super excited to be expecting our first child. I am not ashamed to say I know nothing about birthing, labor, and delivery. Before I got pregnant I assumed I would go to the hospital, get an epidural, and have my baby. After I got pregnant I began to feel very different about this with no knowledge as to why. The thought of an epidural gives me anxiety. I was talking to a friend of mine who did a home birth and she told me about The Business of Being Born. After watching that I knew a natural birth was for me. I'm not super interested in a home birth for my first baby, but I might consider it for a later pregnancy. After learning about the affects of pitocin, epidurals, and being coached to push I knew, I decided I wanted to know so much more about natural births. So far I am LOVING THIS BOARD! 

Currently I am at an OB that doesn't do very many natural births, but for where I live and my insurance it's one of the only options. Any moms with experience in that area? I am very adamant about no pitocin and no epidural. 
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Re: FTM New to Board

  • kcs7kcs7 member
    I have NO idea how to find a thread and post it, but I posted a "epi vs natural" question awhile ago because I was pretty much in your same boat. I got SOOOO many great answers from the ladies and people wrote their personal experiences. I LOVED it. I also loved Ina May's Guide to birth. Highly recommend that book too.
    I will be attempting as natural a birth as can be at a hospital here pretty soon and will post my story hopefully on the birth story board.
    Oh, I also hired a doula and highly recommend that too. Meet with a few though and make sure you click with one. And probably after you get a little more of an idea of what you and husband want for your birth too so you know what to ask. :) Welcome and good luck!!

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  • kcs7kcs7 member
    ah! Here, I did it, but now I don't know how to make it a link lol
    but, if on the right side of the screen, in the "search boards", you can type in :

    Natural vs. Epidural experience?

    That was the title. So many women said such great information, for both sides. Anyway, hope it helps.

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  • spicysurrospicysurro member
    Welcome to the board!  I have seen a lot of mothers recommend laboring at home for as long as possible then going to the hospital so it is less likely they will receive any kind of medicine! Also reading Ina May's books and a doula is important for being your advocate when at the hospital and helping you through your birth process. Im due February 6th so just a little bit before you!
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  • aylafsu88aylafsu88 member
    I delivered at a hospital with an OB.  I went to a large practice (8 OBs) and saw a few main OBs. When you go into labor the on call OB from the practice delivers your baby.  I had a wonderful experience and had a natural, intervention free birth.  The practice I went to was supportive of natural births in general but some OBs were more supportive than others.  To ensure I had the birth I wanted we took the Bradley classes, I had a doula, I labored at home as long as possible, and I went to the hospital when I knew LO was almost here. 

    IMO being prepared is the key to having a natural birth especially with an OB/hospital setting.  I knew what interventions I may encounter, I knew when they were needed and when they were not,  and I knew  what to expect during the stages of labor.  I also think that a great support system is important.  I had a doula because my H and I were first time parents.  Labor is unpredictable and we knew we wanted a doula there.  She was amazing and so supportive.  I felt like a rock star because my H and doula told me how great I was doing throughout my labor.
    The on call OB was one I had never met but he was very supportive.  I delivered in the side position and he sat on the end of the bed to massage my perineum as LO had a nuchal hand.  He did everything he could to prevent a bad tear and I ended up with a second degree internal tear.  The nurses were also great. I told them I wanted a natural birth and they were very respectful of my wishes. 
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  • sschwegesschwege member
    Welcome!

    As pp said one of the best approaches is to labor at home as long as possible.  If you arrive fully dilated or close to it, they are far less likely to want to 'move things along'.  Also hiring a doula might be a great option for you.
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  • woodsie915woodsie915 member
    Thanks everyone! I honestly hadn't thought about laboring at home for as long as possible. I have a friend who's going through the stuff to become a certified Doula so I'll definitely ask her some questions :) 
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