Anyone had a natural birth?

hminer4 · November 2013

I am considering it this time around. With DD I had prodromal labor which lasted 5 days (intensified every night) until finally on our third trip to L&D they found I was 9 cm. They gave me the option of an epidural and since I hadn't slept in 5 days I said yes so that I could get some relief and some sleep before delivery. My MW actually said "You've done the hard part already, are you sure you want the epi?". So now I am wondering if she was right; anyone gone through an unmedicated birth and can comment on which part was most painful? My labor was long and I was making deals with the God to make the pain stop and pushing wasn't the most pleasant thing (45 minutes) but I as in such a fog I can't remember how it actually felt with the drugs.

aboynamedbarry · November 2013

Wow 5 days sounds tortuous

I'm so sorry!!! I had a Med free delivery and tho around 8cm I was seriously considering SOMETHING to help, I remember my midwife telling me a story about a girl who came in at 7.5cm DEMANDING her epi. She said her labor lasted another 8 hours and she believe it would have only been 1-2 if she hadn't had the epi ... because it took her mind off what was going on and she wasn't able to focus in presumably. When I had the notion that it could take ANY LONGER than it was already taking, I decided against it, and within about an hour I delivered. I do NOT remember pushing hurting, not saying that it didn't, but it was so intense I feel like even if it did hurt, because I was making progress and I was SO focused, I don't remember the pain. i DO remember the horrible pain of contractions.

If you were able to labor for five days without anything, you can do anything! You're amazing, and I hope that you have an easier delivery this time, meds or not

runrinserepeat · November 2013

I went med-free with DD. The worst part for me was laboring down - I was almost fully dilated, but there was still a lip on my cervix and the doctor left and didn't come back for an hour, so I had to focus all my energy on NOT pushing when that's all my body wanted to do. Actually getting to push was a relief. And yes, parts of that did hurt (crowning was a bitch), but it was so satisfying after all those hours of contractions, it didn't seem to matter at that point.

RoxanneA · November 2013

I've gone med free for all 3 of my kiddos, not by choice. I go to a small hospital that just doesn't have enough staff to offer epidurals. If they did I would get it in a heartbeat. That being said, I've done it 3 times and now going on a 4th and I obviously know what I'm signing up for yet again, lol. I should say though that at the end they give me shots down there to help numb the opening so I have never actually felt the crowning part. Getting through the labor is the absolute WORST part IMO. It's really up to you. Like I said, if they miraculously offered the epi when I go in next year I would SO get it!

707mama · November 2013

I had 3 natural births however, I wont lie, they were short labors. My first was posterior and once I got to the hospital I had her 76 minutes later. My second I had 12 minutes after I got to the hospital (and she got stuck.. her collar bone broke), and my son I went to the hospital when my water broke but I wasnt in labor. a few hours later I suddenly had INTENSE pain and a few minutes later I had my son. I dont know exactly how long but the dr said it was about 6 minutes... I didnt even have time to lay down which caused him to bruise his little face hitting my pelvic bone

stella_blu · November 2013

I used hypnobirthing with DS and was fine until about 5 pm. I wanted to make it a little longer and at 5:20 asked for the epi. They told me I'd need monitoring for 20 minutes before they could do the epi. About 5 minutes later I was ready to push and DS was born at 6:05 pm. Pushing hurt but was also a relief. And when he was out, I was able to be present in the moment and fully enjoy my new baby boy.

Cooper611 · November 2013

I used hypnobirthing with DD. I went to 7 intensive classes which help to educate. Both you and your spouse which really helps when the time comes and panic mode sets in for most Spouses or birthing partners. So I'd rec a in-class course. As far as which part was most painful I'd have to say the labor at the beginning. You have to mentally get yourself to a meditative place and that transition is tough with medical staff and whatnot around you asking questions ect. That's one reason I'd love a home birth, but am so nervous of complications making that an unsafe decision. (That's completely a personal thing). Either way best of luck and hope you find the best option for you.

TurtleMonsters · November 2013

Whoa, that sounds like my labor, but it was only 4 days. Disorganized during the day, bad at night. I didn't get past pushing before I needed an CS. DS was stuck, I gave him a cone head a little;) The nurses were really excited that I was going med free because I'd be able to feel things and it would be different. However, after a while, they said I needed so stadol to relax, so I fell asleep for chuncks of time, forgot I was preg. woke to push, it hurt, fell asleep.

Basically, what I went through the 4 nights prior, was just as stinkin intense. Actually when they hooked me up to the contraction monitors, they said, "whoa that was a big one!" and I felt literally NOTHING. When the really big ones came, I realized THOSE were what I had been having the past 4 nights. I'd say, if you lasted 5 of that last time, you pretty ,much felt the brunt of it. I guess I have no comment on the baby stretching through the vagina part, though...perhaps that was worse.

shanaynerz · November 2013

My labour was really short, thankfully (drs thought it was b/c I'd already had the twins). I was screaming for the epi though b/c the contractions hurt so much. I laboured at home from 7:30pm to 11pm, then went to the hospital. I was at 4cm (I think) so they admitted me. DD was in distress though and they weren't sure why, so while I was labouring they tried to hook the fetal heart monitor up to me while I was walking around. It was so awkward.

The worst part of the whole thing was that sitting was so uncomfortable so I literally stood the whole time until it was time to push. Luckily, they checked me around 2am I guess, and my water broke, so I went from 7cm to 10cm really quick, and began to push. Pushing wasn't that bad from what I remember. DD was a face presentation though so I needed an episiotomy which was the WORST part of the whole thing (plus getting stitched up after). She came out within like 5 mins of pushing b/c of all that.

Anyways, I am definitely going to go natural again if I can this time around. I was amazed I could do it. My pain threshold is normally so low. If you go natural, I do recommend hiring a doula. We had one and she helped me through the pain really well, and gave DH a bit of a reprieve. I also bought a TENS unit and that helped a bit during labour (electrodes on my back to take my mind off the contraction pain). It's seriously amazing what our bodies can do though. I tell my friends if I can do it, anyone can!

Good luck!

lindslalala · November 2013

Transition was most painful for me. Personally I'm glad I could feel what I was doing when I pushed, it made it easier for me. I only pushed for maybe 30 mins and I 100% attribute that to feeling what was going on.

chance_encounters · November 2013

My labors are just like yours. The first two times I too took the epi. The last time I did not. Mi took Bradley classes and educated myself. I am so glad I didn't! I felt a million times better Fter delivery and my son was so much more alert. I am going natural again this time. My doula also knows I am pg already too

. The was wonderful!!!

iris427 · November 2013

I had my second child with no pain meds. Transition was hard for me, because the contractions come fast and hard and you start thinking that you can't do it, but it was pretty short (my first stage labor was only 2 hours). Once I could start pushing, the contractions became easier to cope with because somehow the pushing worked against the pain for me. The hands down most painful part was crowning, but thankfully it's over fast and then you have a baby!

I labored and delivered in the tub and the warm water really helped take the edge off. It still hurt like hell, just a little bit less than when I wasn't in the tub.

sheacox · November 2013

I think all births are pretty dang natural to me.

iris427 · November 2013

sheacox said:

I think all births are pretty dang natural to me.

Agreed, I'm not a fan of the term natural birth.

allardr · November 2013

I had an epi but let me say I was induced and I was totally fine no real horrible pain until they broke my water forcibly at 4cm.

floatingfeather1 · November 2013

I had an epi with DS but I was in labor for about 28 hours. got it maybe 6 hours in since i wasn't progressing quickly. about 25 hours in it didn't work anymore so the last three hours were drug free. i enjoyed the lack of pain while it did work but didn't enjoy not feeling my legs. i think i may try natural all the way this next time around.

Alibabs · November 2013

I had easy enough labours so I was lucky. #1 and #2 were both 3 and a half hours slong. I got the epidura but I felt afterwards that I really shouldn't have. My pushing was only 15 minutes but the idea of crowning terrified me. Having said that I felt the crowning on #2 and it was awful!

#3 went to quickly for an epi. I went from 0 to 10 in 15 minutes and spent 10 minutes pushing. Most horrific pain EVER but afterwards I felt AWESOME. I could walk/shower/pee..I didn't bloat up from the epi fluids to look like the Mitchelen man.

I hope to go med free again but who knows what will happen on the day. I'm not ruling anything out.

Mlybarger09 · November 2013

I am a doula, midwife assistant and home birth mama. You can do it! Your body rocks! Be sure to have good support and prepare yourself. If you can, hire a doula. I've meet heard of anyone regretting the investment of a doula!

Mlybarger09 · November 2013

{also, for those that want the epi, a doula is still a valued resource! Doulas support families and advocate for them to get the birth they want... Even when that is an epidural!}

Rach7170 · November 2013

I was med free with my first. While the ring of fire hurt a lot, the pushing was a relief from the contractions. Like it gave you something else to focus on. The worse part for me was from 8-9 centimeters. The contractions were back to back and hurt like no other.

mag2point0 · November 2013

I did have pit and they broke my water both times but no pain meds or epi. First was about 6 hours active labor and second was an hour and a half. Transition was the hardest part and when I thought I couldn't do it both times but I eventually found my zone and made it through. Of course, with number 2, that all happened in about15 minutes. I'm a little terrified of what might happen if I'm not induced this time. I don't want to have this baby on the side of the road!

Georgiagrl06 · November 2013

I had two natural births.. I was luck with both of them when I got to the hospital I was about 6-7cm and ready to rock and roll.. I did go into it knowing I didn't want the drugs.. I know things happen and sometimes you have to have a c section or something.. But I had my dula who was amazing! I believe anyone who puts their mind to it can do it!! Good luck it's the most amazing thing! I was not tired I are after I went to the bathroom I loved it and can't wait to so it again!!!

HokieLaw · November 2013

I'm a fan of drugs. But if you want to do it, go for it!

Cass224 · November 2013

I went without medication for DD. I was already 6cm when i got to the hospital, water broke at 7pm, felt my first contraction at 10, pushed for 1 hour and had her at 1am. I had the IV put in for the Fentinol (sp?) but never ended up getting it. I was frustrated because everyone said "push down" but I had NO idea what they were talking about. I just kept telling myself that the pain had to end at some point. My mom told me it would be a relief to push, but that wasn't the case for me. I am glad I went med free - but to be truthful, from about 11pm to the end...the whole thing hurt. Will I do it again?...Yep.

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