For those planning an unmedicated birth.

Mztwilson · January 2014

What's your biggest reasoning for wanting to go all unmedicated?

For me I didn't like the epidural. It helped eliviate the pain but I couldn't feel myself pushing or anything.

My first 2 were unmedicated births and I had no idea what I was doing as they both came before I had my classes.

I want to go unmedicated with this one because 1- I didn't like the effects of the epidural. My back was sore for a couple weeks after birth. Every now and then if I bend over wrong my back is sore is that spot.
2- I want my dh to feel needed and included in the birthing process. I want him to feel like he is needed and not have him sitting in a chair waiting. I want my last birth process to be a dual effort. If that makes sense.

owlcup · January 2014

My main reason is being numb terrifies me. I definitely do not want to be numb from the waist down.

I don't even use novacaine at the dentist. No thank you.

k2k2tog · January 2014

I'm a FTM, so I don't have previous experience with an epidural. I want a natural birth because I believe my body was created - or evolved, if you prefer - to give birth on it's own. I want to allow my body to do what it was made to do with as little intervention as absolutely possible. All the reading I've done into it since getting pregnant has just solidified this gut feeling.

(That said, I also believe modern medicine has done a lot to improve mortality rates, and if intervention is absolutely 100% necessary, and I end up with a pitocin drip, I will not turn down the epidural, nor will I feel like I was robbed of some 'perfect' birth experience.)

ElTrain5 · January 2014

I'm terrified of labor stalling. I've always found that the more in tune I am with my body, and the more I "work through" things in a physical way, the easier they become. I can't imagine just laying flat on my back hoping everything's going ok down there. I want to take as active a role in the process as I can to help it move along.

crossfitkiwi · January 2014

My biggest reason for not wanting an epidural is probably to avoid having a c-section. I know a few girls who got epidurals and had their labors stall. They wound up having sections because of failure to progress.

I am not saying that epidural = failure to progress. It just weighs on my mind personally and is something that could affect my mental state during labor.

I also really want to be an active participant. Be able to walk around, change positions, get in the tub etc. and not be strapped to a bed.

If you had asked me a year ago I would have said schedule me for a c-section all the way! After reading a lot and becoming pregnant I have done a complete 180 and now want to do everything I can to avoid one, and am planning for an unmediated birth. Funny how much you can change. I've now got complete faith that my body will do what it needs to do and in my ability to manage the pain (with an amazing DH + doula!)

Mztwilson · January 2014

You ladies are making me feel like I'm not crazy! My dh doesn't understand why I want to go through that much pain if I don't have to. He doesn't understand that I want to avoid any intervention that could lead to another and so on

MorganW24 · January 2014

I've always felt like society is telling women there is something wrong with our bodies. Birth is something my body was made to do and I don't want to intervene with that process unless it becomes medically necessary. Planning a home birth over here!

rainbowdashh · January 2014

I was induced with my daughter. Pitocin contractions are a bitch. I went 9 hours before I asked for the epidural. It took the edge off and I was able to breathe/think for the first time in hours. But it didn't fully work and it didn't work at all on my right side. I was able to get up almost immediately after her birth and walk and I felt everything on my right side.

This time I want to forgo the epidural because I feel like I know what to expect pain wise. And it didn't even work 100% last time!

LovetoLive614 · January 2014

Some of the reasons said above but more than anything I just want to see if I can do it/see what it's like.

elittler · January 2014

kdrucker said:
-I am horribly afraid of needles in my spine.

-I also want to avoid as many interventions as possible, having one often leads to another (doesn't always happen, but it can).

-I wanted to be able to move around before and after the birth.

-I also knew I could do it. And I did, with my first it wasn't that painful until transition. I didn't scream at all, I did suddenly exclaim that I NEEDED to push, but my husband marveled at how much the woman next door was screaming, and she had the pain drugs…

But, I also believe it is everyone's right to decide for themselves, if someone wants the epi, then do it.

I was that lady next door screaming with the pain meds. Even though I had an epidural, it had worn off right before it came time to push and was completely unexpected. So I screamed. And yelled. The pain was probably worse than if I had just prepared for natural birth, which is something I'm considering this time around.

kimberly11511 · January 2014

I have a seizure condition and migraines, the benefits of the epidural do not outweigh the risks for me personally. That is my main reason for planning for a natural birth.

curlylocks3 · January 2014

Perhaps calling it unmedicated birth would be better? Honestly, birth is a natural process. And receiving pain medications does not make it less so, needing a c-section does not make it less so.

Mztwilson · January 2014

You got it @curlylocks3. I don't want to offend anyone and sorry in advance if I did.

curlylocks3 · January 2014

Mztwilson said:

You got it @curlylocks3. I don't want to offend anyone and sorry in advance if I did.

Thank you!

snowpants · January 2014

@Mztwilson I'll pipe in and say I wasn't offended but thanks for changing it anyway! I think it's important for women to know their baby and birth is a very natural thing regardless of meds, no meds, vaginal birth, csection, IVF or not, etc etc.

And bravo to the women going unmedicated! I lasted about 20 hours without meds then asked for the epi (never planned to not do an epi, just wanted to wait until I felt like I needed it). It actually allowed my body to relax and progress and, according to two of the doctors, probably saved me from a csection. But everyone is so different and I wish everyone the best of luck in having the birth experience you want! Go on with your badass selves!

becomingmommyagain · January 2014

My first two were unmedicated.

With #1 I had pre-eclampsia and was induced at 36 weeks. I refused the epidural at that time mainly because I didnt want to have to do a cath right away. I also refused other pain meds because my mother had kept telling me that it would affect the baby. I'm not sure if that's true... From the time they started induction til he was born was 9 hours.

With #2 I didnt have time for an epidural or anything else for that matter. She came naturally at 34 weeks. I hadn't even gotten the IV yet. I was in L&D for less than 20 minutes before she was born. Ex-H had barely walked into the delivery room before she was screaming.

With #3, I did the epidural only because I was planning to have my tubes tied the day after he was born. He was born without induction at 32w3d. At my doc appt they did my first cervical check and found I was already 7cm and leaking fluid. He was born minutes after the epidural was placed and before the numbing took affect. Because I had my tubes tied the next day the left the epidural in which meant the cath stayed as well and I wasnt able to get up and move around (they turned off the meds though). It sucked royally.

For this one, I'll try to go natural and unmedicated just because my prior experiences were positive with natural birth recovery. With #2 I was up and using the bathroom on my own shortly after delivery. (With #1 I wasnt able to get up due to blood pressure issues). I think the overall recovery is much faster when you body can feel what it's just been through.

Mztwilson · January 2014

@ snowpants I'm not against the epi I just want to wait it out as long as I can. I did like the fact that with the epi I was pain free pretty much. So I defiantly want to keep that option open just incase.

ADalesa29 · January 2014

I'm planning on going unmedicated because I don't like the idea of not being able to change positions and move around. If all my female relatives back in the day before epis could do it then I'm sure I can as well. Andplusalso I have had a few friends have complications from the epi - spinal migraine, dropping heart rate in mother and baby, etc.

Mia081081 · January 2014

I really wanted to go unmedicated because the epi needle looks terrifying, I was afraid of labor stalling, and I really wanted to be able to feel how/where I was pushing.

I prepared by reading The Birth Partner and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. That one was SUPER crunchy and a little much (Mentions people orgasming during childbirth. PLEASE.), but also super helpful.

I have always worked out very hard, trained for a half marathon, and do lots of yoga. Yoga has especially helped me connect my breath to my body. They always tell you to breath into areas of the body that are tight when you're holding an especially challenging pose. I did this while I was laboring, and with each contraction I did the opposite of kegels and tried to open my cervix.

Not sure if I was lucky as shit (I was!), but my labor was less than 6 hours and I pushed for four minutes - 2 pushes. I hope to repeat my labor this time too.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I think the most important part is knowing what's happening to your body (stages of labor), having a plan with backups, and embracing your plan and the birthing experience.

hollygb22 · January 2014

I had planned to have a natural birth with DD. However...i quickly learned that things don't always go as planned. I had to be induced at 41 wks due to low fluid. the plan was to insert a foley balloon to get things going. Due to the position of the baby and scarring on my cervix they couldn't get it in. I was in line to go on the L&D to start pitocin.

there were several emergencies and after being at the hospital for almost 22 hrs, I went into labor on my own. I started having contractions that came out of nowhere every 2 min. I was then put upstairs on the l&d floor and just could not deal with the pain or how fast they were coming. I did opt for an epidural. I'm not a big fan of needles, however you don't see much of what they're doing and it didn't hurt nearly as much as I anticipated. My labor was fast. Not even 3 hrs and she was born. I will say, I expected to be numb, not feel pushes etc, but I could move my legs, feel them and definitely felt the pushes.

So, while I think it's awesome to have a plan in mind..just also plan for the unexpected as well

snowpants · January 2014

Mia081081 said:

I prepared by reading The Birth Partner and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. That one was SUPER crunchy and a little much (Mentions people orgasming during childbirth. PLEASE.), but also super helpful.

Hahahahahahahahahaha! Oh man, I bet there were some really disappointed ladies who read that book. Hahahahaha

!

*not saying it couldn't happen, I'm no expert, just saying don't expect it lol.

becomingmommyagain · January 2014

Mease8 said:

I'm leaning towards unmedicated as well, but more specifically I want to avoid petocin. I've had three epidural steroid injections in my back (not birth related), but I think I've had enough things stuck in my spine. A lot of other good reasons have been listed here already too, being connected, etc. However with the herniated disc in my back, I'm not saying 100% it won't happen.

I'm a little worried about extreme back pain during delivery as well. I have had back problems for ten years. Did the steroid shots for years and then ended up doing a nerve ablation. It helped dull the pain but its still there. I'm hoping LO lets me labor like I did with the others and not really have noticeable countable contractions. I won't try to be a warrior though. If the pain gets too intense, I'll do the epidural.

wtfisup · January 2014

Avoiding/preventing interventions as much as possible.
Wanting mobility.
Wanting to optimize recovery time.
Epidurals are overwhelmingly safe, but do have some risks and side effects. The only side effect or risk associated with pain is ... pain. I feel like I can cope with that more than I can cope with the fear of other things.
I've had some rough experiences with anesthesia in the past in various forms.
I'm not afraid of pain.

LegalLadyBug · January 2014

I tried unmedicated with DD but needed pitocin and eventually the pain was too much so I asked for the epidural. After three pokes and about half an hour they finally got it in. They checked me then (why they didn't before I'll never know) and I was fully dilated, they could see DDs head, I was ready to push. I ended up only pushing for like half an hour before she was born. The epidural took the edge off but I still felt the need to push, I felt it when I tore, and I was able to get up and walk to the bathroom almost immediately afterwards.

I did have numbness in my right thigh for several weeks and pain at the insertion site for about a year. For those reasons I was planning on trying no epidural again because I feel like I could have done it without the epidural if I had known it was time to push already. However there's a good chance I will need a c section so I may not have a choice this time.

ETA: Pitocin wasn't an option for me. My water broke and after several hours I still wasn't having contractions so there was a risk to DD. I wouldn't wish pitocin on my worst enemy unless they needed it.

flojo973 · January 2014

Ditto pretty much what PP's have said.

@joules235 - I just ordered my Hypnobabies self-study course! I'm excited to start!

tdf2010 · January 2014

I'm terrified of the needle in my spine! Plus with DD, I had taken baby aspirin that morning and they said I had a heightened chance of complications which could be paralysis. After a complete meltdown, I decided that short amount of pain I will endure is nothing compared to the rest of my DD's life.

tbmadeamistake · January 2014

I had pitocin and an epidural last time. I'm hoping that my body figures out how to have contractions this time, so that I don't need the pit. The epidural I loved, and it relaxed me enough (I tense way up when I'm in pain) to actually progress. That said, I pushed for 2.5 hours. I'd like to try unmedicated so I can try squatting. I want gravity to assist in the birth of this baby

. If I need an epi again, eh, but I'd rather not.

deepoceanmama · January 2014

I believe in my body's ability to do what it was made to do, and I'm not afraid of the pain. Obviously, crazy things happen and interventions are necessary, but I'd really like to avoid them if possible. My DH is totally on board and is excited to be an amazing birth partner (he keeps calling himself my doula). We start Bradley classes tomorrow to prepare.

MissBHaven1024 · January 2014

My biggest reason to attempt a med-free birth this time, is mostly because I think it would be pretty cool to say that I have had a different experience with each baby (C-section, VBAC with epi, and hopefully vaginal med-free). I will say though, that I have loved my epidural every time, and with DD#2, I had the button that I could press whenever I wanted to increase the medicine.

I'm not opposed to meds at all, but I am hopeful that I can be successful this time with a med-free birth.

Rosebud2587 · January 2014

kdrucker said:

-I am horribly afraid of needles in my spine.

-I also want to avoid as many interventions as possible, having one often leads to another (doesn't always happen, but it can).

-I wanted to be able to move around before and after the birth.

-I also knew I could do it. And I did, with my first it wasn't that painful until transition. I didn't scream at all, I did suddenly exclaim that I NEEDED to push, but my husband marveled at how much the woman next door was screaming, and she had the pain drugs…

But, I also believe it is everyone's right to decide for themselves, if someone wants the epi, then do it.

THIS exactly (except that I was the only one in labor that night, but I also did not scream)

jshrop · January 2014

Don't laugh at me-- (I mean it!) but I seriously just want to squat this baby out. Does that mean I don't get the epidural? (Remember, my doc has discussed none of this with me and I am a completely clueless newbie) I've read about the befits of standing/squatting birth, and frankly it just makes sense that gravity should help. I didn't realize you can't move around then. Now I'm nervous lol...

catsinawindow · January 2014

I'm not so much against the epidural as I am with everything that goes along with an epidural (stuck in bed, no eating or drinking, longer pushing stage, etc.). Honestly, my son's birth was a pretty unpleasant experience and I believe that pursuing an unmedicated birth outside the hospital with midwives is my best shot at avoiding a repeat experience. This is my number one reason for going unmedicated.

iris427 · January 2014

I had an epidural with my first and it wasn't a great experience. After I got the epidural I spent the rest of my labor and the first few hours postpartum incredibly nauseous and throwing up. I didn't like feeling paralyzed and unable to do anything for myself. I couldn't feel myself pushing at all, so I doubt that I was pushing effectively. When my OB told me that my baby wasn't descending, I couldn't really change positions much to see if that would help. I ended up with a c/s for failure to descend. On opening me up, the OB discovered my baby was OP position, which is why she wasn't descending. Some studies have found that getting an epidural, especially before the baby engages in the pelvis, significantly increases your chance of having an OT or OP malposition. So all in all, I feel like my epidural probably contributed a lot to my c/s.

My second baby was a med-free VBAC and it was a much better experience. I will be trying for another med-free VBAC with this baby.

LadyMacaron · January 2014

1. Our bodies are meant to do this. Since the beginning of time. If every type of woman, in every part of the world can do it, so can I.

2.Pain is relative and fleeting, and the benefits to being unmedicated are better. I am not afraid to feel pain, nor do I think I can't handle it.

3. My mother has had 3 unmedicated births. Including with me, when she was 17, which took 16 hours of active labor. She had a horrible labor with me. But, she did it, so I think I can too.

4. There is a direct link to pitocin = c-section. This isn't just The Business of Being Born propaganda, it's is actual fact. Interventions tend to snowball, and I rather not have to deal with making decisions out of fear.

5. Because of infertility, this whole journey has been very out of my control. I would like to feel like I am being an active part of my labor, and that I do have some control over the process.

6. Recovery is usually better and faster with a Vaginal and unmedicated delivery. I have friends that have delivered at a birth center and were ready to go home a few hours later.

7. Mobility. I hate being numb to anything. I want to listen to my body, so I know when something is wrong. And I want to be able to labor in whatever position I feel necessary.

8. I think this is a personal goal and challenge that I would like to conquer. I would be very proud of myself.

9. I tend to get extremely sick with different kinds of pain medications. I don't want to be throwing up through my entire delivery.

10. Needles are the worst. I also have 2 friend that have had back issues since having epidurals. Who knows if they are caused by it, but that worries me.

ncbelle · January 2014

Biggest reason is that I don't like the idea of not being able to move freely in birth, particularly because being able to move = easier delivery. I also want to avoid other interventions; epidural ups the chances of that. I like that without the epidural, I'm back to feel normal immediately after baby is out and I don't run the risk of epidural side effects for me or baby. And the risk of tearing is lower with no epidural since you can feel to push.

Honestly, I have no desire to not be in control as much as possible. The epidural takes away control.

BabyCurtiss2014 · January 2014

I am terrified of not having control over my body. I think more than I'm afraid of the pain. Also I will live through it and that way I don't have to worry about potential side effects. I am a FTM so if the pain does become unbearable then I will probably ask for the epi. But I'd like to try to do it unmedicated. My mom did it w me but I was 5 weeks early and only weighed 5lbs. I'm having a boy and have heard they are typically bigger babies so we will see. I'm trying to get into the mindset of excitement instead of paranoia...I have been TERRIFIED of childbirth ever since watching that very graphic birth video in high school!! Lol

jshrop · January 2014

Ladies, before we keep talking about how our bodies are made for this, I think we need to take that verbology (yeah I made up a word, so what about it?) out. It's not really fair as FTMs to say this when 1. We haven't done this shit yet sooooo we kinda are talking out our asses and 2. It's kind of insensitive to those who tried but we unable to have an unmedicated, non-interventioned birth. I'm just saying, I don't know if my body will be able to give a natural unmedicated birth so I'm not going to say "my body was made for this."

zolastele · January 2014

FTM, so no experience. I'm not against an epidural, but my plan is to go without simply because I want to see if I can. I have heard about the negative effects (numbness, shaking, not as much oxytocin release afterwards, etc) and would like to see if I am capable of unmedicated to try and avoid those things as much as possible. That said, I am giving myself permission to change my mind, and certainly respect the ladies who choose to have one from the get go.

Sareynoo · January 2014

hampire said:

Narwhalicorns said:
My main reason is being numb terrifies me. I definitely do not want to be numb from the waist down.

I don't even use novacaine at the dentist. No thank you.
This. Also I don't want to be cath'd because I'm really prone to UTIs.

OB placed one when I birthed DD naturally.. But I didn't even feel it because the contractions were so painful and they distracted me.

snowpants · January 2014

Thank you @jhsrop! I think (hope) most ladies don't mean anything by their comments but phrases like that can be very hurtful to ladies who, through no fault of their own, didn't have things go as planned. I sincerely hope every single lady here gets the birth they want, but chances are some will end up needing medical intervention land that doesn't mean they've failed!

LadyMacaron said:

1. Our bodies are meant to do this. Since the beginning of time. If every type of woman, in every part of the world can do it, so can I.

And this ^^ is just too much. Not every woman can do it, some bodies couldn't handle it, and thank God for modern medicine which saves so many lives (mom and baby both).

MrsP419 · January 2014

I went med-free with DD and DS because I feared the epidural side effects and potential additional interventions that could come with it. I know a TON of people who it worked out great for, but also some who had side effects for months after. I wanted to give med-free a try. With DD, the hospital team was very unsupportive of my decision. They did not help me labor and really just kept offering me an epidural. It was horribly painful, but I got through it. For DS, I had a lot more control, education of my options, and much better team. He was born in a labor tub, and it was glorious.

I think if you want to go med-free, it is important to also be able to be monitored intermittently, walk around, change positions, use water if you can, etc. It is VERY hard to go med-free lying on your back hooked up to monitors. I imagine it is even more difficult with pitocin, though I know it can be done.

I am not planning med-free for my twins. I have to give birth in an OR no matter what, will probably be induced or have a c-section, and will have way fewer options on how I can labor (if I do labor at all). It is what it is. Either way, I am birthing a baby (or two), and that is a valid and awesome birth experience.

Want a personalized experience?

For those planning an unmedicated birth.

Re: For those planning an unmedicated birth.

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Choose Another Board

Search Boards