natural childbirth

juliaL13 · March 2014

I'm due in less than 2 weeks, and I'm wanting & have been preparing for a natural labor & delivery (no meds, hopefully no interventions...). My husband & I took a class on natural childbirth for 8 weeks, I've read a lot, & we have recently hired a doula to assist at the birth (going to be delivering at a hospital, w/ a midwife, but also wanted extra support). I keep waffling between thinking, "Ok I can do this! Bring it on!" and being COMPLETELY. TERRIFIED. I just don't think I'm a person with a high pain tolerance (though, I don't honestly know b/c I'm lucky that I've never been in what I could call an extreme amount of pain).... Plus, of course, the fear of the unknown can be so strong. That said, I know I still want to do things this way.....I guess I just need some encouragement. If anyone out there would like to share some positive natural childbirth stories (of course you can be honest, though, about what it was like!), I would appreciate it. (Esp. if you were like me and really scared to do it!). Thanks!

ncbelle · March 2014

You can do it!! I think it's about 90% mental - it's normal to be nervous but don't let your fear overwhelm you - that makes pain much less tolerable. It's also a very different sort of pain than anything you've dealt with before. Having a doula will be great and it sounds like you are well prepared.

If you haven't already, hit up the natural birth board for some inspiration

spacepotatoes · March 2014

I don't have a story yet but have the same goal as you do. One of the ladies on my BMB recently made a comment that really stuck with me about this and I've found it helpful. She said that the key is to go into your labour feeling empowered and in control. Your body is designed to do this and knows what to do. Go in confident with that knowledge and trust in your ability to guide it. If you go into it feel like a victim of your body or like it's all just something that's happening to you, it's easier to get overwhelmed.

Good luck!

KateLouise · March 2014

You can totally do it. I've had two fabulous natural births. yes hard work, and yes painful, but completely manageable.

I second checking out the natural birth board.

Avion22 · March 2014

Haven't given birth yet, but I have the same goals as you. Our doula said that it really helps to remember that all of the pain is being generated by your own body, for the purpose of delivering your baby. It's not coming from an external source, but rather and internal one. She said it helps to "own" the pain and feel more in control of what's going on if you remember that it's "yours" and not something that's being done "to you" (like if you were induced).

sweetsyrup · March 2014

I didn't think I could do it either. Being scared is okay! I ended up with an induction and still went natural. I did a lot of humming and labored in the pool as long as possible (couldn't have a water birth but could labor in the water). It cut the pain in half for me. I had the smallest dose of pit for only about 30 min. My labor was 4 hrs with an hour of pushing.

In hind sight, I had no reason to be scared. Even with the induction, my body knew what to do. It was painful (the ring of fire was no joke), but as soon as his head was out, the pain was over. I had 2nd degree tearing. The stitches hurt worse then anything.

You can do it. And if you don't, that's okay too. The only thing that matters is your baby's (and your) health.

desertmouse39 · March 2014

I also delivered my first with an induction/pitocin, and was still able to go epi-free. I had made up my mind to do it, the doula was a really excellent help, and I had a 'code word' with my husband that I knew if I used it, we would ask for pain meds. But I didn't need it! Quite honestly, it was the most difficult thing I've ever done physically, but I knew the whole time it was a process to get to my new little baby and my body seemed to produce some weird drugs all on its own. And it was very cool to be in control of the full experience and have my beautiful girl come out with no drugs in her system. I'm hoping for a med free birth with my second any day now, and crossing my fingers for no induction!

You can do it! Good luck and best wishes.

argonne · March 2014

You can do it! Yes, it hurts, but the biggest thing is to remember it's pain with a purpose. Your body is designed to do this. I think having a doula is awesome and a good move. I have, unfortunately, had a lot of very painful experiences throughout my life (lots of horseback riding accidents) and labor pain is completely different.

Unknown · March 2014

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juliaL13 · March 2014

Thank you everyone! You have no idea how helpful your encouraging comments are. Much of what you are saying about being empowered and trying not to let myself get too worked up & fearful of the natural process, is exactly what my childbirth instructor (and doula) told us....but it's good to hear it all again. I'm swinging back to the "I can do this!" side of things now.

MrsP7309 · March 2014

I had my DD med free last year. My biggest piece of advice is to listen to your body. If standing up feels right, stand up. If you feel like you need to be walking, walk. If something feels wrong, do something else. Also, try to labor at home as long as possible. Being comfortable and relaxed helps a lot!

Chichigo · March 2014

I made my doctor and nurses laugh right after my son was born. I turned to my mom and said, "that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

Labor and delivery is pain with a purpose. I never found it unbearable (except for about one minute during transition, but it passed quickly).

Best of luck!

allrightmeow · March 2014

MrsP7309 said:

I had my DD med free last year. My biggest piece of advice is to listen to your body. If standing up feels right, stand up. If you feel like you need to be walking, walk. If something feels wrong, do something else. Also, try to labor at home as long as possible. Being comfortable and relaxed helps a lot!

I plan on doing this.

darkangel42 · April 2014

I had my first mostly med-free and plan to have this one med-free with access to a birth pool.

You get along a lot better if you breathe properly. I had to be given gas and air because I was panicked (because birth partner was held up several hours away) and couldn't do breathing exercises.

Aside from the panic, it was just very uncomfortable most of the way through. The only part that, for me, was really painful was getting the head out. It was excruciating but over so fast that it didn't really register.

The way the pain hit me was similar to ear piercing - a split-second of sharp pain then just discomfort for a little while after as my brain and body caught up with each other.

Stuff I was told that helped.

-you're not a failure if you decide you do want pain relief.

-it's going to hurt but it's something your body is designed for so it's completely do-able.

-Your brain will automatically block most of the memory out later on. By the time you start weaning, you can't remember the pain anymore, just that it was there.

-There is absolutely no need to panic. You are in the hands of professionals and if something comes up that they can't deal with, they will call in someone who can.

-imagine looking in a full-length mirror and seeing your husband doing exactly what you're doing, complete with gown/nightdress, smudged makeup and hairband/slippers. The image should be funny enough to cheer you up, no matter how much pain you're in.

Beckel84 · April 2014

I ended up getting the epidural for certain reasons but wanted to contribute 1) I went to 7 cm at home by myself, labor ing because I didn't want another false alarm and to be sent home. It was totally manageable for me through that point, it was intense but I could walk and talk through contractions the whole time. I was shocked I was so far along since it wasn't as bad as I was expecting, so you just never know. It could be easier than you anticipate! 2) the moment the little one is out, it is such a physical relief! Everything is easy after that. Sure, there's recovery soreness/pain but just keep that goal of relief in mind. Every second of pain is just that, that one second of pain that's gone and it's gonna be over soon.

darkangel42 · April 2014

ShellsBells1980 said:

" -imagine looking in a full-length mirror and seeing your husband doing exactly what you're doing, complete with gown/nightdress, smudged makeup and hairband/slippers. The image should be funny enough to cheer you up, no matter how much pain you're in.

Yeah, this just made me realise my bladder isn't as strong as I'd hoped, I just peed a little imagining this lol

Quote fail!

Sorry about that, I seem to have that effect on people.

veetveet · April 2014

We didn't have a birth plan. I went in with an open mind. I was exhausted and once things started progressing I felt the pain was way too much to handle. I ended up taking the epidural and have no regrets.

PrimRoseMama · April 2014

I've done both med free & epi. I was too focused on getting through contractions to be scared. In my experience there is so much to focus on aside from the pain that "making it" seemed to be tolerable.

I got the epi with DS because my body needed a break & so did DS. It allowed my body to labor down so I could finish. Not all intervention is bad. Just FYI.

ililheatheri · April 2014

I am looking forward to all natural this time around. Last time I was induced due to pre-eclampsia, I was still convinced that I would go without an epidural but after 17 hours, I only progressed to 4cm and at that point, they explained how an epidural would calm my body down and let me handle the pain better, they said it would speed things up and luckily 4 hours later, I had a baby. Now I'm 5 days away from my due date and really hoping everything goes smooth and that I go into labor on my own and no epidural. All natural this time!! Just remember if things don't go exactly as planned, you're still a rock star! :-)

genromeo · April 2014

I had always thought that I would have a natural birth, but that wasn't in the cards for us the first go-round (needed to be induced and it took over 50 hours ... after a while I couldn't take the pain anymore and my body was completely exhausted). I thought I'd be disappointed, but the only thing I really was was relieved and happy to meet my LO. My next one is due 8 days from now. I have zero birth plans this time because I refuse to get myself into the mindset of having an "idea birth" when in reality, the only ideal birth is one where the baby and I make it through relatively unscathed. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to do things any one way.

bewilderingstar · April 2014

The way I deal with terrifying experience is this:

Imagine you are on a really high roller coaster. As you are getting to the top of that first peak (ie. end of the pregnancy) you are going to panic. You are going to want to get off the ride. But you can't so you start to pump yourself up. Then as you go down that first peak your panic turns into courage and you know you can get through the rest of the ride. By the end, you may be emotionally exhausted from all the different feelings you had while on the ride but you realize it was one GREAT ride!

I did this when I got married, my mom literally dragged me across the green and I kept saying "it's a roller coaster! it's a roller coaster!!" lol. She had no idea what I was talking about. I am sure that when I go into labor I'll be saying the same thing.

Rock that natural birth! You got this!!

juliaL13 · April 2014

Thanks for all the advice, ladies! My main problem now is that the midwives/doctors I see want to induce me at 42 weeks (which I am rapidly approaching-- in a couple days).... So I may not get the med-free birth I had been wanting. I'm trying to brace myself for that & be okay with it. It would be a little frustrating, b/c from what I've heard about Pitocin, I don't know if I could go through with the whole no epidural thing. (Although, I know everyone's reactions to labor-inducing medications is different). Anyway, I am realizing more & more that things might not go the way I planned. Still, I hope that this little guy decides to make an appearance in the next 2 days so I won't have to worry about that!

yvanehtnioj · April 2014

I'm in the same boat @juliaL13‌

I am going to be induced if I don't go into labor by my due date (which is unlikely since this is my first) and I feel like I won't be able to trust the Pitocin pain the way I would've trusted my body. And so much of it is mental!

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