Advice on Natural Birth

mommybelanova · October 2014

When I first found out I was pregnant I thought right away "yup! I'm getting the epi!" However, now I'm starting to think I may want to do it natural. What do you ladies who have gone natural think? Was it that bad?

abbyful · October 2014

It hurt like a bitch, but I can't remember exactly what it felt like. I'm doing it again though, weighing the pros and cons, natural birth wins out for me. (Before getting pregnant with DS, I was "give me all the drugs!", I'm a total wimp. Childbirth pain is different though.)

I highly suggest making sure you are prepared! I took Bradley Method classes, I don't think I would have been successful without them.

jennypolkadots · October 2014

I'm definitely planning to go natural, I always knew that is what I wanted even way before getting pregnant. We are using midwives and pain medicine won't be an option, and everyone at our birth will be 100% supportive of natural birth. Mothers who choose natural birth have a lot of different reasons, so it's important to define your own.

There is a board on the bump called "Natural Birth" and the women over there are all either planning or have had a natural birth before. It is a really supportive board, so feel free to come over and join us

taahira · October 2014

I would high recommend it. It's not easy, but totally worth it in the end.

ST3WD · October 2014

abbyful taahira I would like to go the natural route as well, but I'm not sure how it will go if interventions become necessary. For instance, did either of you have Pitocin, which can (supposedly) make the pain more intense? If so, how were you able to over come this challenge?

jennypolkadots I keep forgetting to go there! Thanks for a reminder while I'm on here.

abbyful · October 2014

@ST3WD‌ - I didn't have pitocin except to deliver the placenta (hospital policy), but by that point baby was out and it was such a low dose I didn't even notice.

I set small goals. Towards the end, every contraction was a goal. I was just focused on getting through it one contraction at a time.
When it hurts the most and you think you can't make it, you're at the end and it's almost over!

ST3WD · October 2014

@abbyful That makes sense. I just don't want to be one of those control freak FTMs who flips when something deviates from the birth plan, so I'm trying to find as many techniques as possible. I like the mini-goal suggestion.

Amstreagle · October 2014

Also remember a birth plan is just that, a plan.
Women sometime as though they failed if for some reason,they decide to get an epidural or if for medical purposes need a c-section.
Going to your labor and birth with an open mind is the best thing you can do.

taahira · October 2014

@ST3WD‌ I gave birth in a birthing centre. I had a water birth, no medical intervention at all. Just me working through each contraction. My advise is that, its hard work, and can not be rushed. There is no time limit as to when it will be over. As long as your labor is progressing well, there is no reason why you can't deliver naturally. It is an amazing experience.

Amandabw82 · October 2014

I had my last two babies all natural. It is bad, but not that bad at the same time. If that makes any sense.. It is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment when it is all said and done. My first was really hard but I think it was because I didn't know what to expect from labor and my anxiety of the unknown mixed with the pain of labor made it worse. My second, I moved around a lot more and really just focused on breathing through each contraction. I remember staring at a crack in the ceiling towards the end and not thinking about anything else but breathing, reminding myself that it would end eventually. I wish you luck! I found it to be an amazing experience despite the pain

HarleyKins · October 2014

My plan to go natural became a mission after my husband told me I couldn't do it - low pain tolerance. I became determined and learned some coping techniques, mantras, etc. in my mind, it was going to work but if all else failed, drugs were an option. I was lucky. We had a very quick (5.5 hours from admission) labor & delivery. I took every contraction in stride, had a great nurse and my husband was amazing. Mental toughness is a large part of it. I feel like now I can do anything. Yes it hurt but the present at the end was all worth it. My advice is this, don't be a hero. A plan is not set in stone. Sure, plan to do it but remember your health and that of your baby's comes first.

PrimRoseMama · October 2014

Med-free was hard. I'd likely try it again with #3. I had the epi with DS after my labor stalled & I had some anxiety. It allowed me to relax & complete my labor.

rilgrl1 · October 2014

It's absolutely do-able! My top recommendations to be prepared would be:

- get a doula

- choose your provider carefully (switch, if necessary)

- take a good childbirth class (not just the hospital one)

- read a lot (Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, Birthing from Within, Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Penny Simkin)

- educate your partner (The Birth Partner is a great book for them)

- move around often and don't go into the hospital at the very first twinge

Understand that labor pain is different from other painful things. The ctx are intermittent so you get breaks. Also, it has helped lots of my clients (I'm a doula) to remind them that this pain is not injuring your body like other pain you might feel, instead it is doing the really, really hard (but normal!) work of moving your baby down and out. Good luck!

stine28 · October 2014

I wish the term "natural" wasn't used to describe a med-free birth. I believe that all birth is natural. If I choose to get an epi I refuse to feel like I have had a sub-optimal birth because it was "unnatural".

mommybelanova · October 2014

@LittleBunnyFuFu‌ i don't think she meant it that way.

And I know I used it like that but I agree @stine28‌ ! All birth is beautiful

evelegend · November 2014

I think natural birth is better it is more painful but rewarding at the same time you will actually be able to feel whats going on. An epidural numbs everything so you can't even feel the pushing or when the baby is crowning just the pressure from the baby. I had an epidural for my first child and natural birth for my second and will be planning on having a natural birth for my third as long as a c-section is not needed that will be the only time an epidural will be considered on my end. Everyone experiences pain differently some women prefer the epidural so I can only speak on my own experiences.

Empireceo · November 2014

I had a home birth for my second child and it was a great experience. Your care provider makes a huge difference and I would recommend looking at midwives as they tend to lean toward less interventions. Mental preparation is key as well.

PrimRoseMama · November 2014

evelegend said:
I think natural birth is better *FOR @evelegend‌*

Fixed that for you @evelegend‌ .

I have had both experiences. It's not up to you to decide what is better for others.

I dealt with unmedicated birth, but the epidural allowed me to complete my second live birth. In that case, the epidural was better for me.

Next time I might get the epidural. I don't know.

Amstreagle · November 2014

evelegend said:
I think natural birth is better it is more painful but rewarding at the same time you will actually be able to feel whats going on. An epidural numbs everything so you can't even feel the pushing or when the baby is crowning just the pressure from the baby. I had an epidural for my first child and natural birth for my second and will be planning on having a natural birth for my third as long as a c-section is not needed that will be the only time an epidural will be considered on my end. Everyone experiences pain differently some women prefer the epidural so I can only speak on my own experiences.

PSUBean22 · November 2014

I've had four natural/unmedicated births. I didnt even get an IV and all four were with a midwife. I had three in the birthing tub. If you can, the water birth was amazing and took away so much of the pain. However, with all of the births, I was in the most pain RIGHT before pushing started, so it didnt last incredibly long and pushing helped get rid of a lot of the pain. It does hurt, but it's gone as soon as the baby is out. Pain with a Purpose.

evelegend · November 2014

Like I was saying everyone experiences pain differently!! If you feel the need for an Epidural get one if you don't feel the need for it then don't get it. Do what is best for you and your birth. Not making decisions for anyone...

LimaD · November 2014

I had an non-medicated childbirth with DD and I'm really glad I did. I watched the documentary The Business of Being Born, and that's what got me to start looking into it and researching more about "natural birth". It was a great documentary and I'd recommend it if you're thinking of going that route! Also, your hospital likely has a birthing class designed for non-medicated births (to give ideas of how to manage the pain during labor and delivery). Take your husband/boyfriend or whoever is going to be with you in the delivery room with! They will be a big part of helping you through the contractions.

For me, I couldn't imagine being confined to a bed throughout my labor (which you have to do with an epidural). I'd rather be free to walk around, use the Jacuzzi tub, etc. Yes, it was painful but the key was to take one contraction at a time. Also, laboring at home helped a lot so I wasn't at the hospital so long.

In the end, you can only plan so much. Go into this knowing that if you do decide to take pain meds, it doesn't mean anything. You didn't "fail" just because things didn't go as planned, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with using an epidural or other form of pain relief. Going "natural" is what I chose for myself and it's what I plan on doing with this baby too. But I also know there's a chance I would need intervention and I'm okay with that. Good luck!

ETA: Also, I agree about how being able to feel what's going on is helpful. My first push with DD did absolutely nothing and I could tell. So I pushed differently the second time and could actually feel myself opening up and knew that was how I needed to keep pushing. pushing was by far the most painful part imo, but i was lucky that it only lasted 13 min. Maybe a part of what helped it go quickly was that I could feel which push was productive..?

ST3WD · November 2014

ajzmommy said:

So I have had two natural births IMO; I don't really like to use that term because I don't feel like those that have had an epidural had "un-natural" births. Everyone has a different point of view of what natural is. I.E. No meds, no IV, no intervention/low intervention etc.. The pain was pretty intense, but I was more afraid of the epidural and its side effects then I was of the pain. I have a couple friends who had epidurals before and after me and they have back pain and it is more pronounced during their menstrual cycle. But everyone is different and not everyone has side effects to it. I say this, try it out and if it gets too much get the epidural. Whatever is going to make you feel better and allow you to go through labor is the best. I don't discriminate, and I think all birth stories are beautiful no matter how it's done.

If you do decide to go natural prepare yourself! Books, research, natural birthing classes etc. Pain tolerance is a MUST! Only because your pushing a human through your 9-10" dilated vagina.

PS. There's a lot of info and help on the Natural Birth board, go have a look around!

Wrong. Your cervix dilates to 10 cm. 10 centimeters =/= 10 inches. It's actually about 3.93701 inches.

yvanehtnioj · November 2014

I went into it with an open mind but definitely leaning towards pain meds. I had originally wanted to do it without but I got gestational diabetes and an induction. I wasn't even trying to feel any pitocin contractions. i didn't bother with the childbirth classes because a) I'm lazy and b) I felt like nothing would ever really prepare me anyway.

So i was induced with misoprostol (which is NOT as bad as pitocin) and 8ish hours later my water broke on its own. Then it got bad and after a few hours I was like "yeah no, wall hit. give me the drugs" but it was too late. So I ended up with a half medicated "unnatural" birth but no pain meds. i just went with it and continued to "hold off" on the medications until I was SURE I couldn't go on any longer...and it turns out for many (myself included) that is the point at which you are almost done! Everything after that was relief, even the "ring of fire."

baby3soon · November 2014

Im currently expecting my third and with my second I went natural at the hospital. With me she came real fast so I had no chance to walk, use birthing ball or move around much which I would love to do this time. I think if your body wants to move and change positions you need to listen To your body. The closer I got to complete I felt out of control. But it was worth it. With this one I want natural and to be able to move around or even use water therapy. My advice to you is just listen to your body and Breathe!!!! It's worth it in the end and just keep telling yourself this will end and the outcome is beautiful and life fulfilling:)

fitnhealthy1 · November 2014

I've had two unmedicated childbirths. One was a hospital birth where I was allowed to labor in the bathtub. I had to keep getting out so they could check the baby. My second was a waterbirth. I feel like both were the best decision for me. I was up an walking literally 20 minutes after my water birth. I walked from the laboring room to my recovery room. Truly, the toughest part was transition and by then I was almost ready to push. I used the Bradley method of husband coached childbirth. It really helped my husband to learn how to comfort and assist me both times. I'm now pregnant and due in may, and I hope to go unmedicated and have a water birth again.

penguincrazy · November 2014

I have had two unmedicated births, as well as my first with an epidural. I can honestly say that the unmedicated births were MUCH easier/ more comfortable because I was able to listen to my body (move around, eat/drink as desired, use a birthing tub, etc). I strongly suggest doing your own research. Ina May's Guide to Natual Childbirth is an excellent starting point.

WeLiveInMaine · November 2014

It's all about being present and knowing what's going on for me. It was intense but manageable. I was later told I basicly figured out hypnobirthing. It's totally doable in almost all situations imo.

megorlando · November 2014

Be careful about falling too far into the natural birthing fear camp - I've been through it recently, and, through a stroke of luck, came across two sites that gave me a dose of very welcome reality: https://whatifsandfears.blogspot.com/ and https://www.skepticalob.com/

I did a drug-free birth in a freestanding birthing center with my first, and didn't have a great experience, but we were lucky to come out safe and healthy in the end. My only option currently is a hospital birth, and all my old fears were surfacing. However, after voraciously reading through those two sites - well, and also The Adequate Parent blog, I have such a weight lifted off my shoulders. I'll probably do a drug-free birth again, but maybe I won't. And it's SO freeing to not be brainwashed that I'm going to fail my self or my baby if I get an epidural this time! I'm also doing the hypnobabies program, so maybe I extra won't need it, but I have NO stress about being in a hospital any more. My 2cents.

I'd just keep an open mind going in to the process. All of us experience pain differently. I had no trouble till pushing, which took an hour and a half, when it could have been ten minutes, because I was SO taken aback by the pain level at that point. For that reason, epi may be it this time for me! We'll see.

Advice on Natural Birth

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