August 2015 Moms

Giving thought to birth plan

I am going on 20 weeks pregnant thinking about having a natural birth. I want to know of some other plans that are better then getting the epidural just Incase it doesn't work out for me. Anyone already got there birth plans together that have already learned about the different kinds of medications you can get during labor?

Re: Giving thought to birth plan

  • Have you talked to your OB or midwife about your options? I would also recommend checking out the natural childbirth boars
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  • I planned on an epidural with my son but it didnt work. I ended up only having the gas and it went quicker then my daughter for the pushing because I could feel everything and didnt tear, like i had more control. My DD was epidural and i tore and needed 3 stitches and i had trouble pushing because i could barely feel anything
  • No one plan is better than another, they aren't even really plans, but more a detail of what you are okay with having happen that day. It's all about choices and what works for you in that particular experience. Most hospitals offer free classes and will go over a lot of the options and other information with you, have you looked into that? If you have really strong feelings on a certain matter, make sure you have someone to advocate for you during labor. Also don't forget things like if you're okay with baby receiving a pacifier or bottle, if you want skin to skin immeditely, or option to delay cutting the cord. 
  • I think the best place to start would be talking with your provider.  Your post is a little confusing, by 'natural birth' do you mean med-free?  As for other medications I know women can also have IV meds, Stadol I think is one of them.  But honestly, other than one person (my cousin) everyone else says they wouldn't do it again.  They said it made them feel sleepy and/or drunk, but did nothing/little for the pain.  Plus you can't have it the whole time, I think they have to turn it off when you are 7cm?  That to me would be the worst, here you are entering perhaps the hardest phase and that's it your medication is done.  Some hospitals in the US offer gas, though I think that's still uncommon.  I've heard a lot of women like that as an option and the nice thing is, if you don't like it you just pull the mask off and it wears off almost instantly. 

    I had both of my babies med-free and that's the plan for this one too.  But if the plans change, I would just go for an epi that seems like the best option.
  • I'd definitely talk to your doctor about different medication options. Also, it may be beneficial for you to consider having a doula if you're set on having a natural birth. She can help you learn relaxation techniques and coach you through it. The best advice I can give as far as a birth plan is be flexible. Things don't always go according to plan, and that's ok!
  • I plan to go for a natural birth. I really don't want to get any drugs. But if I change my mind once I start going through labor then I want to know what My options are and what sort of harm will it do to the baby. I've never been in labor and given birth before and I know it's different for everyone, but everyone i know is quick at shooting my natural birth down because theyve "been there done that" and believes I won't have the strength to do it because they were quick to go for the drugs. So my goal is to stay strong and get through my natural birth but if they are correct and i do want drugs I want to know what is less harmful to the baby.
  • WDDCHWDDCH member
    rcrider93 said:

    I plan to go for a natural birth. I really don't want to get any drugs. But if I change my mind once I start going through labor then I want to know what My options are and what sort of harm will it do to the baby. I've never been in labor and given birth before and I know it's different for everyone, but everyone i know is quick at shooting my natural birth down because theyve "been there done that" and believes I won't have the strength to do it because they were quick to go for the drugs. So my goal is to stay strong and get through my natural birth but if they are correct and i do want drugs I want to know what is less harmful to the baby.

    Nitrous oxide or TENS.

    The first is laughing gas. It can take the edge off. You put the mask on and take a breath at the start of a contraction.

    A TENS machine sends a little shock to your nerves to disrupt pain receptors.

    Neither of these should cause harm to baby. These are typically used in births where momma has been in labor quite a long time and needs a break and to take the edge off.

    Water can also help some women. I found being in water wasn't much different than being out of water. Until I got out for a potty break and gravity hit me! After I peed I practically ran back to the birth tub.

    Any drugs you get, like the Stadol mentioned above, could carry risk and pass a tiny bit to baby. But, as that person also said, it does nothing for the pain. I can't remember what it was but I got a shot of something similar in one labor and it made me feel dopey and unable to focus and control the pain. I'd never take it again. It didn't do anything.
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  • I agree with everyone else.  Talk to your OB and also talk to the staff at wherever you are planning to give birth.  Every hospital/birthing center/etc. is different, so you will need to find out what you have for options.  During my first pregnancy, I took a bunch of classes through the hospital, and it was very helpful and informational (these were all covered by insurance, btw.)  The Birthing Center at our hospital happens to be one that has a lot of options that aren't available yet in many US facilities.  They were the third hospital in the country to have a full water birthing unit, and they recently just added the nitrous oxide option, which is very rare in this country.\

    My best advice is to stay flexible and don't become dead-set on only one option.  I had my birth plan all typed up and everything early in my first pregnancy, and then I found out that I needed a scheduled c-section.  I distinctly remember having a conversation with a friend about the c-section, and she was disappointed for me, saying that nothing compares to natural birth.  She then proceeded to tell me about how she was in so much pain during labor that she was literally hallucinating and doesn't remember anything about seeing her baby for the first time!  In my head I was thinking, "Ummm.... How exactly is that better?"  LOL

    For me, the c-section was no big deal.  I was willing to do whatever I had to in order for my baby to enter the world safely, and I honestly wasn't disappointed at all.  I had originally planned on a water birth, by the way.  :)  (I haven't yet decided about this baby.  The doctors have mentioned a VBAC, but they said I don't have to decided until the very end.)

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