Alright ladies,
I have always thought the best plan for me is to try my hardest to have an all natural birth with no medications (assuming there are no complications). I was reading up on past experiences and pros/cons and am getting scared, but can you ladies just be blunt and honest about it if you have done it or tried it? I am a FTM and don't want to keep reading things like. "It was magical and spiritual and I saw rainbows and unicorns, etc.." How terrible is it and did you regret it?
Thanks!
Re: Natural Birth? (no meds)
Make a pregnancy ticker
We had a scheduled c-section last time. This time I'm hoping for natural non-medicated birth. But, like I said. We'll see what happens when I get there. I fully intend on completing my VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) but you just never know what will happen ahead of time.
My second I labored until I got stuck at a 7 for a long time. I finally chose to get the epidural and the anesthesiologist had not even left the room and I was in transition. The epi helped me to relax enough to fully dilate almost immediately. The pushing was awesome and it was great to not be so out of it after delivery. Also, her head was HUGE on Top of being 9lbs and she was was crowning for a good 15 min. I would have died in pain without the epidural!
So, just be flexible
TrendyTina, your pictures are beautiful! Congrats on the beautiful babies
I am choosing to give birth in a hospital, but I do have a midwife instead of an OBGYN (as long as things go smoothly). For me, I want the piece of mind knowing that if something were to go wrong, I would be close to the resources I need. I also have never experienced birth before and don't want to go into it knowing it is going to go the way I want it, when it might not. I am considering the water birthing room they have at our hospital and our midwife recommended it for natural births. I will do my research and be prepared for multiple scenarios. I really appreciate the comment of 'Yes, there was pain, but nothing I couldn't handle. It's YOUR body after all that's creating the pain and contractions, so I don't believe it can EVER be anything that you CAN'T handle. It's mind over matter.' That helps me and I really think I can do it!
Thanks!
With #1 my water broke at 6pm with no contractions (totally atypical). I arrived at the hospital at midnight and contractions started soon after. By 4am I was exhausted (it was a Saturday morning now and I had worked all week so I was exhausted from the week before labor even began). I finally decided to get the epidural and right after it was in, the nurse checked and I was 7cm. I was proud of myself for making it so far before getting the epidural and also very happy with my decision to get it. My dd was born at 8:30am. It really was a perfect labor and delivery imo.
#2 is a bit of a different story. My water broke while I was dead asleep at 2:45am due to a strong contraction. I was likely contracting in my sleep before that but didn't wake up until one was strong enough to break my water. I had seen my on the day before and was already 4cm so we had an induction planned for later in the morning. My contractions were strong and quick so we rushed to the hospital as fast as we could. My ds came only 12 minutes after we arrived at 3:36am. The pain was incredibly intense. I was scared that he wild be born in the car which raised my anxiety level (not a good thing when your body is trying to deliver a baby).
Everyone always asks me which delivery I preferred and honestly, they were both perfect. Both babies nursed immediately and I didn't have bfing issues with either. Both babies were completely healthy (even my dr who was almost three weeks early). I was able to bond well with each one exactly as I had hoped. With #3 on the way I will again go as long as I can without medication, but I feel confident that I will be able to make the best decision on if/when to get the epidural and I'm sure you will know the same! My only advice (that was given to me by my wonderful ob) is to not mess around with other meds given through IV. Those can get to the baby through your blood stream. From my understanding, the epidural works on the nerves because it is placed in part of your spinal cavity and not into your blood stream. Oh, and one more piece of advice... I didn't tear with either of my first two and there were two things I did to prevent that. The first (from the most intelligent nutritionist I've ever known) is to supplement your vitamin c (talk to your midwife first to be sure it's ok for your pregnancy of course). Vitanin c helps with the elasticity of your skin...and hey, maybe you'll avoid a cold or two while you're pregnant!
I really though i knew this was for me after watching The business of being born, but after i walked into the birthing center and met my first midwife thats when i really knew. My fist appointment was over an our long and they sent me home with a binder full so much useful information, dvd's and really a whole lot of confidence. And that was at a point where i had made no commitment to go there, they just really care and wanted me to have the best possible birth. They even recommended doctors if i wanted to see the other side of things too.
They are amazing anf i feel like my care so far is so much more personal and comforting than what i have been hearing about hospital/ obgyn care.
Edit: I just wanted to add that making it 17 hours drug free was really due to my amazing support team! My DH, my mom and my SIL encouraged me and supported me, both physically and emotionally, and helped me to keep from having a total break down and climbing up the wall when things got really tough and my body stalled out. They were amazing and I couldn't have done it without them!
To help minimize tearing, self directed pushing and perineal massage really help. I had the MW do perineal massage while I was pushing. It was freaking weird feeling, but I really feel like it helped, because I delivered my huge daughter who had a 14" head (and I'm a small 5'5" frame) and I only had a few stitches. And even with the minimal drugs I had during labor, my DD was able to nurse within 20 minutes of being born and we had a great breastfeeding relationship. (She actually just weaned last month at 15 months old.)
I hope that your plan goes the way you want but just remember if it doesn't, it's OK. I was still able to nurse my guy within a half hour of the surgery and hearing him cry for the first time was truly magical and calming after a long scary ordeal. Nothing went according to my plan but I got my amazing boy just the same and everything was OK in the end!
Married to J since 5/05, Mommy to T (10/08), L (08/10) and C (02/13) who was born at home.
@JennKempen
I did it and it's so so doable! I plan on it again. Staying active - daily walks and prenatal yoga DVD before - and it was a quick, easy (compared to what I hear) deliver and recovery. Wish you the best. Go in with confidence, but be open minded.
Oh it hurt like hell, but I lived to tell about it. No unicorns, just pride in what my body did. My husband was really supportive, my OB and nurse labored with me. And I'm a Physical therapist (as is my husband) so I knew how to push. Look into transverse abdominal muscles and posterior pelvic tilt .