Natural Birth? (no meds)

JennKempen · March 2015

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!

hashtagblessed · March 2015

Tried it and it didn't work for a number of reasons. We took a Bradley class and were on track for a Bradley birth, but I went nearly two weeks overdue and had scheduled an induction. My water broke the day before, after I had been in labor for about 12 hours. Another seven hours later, unable to labor in the tub (because of the water breaking), I finally had an epidural. My labor would not progress and the baby's heart rate was slowing, so I ended up with a c-section Sunday morning (went into labor late Friday night and into the hospital Saturday afternoon).

But I don't want to discourage you from trying. I still had an awesome birth, and I'm still glad I took the class and learned as much as I could about natural birth. Just, whatever happens, don't beat yourself up. Birth doesn't always go according to plan, but at the end of the day, a healthy baby and mama are what matter most.

amiejl · March 2015

Honestly, labor is hard and it hurts. I've done all three of my births with no epidural and two without any pain meds. I don't remember much from any of them, just a vague painful sensation. All of my labors have been at least 12 hours. You make it through one contraction at a time. Bradley book was somewhat helpful much more than lamaze breathing to me. I'm planning on doing it again unmedicated, barring complications. No regrets. I appreciated feeling some measure of control in a very out of my control situation. That's what no drugs did for me.

komorebi · March 2015

Lol. Rainbows and unicorns. Um, no. I've had three med free births, natural start of labor. It is tough and can be down right horrible at certain moments but it is actually an awesome experience. I definitely felt like I did something really cool and it's always my plan to keep things as natural as possible. Learning about the hormonal process really helped me. It also helped that I have always had midwives that 100% supported birth. Ditto to my suppot team and partner. It also helped that I'm stubborn and had something to prove to myself. I read a quote that influenced me greatly before my first daughter was born, "there is a secret in our culture, it's not that birth is painful, it's that women are strong!" Just for clarities sake I've always had low risk births, but only one easy birth.

allessandra511 · March 2015

The pain is awful, for sure. I had IV drugs twice while laboring and they barely did a thing. I didn't want an epidural because of the possible complications. I ended up with a c section because DS wouldn't come out but I would still do it again. I'm trying to VBAC this LO and I hope I get the chance. I don't regret anything.

curfam4 · March 2015

My labor and delivery with DD was fast and furious! I went from literally nothing (like I had just set my alarm for work the next morning haha), to my water breaking everywhere, and intense contractions immediately started. This was at 11:30pm. I got to the hospital at 1am (my husband works an hour away from home, and he was on night shift, so I had to wait until he got home), and she was born at 2:30am. There was no time for an epidural or any pain meds, and honestly, it was hard and painful, but not unbearable, and I am glad that there was no time as my hope had been to have a med free birth. The nurses were awesome, and my husband was so supportive, which I think was very helpful in getting through it. My plan is to have another med free birth with this one.

JennKempen · March 2015

Thanks ladies. I just feel like I need to do a natural labor - I want to feel in control and be drug free and have a drug free baby and be able to nurse right away, etc. I am nervous about tearing or having to have an episiotomy. I want to talk with my midwife to see if there are ways to prevent that at all costs. I am just nervous!

ohjaime · March 2015

Anything and everything can happen to change your plan. I would fully support you moving forward with intentions of not using medication and see what happens to you individually. It's great to have a plan, but also great to be able to move away from that if needed. Everyone is different in what will happen, what their drs will recommend and how much pain they can tolerate.

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.

komorebi · March 2015

Pushing position is a big factor in tearing. Your midwife should be able to help you learn more about that. I had two minor tears that didn't require stitches and other than stinging with the first couple pees I didn't notice them.

nmatheny14 · March 2015

This was my "plan" as well. Finding out I am expecting twins threw a little bit of a wrench in it, but I'm going to talk to my doctor and hopefully still give it a shot as long as I don't require a c section.

AGMeeks · March 2015

I've had two births without epidural and it definitely hurts! That being said, there are lots of pain relief strategies other than meds. What worked best for me both times was being in a hot shower. Something about the water hitting my skin distracted my nervous system just a little. Also, my midwife from baby 1 taught me a great breathing technique - a lip flubber (if you've done yoga, you've probably come across this) with each exhale. That really helped me to relax the 90% of my body that wasn't doing the work instead of tensing up and wasting valuable energy. Every birth is unique, and I hope you end up with the birth experience you want!

smlowe9311 · March 2015

I did not have a true natural birth as I was given pitocin and then IV drugs once which did help as I was able to get some sleep (water broke around 4 am was at the hospital by 5 and baby was here at 11:48am) but wore off before I gave birth. I didn't have an epidural as I wanted to be able to walk around and not feel numb after the birth. I did tear pretty bad and I will say that I remember the doctor stitching me up being worse and seeming to take longer than the time it took to actually push baby out! This time I'm going to try to go without IV meds even as I don't like the potential side effects to baby. I am open to whatever needs to be done to keep me and little one safe of course.

ClaireBear90 · March 2015

If you are determined and you don't experience complications you can do it! Arm yourself with information and practice techniques and positions for alleviating pain beforehand. I think if a woman goes into it unprepared and with an "I'll see how bad the pain gets" mindset, she's probably setting herself up for an epidural. I'm not saying don't be flexible in your plan, but don't make it too easy for yourself to give up. Having a great doula will help you out tremendously in sticking to your plan if circumstances allow!

I had DD in a birth center and if I had been in the hospital I might very well have opted for an epidural. But since an epidural was not easily available to me, I made it through and had such a minimal tear it didn't even need stitches. Pushing went easily for me because I could feel everything. It took me a while before I was ready to think about going through it all again, but I didn't regret it.

When I'm pregnant, I do dread labor. It's extremely hard and I hate not knowing if it will go quickly or drag on or if the baby will be in a good position (mine have not been, which increases the pain). But I would not personally consider a hospital birth with meds unless it was medically necessary. The rush of hormones your body produces when that baby is born really helps you forget the pain. My recoveries have been a breeze and I've been home with baby after a birth within 6 hours both times.

vamomtobe · March 2015

I went into it hoping to go medication-free, but after a day and a half of labor with the contractions pushing me close to blacking out, I was all over that epidural when they offered it. It enabled me to rest for a few hours before it was time to push after being awake and in pain for over a day, and I loved it! I don't know if I could have gotten through pushing without that rest, I was so completely exhausted. No regrets. Not being able to feel the urge to push was odd, though. I relied on my nurses to tell me when it was time to go for it. You mentioned a concern with nursing - at least in my experience, there were no issues with getting an epidural and nursing. I had my son on my breast within minutes.

I wish there had been some rainbows and unicorns, but there WAS an awesome little baby!

Sweet Sadie Mae · March 2015

I went in there determined to have a natural birth. Let me tell you once I started having more and more contractions I just couldn't take it. They did give me some kind of drug in my IV that made me feel loopy and helped me sleep a bit. After that wore off I was like f*ck it get me the damn epidural. Unfortunately the nurse checked and I was too far along and had to start pushing. I really didn't think I was going to make it through! It was painful and exhausting and probably the hardest thing I ever had to do physically.... but I might just try it again! Just be open to whatever your body tells you you need.

erinboehme · March 2015

I've had one induced with an epidural, one induced with a "light" epidural, one induced with no pain meds, and one came naturally with no pain meds. I hated the epidural. I felt like my recovery was better without the epidural. It hurts and you'll probably go through a phase where you announce that you can't do it, but that means you're almost done.

amberrmariee20 · March 2015

I had an epidural, I had terrible back labor and at 4.5 cms I decided on the epidural, the epidural itself didn't hurt, it numbed the contractions, my first and only so far labor was less then 8 hours, they turned my epidural completely off when it was getting time to push, and wow ! I remember feeling the dr cut me, I remember feeling the baby's head crowning, and also the shoulders coming out, my son was 9 lbs 7 oz so he got stuck, and dr was trying to get him out, I felt her stitch me !!!!! Wow it was so painful, but after he came out almost all of the pain went away immediately (; !

darrianne · March 2015

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twogirlsandagreen · March 2015

My first was a "hypnobirth" baby and it was a good experience. It is horrible pain, but you do get a break between contractions. Breathing and mind imagery are key.

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 · March 2015

My first was a hospital attempted med-free birth. My water was broken for 26 hours and I was not progressing at all so I accepted pitocin and an epidural. The whole experience was very clinical and not what I envisioned.

My second was a birth center unmedicated water birth. It was nothing short of magical (see my water birth pic below!). This birth (my 3rd) will also be at the birth center. Having experienced pitocin and an epidural AND a med-free birth I can say without a shadow of a doubt, med free is so much better. The euphoria you experience as your baby is born and for 24 hours or so afterward is indescribable. 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. If you're really serious about it, though, I would highly recommend not birthing in a hospital, using a midwife, and definitely hiring a doula. Have you seen The Business of Being Born? That's a must!

JennKempen · March 2015

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!

ClaireBear90 · March 2015

vamomtobe said:
I went into it hoping to go medication-free, but after a day and a half of labor with the contractions pushing me close to blacking out, I was all over that epidural when they offered it. It enabled me to rest for a few hours before it was time to push after being awake and in pain for over a day, and I loved it! I don't know if I could have gotten through pushing without that rest, I was so completely exhausted. No regrets. Not being able to feel the urge to push was odd, though. I relied on my nurses to tell me when it was time to go for it. You mentioned a concern with nursing - at least in my experience, there were no issues with getting an epidural and nursing. I had my son on my breast within minutes.

I wish there had been some rainbows and unicorns, but there WAS an awesome little baby!

That "blacking out" between contractions really freaked me out at first, but my midwife reassured me that my body was worn out from such a long labor and just doing what it needed to do to conserve energy for the pushing phase. A lot of my memories of DD's labor are hazy because I was pretty much unconscious between every contraction from when labor became really intense until I started pushing. It was a weird sensation/experience! Every time I "woke up" I was like, oh crap, I'm still in labor!

moonseeds92 · March 2015

@JennKempen to reduce or eliminate tearing, starting the 3rd tri apply essential oil to the perineum once a day. It keeps it elastic and moisturized so you don't tear or need an episiotomy.

Tom&Courtney · March 2015

I'm currently pregnant with #3 and I've had one medicated and one non-medicated birth. Both were in a hospital with my ob (whom I adore!).

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!

komorebi · March 2015

Epidural drugs do enter the bloodstream. They're just not as concentrated as IV meds.

JenDu4 · March 2015

I've had two children and both of my labors were under 5 hours, started by induction, and the doctor broke my water. With both I decided to try to labor as long as I could without an epidural although I didn't rule out the possibility of having it. Both times I reached a point where I felt like I couldn't catch my breath in between contractions because they were coming so fast and that is when I decided it was epidural time. My advice is to plan on doing whatever feels right for you but don't rule anything out just yet. As a FTM you don't know what to expect and no matter what you end up doing the prize at the end is the same! Good luck!!

sgoodsel · March 2015

With my first, I had an all natural birth. Luckily it was in a birth center IN the hospital. I suffered a pneumothorax in the last few minutes of labor and the OB team along with lots of other specialists arrived to help as my daughter as arriving.

Daughter had inhaled lots of meconium during labor and went straight to the NICU (apgar score of 1) and had more drugs in her than I'd ever imagined, her body was cooled for 72 hours and a respirator breathing for her for 5 days. We didn't hold her until she was 7 days old and she came home after 15 days. Luckily we were just a floor away from the NICU, so she received care soon enough that she suffered no lasting effects!!! The only reason she made it was because there was a NICU team there.

Most births, both with and without drugs, go well. I know that we were the exception. But having a natural-drug free birth doesn't guarantee immediate joy and breastfeeding immediately after. Don't let someone else's choices dictate what you feel is right in your heart. Get lots of information and then listen to your own heart and mind!

Clairbear92 · April 2015

I would like some encouragement... this is my first pregnancy and baby. I am due April 29th and am going for a natural birth. For all that have had a natural birth how did you cope with the pain and if you tore how was the recovery and were you able to breastfeed right away and without problems with pain medication afterwards? thank you for any information or encouragement

ClaireBear90 · April 2015

Clairbear92 said:
I would like some encouragement... this is my first pregnancy and baby. I am due April 29th and am going for a natural birth. For all that have had a natural birth how did you cope with the pain and if you tore how was the recovery and were you able to breastfeed right away and without problems with pain medication afterwards? thank you for any information or encouragement

I feel like I'm talking to myself because our names are so similar, haha. I tore both times and both times the healing was pretty easy. It burns a little when you go to the bathroom, but having a bottle to use to squirt warm water will really help with that. Soaking is important. I neglected soaking in the tub after DD because I thought I didn't need to anymore and the soreness returned. So I started soaking in the tub again.

Nothing special, just warm water once or twice a day. I had stitches for the tear the second time, but again, everything healed quickly and the pain from it was very minimal.

Breastfeeding did not go well with DD, but that had nothing to do with drugs interfering, I just had a really tough time with her and got off to a rough start. We got through it with lots of help. It went much better with DS. I took ibuprofen as instructed by my midwife for a few days after their births, but no other drugs.

Everyone copes with the pain differently. For me, having a birthing tub to labor in and a ball to sit on while I leaned against my husband were very helpful ways to labor. Try to only focus on one contraction at a time . . . not how many you've been through or how many might still be ahead, but each contraction as it comes. Breathe and do what you need to do to get through it one contraction at a time. Good luck to you!

mishala12 · April 2015

Im doing natural birth and i know many women who have done it all natural. Lucky for me its pretty popular where im from so there are lots of options. I eneded up finding a great birthing center that is practically in the parking lot of the best hospital. The birthing center and my midwifes are more that prepared for most situations that may arise and i have emergency transportation if needed.
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.

Dreamingmommy4 · April 2015

I tried going natural with my first and look forward to trying it again.

it was a great experience, but it was not all unicorns and rainbows. I had a 21 hour labor from start to finish. My water broke early in the morning and really kicked off my contractions. We went to the hospital a few hours later because I didn't want to walk around the house to progress labor because I was afraid of leaking everywhere!

(I just had a leaking water, it wasn't the full gushing splashdown where all of it come out at once.) I was able to walk and talk and only had to pause for contractions between sentences. It really wasn't difficult. At 4cm the MW stripped my membranes and that REALLY got things going. I tried the birthing tub, but hated it. Because my daughters head was big (we had no idea until she was born) it was pressing right on the front of my pelvis and made it feel like it was trying to break in half. That was so much worse than the contractions. I relied on the birthing ball and a kneeling position on the bed that both worked really great for me. After a while of active labor they checked me and I was 6cm, woohoo! After 2 more hard hours of hard labor they told me I was still at a 6 and that broke my resolve. I said that I was done and wanted the drugs. I didn't have an IV in so they had to do that and told me I had to have a bag of fluids before I could get the epidural. I said I couldn't wait that long, so after talking with my MW while trying not to crawl out of my skin we decided to do a 1/4 dose of fentynol (Sp?). (I am super sensitive to medication, thus only giving me a 1/4 dose.) It really helped to take the edge off and I am convinced that without it I wouldn't have been able to sit still for the epidural. After the epi was in I was able to relax and take a nap for about an hour. The MW came in to check on me and discussed starting me on a small dose of pitocin. I had exhausted my body and had only slept 4 hours the night before, and contractions were starting to slow way down, so I was put on a 3mL/hour drip. That's the smallest dose they can possibly give you. After having that for an hour plus laying with a peanut ball (they are freaking amazing, seriously!) between my legs, I started feeling this incredible pressure, even with the epidural in. Sure enough I was finally at a 10! They turned off the epidural while they prepped the room for delivery which was great because by the time it was time to actually push I was able to somewhat feel contractions and I was able to direct my own pushing rather than having the nurses and MW do it for me. I pushed my 9lbs 3oz daughter out in 55min and I was able to feel her crown and come out. It burned a lot, but I didn't care. I ended up with a small 1st degree tear, but that was no big deal. All in all, it was an awesome experience, even though it was difficult and painful. I like to say that if I had to repeat every moment of that the exact same every time I had a baby, I would. I am really looking forward to delivering this baby and trying to challenge myself to go without drugs again, but if I need them again it will be just fine.

I hope that this and other stories can help you not to be worried about having your LO.

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!

Dreamingmommy4 · April 2015

JennKempen said:
Thanks ladies. I just feel like I need to do a natural labor - I want to feel in control and be drug free and have a drug free baby and be able to nurse right away, etc. I am nervous about tearing or having to have an episiotomy. I want to talk with my midwife to see if there are ways to prevent that at all costs. I am just nervous!

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.)

str13 · April 2015

This is my third, but I has epidurals so I can't speak to that part. My best advice I recieved was just to go with the flow. Have things in mind, ideas of how you'd like birth to be, but let those things change if they have to. C-sections are beautiful births, no less than any other. If you choose an epidural that's wonderful too. Just let your labor and birth be yours and be wonderful. Lastly, surround yourself with people that you love and love you, and that you know can be your advocate for you.

TaliaJesse · April 2015

I had a natural birth for first baby at a birth center no pain meds available so I wouldn't take them. I was low risk so to me I did not see a readon to go to the hospital. Horrible pain cried during the last 4 hours and did not let go of mother inlaws hand. Labor was 16 hrs long wasn't too bad until I transitioned to active labor and contractions were 3 mins apart. That hurt like hell and really all you can do is get through each contraction at a time until that baby is ready. I had an epystiotomy because I was not stretching or tearing, I didn't feel a thing your body really does take over and has its own anestesia for those things. I tell everyone it was horrible and painful but it doesn't last forever. I got through it as everyone does and will be doing it again the second time. Embrace your fear, thats all we can do. Good luck!

wildbutterfli2001 · April 2015

That was my plan with my first,unfortunately my plans changed quickly. I went from being induced 2 weeks over, to not being able to handle the pain and getting the epidural to labor stalling the baby in distress and ended up with a c-section.

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!

MrsHark122 · April 2015

I had to be induced due to pre eclampsia so I was on pitocin, but I did not use any pain meds and I didn't get an epidural. It was awesome. Hoping for the same thing (minus the induction)

JennKempen · April 2015

Wow Dreamingmommy4, thank you for sharing that! I am getting more open minded to the possibility of drugs if I absolutely need them. Really appreciate you taking the time to type that all out

LJM0521 · April 2015

I have not read the other comments, so hopefully I'm not repeating what others have already said. I have three kids and all have been born without any meds and all three were completely different experiences. DS1's labor is what I would view as typical. Yes, it was hard. Yes, it HURT. Yes, I reached a point I didn't think I could do it. Usually when you reach that point, you're just about there. If you can hang in there just a little bit longer, you will be able to do it. DS2's labor was a breeze. Seriously, it was the labor we all dream of. 2.5 hours, nothing unbearable. Of course it hurt, but I don't remember ever feeling like I couldn't do it. DD's labor was a nightmare and because of her, I have a ton of anxiety about having to go through that again. The labor part was fine, but I went from early labor to delivering VERY fast and she ended up being born in our bathroom with the 911 operator on the phone. It was by far the most painful out of the three. The first two were absolutely worth the pain of going med free. But if I knew #4 would be anything like my DD's birth, I'll get the epidural at the first chance I get. Having said that, at this point, my plan is to go med free and pray I have another birth like DS2 ;-)

JennKempen · April 2015

LJM0521 - Oh my goodness.... Your third labor sounds terrible, I am so sorry that happened!! I am glad everything worked out and I appreciate you sharing your experience!

Knottie70261981 · April 2015

I was full steam ahead with a natural birth plan after going to childbirth classes and hearing how bad it was to get an epidural etc. I hired a doula and that helped but I went through 16 hrs of labor with no meds and honestly it was awful. I couldn't relax enough to progress and they gave me pitocin. I finally got an epidural after 16 hrs and it didn't take. I never made it to 10.. Only 9 but by hour 29 it was either push and tear or get an emergency c section. I delivered my sweet girl and she was perfect and after a lot of stitches I was as good as new... I don't regret trying natural but know that this time I'm going with an epidural

bishopgn · April 2015

JennKempen said:
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!

@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 .

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