Natural birth

heiser2015 · June 2015

Anyone else out there planning on having a natural childbirth with no medications? I am only 4w3d so I haven't told anyone that this is my actual plan yet, but before I was pregnant, I told some people that a natural birth is what I wanted for when I did get pregnant. Everyone keeps telling me I won't be able to do it and I will give up and need medications. That is everyone but my hubby, he is very supportive. I guess I am just looking for some support from other moms who are planning on going the same route since it seems I will not be getting positive encouragement from my friends.

kfaust374 · June 2015

You go for it!! I've thought about it myself, but not sure yet. I applaud you and if you're that serious about it, I know you can do it. Stick in there and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

erincjackson · June 2015

My first 2 deliveries were with an epidural and induction/pitocin. My 3rd delivery two years ago was a natural birth with induction. And my natural delivery was my best, I could get up and move into any position that was comfortable, there was no catheter,etc. The recovery was quicker, I could get up and move as soon as I wanted to and my daughter latched on and nursed right away. As long as there is nothing prohibiting medically, this delivery will also be a natural birth. If your husband is supportive then go for it! It's very intense but an amazing experience. Good luck!

DizzyMom1 · June 2015

I have gone med-free twice already and it's up in the air for this one, but that's still the plan. Everyone was the same way with me, saying I would change my mind once I was there and no one but my husband was encouraging. I had two very difficult births (positioning issues) that seemed to go on forever, but if you keep telling yourself this is what you want for you and your baby you can get through it! Plus having the hubby there was really really helpful and afterwards I really felt like it was worth it. Also, I'm afraid of getting an epidural so that helped me stay strong too, lol. If that's what you want, I say go for it! You can do whatever you set your mind to as long as there aren't any other complications. I've got to say it really does give you a sense of accomplishment

jeggs14 · June 2015

I'm with you! I think it would be great to have a natural birth. I think is women can do anything we put our minds to

That is my goal and will certainly work to it. At the same time I want to be open to my labor and delivery experience as I'm sure unforeseen circumstances can happen. If I end up going for the drugs or c section, then so be it!

MarcoMama86 · June 2015

Natural childbirth is my plan. It was my plan with my son, but at the end of the day I ended up with a c-section. I was overdue and had preeclampsia so I was induced, my water had to be manually broken, and when they broke my water I was already having rolling contractions and couldn't snap out of the pain so I opted for an epidural. I'm glad I did because my even though I pushed for 3 hours my son's shoulders weren't budging and then I was off for a c-section.

My honest best advice for going natural is if you don't have a person in that room who can get you to focus on your breathing or find your happy place-hire one (there was no way my husband was going to push me to focus elsewhere, so I'm hiring a doula this time around) Also, be flexible because everything can change quickly.

Best of luck to all of you going natural!

g8trkim · June 2015

I'm sorry people are telling you that you won't be able to do it. That's not very nice! Lots of people have natural childbirth. Some plan to and end up changing their minds, and that's okay too. I'm glad your husband is supportive. That's all that matters. My advice: don't tell anyone your plans. Do what is right for you.

FWIW, I've had two labors. Both with epidurals. The first was longer and while I enjoyed the pain relief I hated being stuck in bed. With my second, things went fast. I frantically asked for the epidural at 5cm. By the time they put it in I was in so much pain and sitting still was excruciating. I told them it wasn't working and when they checked me I had to push immediately so it never totally kicked in. I wish I wouldn't have bothered. This time I'm thinking I won't get one. At least I will be mobile and I'm hoping for an easier recovery.

AmadorRose · June 2015

I also plan on a natural birth. I know it's what I want provided there are no complications and DH will support whatever I do. My mom's advice, which comes from her mother, is that when you think you can't do it any more, you'll give it another push or two and your beautiful baby will be here and you'll forget how hard the labor was. She had six of us naturally so I sure hope she is right!

kayjay44 · June 2015

Go for it, but know that you can always change your mind. That's what I did last time and it was the best decision I could have made in my situation (back labor, vomiting and blacking out due to pain). I'll do the same this time (just do what feels right).

charliegoldengirl · June 2015

I'm planning on it again! My first birth was pain med free but I ended up with pitocin to start contractions twelve hours after my water broke. My advice is to do your research (maybe take a class) and have a midwife/OB who knows and supports your plan. Lots of people told me I was crazy/am crazy for wanting to do the natural route. It gets annoying but I usually just tell them look, I don't judge your birthing decisions so please don't judge mine- or at least don't talk about it in front of me! Everyone should do what's best for themselves and just support other people's decisions!

strlitemiss · June 2015

I was induced last time and was able to do it without medication so i know I can do it barring serious complications. The body is amazing. I suggest a good natural birth focused birth class and if you can afford it a doula if that interests you (I hear they're amazing).

tdoswell1 · June 2015

My plan is to have a natural VBAC. Everyone thinks I am crazy. But my first c section was planned due to a previous pelvic fracture that happened 9yrs before I was even pregnant. I think the doc was over reacting! Hopefully this doc will go along with my plans

MamaFroFro · June 2015

I always wanted a natural birth. With my DS, I ended up with a CS. I always thought the next time I would go natural for sure, but honestly I've let it go. I may have a CS, may have an epi, and there's no way to tell what I will need when the time comes. I'm just going to wing it. Healthy mama and baby us all that really matters in the end.

kateryna72 · June 2015

I say go for it! Be prepared to be flexible though, because pregnancy, labor and delivery are all very unpredictable. At this time in my previous pregnancy I was planning on a natural birth, but I ended up with an emergency c section before I ever went into labor because of some serious complications. I've seen so many women cry because they didn't get the birth they wanted. It's always good to have a goal, but be open minded because you just never know what will happen.

Maybebabylay15 · June 2015

Go for it and don't let others frighten you. The reality is all over the world, and throughout history, women have been giving birth without any assistance. It's great we have the means to intervene when something goes wrong, but if everything is normal and straightforward then there is no reason you can't! If you look at birth rates across developed countries maternal/fetal outcomes tend to be much better where healthy mothers are left to their bodies natural rhythms. (Again, assuming mom and baby are healthy and labor proceeds in a normal fashion)

My plan is to birth at a birthing center with a CNM. They have the ability to deliver at the hospital, if for some reason a transfer were necessary, but they have a 96% success rate of in center births so I'm excited.

MississippiCatfish · June 2015

I've had a (failed) epi birth and an unmedicated hypnobabies birth. The 2nd was much more comfortable. I would HIGHLY recommend taking a class (Bradley, Hypnobabies, etc) if you are certain that you want to go without an epi.

mrs3615 · June 2015

I would say go for it if it's what you want, and leave yourself open to options if you change your mind. It's empowering and important (IMO) to work to have the birth you want. Just know that in reality, things might go in a different direction, and that's okay too! Empower yourself, but try to have acceptance for the process if it goes a different direction either by choice or circumstance.

pritzgmf · June 2015

I had a natural birth with my little girl. Honestly, I was so prepared for it, I didn't feel like it was that big of deal. Early labor lasted about 6 hours with 5 hours of active labor. I had a doula, an amazing midwife and my husband and sister with me. So it wasn't too long or too fast. There are many techniques to cope with the intensity of it but the benefits to mom and baby make it all worth it. My plan is to do it again!

ashesmart90 · June 2015

I had a natural birth with my first and I feel like it's all about preparing yourself, from breathing, to the mental part of it. Also I tried to stay away from the people telling me their horror birth stories, just doesn't help. Our bodies are made to do this which mean you are totally capable! Don't let others fill your head with doubt!!

heiser2015 · June 2015

@Maybebabylay15 This is my plan as well! CNM at a birthing center! It is actually attached to a hospital so transport is simple if need be. Good luck!

heiser2015 · June 2015

This helps soo soo much! Thank you ladies! I am creating a birth plan but have a back up if something does go wrong. I want what is best for me and baby so I will be flexible in the moment but yes I want to prepare myself for the natural birth! Good luck to everyone

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juliadanr · June 2015

My whole family thought I was insane. Do what you want to do. My advice: do as much research as you can and prepare yourself mentally for it. You'll probably think you're crazy while your panting in pain and ask yourself "What in the HECK was I thinking???!?" [i definitely did]. But just keep on keeping on, you'll get through and its totally worth it.

momPDX · June 2015

Plan for everything (that you can). If you would like a natural birth, plan it! Read all the different natural birthing methods and pick one or two that you think fit your style best. I highly recommend a doula! Know that everything might not be in your control, but you can control how you react to the changes! Good luck!

oregontrailmom · June 2015

I had two epidural free births. I did get some pain meds that maybe lasted 30 mins during my deliveries but I was totally okay with that. Personally, I hate childbirth. Both times it was the most miserable 3 hours of my life up until the actual point of getting my baby out. But my labors were so fast that I didn't see the point in getting an epidural, I just wanted to get through it. Other people I know labored for hours and it wasn't until they got the epidural were their bodies able to relax and progress with labor.

Natural childbirth is definitely doable, but don't feel like a failure if it doesn't work out.

kelley&rowland · June 2015

Wow I love all these stories and the dedication of all you moms! I too want to try natural childbirth but everyone says I'm crazy! This makes me feel so much better about my decision.

Twindling · June 2015

My plan is to hire a doula. Particularly because this will be an attempt at a VBAC and my last baby ever. I want the experience of giving birth vaginally. However it may happen. But ideally, no drugs is best for baby so that will be my top priority.

Wurrkingurrl · June 2015

I had a natural birth for my first one. I'm wouldn't say it was easy, or painless, but it is absolutely doable. If it is what you want, then go for it. Ignore the people who are telling you you won't be able to. I do however think it's not a bad idea to go into saying this is my preference, but if it ends up being too hard I'm open to changing my mind. The way I feel, the more set you are on a certain thing happening, the more dissapointed you become if it doesn't go according to plan.

Edit: My preference for wanting a natural birth is because I feel it is better for the baby, and I have also heard that an epidural slows down the process, because you can't feel when your body naturally has the urge to push. I can't attest to this however - I was pushing for over two hours with my son, but I certainly did feel the urge to push many times.

kayjay44 · June 2015

Wurrkingurrl said:

I have also heard that an epidural slows down the process

Just adding this for your information. Many women experience the opposite. They don't progress for hours, then get the epi and because it relaxes them, they go from 3 cm to complete in no time. I think it's just another one of those things that it depends on the woman, the baby and the pregnancy.

LuckyInIreland · June 2015

We did an unmediated home birth with a CNM and a doula for DS. It was an awesome experience! DH was super supportive. Our families were concerned, but I knew what I wanted to do.

camusoh2011 · June 2015

I have tried unmedicated with all my deliveries. With my first I had to be put on pitocin (because my water broke at home but I wasn't progressing). That caused a long long day and I ended up getting a couple of doses of meds in my IV. They didn't last very long (barely a contraction. With my second it was going very fast once we finally got admitted. I thought I'd make it totally unmedicated. My Dr. was there for the whole thing and because my older son ended up being in the room (early AM and we couldn't get someone to come get him) she asked the nurses to give me something. It was a little frustrating, but I know she was looking out for me and my son and it was probably best. I'll try again this time, but have been pretty proud that I have gone without the epi every time.

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