Natural Labor mamas

megmansell · July 2015

I am 40+1 and it is crazy to me how many FTMs have had doctors do membrane sweeps, induce, etc. I feel like this is why there are so many unplanned C-sections in this country. I want to be left well alone as long as humanly possible and don't want anyone sticking their hands in my business to check dilation and whatnot. Feeling like I'm the only one...

ktyrd007 · July 2015

I am there with you mama!!! I see all these posts as well and I just think it's sad that so many ladies are relying on medical interventions for what seems like no reason. I am not the most comfortable right now (39w) and really wouldn't mind if baby made their appearance early, but there's no way I'm going to medically intervene in this natural process unless it's a true emergency. We are giving birth at a birthing center, no meds and with a midwife. We have taken Bradley classes and are fully prepared for an all natural birth.

greatgrandbaby7 · July 2015

You're not alone! I also just want to wait until the baby is ready. I'm 40+3 and haven't been checked or had any sweeps or stretches. I do have my moments of impatience since I passed my due date last Friday but I know the baby will be here sooner or later...and if it's later then so be it. I met with my midwife today and she's scheduled me for a non-stress test at 41 weeks and an ultrasound at 41+5 and apparently induction will happen at 42 weeks. I'm just really hoping that baby will just come on his/her own before that though. We're almost there :-)

ChristyM87 · July 2015

I hear you all. I am 39 weeks and having a birth center birth. I am so thankful that if you and baby have no signs of distress they will let me go to 42 weeks. I am more tired and achy than I was earlier on, but that is not a reason for me to rush my little one.

Knottie99627423 · July 2015

I just had a home birth. I had an amazing birth. And I was only checked twice. Once because I was having a lot of bleeding and my midwife was concerned bc maybe I wasn't all that far along (I was 5cm, able to be stretched to 7) and a second time when I wanted to push. It was an incredible, empowering experience.

I think the unnatural environment of a hospital hugely interferes with the birthing woman. And all the people! Mammals birth alone!

srhendricks · July 2015

Nope definitely not alone! I'm 40 + 3 and so far no cervix checks or sweeps. I could have asked for one, but really what's the point? It certainly doesn't tell me what I want to know, which is when my baby's birthday will be!

kamio92 · July 2015

I'm right there with you. I was gunning for a natural birth and labour but LO has decided that she's staying breech. I've got my C-section scheduled for 39+4 days.

I don't really get the membrane sweeps or the seriously early intervention/intervention once bub is over 37 weeks but each to their own I guess. I get being impatient. I'm over being as big as I am. I'm ready for bub to arrive whenever she'd like. I keep telling her that today is a good day for a birthday but she's still hanging in.

2babes3angels · July 2015

Well, I am planning my second homebirth and agree with you to an extent. But also, be careful of being too harsh about someone who feels differently. We all have different experiences in life and those things impact everyone's perspective on birth differently. Also, even if you are planning a natural birth, it may be wise to mentally/emotionally prepare for the chance you may need some medical intervention or even a c-section . From what I've seen, when women get their hearts so deeply set on one picture of birth, it really ends up being devastating if it turns out differently, and that shouldn't have to be the case. Not trying to lecture, just trying to offer up another view point. I know if I were in another situation, I wouldn't want to feel judged.

megmansell · July 2015

To me it is just strange how early doctors are using medical intervention, when the average FTM goes naturally at 41+1 and you see how many people are inducing at 39 and ending up with C-sections. Our local hospital has a 40% failure rate with inductions leading to C-section. Also not understanding why breech is now automatically cesarean for some reason. My grandma was a breech, delivered two 12-lb breech babies naturally. I think we end up making things harder on ourselves in the long run by trying to rush things. Even if I go to 42 weeks, I have no plan of inducing unless it would harm the baby in some way to go longer. At my midwifery, you have the option of unassisted home birth (they come immediately after birth to check on you and baby and my pediatrician does home visits) or obstetrician after 42 weeks, and I would prefer to avoid going into a hospital. Sure am judgmental about these things. I think our society is over-reliant on medicine instead of trying to let our bodies heal and be.

megmansell · July 2015

And I know it could happen to me. But I am not seeking it and am not asking for unnecessary interventions to kick start things when my body hasn't been given a chance.

ashleytiff · July 2015

My son came naturally on the day I was scheduled to be induced. I'm sooo happy that he did. It's not as exciting when everything is scheduled. And I definitely didn't want to be induced but my OB doesn't like to go to 42 weeks.

sutavim2 · July 2015

I got induced with cervidil? At 41 weeks due to very low amniotic fluids. However... After the cervix ripened, it was just enough to get contractions going, water breaking on its own, and no pitocin or epidural!

) baby's heartbeat remained completely stable as there was nothing to stress her and she was breastfeeding within 5 minutes.

ecloho · July 2015

Yup like @ashleytiff said my doctor also does not like to go into the 42nd week. I am aiming for a natural birth also! I have had no cervical checks… My doctor said they only do them by request and haven't even heard mention of a sweep except for on these discussion boards. I am due the 28th I have one more appointment scheduled for the 27th… If I haven't had the baby by then, My doctor will schedule A date for induction somewhere within seven days from my appointment on the 27th. So if I don't go naturally prior to the 27th or sometime between the 27th and whatever the appointment is, then I will be induced.

Bugs1718 · July 2015

While I agree that induction shouldn't be done for convenience, there are lots of medical reasons why it's done. In my case, I had gestational diabetes and the odds of stillbirth raise dramatically after 40 weeks. I never had my membranes swept and only had my cervix checked so they could decide which type of induction meds to do. Which worked great and i delivered a healthy baby girl vaginally. I'm not suggesting that you were intending to include all inductions in your comment but try to be sensitive to those of us who would have preferred to have baby come on their own but it didn't work out that way.

ecloho · July 2015

Yes @Bugs1718... There are too many scenarios to assume one thing or another. To each and her own! It seems that having that appointment made for induction makes a lot of women excited and puts them at ease. I am hoping not to, but it could be the case and I'm not going to beat myself up over it… I just want a healthy and strong baby boy!!

oneblessedmess · July 2015

Bugs1718 said:
While I agree that induction shouldn't be done for convenience, there are lots of medical reasons why it's done. In my case, I had gestational diabetes and the odds of stillbirth raise dramatically after 40 weeks. I never had my membranes swept and only had my cervix checked so they could decide which type of induction meds to do. Which worked great and i delivered a healthy baby girl vaginally. I'm not suggesting that you were intending to include all inductions in your comment but try to be sensitive to those of us who would have preferred to have baby come on their own but it didn't work out that way.

Agreed with this. I am also hoping to go natural and not have any interventions, but I also think there's a fine line between expressing your preferences, and shaming moms who feel they must choose differently, for whatever personal or medical reason. Not saying your intent was to shame anybody, just saying it doesn't hurt to be sensitive to all situations!

megmansell · July 2015

Not being critical of people who have a medical need, but of the medical community for making it seem like induction is a normal part of an otherwise healthy pregnancy.

kmhefner01 · July 2015

I'm a veteran home birther myself, and while I would never want an induction myself, I feel like every woman is different and someone else might have a better outcome if they feel safer in a medically managed birth. A woman's since of security is extremely important in birth and looks different for different women. Yes I think induction rates are too high and there is too much intervention in birth, but I think the real problem is the lack of information available to women about the choices they have and the risks of each choice. I feel like there needs to be more balance in the hospitals where women could be allowed to labor naturally unless there is a real need for medicine. I wish there were more groups of midwifes and OBs working together to offer the best of both worlds with low/no interventions in low risks births with the security of an OR in the case of an actual emergency. Just my soap box. I don't judge another woman's choice but I advocate that women be informed and given choices. I think with more information alone the induction rates would go down.

jesicabrennan · July 2015

kmhefner01 said:
I'm a veteran home birther myself, and while I would never want an induction myself, I feel like every woman is different and someone else might have a better outcome if they feel safer in a medically managed birth. A woman's since of security is extremely important in birth and looks different for different women. Yes I think induction rates are too high and there is too much intervention in birth, but I think the real problem is the lack of information available to women about the choices they have and the risks of each choice. I feel like there needs to be more balance in the hospitals where women could be allowed to labor naturally unless there is a real need for medicine. I wish there were more groups of midwifes and OBs working together to offer the best of both worlds with low/no interventions in low risks births with the security of an OR in the case of an actual emergency. Just my soap box. I don't judge another woman's choice but I advocate that women be informed and given choices. I think with more information alone the induction rates would go down.

This exactly. Every woman needs to be comfortable when she's giving birth, for some this is with pitocin and an epidural and others it's at home. I'm planning a home birth but I'm still getting my membranes swept at 39 weeks! I have personal reasons for wanting this baby to come sooner rather than later and anything I can do to help it along!!!

shmarpler · July 2015

I've been very surprised by the number of women having membranes swept as early as 37 weeks, but I'm a FTM, so I've been surprised a lot during this pregnancy. :-D Now I'm a bit past 38 weeks and I understand wanting to have it done. I want baby to hurry up and get here, and I'm having a hard time being patient. I am very thankful for my midwife and her hands off approach. Here's to hoping for a smooth and safe delivery!

BabyK179 · July 2015

For my first birth, my Dr. swept my membrane at 41 weeks. I was a FTM and honestly didn't know what he was doing until after when I asked "what did you just do?!" It ended up working and two days later our daughter was born. Although I was frustrated with his communication and education, looking back I am happy I wasn't induced with medication and was able to have a natural drug free birth like I wanted. This time around I will be 40 weeks on Sunday. My feeling is I want another drug free birth and I want the baby to pick its own bday. However if I get to where they want to induce me in a hospital setting, I would definitely ask to have membrane swept as it was pretty easy and did kick start first time around once I was far enough along. This is just me and wanted to share my feelings with everyone

much love and support to all the mamas out there!

Dagoo · July 2015

You can have a 'medical need' ( in my case chronic hypertention) and am over 40, but we have decided I will not let them induce me until over 40 wks, like the 31st (am due the 29th). They have said we do it b\w 39-40 wks w/ older moms, but I will give LO a little more time. I was unfortunately induced w/ both kids, which went fine, 40+1 w/ first, due to feeling pushed into it as FTM, and held them off until 41 wks w/ 2nd, even tho my BP was all over the place. i just read an article on the necessity or not of indution in mms over 40, written by midwives, and we made that decision to only go a few days over 40 wks. However, for all other moms who are posting about scheduling inductions for no medical reason, it IS exactly why there are so many c-sections/ distressed babies, etc.

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