BTDT - Unmedicated Birth?

Knottie1445378742 · July 2015

What got you through it? My second was unmedicated, but only because early labor didn't hurt as much the second time around and I didn't realize I was so far along until I got to the hospital. I was fully dilated and he was born less than 20 minutes after we walked in. I had a lot of complications with the epidural from my 3rd and would much rather avoid it this time around. I think if I were home, like I was for so much of the laboring with #2, I'd have a better chance, but I don't want to risk it and actually have this one at home. I feel like once I get in that hospital bed, I'm toast - how can you take your mind off the pain when you're just lying there?

I asked my doctor if he had any tips, had noticed that moms with doulas were more successful sticking to the plan, etc. He said it's completely psychological and all about avoiding the panic that pain can produce and realizing that this pain is good and temporary. Makes sense to me, but still doesn't help (especially in the heat of the moment). I bought the Bradley book, but I just can't get into it. Any advice?

morganabyrd · July 2015

FTM here, but my game plan is to labor at home as long as possible, then make the 7 minute drive to our hospital. As far as your doctor saying it's psychological, that's what I'm thinking, too. I plan on having birth affirmations written on pretty little cards and reminding myself it's all temporary. Counting down the contractions, thinking along the lines of "pain for X more seconds". Pain/pressure means I'm that much closer to meeting my little love, finding out if it's a he or she, starting our relationship, etc.

Also, I'm looking into other pain management techniques and having a list of options to try, with an epidural being last on the list. Walking, birth ball, shower, counter pressure, positions, massage, reflexology, other pain medications, etc. This makes me feel like it's blatantly obvious that I have other options beyond an epidural.

leighann1 · July 2015

I'm undecided though have been leaning toward medication most of the time. I am worried about complications, though. What is encouraging to me is learning about the stages of labor and realizing that the most painful (transition) is also the shortest. If I know mentally that it won't last that long (in theory), then I feel like I could make it. Also knowing that medication extends the transition/pushing period is a factor.

SarahAnne1101 · July 2015

If you don't want to labor in bed at the hospital tell them! That made the biggest difference for me. I let them get their twenty minute strip when I got there then I was back up. Walked around the room, showered, sat in the birthing ball, rocked in the rocking chair. Then I would sit on the birthing ball by the monitors for them to get another round of monitoring as needed. It was so much easier for me if I just let my nurse know what I needed. And ny mom and husband were quick to remind me and the dr and nurse if what I wanted.

morganabyrd · July 2015

SarahAnne1101 said:
If you don't want to labor in bed at the hospital tell them! That made the biggest difference for me. I let them get their twenty minute strip when I got there then I was back up. Walked around the room, showered, sat in the birthing ball, rocked in the rocking chair. Then I would sit on the birthing ball by the monitors for them to get another round of monitoring as needed. It was so much easier for me if I just let my nurse know what I needed. And ny mom and husband were quick to remind me and the dr and nurse if what I wanted.

How often did you have to be monitored? This is on my question list for my doctor next week because I met a L&D nurse recently who told me they didn't allow patients to shower because they have to have fetal monitor strap on for 20 out of every 30 minutes. I thought that was a little extreme, unless a prior reading justified it.

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