Anyone else considering unmedicated childbirth??

nlschafer · October 2015

Hello fellow moms!! I am curious to see if anyone else is seriously considering going completely natural for childbirth?? I have two children and had an epidural for both...which did absolutely NOTHING for me except completely numb my legs! The nurse said it may be my body chemistry. I am seriously thinking of not even bothering for baby #3...why try a 3rd time when the other 2 did nothing right?? Is anyone else thinking of going pain Med free?? And if so, how do you plan on dealing with the pain naturally??

m6agua · October 2015

There is a thread already about this and it's on the first page.
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12631435/anyone-considering-a-natural-birth-any-success-stories-of-natural-birth

ETA: I know that thread doesn't answer all your questions but there is a lot of great info. Also there is a thread on the TTGP board pinned at the top (I forget the name though) that has some great info.

Here it is
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12576547/postpartum-preparedness-ama-trigger-tmi-warnings

lionstigersbears · October 2015

I've done it before and this is my cliff notes version: It was awful and amazing.

Scottwswife · October 2015

I am, partly because I want to, partly because baby 1 came so fast there was no time for an epidural, and thing 2 is probably going to do the same thing.

animarenata · October 2015

Absolutely. I highly recommend reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. Labor doesn't have to be a nightmare. The body has tools to get you through it without the drugs.

DanandVan · October 2015

I'm on the fence about this. I had a failed epidural with #1. With #2 I was induced and labored for 10 hours without much progress dialating. I was at like 2 cm. The nurse mentioned epidurals sometimes help move labor along, and I figured I was going to be laboring for a long time, so I got the epidural and it was truly magical. The pain vanished, my cervix shot to a 10 within an hour, and baby was born safely after 3 easy pushes.
So while I would love to go drug free, I think I am going to keep my options open and play it by ear.

Htow89 · October 2015

I'm planning on going medication free for my delivery. I've been looking into getting a Doula for when I go into labor. My older sister had a c-section with her first bcuz he was breech, but had a v-bac with her second. She went medication free and pushed for 6 hours with no harm to baby (they ended up doing a partial epidural bcuz his cord was wrapped around his waist and they had to use forceps). My mom gave birth to all me and my other 3 siblings medication free as well. I want to labor at home for as longh as possible and even considered doing an at home water birth, but I haven't been able to find a doula or midwife that is willing to do this in my area. My sister told me that changing positions when pain comes and walking really helped her labor. The reason I want to labor at home so long is because once you get to the hospital they really don't want you up and moving around.

BurghBornNRaised · October 2015

Hell no! The epi was glorious when I had it with my daughter. Women who go unmedicated deserve a huge trophy or something. They are superheroes IMO and I'm not afraid to admit that I'm not one of them. lol

Copernicus08 · October 2015

I wanted and got unmedicated vaginal delivery with DS and hope to do it again with baby #2. Laboring in the jacuzzi tub was amazeballs.

Honestly, I'm scared of the epi needle.

SunnySurprise · October 2015

I haven't gathered nearly enough information to make an educated decision on this matter yet. But going med-free is certainly something I'm seriously considering. From the few things I have read so far I can certainly see the advantages. I'm still taking some time before making my mind up about it though.

tripledaggerWed95976 · October 2015

I'm a ftm, I will definitely be having an epidural. Lots of respect to the med - free moms though!

sillyfox · October 2015

I take Tylenol for headaches, I don't understand (personally) why I wouldn't ask for pain meds during one of the most painful experiences in my life. I ended up with a CS the first time and I'm still weighing VBAC vs CS, but if I get my VBAC, there will be drugs. Mostly epidural.

But that's just me, and I have no problem with anyone else doing it exactly how they want. Good luck, I hope you all have the birth you want! :x

gemini2005 · October 2015

I plan on trying it without the epidural this time but only because they freak me out a little bit. My two previous births were inductions and although they were relatively fast labors, I was in terrible pain because of the pitocin. Hopefully I will go into labor naturally this time and I won't need any meds. My husband and I have a $10 bet as to whether I can do it- now that's motivation ha!!

kami09 · October 2015

It always kind of makes me chuckle when people say they are going natural because they are afraid of the needle.

You don't even feel that needle. You are bending over on a bed while having horrible, overlapping contractions and you are forced to sit completely still. Jab that sucker in, let's go!!

In all seriousness though, I TOTALLY tried as hard as I could to go med free. I put up a fight but caved. I do hope to go med free this time.

sarawifenow · October 2015

I am a FTM and have decided that I will be doing a med - free birth unless it is needed for various reasons.

gemini2005 · October 2015

kami09 said:

It always kind of makes me chuckle when people say they are going natural because they are afraid of the needle. You don't even feel that needle. You are bending over on a bed while having horrible, overlapping contractions and you are forced to sit completely still. Jab that sucker in, let's go!! In all seriousness though, I TOTALLY tried as hard as I could to go med free. I put up a fight but caved. I do hope to go med free this time.

Oh I'm not scared of needles but when they stick a catheter into the area near my spinal colum I tend to get a little nervous ha! Also, spinal headaches are no joke!!

kbrands7 · October 2015

If I'm cleared to try a VBAC, I'd like to go med-free. That's what I prepared for with my son, but he turned breech shortly before I went into labor.

kami09 · October 2015

@gemini2005 gotcha. You wouldn't believe how many times I've heard people say they are going to go natural because they are afraid of needles.

But I gotcha. Even then though...with everything I knew about epidurals and possible implications...enough was enough lol

gemini2005 · October 2015

kami09 said:

@gemini2005 gotcha. You wouldn't believe how many times I've heard people say they are going to go natural because they are afraid of needles. But I gotcha. Even then though...with everything I knew about epidurals and possible implications...enough was enough lol

Yup! Also, I had great epidurals so I never felt a thing. I think there's very little hope that I will go natural since I know relief is right there. Of course, now that there's $10 on the line things may be different lol!

nick&heather · October 2015

Laboring in a tub or shower is amazing for dealing with contractions (and pushing if your provider offers waterbirth). And laboring at home as long as possible to stay comfortable and mobile.

Soontobejones33 · October 2015

I'm making all kinds of plans, you know before the pain, only 10 weeks in here and first time mom. Me and pain meds don't mix well, so concerned about effects if I have the drugs. But then I don't think you know you're pain threshold until you're in it. Fingers crossed.

hepburnrules · October 2015

I've done both, but both were completely different situations. This time around I'm praying for a repeat of my last delivery but very accepting to an epidural if the need presents itself

It's truthfully something you should consider, but you won't know until that big moment comes what the best choice for you is. **quick painless labour vibes**

karmana · October 2015

The thought of a spinal tap scares me far more than a small watermelon coming out of my vagina. So, yes, I am definitely considering unmedicated.

mhc13 · October 2015

Team hell no. I went through the horrors of transition without one. Never again if I can help it.

skiingstark · October 2015

karmana said:

The thought of a spinal tap scares me far more than a small watermelon coming out of my vagina. So, yes, I am definitely considering unmedicated.

I find this statement kind of funny because when I was reading I was thinking, damn when you put it that way the size of a small watermelon... give me the spinal tap.

But anyways I respect all women who go through it unmedicated, I will go as long as I can without meds so I do not get stuck on the bed and can walk around for awhile but I do plan on getting a spinal tap at some point in the process. I just want to be able to walk around for a bit first.

kbrands7 · October 2015

skiingstark said:

karmana said:

The thought of a spinal tap scares me far more than a small watermelon coming out of my vagina. So, yes, I am definitely considering unmedicated.

I find this statement kind of funny because when I was reading I was thinking, damn when you put it that way the size of a small watermelon... give me the spinal tap.

But anyways I respect all women who go through it unmedicated, I will go as long as I can without meds so I do not get stuck on the bed and can walk around for awhile but I do plan on getting a spinal tap at some point in the process. I just want to be able to walk around for a bit first.

FWIW, when I got my spinal before my c-section with my son, I was having such strong, low contractions that I didn't even feel the needle-- I was just focused on staying absolutely still.

That said, I'd love to go med free if I'm able to because I hated being confined to my bed for hours afterwards while feeling came back and because pain meds make me very nauseous. (Plus, med-free would mean a successful vbac.) I spent the first few hours with my newborn son switching between trying to breastfeed and vomiting into one of those square hospital tubs. It was a blur. If I end up going the rcs route, I just hope that they can be more proactive about helping to control my nausea as the anesthesia wears off.

dsmith211 · October 2015

I plan on going med-free. I'm actually planning on delivering at a birthing center outside of the hospital so I won't have an epidural available to me as an option. The place I am going does allow you to move around freely while laboring and does have birthing tubs in every room though and I fully plan on making good use of that.

I feel like I have the best chance of doing this med free if I remove the temptation to begin with.

avidkeo · October 2015

At the risk of throwing fire in here ALL women who give birth deserve a standing ovation! C-sections are NOT a walk in the park and after having one, iI think an unmedicated birth sounds easy. Hell a medicated birth sounds easy! Sure the how many hours you are in labour can hurt like hell but that all mostly passes when LO is born. I'm still dealing with pain/numbness/itchiness in my scar and will for the rest of my life.

So how ever you decide to give birth, or however fates decide you have to give birth, you are awsome!

PS im very seriously considering a repeat c-section for this LO.

helleebellee · October 2015

I've done both and would rather not do unmedicated again. However, because of my lovenox injections, I have to prepare myself for the high chance of another unmedicated birth. Its a good thing I have 6 months to prepare myself.

Jessabelly · October 2015

I will be having an epidural free birth. I have a 19 month old DD which I had an epidural with. After my birth I had an excruciating headache and it continued on and off (mostly on) for the next 14 months. I went to physical therapy, chiropractor, ER for catscans with no relief. I finally met a holistic doctor that has FINALLY given me relief and based on all of my symptoms she is convinced it was caused by a reaction to the epidural. So here I am.. I never thought I would be one to have an epidural free birth and would cringe at the thought of those "super women" who did it. I am not opposed to any IV medications to "take the edge off" but will not be having anything put into my spine. I am looking into switching from an OB to a midwife and hiring a doula. I also am thinking of taking classes on the Bradley Method of Childbirth. I know that my body can do it I just need to get mentally, physically and emotionally prepared bc I still remember how absolutely terrible labor was for those few minutes before my epidural. Good luck to all ladies however you choose!

wamam027 · October 2015

Since I can remember I've been set on an unmedicated birth. I most definitely want to be able to get up, move around, and get in positions I'm most comfortable in if at all possible. Obviously, I know things don't go as planned so I am completely prepared for a possible C-section or what have you. My pain tolerance is exceptionally high, and I got diagnosed with fibromyalgia and possible lupus this year. I've been told by several Drs that epidurals typically do not numb people with fibromyalgia and pain medications (as I already know) do not work in the least for me due to the changes in my pain center in my brain with fibromyalgia.

Hoping for smooth sailing no matter how you choose to bring your little one into the world!

honeydew405 · October 2015

With my first three I did unmedicated births. I was so determined to not get that epidural a needle in my back makes me sick thinking about it. I don't know if I just have a high tolerance for pain, but it wasn't to bad for me. Let me tell you the tub worked for me and a lot of the time I just zoned out and having some relaxing music going. Being that this will be my fourth go around Im even more determine to be able to do it again. Praying that everyone can have healthy and happy deliveries.

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