With my first, I was hoping to go without an epidural but was definitely open to having one depending on how labor progressed. And then I was diagnosed with cholestasis at 37.5 weeks. I thought I would be induced until an ultrasound showed the stinker as being breech. With not much time to decide, a c-section was scheduled for the following Monday instead of an induction. I'm just hoping for a VBAC this time and will take the drugs as necessary, I really just want to experience labor. I have a really supportive midwife group this time and even my OB from the first pregnancy said I'm a great candidate. Trying to be positive but the pregnancy dreams this time have not helped! I keep dreaming of repeat c-sections!
Yes I've been reading the Hypnobirthing Method book and listening to the guided hypnosis tracks. I may also take the Bradley Method but I dk if we're going to be able to schedule wise.
I had an epi with both my kids, but it didn't work for my first one. I was pushing by the time I got it, and it never got to kick in, nor was it enough to do much anyway. When I had my second, I explained what happened and they were good about making sure I got it early enough and left a drip in just in case. With my second, the entire experience was so much better bc I wasn't in so much pain and could rest between contractions and pushing. Both my kids I was in labor for a total of 3 hours, two of them spent at the hospital. So this time around, I'm just trying to prepare myself for the possibility that I might not have time for meds. I've basically done it natural once, but it wasn't worth it to me, if I can have a choice. So as usual when it comes to giving birth, we shall just have to wait and see!
I am planning to go with an unmedicated birth. It's so great to see how many others are planning to do the same. I'm not anti-epidural for everyone, but it's a personal choice. I'm really starting to get sick and tired of being told by women who have had epidurals that I don't know what I'm talking about and that I'm silly/stupid for wanting to do it without one. I understand that epidurals have helped many women manage their labors and that's great, but again, it's not for everyone.
I really think the comment about there being "no medal in the pain olympics" is extremely unfair and honestly, ignorant.
How can you be so sure that every woman who wants to have an unmedicated birth is doing it because she feels she has something to prove, or because "she can"? That is not at all my reason for wanting to give birth without an epidural or other pain meds. I've heard amazing stories from other women who have felt so connected with their bodies and their babies throughout labor and delivery and yes pain a big part of it but there is so much more to it than that. The more I research the more it just sounds and feels right to me. It has nothing to do with winning any medals and I certainly have nothing to prove to anyone. It's about me and my baby, and my husband if he can handle it .
Has anyone else had Nubain? I had it for another pain causing issue a few weeks ago since it is pregnancy safe, and had the same experience as @shanrum3. It made me sleepy, and floaty, but it still hurt like the blazes.
Before i ever got pregnant with my first i always said i wanted an epidural. (i know i can't handle pain well). But then during my first pregnancy i got this crazy idea in my head that an epidural would be just terrible and slow things down and i wouldn't be able to walk around and move to try and help speed things along. So i told my hubs i wanted to go natural. I made him read "the Birthing Partner" because i knew he would play a HUGE role in my sanity during birth. I also bought some books to read for myself (though my LO came early and i never finished my book).
We also set this rule that if I said i wanted an epidural we would wait 30 minutes and revisit the topic. if i still wanted it then we would go for that.
My labor progressed rather quickly and painfully. Luckily (i guess) there was no time for an epidural.
Looking back, i'm so glad I was able to go through labor with out medication. The recovery process was great.
I just suggest going in with an open mind. Read birth stories, find some books. And then when it comes down to it, just do what ever is best for you. Regardless of how your baby comes into the world, the most important thing is that Momma and baby are healthy.
I hated the nubain. I couldn't keep my eyes open and felt dizzy and drunk. Wouldn't be so bad except I was trying to give birth. I specifically told my nurse the second time around to make sure I was not offered it at any point, even if I got desperate waiting for the epi. It wasn't worth it.
I would love to hear about people's experiences with natural birth in the hospital versus at a birth center. I am so far planning to do it at the hospital but I keep watching videos of birth center births and the environment seems so much more peaceful. Safety is a priority and I like the thought of being at the hospital in case something goes wrong, but I might tour the birth center near me just to get a feel for it. I don't even know if it is too late already to plan to deliver there...
If you gave birth naturally in a hospital, was it hard to stick to your birth plan and do you feel like there were any unnecessary interventions? Do you feel like the staff listened and were supportive of your wishes?
I would love to hear about people's experiences with natural birth in the hospital versus at a birth center. I am so far planning to do it at the hospital but I keep watching videos of birth center births and the environment seems so much more peaceful. Safety is a priority and I like the thought of being at the hospital in case something goes wrong, but I might tour the birth center near me just to get a feel for it. I don't even know if it is too late already to plan to deliver there...
If you gave birth naturally in a hospital, was it hard to stick to your birth plan and do you feel like there were any unnecessary interventions? Do you feel like the staff listened and were supportive of your wishes?
Wondering the exact same thing! Also, has anyone had an experience with a doula specifically at a hospital? How did that go?
I did unmediated at the hospital. (see previous post) Even though I was asking for an epidural the hospital was very open to doing natural births. I took a pregnancy/birthing class there and that's when i knew i found the perfect place to give birth. It was a hospital, so should anything go wrong everything would be there. However, in the class they talked a lot about natural ways of dealing with pain. they promoted walked around during labor tot help move things along.
I think it really depends on the hospital you choose and what they are about. In my opinion, it's more about the hospital you deliver at than your doctor (my doctor did not deliver my baby...and it really didn't matter because the staff at the hospital was amazing)
I had an unmedicated hospital birth with my (now 3.5 yr old) daughter, and I'm planning an unmedicated homebirth with an awesome midwife for this kiddo. Bradley classes and a really supportive doula helped me feel confident the first time, and I ended up really appreciating the experience as one of the most primal, beautiful, insane human events of my life. =P
@Allisun85 that must have been what I was given with my first (I couldn't remember the name) It was awful. I was in pain and felt like I was drunk. Not a good combination for me. I am opting not to get that this time around no matter how much pain I am in while waiting for the Epi.
I had 2 unmedicated births. I have super quick labors and labor mostly at home, with the exception of being sent home BOTH times being told I was only 1cm or less...I had DS1 10 hours after being sent home and DS2 4 hours after being sent home. With DS1 he was 6lbs 14oz, I was in the hospital (the 2nd time after being sent home earlier that day being told it could be days) for 1 hour and 20 minutes before he was born. With DS2 I was only there for 25 minutes before he was born. Both times include parking in the parking garage, walking over to hospital, going up to 14th floor, getting checked in triage, and then rushed in bed to L&D! For my first son I stopped traffic (born at almost 7pm) when crossing the street from the garage to hospital. The hospital's concierge saw and ran over with a wheel chair, then security stole the wheel chair from DH, ran us through the hospital, put elevator on code blue and rushed is into L&D haha. The second time around I swallowed my pride and made DH get a wheel chair out of parking garage.
Re: Unmedicated birth
Here is is the one I was referring to! But even this is far from the littlest baby we've cared for. Just hard to get any pictures of the itty bitties!
I really think the comment about there being "no medal in the pain olympics" is extremely unfair and honestly, ignorant.
How can you be so sure that every woman who wants to have an unmedicated birth is doing it because she feels she has something to prove, or because "she can"? That is not at all my reason for wanting to give birth without an epidural or other pain meds. I've heard amazing stories from other women who have felt so connected with their bodies and their babies throughout labor and delivery and yes pain a big part of it but there is so much more to it than that. The more I research the more it just sounds and feels right to me. It has nothing to do with winning any medals and I certainly have nothing to prove to anyone. It's about me and my baby, and my husband if he can handle it
We also set this rule that if I said i wanted an epidural we would wait 30 minutes and revisit the topic. if i still wanted it then we would go for that.
My labor progressed rather quickly and painfully. Luckily (i guess) there was no time for an epidural.
Looking back, i'm so glad I was able to go through labor with out medication. The recovery process was great.
I just suggest going in with an open mind. Read birth stories, find some books. And then when it comes down to it, just do what ever is best for you. Regardless of how your baby comes into the world, the most important thing is that Momma and baby are healthy.
If you gave birth naturally in a hospital, was it hard to stick to your birth plan and do you feel like there were any unnecessary interventions? Do you feel like the staff listened and were supportive of your wishes?
I think it really depends on the hospital you choose and what they are about. In my opinion, it's more about the hospital you deliver at than your doctor (my doctor did not deliver my baby...and it really didn't matter because the staff at the hospital was amazing)
My first