Let’s talk Low Intervention/Unmedicated Births

lalala2004 · February 2018

I know it’s early, but I’m sure many of us are already thinking about this.

A few caveats for the thread, because this can be a heated topic:

1. The term “natural birth” isn’t very sensitive, as it implies that c-sections or medicated births are unnatural, which can be offensive. Just don’t use that term. Unmedicated or Low Intervention is more clear and more accurate.

2. There is no shame in interventions or medication during birth. Especially if your labor is long, you require induction, etc, sometimes they are unavoidable and very necessary. It’s great to have the birth you “plan” for, but life rarely goes as planned!

scottishlass1213 · February 2018

So I like all the meds, but I think it's a personal choice and what works for you. I have a co-worker here that gave birth both times, at home, in a tub. I applaud her for doing that - but that would scare the ish out of me!

However, my epidural only half worked last time, but it wouldn't sway me from not doing it again this time. I'm small and went 3 weeks early with DS and he was already 8lbs 8oz and they ended up having to vacuum him out because his head was ginormous and stuck along with his shoulder, plus his cord was around his neck.

lalala2004 · February 2018

I’ll share my experience, as I was very fortunate to have a low intervention birth that went pretty smoothly.

To prepare, I read a few books and took the Bradley Method class. I liked this because it really helped my DH feel involved and really educated him on childbirth. He didn’t really read any books, so this class was great. Really focused on education. Obviously it’s very biased, but I really felt like I knew more about what interventions there are and which ones are less invasive than others. Doctors really will honor many of your requests if you ask a lot of questions and tell them your concerns. And if they don’t, find one that does!

I didn’t want an IV, but they did set an IV port just in case (this can cause bloating in both you and baby, and can causes baby’s weight gain and loss to be less accurate). I didn’t have an epidural, but I did use laughing gas. So I wouldn’t say my birth was “Unmedicated”. Laughing gas just leaves your system faster, and is known for having less side effects. Unfortunately it doesn’t work for everyone, but it worked for me! And not all hospitals offer it.

My cousin was training to be a doula and so she was my doula for free to get practice hours. It was nice to have another person there that was relatively neutral so my DH didn’t feel alone in supporting me. She took pictures, too. At times when the nurses and
doctors would suggest things, such as breaking my water, I was so tired and was just like “Well, if you think I should” and she would just say “Is that what you really want?” And just reminded me what my plan was. That was great, because she was there to tell me what to do, just help me advocate for myself. Not all doulas are great, so it is important to find one you mesh with. I already knew I meshed with my cousin!

Ultimately I did need an IV after birth. I wasn’t drinking enough water. So my biggest goal this time is to drink more water and fluids during labor so I can hopefully avoid that. It made my hand so sore for days, and it made it hard to get in comfortable nursing positions.

A lot of my birth was just luck. From first contraction to delivery, my labor was 12 hours. When I got to the hospital, I was already to 8cm. I also delivered on my actual due date. So I recognize that I had a lot of things going for me, but I think all the preparation I did helped keep me relaxed and calm throughout the process. On the whole, it was a great experience.

pghctwife · February 2018

I had an epidural with my first - my water broke ahead of labor which intensified things. It was slow but really hard contractions from the jump. In hindsight having had 2 more kids I still feel it was definitely really especially tough.

EVERY BIRTH IS DIFFERENT.

My second and third were both med free, and no interventions to speak of and all in a hospital with a midwife. I chose a hospital known for being more low intervention, lower cs rate, and friendly to med free. They have birthing tubs and allow birth in them, etc.

my secibd was a textbook labor. 13hrs total, only got tough at the very end in transition. 2 pushes and out.

My third was overnight, 6 hours from ‘hm was that a contrax’ To birth which is fast. It was very hard and intense. He was ina hot rush! He was super bruised from the fast descent. Also out in 2 pushes. Pushing in med free birth is sweet sweet relief and waiting until you can’t help it but push, it’s out of your control, makes it more productive and quick.

I mych much much much preferred the med free e periences. I felt better faster, and preferred the control. That said even in hindsight the decision to get the epi with my first with how his labor was going was a good decision. I needed rest.

alinafed · February 2018

Mine is similar to pgchtwife (still can't tag, so frustrating).

First one was so intense, I had NO break between contractions once they started (which was 2 hours after my water broke). I got an epidural 4 hours later, by which time I was 7 cm or so - that really slowed things down, it then took another 3 hours for him to come (but still, only 7 hours total from first contractions to birth even with the epidural slowing things down). Labouring in the water was the best and I hated having to get out, but I really needed the epi as I was really panicking and freaking out from the pain and the lack of break between contractions. DH thought I had a look like a wild animal in my eyes.

Second was very different - thought I felt contractions at 2 AM, went back to sleep for 2 more hours. Woke up at 4 AM like yep this is it but totally manageable. By 5 AM I woke DH and called the midwife and my parents to come get DS1. By the time my midwife got to my house and checked me I was 8 CM so too late for epi even if I wanted one as I was still at home. Got to the birth centre after 6 AM, had DS2 in a birthing tub at 7 AM. So that one was 3 hours total, or 5 if you count the 2 hours I slept through.

Since my labours are very short to begin with and only getting shorter, my midwife wants me to prepare for a home birth this time, so another unmedicated. I had a good experience getting the epi and with the unmedicated water birth. I did tear a bit with the epi because it's harder to feel anything so you don't know when you should stop pushing and take a break, whereas I did not tear at all in the water and didn't need stitches - that made for a much easier recovery and I was up and about right after, compared to it taking a few days when I got the 2 stitches with my first.

I personally plan to go unmedicated again this time, given the time constraints even if I wanted to I am not sure I could get the epi as I waited 2 hours in the hospital for my first one from when I asked for it. However I have seen FTMs set themselves up for failure being too set on a specific birth plan, it's just hard when you have no frame of reference and no idea what to expect.

pghctwife · February 2018

@alinafed I also tore with my first and not 2&3. My first also had a shoulder dystocia too which was resolved with a mc-something maneuver.

pghctwife · February 2018

I’m of two minds re: going in with a set plan. I think it can depend on the person. On the one hand, yes, who knows what will happen and you have to be prepared that births can all be different etc.
but on the other hand, esp if the hospital/staff are less open to and comfortable with a low intervention and med free birth, you need to be of a strong mind to stand up for what you want (outside of emergencies). I’ve known sooooo many ppl who got pressure at the hospital to do stuff they didn’t want and when you are in labor it’s harder to advocate and speak up.

Also so depending on the person, you might know yourself and know that to get through the labor med free you need your brain to be set on it with no other alternative, so you don’t talk yourself out of it when it gets tough.

So... while I know ppl set themselves up for disappointment and frustration sometimes with birth plans and such, I think it can also be valid to have that stuff - self fulfilling prophesy kinda.

lalala2004 · February 2018

I think it’s good to have a plan, because it’s good to have goals and some idea of your preferences, and because it’s not easy to make the best decisions in the moment.

alinafed · February 2018

A plan is a great idea, I agree. I just think when people have their heart set 100% on something they can be disappointed. I know two people who were adamant about going med-free, but then when they had 30+ hour labours they had to change their minds, and one was really down about it and beat herself up for not being able to handle it. I personally was kind of hoping to go epi-free the first time, but I totally underestimated how painful my first labour would be so I did not regret changing my mind on it.

But I do 100% agree, hospital staff and doctors can be very pushy about speeding things along, especially in the US where it seems to be a financial decision too about how many people they can get through the doors and bill, so it is important to be informed, know your preferences, and advocate for yourself or make sure those around you can. I do love having a midwife over a doctor for this reason also.

ecwk · February 2018

Great thread @lalala2004

So interesting to read all your perspectives. I had an epi which I really did not like, it didn't seem to work, it slowed everything down. I was having back labor which was excruciating and I generally have a fairly high tolerance for pain, but it was not in my plan to not have the epi. This time I REALLY want to have a (mostly) unmedicated birth, I would definitely consider using gas.

livinthesunnylife · February 2018

Thanks for the lead in, really sets the appropriate tone @lalala2004

I was one of those that wanted an unmedicated birth, wanted to labor at home for as long as possible and go to the hospital all ready to go. Unfortunately I ended up with an induction and had to give in to the epi at 21ish hours. And I have no idea how many bags of fluids were pumped into me, but I was wearing DH's flip flops the next day and it was probably 4-5 days before my feet and legs stopped looking like elephant trunks. I have a picture of my legs that I took from the hospital bed cause I was so shocked.

Have a plan. Write it down, give it to your SO or who ever is going to be with you. But realize that the best laid plans don't always work out that way. And as long as the baby is ok, that's what really matters.

delujm0 · February 2018

I loved my epidurals with all of my heart, but my labors are fast and my hospital is 45 minutes from my house, so I'm mentally preparing myself for the possibility of unmedicated this time. I very much want the drugs, but if I can't get them I can't get them.

DD1 was sunny side up so I had intense back labor from the get go. I got admitted at 5cm and my epi at 6cm. The epi actually made me dilate faster because I was finally relaxed. I had to have a shot to slow labor down afterwards because it was causing the baby's heart rate to decrease during contractions. My contractions were very long, some went on for 5 minutes. I got in two rounds of pushing with each, with a 2 minute rest in between (while the contraction continued). I was in labor start to finish for 14 hours, which includes 2.5 hours of pushing. I'm thankful I had the epi.

DD2 I had what I now realize was bloody show before contractions started. My doctor said if I had bleeding "more than spotting" to go to L&D. It was a Sunday and the office was closed so I went to the hospital as a precaution, expecting to be sent home. They said i hadn't dilated at all when i arrived, but when the nurse left the room to get my discharge papers, my water broke on the triage table and DD2 was in my arms less than 4 hours later. I pushed for less than 5 minutes. I got my epi but just barely...I only had it for maybe 1.5 hours. Thankfully there wasn't a wait and I had gone to the hospital before anything started or I may have given birth in my car.

I'm nervous this time about it being fast. I had GBS with DD1 so I needed to be at the hospital for at least long enough to get 2 doses of antibiotics before delivery. Thank god I didn't have it with DD2 because there was definitely not time for all of the drugs. If I have it again I'm considering asking to be induced just to make sure I'd be in labor long enough to get both doses in. Either that or I'll just camp out in the hospital parking lot for a few weeks haha. At least if this labor is even shorter than the last one, being unmedicated wouldn't be the end of the world. I can probably handle that for less than 4 hours if I had to. I would like to not give birth in my car though.

legallykate · February 2018

FTM question: are there generally (keeping in mind every birth is different) multiple opportunities to say yes to an epi, especially with a long labor? I am by no means anti-meds but I have always had a pretty high pain tolerance and am thinking I would like to try to go as long as possible without one but then I am scared to say no and then not have an opportunity to say yes later if its too painful and/or taking forever.

mrsbubbles-2 · February 2018

@legallykate I was allowed to ask for an epi at any point in my labor. I started my induction at 2pm and I think I buzzed the nurses and asked to get the epi at about 1am.

pghctwife · February 2018

@legallykate I had a birth plan and told them at check in that I was hoping to go med free. They never asked (my hospital is great!) but once I decided I wanted it I asked. It takes a while sometimes bc they need to get the anesthesiologist etc

Krysta6 · February 2018

I am so grateful to read all the experiences where you got the epidural the first time and not other births. I have been really torn about what to do. First was a 29 hour labor and my water broke at 3cm. Everything really changed when my water broke. I’ve been questioning if my body can do this without the meds. But you guys are giving me a glimmer of hope.

And I second the Bradley method! My husband was amazing during it all and I think it’s because he was so well educated.

@legallykate there was plenty of time for me to get the epidural with my first, but they made it seem like they may never come back. Just be aware they may do that to you. They came back 3x to redo my epidural so they were around.

scottishlass1213 · February 2018

@legallykate not sure if it depends on hospital or what but I feel like remembering there was a cut off time to having one at mine. My hospital also did not allow for pushing for so many hours after having the epi, or they would do a c-section. I can't remember the specifics now though, it was 5 years ago so I need to ask.

livinthesunnylife · February 2018

@legallykate I was pretty much given the "tell is if/when you want an epi" for about an entire 24 hour period.

juliebird6 · February 2018

@legallykate I asked for my epi after 28 hours of constant contractions, vomiting, and no sleep. I had only dilated to a 5. So there was no length of time cut off, but I never dilated far enough to see if there would have been a cut off for that. I can imagine once you make it to an 8, it might be tough to get the epi in and working before it was time to push.

calimom2524 · February 2018

I'm just here to read all of the birth stories because I'm obsessed with birth stories. I had epidurals with both boys and I will have one again with this baby so I don't have much to contribute to the low intervention convo.

@legallykate from my experiences you can ask whenever you want. I know a lot of women prefer to try it on their own for a long time and then decide they want the epi and ask for it. I think there is a point where they can't give one though, I want to say it's around 8 or 9cm.

lalala2004 · February 2018

I think with having a plan it’s good to think of a contingency plan. Like, if I have an induction I would prefer _____ first or if I have a c-section I would want DH to go with baby and my doula to stay with me if we were separated. None of that was in my actual birth plan, but I thought about it before hand. I was a Girl Scout. Be prepared was drilled into me

princesslockness · February 2018

I have had both a high intervention birth and a very low intervention birth. For the high intervention, it was an induction due to Pre-E, ended with a c-section due to L having a bm and being frank breech. I had the epi with this birth. It was nice, I could relax and just think about what I had forgotten to pack/needed H to grab. Then when it was noticed things weren't going perfectly, it was very simple to switch from the epi to the spinal. It was a great first birth as it was super relaxed until it was panic time. I only had about 10 minutes to freak out, before we were in the OR.

With E I had a super high intervention pregnancy, but a surprising easy birth. I had had contrax on and off since 28 weeks. Sometimes they stopped on their own, sometimes they didn't. Anyways, at 38w1d I called as they were pretty regular and we live 1 hr away from our hospital of choice. They had me come in and start on the peanut ball. After 6 hours of that I still hate that dang ball. My water was broken when I was dilated to a stretchy 6. Within 30 minutes I felt I was ready to push. I had to wait 20 minutes for the doc to get back from a c-section, then pushed for about 15 minutes. My IV went in after her head was out.

No matter what you choose, have a plan or idea of what you want knowing that things can change in a minute. Understand what are hard lines where you really should pick the intervention and what is likely to be pushed even if its not 100% needed yet. Then do everything you can to prepare for your ideal birth.

7425cait · February 2018

I labored low intervention for about 8 hrs with DD. I wanted to go unmedicated, but needed the IV since I was strep B positive. My hospital was great, but my L&D nurse wanted nothing to do with my plan. I wanted to walk the halls, she wanted me lying in bed. That's what ultimately made me get the epi. Every time I had to lie down for a monitor check, my contractions got soooooo much worse. I don't regret my epi. It was easy, I slept for an hour, and didn't feel much after. I just wish I could have labored the way I wanted to a little longer.

livinthesunnylife · February 2018

@princesslockness I liked your post because I like your siggy a lot

proudparent2b · February 2018

With DS, my water broke in the wee hours of the morning on the day before I was supposed to be induced (OB didn’t want me going past 41 weeks). I didn’t have any contractions before we arrived at the hospital but once they started, they were horrible.

I got a room with the tub- 40 minutes in, 20 out being monitored. It was a bad idea for me because I became super temperature sensitive. I only got to do it a few times because DS was moving too much and they had to move to continuous monitoring. I stalled out at 8 cm for around 8 hours. The OB came in and said I had to have pitocin to move things along, so I requested epidural as well since I heard pitocin can make the contractions worse.

2-3 hours later and five pushes and DS was born!

All my labor was back labor and I had a second degree tear.

I think having a birth plan is great, but every pregnancy and birth is different, so you have to roll with the punches as well.

kburg15 · February 2018

I had a low intervention labor at a birth center and birthed DS in a tub. I also had nitrous oxide which made the biggest difference and gave me so much more confidence that I could do it. There wasn’t an option for an epi so I’m glad that I couldn’t even ask for one, as I probably would have given in if it was available. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding. I had some tearing but it was a muuuch easier and faster recovery than I was prepared for. I was group b strep positive but only got one round of antibiotics (they couldn’t get a vein) and we went home after 7 hours. First contraction to birth was 18 hours.

This is time I’m high risk and on blood thinners, so I’ll have to labor in a hospital without a tub or nitrous and I’m terrified. I want another unmedicated birth, but I don’t know that I’ll have the resolve to stick to my birth plan alone. I am also VERY bitter about possibly having to stay in the hosp for 24 hours after birth and plan to look in to leaving early.

scottishlass1213 · February 2018

I did not have a plan, did not care to have a plan at all other than doing whatever I needed to do to have a healthy pregnancy. It was a no plan, plan LOL

mrsbubbles-2 · February 2018

I had originally wanted a low-intervention birth, bought a Bradley method book and a friend of mine had a doula recommendation. But then the diabetes diagnosis happened and with that comes induction between 38 and 39 weeks so I needed a new plan. I'm all for planning, but have a plan A, B, C and Z. I trusted my doctor and the nursing staff to get me and DS through it safely and that was the most important thing. And in the event that you don't get the birth you wanted, it's ok to be sad about that. But the goal is a healthy baby and a healthy mom.

I'll talk induction to anyone who is curious, mine was a great experience. We should probably start a new thread for it though if there's interest so this one stays on topic.

rocknrrollmom · February 2018

I am so here for all of the birth stories, I love them!

I went for an unmedicated birth and took Hypnobirthing classes. You don't need to take classes to have an unmedicated birth, but I believe they really helped me prepare to have the type of birth I sought. It's a shorter class session than Bradley (I have 2 best friends that took Bradley classes and swear by them, I just wasn't able to commit to the 12 week (?) course). Hypnobirthing is more about getting into a state of mind where you can focus, relax your body, and breathe and get through the contraction or surge. My water broke around 11PM and contractions started but weren't very close together or intense yet. Through our classes with Hypnobirthing and with our Doula, everyone kept saying that early labor will take hours and hours and to try and get some rest. So, DH and I went up to bed. I downloaded a contraction timer app and while they weren't consistent, they were very strong, long, and close together. So, we called the midwife and doula and then went to the hospital. Getting through triage was the worst part because they wanted me to lay down to monitor the heart beat for a bit and also do an ultrasound. Contractions were so much worse laying down that I couldn't really handle it. We finally got what they needed and went over to our room. I chose a natural birth center (natural is their word, not mine) inside of the hospital. The birth center rooms have their own bath to labor in, spa shower, queen size bed to give birth on, the works. I loved it. By the time we got to the hospital, it was about 2 AM. I labored in the tub until I was ready to push. I went over to the bed and laid on my side. My doula held warm compresses to my behind as counter pressure, which was awesome. She also knew my entire birth plan, so I could focus on labor instead of making decisions. DH took photos of the whole thing. I wish he had been more involved, but with our doula, midwife, and nurses, there was really nothing else for him to take care of. I pushed for about an hour and she was born at 6AM. We didn't know the sex beforehand, so it was a great surprise. My unmedicated birth was incredible painful, even after being well prepared and taking classes but I am going to go for it again!

Sorry that is so long, I think this is the first time I've written it all out!

I know life doesn't always go according to plan, but I hope everyone gets to have the birth they desire whether unmedicated or with requested medication/interventions

dirtanddiamonds · February 2018

No drugs with 1 and 2. Got an epi with #3 because it turned into a 3 day induction. AND I LOVED IT.

This time I want all the drugs.

lalala2004 · February 2018

@rocknrollmom I agree 12 weeks is long. My instructor condensed it to 8 weeks, but longer classes.

rocknrrollmom · February 2018

@lalala2004 Nice! That is a good month shaved off. I also love that your cousin was your doula, is she going to help this time around as well?

lalala2004 · February 2018

rocknrrollmom said:

@lalala2004 Nice! That is a good month shaved off. I also love that your cousin was your doula, is she going to help this time around as well?

I haven’t decided. Her life circumstances have changed quite a bit, and I haven’t talked to her in a long time. I’m actually considering some postpartum doula services to help me with DS, and I have a good friend who recently became a doula who I mesh really well with. I’m not sure if my cousin does that because she has 3 kids of her own to care for! My friend does not. But I’m also afraid I would offend my cousin if I didn’t use her again! So I need go decide what to do....

melprop · February 2018

With DS, I went to my 37w appt, and the OB told me I was in labor, 4cm dilated, and to get to the hospital because my blood pressure was higher than she liked. I went home, got DH, got to the hospital around 4:30pm. I found out I was too late to get an epi if I wanted one, because that hospital only staffed an anest. 7am-3pm. My OB got more concerned about my blood pressure and broke my water to speed things along. That was about 5:30, and by 6:30 I was screaming in pain from laying on my back & intense back labor. I wanted to move off my back, but the nurses couldn’t get the monitor to work unless I laid reclined on my lower back. I eventually got some med in my IV that basically put me to sleep. By sometime around 10-10:30 pm I was fully dilated and started pushing. DS was born at 10:52pm. So 6.5 hrs from the time I went to the hospital, not really feeling the contractions, to baby in my arms. But I don’t really remember it because the iv med made me really out of it.

This time I’m delivering at a different hospital an hour away, with a different OB. I haven’t really talked about things with my OB yet, but I’d like to go med-free if I can. I also will likely be pretty far along when I get to the hospital considering how fast my active labor was with DS. So I may not be able to get an epidural even if I want one.

legallykate · February 2018

Somewhat related: DH told me he doesn't need to take a class because he saw Brandon deliver a baby on 90210 and knows the breathing from that and then proceeded to demonstrate it for me. I'm hoping he figures out pretty soon that I do not find his pregnancy/labor jokes nearly as humorous as he does. Eyeroll. This is why I will be having my mom there as my doula.

suzystar829 · February 2018

I had wanted to go med-free and low intervention with #1 but didn't end up that way. DS was posterior and caused an excess amount of back pain. I made it to 6cm before I was literally sobbing from the pain. They first gave me a little morphine to take the edge off and it didn't work. I finally opted for epidural somewhere between 6 and 7 and they ended up wet-tapping me (needle in too far and punctured my dural sac). I ended up needing a c-section at the end of all of it because DS was jammed up in there and after 2 hours of pushing he would not budge.

After all that I ended up with delayed spinal headaches from the wet tap. I was fine in the hospital but the day I was discharged I went downhill fast and could not function. I ended up in the ER at my local hospital for several hours then had to go back to my delivering hospital an hour away the next day where they readmitted me for the day and I was loaded up with meds and monitored.

Needless to say, I definitely want to try to go med-free with #2 because I do not ever want to experience those horrid side effects again. I am hoping my fear of that will help me suck it up and make it through the pain without meds this time. But I reserve the right to change my mind at any moment haha.

derbysquirrel · February 2018

@legallykate
Your husband and I seem to have the same sense of humor.

I don't have much of a plan, except I want all of the options available to me in the moment. I'll go without an epidural if it's not too bad, but I want to ability to have it done as soon as I change my mind in the moment. I guess I don't have any strong opinions on anything going in, but I want whatever I say in the moment to be taken seriously! I sort of like the idea of a birthing tub, but I run very cold, and I'm afraid I will end up freezing and uncomfortable if they won't let me have it set above 95 degrees. What is the temp of a birthing tub?

lakesideknitter · February 2018

+1 for wanting low interventions (I read all the Bradley and hypno-birthing literature), but things working out differently.
I won't go into detail about my semi-traumatic experience, because I don't think that's healthy for me or any of you, but I echo all of the ladies who advised to stay flexible. Especially when Pitocin is involved - that ish is no joke!!

lolog531 · February 2018

I said from day 1 i would probably get an epidural, but I was determined to hold out as long as possible.
As said above, things don’t always work out though.
My water broke at 36w5d. Since I was so early, they didn’t want me laboring at home long. After 8ish hours I was only dialtated 2cm and my contractions were sporadic. Cue Pitocin and a Foley bulb. After 5-6 hours on that I caved and got the epidural. DS was sunny side up and wedged a bit, so I never got past a 9. I ended up with a c/s after almost 30hrs from my water breaking. It wasn’t ideal, but me, the doctors and nurses tried every position, stretch, technique to get him to cooperate and it wasn’t happening. They also never pushed me to do or try anything I wasn’t comfortable with. The c/s was ultimately our decision since he wasn’t in distress.
I will say I went in with an open mind. My end result was a healthy baby, no matter how he got here, so it made coming to terms with the c/s a bit easier for me. In the end, have a plan, make sure the people there for you knownit and advocate for you. There’s no right or wrong way to have a beautiful baby!

PregoMego2015 · February 2018

@legallykate, When you get to the hospital, ask specific questions about when you can get the epidural because it may be different day to day. I was admitted around 3AM and was doing okay, fast forward a few hours and I wanted the epi! Since it was still early there was only 1 available anesthesiologist and he was doing an emergency c-section, so I had to wait over an hour and the pain became unbearable. Now, I want it earlier! But in the end I told them to turn off the drip completely because I had a hard time pushing so I felt everything. Still happy I had the epi to get me through the contractions though.

lalala2004 · February 2018

@derbysquirrel a tub never appealed to me for the same reasons. I like a hot bath, but once it cools off I’m done. And I did try a bath in early labor. It didn’t really feel that great, either. The shower was nicer.

Oh, I will say that I also had regular chiropractic care throughout my pregnancy, and they say that can also help with baby’s positioning, which can make a huge difference. DS was in the ideal positioning for almost the entire pregnancy. But that could have been coincidence of course. My new theory is that DS made birth easy on me to make up for being so precocious now

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