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October 2018 Moms
tinattt23
member
Med Free Birth Discussion (May)
tinattt23
member
I guess we'll start out monthly and can always switch if we feel like we have more to talk about.
1. What are the main reasons you're thinking of going med free?
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
Let me know what topics you'd like to discuss. I'll keep a list going for future posts.
1. What are the main reasons you're thinking of going med free?
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
Let me know what topics you'd like to discuss. I'll keep a list going for future posts.
Re: Med Free Birth Discussion (May)
The fear of needles and something going wrong with the epidural - I’ve heard so many horror stories and know so many women who’ve had awful side effects from them!
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
Yep - both my previous kids were born med free (unless you count the pitocin to induce with my second). Because I’ve done it twice I’m relatively confident I can do it again as long as there aren’t complications.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
No, third birth means been there, done that! I mostly know what to expect and I always go in without a firm plan because it’s easier to let things happen as they happen than get hung up
on something and feel like I ‘failed’ if it doesn’t go the way I had envisioned.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
No, between my midwives and husband I feel supported. Inevitably one of my female family members will end up staying through the delivery as well - they come in to visit and just never leave! My mom was there with my first and my sister with my second and I appreciated having a familiar female who’d done it before with me.
It's kind of just always been my plan since I was a little kid. Probably started out because I was terrified of needles. Eventually did lots of research and found out about many of the health benefits for mom and baby. I just feel like the more you start (unnecessarily) messing with things, the more possibility there are for risks. So I'd rather avoid anything that isn't a medical necessity.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
DS was a med free birth. Pretty textbook. Long but uneventful.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
We did a full Bradley course with DS. This time we'll be taking the one day intensive refresher offered by the same instructor for returning clients. We picked Bradley mostly because I wasn't sure I'd be able to take the Hypno-birthing/babies seriously. I liked that it was more about techniques for managing the pain rather than pretending it didn't exist. I also like how we talked extensively about a lot of the different interventions, their pros and cons, and how to know when is the right time for them. I've talked to the instructor already. She said she'll probably have two more sessions before I'm due, but not hard dates yet.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
Absolutely. I didn't really want a lot of hands on help from my doula last time, but still loved having her there. Having someone with that experience in my home and in the hospital (you're alone so much of the time) helped put me at ease.
I'm struggling to decide if I want to use the same doula again or switch to the instructor who taught out classes last time. I had no problems with my last doula. She was great. But I really like the instructor, too. So I'm considering trying something new. The instructor is also an extra $500, so that may sway the decision.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own previous birth(s)? Close family or friends? No, sadly with my first i showed up to the hospital fully dilated and ready to push with a tiny butt trying to poke its way out, so i had a very quick spinal and C-section.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet? No, i did all of that last time, and i think its fresh enough that i remember the important things
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one? I will! We had one last time too, and even though we spent a whopping 45 minutes together for my super fast labor, she was a huge support to both me and my husband during the unexpected c/s. no matter what happens, i want one this time too, and have already started the process to set up some interviews.
Let me know what topics you'd like to discuss. I'll keep a list going for future posts.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
Yes, my previous was med free. Wasn't all that pleasant so I am debating it again so still not 100% on the med free, even though I hope to do it.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet? I did hypno birthing and swear it just all flew out the window while I was in labor. I would love to try the bradley method.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
I had one last time and she is what got me through. I haven't found one here yet so I hope so!
+1 to the doula being helpful not only for you, but for the husbands. DH was all meh about doula last time. Basically thought it was a waste of money but went with it because it's what I wanted. He was so relieved when the doula showed up last time. He didn't have to worry about timing contractions, filling my water, getting me blanket, etc all while supporting me through contractions and worrying about when we should be heading to the hospital. He was able to turn all his attention to me and let her worry about the rest.
I'm assuming the epi for the VBAC is kind of like a how some hospitals require an epi if you're attempting a vaginal twin birth? They want it there and ready in case they have to switch to a c-section. Though I'd imagine just by having it placed, you're odd of a c-section go up (for all the normal reasons). Maybe ask around. See if it's a policy from your OB or from the hospital. Is it standard across the board?
I’m not afraid of pain because I know the difference between good pain and bad pain (i.e. pain associated with your body to extremes vs pain associated with damage to your body).
Also- this is a one and done for me. I want to know what it feels like, from beginning to end. And I don’t want to be stuck in a bed because I cannot walk.
If I don’t get an unmedicated birth, sht happens, but if I’m not prepared, I know I will lower my chances.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
Nope.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
I’m taking the basic labor class offered by the hospital, but doing other research outside of that on pain management and what to expect during labor.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
I’m planning to have one- which Blast’s Guncle (my labor partner) fully supports. I have no experience with this, and Guncle doesn’t either. While I am doing as much research as I can, I also know that once I get there, I need someone experienced with me to help keep things on track. I know that everyone’s goal is to deliver a happy, healthy baby, but the nurses and doctors don’t know me as a person and come in with their own biases. The doula obviously has her biases too, but will also have had time to get to know me.
I’ve been researching them for the last six weeks or so, and am in the middle of interviews some. I think I know who I will go with, but I have one more interview this week.
Let me know what topics you'd like to discuss. I'll keep a list going for future posts.
Pain Management, important decision points during labor, various birth philosophies (i.e. Bradley vs Lamaz vs ?)...
I don't have any big motivations. I'm just not afraid of any part of labor or the birthing process and I wasn't a fan of the interventions I received during my medicated birth of DD.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
Every woman who gave birth in my family before me did it epidural free, but not med free. I wasn't there for any of those births though.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
We're doing the HypnoBabies home study course.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
DF wants to see if we can find a doula willing to do the birth free to get their hours in. The book he's reading, The Birth Partner, suggested it.
Dandelion - October 2018
Angel "Aurora" - July 2020
Angel "Sawyer" - May 2021
Angel "Maxine" - January 2022
Angel "Violet" - March 2022
Baby Dove due March 2023
1. What are the main reasons you're thinking of going med free?
I wanted to go med free my whole pregnancy with Z. I had an intense labor... I was induced, which I've been told brings on worse contractions. And then I went from not being dilated at all to a 10 within 4 hours. It was so intense, I was barely functioning. I don't even remember agreeing to the epidural. Once they gave it to me, the pain was completely gone, but I was out of it the rest of the time. I was groggy, everything was fuzzy, and I barely remember giving birth to my son.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
I know several friends who have done med free and they were all very happy with their decision.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
I didn't take any before and I don't know that I have the time/energy to try now, but I realize med free could very easily go out the window again if I don't. I'll do my research on the various methods this time though, as I don't remember anything from before.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
I don't see us being able to afford one quite honestly.
Honestly, because I want to see if I can do it. This is definitely our last baby so it’s my last opportunity so try. I feel like if I can avoid induction this time around then I’ll be able to go med-free. I for damn sure can’t do it if I’m induced again because I tried with DS and those pitocin contractions are no joke.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
I had an epi with both DD and DS (almost immediately with DD - at 2 cm - and at 5 cm with DS because I just couldn’t take it anymore) so I’m not sure what I’m in for. My mom had me (the first of her six) med free and said you couldn’t pay her to do it without an epi again so I’m feeling less than confident.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
Doubt it. I honestly have no idea when I would be able to.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
Nope.
I’m a bit different. I plan on labouring to around 9cm, letting them place an epidural, but not running the meds. Mostly because there is a 50% c-section rate for women trying for a vaginal twins delivery, and I'd rather have the epidural cannula in place so they can slam meds into it, versus being put under a GA for an emergency to save a twin. I did the same thing with my previous twins.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
My oldest was a med free labour/delivery. But he was also under 3 lbs..., my twins were essentially med free but with that cannula in place.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
Nope.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
No, I’m a L&D nurse and have seen some awesome doulas, but it’s just not my personal preference. I hate having extra people in the room.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends? I had a med free birth with DS, so I feel like I could do it again.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet? We took a one day birthing class at the hospital I delivered at last time, but I don’t think we’ll be doing anything this time. To be honest, I don’t know that the class we took was super helpful because I felt like I had already read a lot of what they taught in the books I had been reading, but it was still a good experience and I appreciated the hospital tour.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one? I won’t be having a doula. I think it would probably be nice, but I don’t really have it in the budget. DH did a good job coaching me through my first labor, so I am optimistic that the two of us will be fine on our own again. (Though apparently I did yell at him while I was towards the end of pushing that he wasn’t doing a good enough job holding the damp washcloth on my forehead!
The risk of cascading interventions is the main thing for me. I've gone into my previous two births preferring no epi but being open to it, but I get stubborn about it and want to see it through.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
I've never had an epidural but used nitrous oxide gas with my 2nd. Honestly it didn't do much but distract me.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
We did a hypnobirth inspired class (with lots of other coping skills taught, not strictly hypno) with our first. I'd actually like to do another class of some kind but not sure if we will.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
The doula who has been with me previously has moved, I'm so sad. She helped ease so many fears and that's really where I struggle in the heat of the moment. Post partum support was also amazing. She was actually a monotrice which means she's an RN and could monitor baby and my progress at home before we went to the hospital. I'm not sure if I'll have a doula again since it can't be her.
I am still undecided but I hate needles, and aside from the pain obviously, my first med free birth was fairly smooth and many benefits.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
My first was med free. It was very fast, intense and painful. However, I enjoyed being mobile during labour, trying different positions, up and walking almost immediately etc. There are many benefits.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
Took them the first time around, it's all still pretty fresh.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
I dont think so. With my history of fast labour I'm not sure it's worth it to be honest.
SO many! my research that the less meds i am on the better it is for baby and me. Birth should be easier without meds and less chance of intervention. I get claustrophobic so I panic thinking about an epidural and not being able to feel a good portion of my body and not move. Also want DH to know this is a team effort. He has always been there for me, why not be my strong pillar during labor too?
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own previous birth(s)? Close family or friends?
No, not really. I know my mom was med free for 2 of 3 births and one was just a little muscle relaxer as she had a breech baby. meds helped baby turn!
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
yes, Bradley method but have been reading other books on relaxation for birth and hypnobirthing because I like knowledge and reading
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
No. I will have a midwife and it will be a hospital birth (I am not comfortable with the first being a home birth but the concept is intriguing). Thankful we have a close hospital that has midwifes on staff so she has been my point of contact this whole pregnancy and I will be in a hospital in case there is need for medical intervention.
Might look into seeing if there are any in the area that are trying to get their hours in (so free Doula services) like a pp mentioned.
tinattt23 ditto to taking a hypnobirthing class seriously! I have poked around some books and found some stuff helpful but I feel like I am eye rolling more.
I wanted to attempt it with my twins, because needles to the spine don’t sound pleasant. I ended up with a spinal for a planned c-section (thanks to two breech babies). I can still sometimes feel where they placed the spinal - if I turn just right, it hurts. My kids are 5. I want to avoid having multiple places in my spine like that (although I am aware that an epi may not do it too). I also want to feel when to push based on my body and not on somebody else telling me because I’ve seen that it can reduce tearing.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
I think a friend did (unless you can waterbirth with an epi), but I haven’t talked to her about it.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
I haven’t looked into them yet, but I know I need to do something or I won’t make it without an epidural.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
I want one, MH is offended by that. TW he didn’t handle the easier of my two missed mcs very well and kept trying to take me to the hospital for cramps like I had in high school. I ended up telling him to leave. He wasn’t there for the second one, but that one was like a labor preview. It’s what made me realize I need to learn some coping methods and made me want a doula (because if MH freaked about the cramps, I’m not sure he’ll be too supportive with actual labor, especially since I don’t want an epidural). End TW
I honestly haven’t looked into getting a doula yet. If you had one or are already looking, approximately how much are they? I see a few people mentioning price being prohibitive.
Let me know what topics you'd like to discuss. I'll keep a list going for future posts.
Recommendations on classes, books, any supplements or exercises that might help to prepare (I’ve read that red raspberry leaf tea is supposed to make labor easier).
After doing Bradley course and just learning about it all reassured me this is the way I wanted to go. Prior to this I already have back issues and just thinking of dealing with an epidural or the possible side effects was not appealing to me.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
Both my boys were med free, pretty quick thankfully - 6 and 8 hours from hospital check in.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
I did Bradley with my husband and we learned a lot but I realized he was not the support I would need during labor - queue the doula!! So I dabbed a bit in hypnobabies and that helped a ton during home labor. Once things picked up and we went to the hospital my mind was a fog and I depended on my doulas support.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
Definitely!! I joke that after my husband the next person to find out is my doula because I NEED her there. I'll be using the same one I previously used for my other births. I kind of love that the same doula will be there for all of my babies.
I never had back pains in my life until after I had an epidural with my first. I'm not 100% sure the pain in from the epidural. My epidural had to be removed and reinserted and my back hasn't been the same since. I had to be induced with both my previous pregnancies so I'm guessing I'll be induced again.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
My labor with DS2 with very fast. I waited too long to get the epidural and it didn't kick in until 10 minutes after DS2 was born. I figure since I delivered DS2 without the epidural I can make it this time.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
I don't plan on taking any birthing classes. I just plan on taking some prenatal yoga classes.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
I would get a doula but they're too expensive in my area. We don't have $2k for a doula.
a doula? The on call part holds me back, but...
This time, I would probably opt for the spinal if I could get it, but my doc says it's really only a last report type intervention- and I refuse to have another epidural. So I am contemplating med free. I will have to be induced, due to T1D, so that does complicate things...but I am considering my options. And another epidural is NOT one of them.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own previous birth(s)? Close family or friends? Many of my friends chose t deliver at a birth center with midwives. Because of my high risk factors, that is not an option for me, but my doc would support a med free birth in the hospital setting.
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet? Nothing scheduled yet. I feel a little strange about a birth class since this is my third...but it would be my first med free if we go that route...so I'm not against it.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one? I do not think I will have a doula. I know women who have used and loved them, but with my medical history and my genuinely good relationship with my OB I think I feel better having just my husband, nurse and doc there...but I am open to hear more about why it's the right choice....I guess my fear is that a doula would be there to advocate for the birth plan, and while that is important to me, I am most concerned with the safest delivery possible. I wouldn't want to have to justify to anyone why I want to follow the suggestions of my OB....but maybe that's a stereotypical view of doulas...
1. What are the main reasons you're thinking of going med free?
For all the reasons previously mentioned: 1) lower rates of c-sections and other interventions; 2) fear of a giant needle; 3) desire to be present in the moment; 4) fear of not being able to feel much of my body and 5) to keep my husband conscious! He has a tendency to pass out, so the less hospital like the environment the better. having me hooked up to machines and whatnot would not be helpful for keeping him there
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own pervious birth(s)? Close family or friends?
Yes! My first son was born bed free in a birthing center at our local hospital. It was a relatively fast labor and delivery and I'm looking forward to doing it again!
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet?
We took a full fledged Bradley Method course the last go around. The lady I see for massages is also a doula and does birthing education courses. She will do a refresher course for second time moms, so we may set that up. I don't trust myself to fully re-educate myself with everything I knew last time and I think that knowledge was so important in keeping me calm and relaxed. I highly recommend the Bradley Method classes to anyone considering their options!
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one?
Sorta considering it. I found that I really went inward during my last labor. I didn't pay much attention to everything going on around me and my husband and the nurse were great support. I think a doula could only help, but I think we could manage it without her. If I did use one it would be my masseuse. She's amazing.
Just some things to maybe talk about with him. Doula’s are expensive and definitely a luxery and not a requirement. My DH wasn’t super on board the first time. Kind of thought it was a waste of money but ultimately left it up to me. He ended up being very glad we had one and is fully on board to do so again this time.
What’s your ideal plan for labor? Are you going to labor at home as long as possible or go to your provider early on?
I hope to labor at home as long as DH is comfortable as he is my support person.
While DH is supporting you, who will support him? Is he comfortable multitasking (being with you emotionally through contractions, being in charge of the timer, keeping snacks/water handy, fetching a blanket/pillow/socks/head band, etc)?
He is the king at multi-tasking and from what I have heard we have an assigned nurse that is ours so he has no issues calling for something if he can't get it without leaving me.
What kind of provider are you using? A midwife at a birth center may be able to stay with you the majority of your birth. An OB in a hospital will likely only show up to catch a baby. Nurses are hit and miss (ours were rarely in the room).
Midwife in a birth center in our hospital.
Do you both feel confident in your knowledges/ability to make decisions regarding interventions or would you feel more comfortable with another experienced opinion?
We are doing the Bradley method classes and are gaining lots of knowledge and will be working on our birth plan soon as well as interventions and how we want them done/avoided if any interventions are needed for my/baby safety. I do agree that this would be a great reason to have a doula with more actual real life knowledge than just book knowledge.
2. Do you have experience with med free birth? Your own previous birth(s)? Close family or friends? My best friend did both of her kids med free and she agrees with me and thinks that if I can feel the contractions it will help me push better. We'll see!
3. Birth classes - Plan on taking any? What method? Scheduled anything yet? Not this time. My kids will be so close (at least to me) that I dont think we'll even take a refresher course.
4. Doulas - Plan on having one? Why or why not? Any progress made thus far in choosing one? Nope, my doctor is amazing and so was my hubby last time. I'm just going to go for it.