I want to try a natural birth but I'm starting to get scared...

[lisaf]

yeah, I don't know why its ok in dentists office but not for labor? maybe because dentists don't use it as often as a labor ward would?

I do think a lot of American women would laugh their asses off if offered gas n air and insist on the epidural, lol!

 

[Ember]

Both of you make good points. I think the greediness of the private insurance is the most likely reason, though, just like everything else in the US. It would be nice to have the option, though, especially for those of us hoping to go without an epi. I just wonder if the nos gets to the baby at all and if it affects anything.

 

[lisaf]

In my experience, insurance companies are cheap, lol... out to avoid paying for whatever they can or go for the cheaper option The medical/drug companies on the other hand like it exactly the opposite.

 

[ermm23a]

Yeah, that's what I meant. Hospitals (most here) are for profit, and I'm sure they make more on epidurals bc they can charge fee for the actual medicine plus fee for whoever administers the injection.

In a socialist medical system, they are going to go with whatever is cheaper, so it makes sense they would push gas on patients before other more costly pain relief.

And the opposite over here.

 

[Ember]

You're right, I got that backwards. It's the healthcare providers/drug companies/etc that are greedy, the private insurances are the ones trying to cut costs. They are fighting an uphill battle, I'm afraid...

 

[MyFavSurprise]

I think its scarier for us girls in the US since gas and air aren't available, lol!
At least it feels that way to me!

Yes!! It is! haha, that's how I feel too... I just want a big joint! Of course I wont and can't do that but it sounds like a great gas and air substitute..

Thank you all, I've gotten some great advice from this thread and am feeling a lot more confident.

I'll go ahead and check out the other forum too about natural birthing, I start a birth class on Sunday night based on the book Birthing From Within, it includes a little about hypnobirthing too, plus they have another course that I can take later on if I feel I need it, though it's pricey. In this class I guess they have all the women howl to teach us to be open and not keep everything in, I'm like oh great...haha

Thank you all, this has really made me feel great

 

[MyFavSurprise]

Also wanted to include, this birthing center will provide a voulenteer doula if requested which I will definitely be doing too, they are doulas in training but I don't mind, I think that would be great, they still know more than I do!!!

 

[Ember]

Wow the volunteer doula in training option sounds awesome. I wish we had something like that around here (or at least a birthing center, or even tubs available at the hospital). Stupid ass-backward hick town >.<

 

[lisaf]

lol, ditto that Ember!! We're close to getting a birthing center, but they were supposed to be open in December, but now are saying 'spring 2011' so who knows when, lol!
our hospital is sooo backwards in a lot of ways!

 

[Sevenladybugs]

You'll do great I had no pain meds with any of my births. Water was like a natural epidural for me. It took almost all the pain away (back labor with my DD took that away and then I could just deal with the contx) For me a contraction feels a lot like a big charlie horse. I think with everything you've been through you'll handle labor just fine. Just learn everything you can about how YOU relax when you are in pain or stressed and take some classes so you have as many "tools" in your tool box as you can get. Use the doula too!

 

[midori1999]

I think the most important factor is that you will have the option to change your mind at any time during your labour if the pain gets too much.

I have a high pain threshold and wanted to have a natural first birth, but soon changed my mind ASAP when I got to the hospital as it wasn't at all what I expected. (could only really have hospital or home births in those days and I couldn't have a home birth as my baby was big and they weren't sure if I could deliver him) I have had my tongue pierced and it the pain is completely insignificant compared to labour/childbirth. Tbh, I found the birth was the most painful part and that doesn't last very long.

I've had four labours and did the last with G&A only, I plan to do ths one with G&A only too. I say just go for it.

RE: no G&A in the US. An English lady on another forum I use who is stuck in the states and will have to deliver her baby there has been told by her doctors they don't use G&A in labour there as they believe it has a negative effect on the baby.

 

[MrsPOP]

My senior GP yesterday told me she gave birth to her second son in the US and was begging for some gas and air. Her obstetrician who trained in the UK said they don't give it because you can't quantify how much the lady takes in so you don't know the dosage she's had. Here in the UK, it's a bit more relaxed because it's an inhaled med rather than oral or IV or spinal.

 

[sammiesmile]

when being pregnant with my 1st i never ever actually thought of the labour and when the time come when my waters broke i never had any pain just give birth without even knowing what was going on , i was young at the time but i thought it was the most easiest thing in the world , xx eveyone is different you;ll be great dont fret xx

 

[Sunflowers]

I'm sorry, I haven't read all the replies so not sure if anyone else has suggested this but have a look at Hypnobirthing! I work as a mw in the uk and it saddens me how medicalised birth has become here and how ingrained it is becoming in people's psyche that birth is a hugely painful event that couldn't possibly be coped with - have faith in you and your body mama, you can do it! Birth, the majority of the time, is a normal and natural event, remember that!! Sometimes nature needs a hand so thats cool, you'd gp to the hospital but try to see the birth as something normal rather than medical!

 

[mumoffive]

Do you have to make your mind up now? I would just see how it goes personally
If it feels so sore..then get something to take the pain away. Dont rule anything out. I have never gone in saying im never having pain relief. I have always had the attitude of waiting to see how it goes. I have always coped with gas and air [ i know you dont tend to have that option..which is a shame] and given birth but if it came to it and i couldnt cope i wouldnt hesitate to have some pain relief. x