Second thoughts about natural/unmedicated birth?

[BabyCleo]

I'm the same as you! Also a HG girl here too :wave: I'm going to aim for a natural hospital birth. I love my ob but she works out of a hospital so I have to have it there if I wanna keep her. I'm scared of the pain, but its not forever pain and its also something women have always done. My doctor told me epidurals were initially created so women could be awake during a section, not actually for a pain relief. So I thought that was interesting! People look at me like I'm nuts but when I don't have any tubes and IVs going in and out I'll be happier lol.

 

[Indi84]

I had an un medicated hospital birth. I did use gas and air (uk) but it didn't help me pain wise, just useful to count down the contractions!
I don't know if I'll do it again, it was 15 hours and a back to back labour. I cried, a lot!
I hate the idea of an epidural which is why I refused one but I'm not sure I could do it again. If I was guaranteed a much shorter labour then I would no problem!
Best bit was feeling 'with it' after, use of my legs, very quick recovery, able to walk around, shower myself etc.
I would love a birthing pool!

Edit, I used a tens machine on my back the entire labour bar pushing, my hubby was in control of it, gave him something to do! The baby needed to monitored so I was attached to a machine through my fanny and I had spd so spent the entire 15 hours sat on a birthing ball as I couldn't lie down with my hips like that!
Please don't think I was brave, I was just very stubborn! I'd recommend a tens machine though, if only for the first bit!

 

[NotNic]

Indi.- believe me when I say that not having a back to back baby makes the world of difference! Not only is the pain different and more manageable, but the babies presentation and pressure speeds up your progression. Oh and pushing a baby that's well presented feels so much different to one that's not. First baby I pushed for 5hrs. Second baby active labour - Delivery was less than 2 hours. Admittedly I do have a good pain threshold but with my youngest I didn't use a tens at all or have a bath for the pain. I didn't feel that I needed anything until transition and was in the pool for pushing. I cried at 5cm with my first.

 

[Indi84]

Thanks notnic, that's my hoping, if I can do a back to back pain killer free, then a 'normal' labour will be a breeze, he got stuck too, and once he spun around to the right way he was out in about 15mins, after hours and hours!

 

[NotNic]

I think you've got a great chance of it being better and getting through a tough first delivery really boosts you if you think positively. I kept waiting for it to get worse with S. I took my eldest to nursery, did my ironing, tidied the house, swept the floors through early stages. I had to be encouraged to go to hospital when I did. With F I had to sit in a bath after less than an hour of contractions and wasnt anywhere near as active or energetic.

 

[Radiance]

I was induced with all of mine BUT one. The one I wasn't induced with, I call my "partial induction" as I went into labor myself but they ended up needing to speed it up. I've gone natural (as in no pain medication) with all but my partial induction for an emergency csection. Of course it's painful but it is so worth it!!

 

[ElmaWG]

When I was pregnant the first time, I new I wanted to try a drug-free delivery, but also wanted to give birth in a hostpital. I bought several books relating to natural birth, I've given them all away to friends at this point. The one that sticks out in my mind as being really informative and confidence building is: "Natural Hospital Birth, The Best of Both World"
https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Hospital-Birth-Best-Worlds/dp/1558327185

I think I'll try to get it from the library this time.

 

[catmummyof4]

Well iv had a bit of everything going and the odd thing was gas and air only worked on my third child properly it reaaallly helps in the begining of it getting too much after that its good for something to keep u grounded and grip between ur teeth lol x

 

[DoubleTFun]

I had 2 natural births. My first went by so fast I was pushing when I arrived. My second I was induced and had no epidural. I received some pain relief in my IV for a few minutes before they upped my pitocin. It wasn't an ideal labor, but I wouldn't have done an epidural. This time I might have to get an Epidural depending on the positioning of my twins. I hate not having control and have nightmares about not being able to move my limbs. Just trust your instincts be informed and don't second guess yourself.

 

[prgirl_11]

I am horrible with pain and had an unmedicated water birth at a birthing center. It hurt but I did it! Very empowering! You can do this!

 

[SAmummy]

I have had 3 epidural births and my last birth was natural with no meds.
With my first, I had the epi during transition and gave birth not long after. I absolutely loved the epi and the relief it brought and honestly couldn't understand why you would want to do it any other way For the next 2 I basically had the epi as I walked into the hospital because of my first experience Then with this last birth I had been doing a lot of reading up and realized it was more fear than anything else that made me unable to cope and decided to give natural a go. It was an amazing experience although during transition I went though a lot of regret for not getting the epi. Afterward I felt like superwoman !

Honestly, I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both. With the epi everything was calm and relaxed (I was lucky not to need any interventions and pushing was really easy) but I didn't enjoy having a drip, catheter and not being able to shower after. With the natural it felt chaotic in the end .... 7 to 10cm in 5min with the nurses trying to get me to not push while the Dr ran up the stairs (yeah right ) but the feeling of euphoria and achievement was incredible. If I had to do it again I would have natural although I know hubby would prefer me to have the epi Having said that, he is constantly mentioning to everyone that I had no pain relief ... I think he is really amazed lol

I would say be confident that you can do it, but be prepared that there may be a time during transition that you will wish you had chosen differently. I was very vocally scolding myself for doing too much reading on natural births When you get to that point just remember It will pass and as soon as you push that baby out and you will not regret your choice to go natural !

 

[treeroot]

Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences in this thread. It's reasonable and well balanced, and a good read for a ftm

 

[catmummyof4]

Lol i was thinking that. Doesnt make me feel as terrified of a natural after 3epis xx

 

[oneill614]

Yes thanks for the varied experiences. I would like to avoid the epidural and just wait and see how much pain I am in, then maybe have some IV drugs during the worst of it. Epidural scares me because I am just nervous about having something put in my spine. My doctor said that if the pain is so bad that I no longer care about having the epidural, then I'll know I should have one, which made total sense. I wish we had gas and air commonly available here.

I haven't done labor yet but I do think that the mind is really powerful, and if you believe you can do it without epidural, you can. Millions of babies have been born on this earth before epidurals existed!

I think you should assess how nervous you are. If you really think you might want the epidural, or are too worried about complications, deliver at the hospital. If you are set on doing it without, go to the birthing center. Gas and air sounds wonderful.

 

[prgirl_11]

It can be done! Even with the pain, during the process, I never thought "I want an epidural!". Just remember, the pain is a beneficial one that tells you things are progressing. The pushing did not hurt as mych really, was just a loooot of work so that part will be easier.

edited to add that starting second trimester I did lots of squats and kegels to prepare. Also, look into the Bradley Method.