U.S. Mommies To Be

[LadyofRohan]

I'm going natural. I plan on giving birth in a birthing center using midwives instead of a doctor. The birthing center doesn't offer epidurals or IV drugs, instead they advocate using the birthing tubs or showers to help alleviate pain. I plan on laboring in the birthing tub as long as possible.

DH and I are also taking a six week birthing course that's given by the midwives that will talk about the different techniques you can use for a natural childbirth. I'll update the thread with any information we get

If you want to look into a natural childbirth I recommend doing some research and reading. I recommend Ina May's "Guide to Childbirth" and Dr. Sears' "The Birth Book."

 

[southerngal2]

Thanks, I've been researching and looking into it.
I'll have to check out those books.

 

[blessedmomma]

The first time, well to start with it slowed my labor down quite a bit. Then My blood pressure dropped really low. Then I had the shakes so bad that I couldn't hold my daughter.

I didn't think it was too bad so I decided to do it again. This time my blood pressure dropped so low that I passed completely out, they had to bring in a crash cart. (that was really scary to wake up to) They had to take it out, and re-insert it, because it was inserted wrong.
Got through all that and then my temp. shot up because I had been on it for so long. Because it had slowed my labor again.
I was shaking so bad this time that they had to give me another drug to counteract the drugs already in my system, I was so drugged I don't remember hours!

I'm just scared that this time, the side effects may be worse.
I'm not against anyone getting it. Just scared that it may be worse for me.
Like in your case, it probably will be best since you are at a high risk for c-section. I'd want to be awake too.

yikes hun! i dont blame you for not wanting to get it! mine was just a dream. i hope things go better for you this time. i would definitely have some kind of plan to make it through. i use lamaze for the beginning contractions, but i think it only works so well for me because i always know i am getting the epidural evetually when i ask for the epidural the nurses always say, but your doing so well, hahaha! i tell them it really is only because i know relief is coming.

 

[southerngal2]

Most women I know had no problems with theirs, I wish that were the case with me.

I tried looking for lamaze classes but there are none around here.

 

[Soph22]

I always thought I would for sure want an epidural as soon as possible, but the more I hear about what can go wrong, the more I'm rethinking it.
I'd like to try and go as long as possible without the epidural, but assume I'll probably cave and get one towards the end.
yikes, it's scary either way and getting closer everyday!

 

[blessedmomma]

is anyone watching one born every minute tonight?

 

[MissFox]

I'm planning on going natural if I can handle it. I'm going to try not to get the epidural because of how my mom reacted to it with both myself and my brother. It almost completely stops her labor then they start throwing words around like csection and so on. I also am going to try to stay at home for the majority of my labor- I don't want them to break my water unless I'm past 5 CM and it just hasn't gone yet. I am just afraid of reliving my mom's experience.

 

[JNA]

Im going natural! If im not forced to get a c-section. I was going to give birth at a birthing center but the only one near by won't take me because I am high risk.

So I will be having my baby at Duke, my room will have a heated tub that I can use to help me get through contractions. I am ify about taking a birthing class because I have been through so many births and my dr seems to cover everything well.

I was given an epidural Jan. 2010 and it didn't take. I was stuck like 8 times and my back hurt just as bad as my surgery wound. So im screwed if I want pain relief LOL

 

[camishantel]

I plan on going natural unless it is safer for me and baby to do otherwise... it really depends on my fluid levels and such... my hospital has laboring pools so I will be using those...

 

[southerngal2]

is anyone watching one born every minute tonight?

I'm going to try.
Will set my DVR in case I miss it.

 

[blessedmomma]

i have it bookmarked so if my DH has it on sports or something and i forget what time it comes on it will just pop over to the right channel when its time

 

[MissFox]

I miss having TV. We went down the the basic 15 channels and have Netflix.

 

[luckyme225]

I would love to go natural but if I can't take the pain I will get an epi. Last time I went from 2cm to 10cm in an hour because I was finally able to relax my body.

I have One Born Every Minute ready to record tonight. I enjoyed last weeks episode.

 

[blessedmomma]

I would love to go natural but if I can't take the pain I will get an epi. Last time I went from 2cm to 10cm in an hour because I was finally able to relax my body.

I have One Born Every Minute ready to record tonight. I enjoyed last weeks episode.

did you have the epi last time? it speeds up my labor so was wondering if that is how it effected you.

 

[luckyme225]

Yeah, I wasn't progressing at all. I was 2cm for several hours then got the epidural and went from 2 to 10 in an hour. The nurses were in shock when they checked me.

 

[lisaf]

I plan on going natural. I have lots of reasons that I wont' get into unless anyone is interested in. This is my first though so we will have to see how I cope, lol!
I will do whatever is best for my baby and me... and I may try the epi if I seem to be stalling already because my aunt was stuck at 3cm, got her epi and fully dilated within an hour.
I plan on laboring at home as long as possible and we're hiring a doula... they statistics on having a doula are pretty incredible. They have a significant inpact on shortening labor time, reducing the chances of pain medication being used, reducing the chances of having a c-section, and overall increase the chance that you will be satisfied with your birth experience etc.
our birthing center is planning on opening in May... and I'm due May 4th so I don't really think thats a good option for me, lol... they were SUPPOSED to be open in November
I also kind of see hiring a doula as a short-cut so we don't have to do as many birthing classes... I know how hard it was for my husband to remember the steps when we took dance classes.. not so sure I want to rely on him to remember everything from birthing classes during 'crisis mode'

As for classes, you can see if there are any Bradley classes in your area. I have a friend who did both her children all naturally with the Bradley method and a birth coach. Local doulas might be willing to help you find a birthing class even if you don't hire them

 

[heyyady]

I had an epi with my son. they screwed up when they inserted the needle and within 5 minutes the entire right side of my body went dead. No movement, feeling or control from head to toe. They removed the epi and it took 12 1/2 hours for me to get feeling back at all. (I won't even describe the rest of my labor as it was a nightmare!)
4 years later when I had my daughter I went all natural. All the nurses at the hospital where she was born are certified midwives- it was an amazing experience! No tearing, very little pain, and 2 pushes With your first baby it is the fear of the unknown that gets you the most. Keep in mind that if you stay focused and push PAST the pain, the pain goes away as soon as they're out!
With these babies, I will be having a c-section, and they are doing a full spinal block. It could affect my arms and whether or not I am able to hold them for the first two hours, but it is safer for my spine, as they go in higher than my injury. (I have a ruptured disk in my back at L5-S1, funnily enough, right where they gave me the f*ed up epi)

 

[southerngal2]

From everything that I've read it seems like most labors are longer with the epi.
Hopefully mine won't be as long this time without the epi.

 

[Annunakian]

From everything that I've read it seems like most labors are longer with the epi.

I wonder if I was one of the lucky ones. I was induced at 7am, waters broke at noon, had my epi by 12:30 and after a couple pushes he was born at 5:05.

I sure hope if I get an epi this time it goes just as well.

 

[luckyme225]

I'm hoping if I need an epi again I go from 2 to 10cm in an hour again. It was awesome.