Who has gone natural?

[wishfulone]

Hello all!
I am pregnant with my first. I do not like the though of a medicated delivery. I am planning a natural birth, although I know things do not always go as planned. The risks of the epidural are larger than the benefits to me. I am wondering who else has gone natural or is planning to? I am looking for some support on this one! Thanks all!

 

[chicka.chicka]

I've had 5 natural births. I also had horrible back labor with all of them, and still made it through. It's totally doable. It's as much a mental game as anything. I just take it one contraction at a time, breathing or moaning through it as I need to. With the back labor, my DH puts his fist into the sweet spot to take the edge off of it.

I have also had 4 epidurals and while they are wonderful, I do prefer going the natural route. The reason I had the epidurals is because I required pitocin for either induction or augmentation (different births, different circumstances) and pitocin with no pain relief is hell (I did that with my very first and would never put myself through that again unnecessarily).

Honestly, for me going natural is much more empowering. I feel more like I gave birth rather than had a baby, if that makes any sense. I don't have any regrets about my medicated births; it's just that, given the choice, I prefer the natural route even though it is more painful.

You can totally do it!!

 

[Amygdala]

I had a natural water birth with my first and am hoping for the same again this time. I can't recommend water highly enough, in any form: In a birthing pool or just have a bath or shower, it really takes the edge off.
Other than that, my top tip would be: Be prepared and stay relaxed. Maybe read the Hypnobirthing book or go to some classes. Learning to breathe right, focus, relax between contractions etc can all help you stay on top of what's happening.
I panicked and it got quite painful from there but I still did it and am glad I did. Next time though I will be more prepared and am hoping for a more relaxed experience.
Lots of women go naturally and absolutely love it!

 

[wishfulone]

Thanks for the input. I have a few relaxation techniques included in my birth plan. I practice Yoga 3-4 times a week now, so really helps with learning how to focus on your breathing. I also love the idea of laboring in the shower/bath for as long as possible. I try to remind myself that for many, many years women had no medical pain relief options and that our bodies are MADE to give birth!

 

[MindUtopia]

I did and I can assure you it's totally possible. I had my daughter (my first) at home with no pain relief at all. I did have gas and air available if I'd wanted it, but never felt like I needed it. I can't recommend enough finding some relaxation and breathing techniques that work to keep you calm and feeling relaxed and positive during birth. I did hypnotherapy, but there's lots of other ways to achieve the same sort of relaxation if that's not your thing. There's been lots of research on pain perception and so much of it really is mental. Birth is intense and emotional, but as long as you can avoid induction (which is unnaturally painful for most people), it shouldn't be unmanageably painful. You can definitely do it! And ignore people who try to tell you otherwise. But seriously look into natal hypnotherapy or hypnobirthing or something similar. It really does work. I practice yoga as well and used some yoga breathing techniques during birth as well, which I think was also key. Sounds like you are off to a great start already in preparing!

 

[dan-o]

2 natural hospital births here
First baby was an induction due to PE (only needed the pessary) Second baby I went into labour myself and we went into the hospital at 6cm as I needed antibiotics in labour (GBS+)
I would have liked to have had both at home, but it wasn't possible with either, still had very positive natural deliveries despite both being in hospital though!

Go for it, I bet you'll be fine!

Just remember that when it gets really intense, you are probably in transition and that means baby isn't too far off being born, so just go with it! Mobilise and try different positions, its amazing what helps. I was standing on one leg with my other knee on the bed for the last few contractions with my second! Very odd position but it helped lol!!

I loved being able to get up and have a quick shower etc right after giving birth. It's amazing how completely normal (and elated!) you feel as soon as the baby is out!

 

[embojet]

Molly was born premature by emergency c-setion, With Etan, I planned a VB with an epidural. However, I turnd up to hospital already 10cm dilatd and ready to push, after 4 days of irregular contractions that kept stoppig and starting. As I wa 10c, I had no hoice ut to go natural as I wa pusing traigt awyay. I'm so glad I did it. I never would have done it if I had a choice, but desite getting a 3rd degree tear, ir was thebest ever experience, and I'm so proud I did it.

 

[xxlovexx]

I was induced with pitocin and had no type of pain relief. The pain was terrible, but I would go through it all again in a heart beat. When I do have another baby, (ttc) I hope to go ALL natural with no pitocin or anything. Unfortunately, I had to stay in bed, hooked up to monitors, and was only able to lay on my left side... Just have a good support team and positive mind set and you'll do fine.

 

[Guppy051708]

I did it twice and will be doing it for a third and final time. If i can do it, you can do it too Sometimes i think in US hospital births you have more stacked up against you bc so many providers want inductions and so many more want augmentation with pitocin, even if you do go into labor on your own, and then of course with the birth culture here it's as if most dont know how to deal with a natural birth, let alone ever seeing one. So i would say make certain you are with a practice that firmly believes in the natural birth. Im not saying it's a bad thing to go with the more high tech providers, but im just saying if a natural birth is what you want make sure your care provider lines up with your beliefs. I made the mistake of not doing that the first time around and when my baby was almost 42 weeks at arrival and was posterior (face up/back2back), i really had to fight for that birth. No woman should have to put up a fight! so def get a care provider that agrees with your views, and ask lots of questions. You may consider a HB or at least a hospital MW if you dont like the idea. I see you are in the MW, so im guessing you may even have free standing birth centers, which would be great options as well.

I would HIGHLY suggest an out of hospital birthing class such as Brio Birth or Bradley Method. The more you know about the various choices, the better decisions you can make. plus the more confident you are and viewing birth as a natural, and normal process of life can help put any fears to rest.

you could also consider a doula which would be extremly helpful. or at least have support from someone that knows about birth and preferably someone that has done it unmedicated themselves (though obviously there could be good doulas out there without this type of experience too, so just "shop around" and interview)

Some GREAT movies to watch are both "The Business of Being Born" (there are two out now, I think the first one is better, but both are great) as well as "Born in America" (i believe that was the name of it). Very eye openeing!

Here are my two natural birth stories if you are interested. It isn't always a walk in the park but it is doable and the reward is amazing- "if i can do that, i can do anything" ...confidence for life


DS1 Hospital Water Birth:
https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/b...-arrival-posterior-style-bradley-way-3-a.html

DS2 Home Water Birth
https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/labour-birth/884071-elliot-nehemiahs-home-water-birth.html

 

[wishfulone]

Thanks for the support everyone. I think my doctor is great and very supportive of my choice. In fact, when I told him I want as little intervention as possible with medication and epidural, he said "Oh, you do not even have to have an IV if you dont want one. Just dont get it. Tell them you dont want it." As long as it is not medically necessary (i.e. I need antibiotics, etc), he said I have his support. And I know he will follow through because he delivered my sister's babies and the last 2 were natural (one with pitocin, but no pain relief).
I am going to be searching for a doula/midwife this month.
It is so odd that we have to 'fight' for a natural child birth, when it really should be the preferential choice!

 

[Lulu1982]

My first was induced and back to back. As others have said, concentration and relaxation is the way! It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and. Found that once I was n the throws of labour, I just dealt with it!

 

[aimee-lou]

Gas and Air! lol That is all! lol

Seriously though, that's all I've ever had/used, alongside a lot of baths and the use of a birthing pool in labour with my first.

It's totally do-able.

P.s. I know that strictly G&A isn't 'going natural' but to me it's a good middle ground. No needles, no side effects beyond a dodgy voice and wears off immediately.

 

[Guppy051708]

P.s. I know that strictly G&A isn't 'going natural' but to me it's a good middle ground. No needles, no side effects beyond a dodgy voice and wears off immediately.

Unfortunately, here in the US G&A is rarely ever offered. ...probably why the epi rate is so high bc there is no real "in between" such as G&A.

 

[wishfulone]

Yea we do not have g/a option around here. and from what I have heard about the other pain relief such as IV pain meds, they often make people just groggy/drunk feeling. I am definetly looking more at breathing techniques/relaxation to try out for birthing

 

[aliss]

My 1st was an epidural (and G&A, and morphine). It was a horrible labour with episiotomy due to being unable to push effectively (and shoulder dystocia).

My 2nd was 100% natural (home birth turned into hospital transfer, got to the hospital 1 hour after pushing) and it was a wonderful experience. Same dystocia but able to get baby out safely without any tears and I felt like myself that night.

I don't know many who regret going natural. It's much better for recovery.

 

[BubsMom17]

I had a great natural hospital birth in the U.S. The practice I'm with is very anti-intervention unless necessary. They are hard-core breastfeeding endorsers as well, and offer free lactation consultations to all new moms for 6 weeks!

Anywho... I just went in determined to prove EVERYONE WRONG! I know that may not be the most honorable motivation... but I had maybe a small handful of women say I could do it, but everyone else told me I was crazy and would roll their eyes because I had no idea what I was in for.

Well, I had no idea what I was in for! But I had a great support system (my DH, my mom and the midwives), and I had my mind SET I was going to make it!

My mom said something that really helped me. That the pain is for a purpose, that it is not pain from illness or injury. It has a purpose and it will stop when the baby is born. Keep your eye on the prize! Baby!!! Once baby is born, you have your prize, and all those doubters will eat their words! Hah!

 

[Misscalais]

2 natural births for me. But I did have a few puffs on the gas and air. Other than that all natural, one 8lb 4oz and one 9lb, my 9 pounder was easier to birth only took 8 mins to push out and no tears tore with my 1st.
I won't lie it's bloody hard, painful, tiring work but so worth it. That pain just goes right away after bubby is born

 

[Maria1234]

I had an epi with my first and wanted one again with this birth ( I only gave birth on Sunday) labour this time round was so quick that I had to go natural, it was very intense and painful and at the time I thought I was going to die but I did it and when it was over I was up and about straight away, I gave birth at 5.15am and was home by lunch time.

 

[aliss]

My mom said something that really helped me. That the pain is for a purpose, that it is not pain from illness or injury. It has a purpose and it will stop when the baby is born. Keep your eye on the prize! Baby!!! Once baby is born, you have your prize, and all those doubters will eat their words! Hah!

This is so true and I get so annoyed when people say "oh you wouldn't get your tooth pulled..." well, you're not pulling your own tooth, are you?!?!?!

Both my labours ended in dystocia, the one without pain relief I could FEEL the baby was in a bad position!!! I couldn't tell with my epidural one!!! My body was telling me that I had to do something drastic (which for me, was to walk up the stairs and go outside, in transition!!! OW) because it had to be done!

If you have an epidural and things are going great, then whatever. But when things are going WRONG, you aren't going to know and believe me, all the fancy hospital gadgets in the world can't tell you everything.

Refusing pain meds (planned home birth/hospital transfer) was the best decision of my life, and was the best experience because of it!

 

[xx~Lor~xx]

I went natural for all three of my children. I used the birthing pool and gas &air.