Natural Childbirth

Anyone have it or planning on trying for natural childbirth? I've never had a baby before, so I know I may change my mind once I go into labor, but right now I'm headed towards totally natural (no epidural, no pitocin, no episiotomies, no IVs, etc.). I know this is not a popular view, that most women get many of these, but just wondering if anyone here is on the same path as me.

Re: Natural Childbirth

Lemme tell ya, 2 weeks after I had a baby, I can tell you my opinion.....TAKE THE DRUGS!!!!

There is no pain in the world like the pain of labor. There is no reason for you to suffer in pain. There is no certificate or award given on your way out, so you really are better off easing some of the pain..
My sister said your exact words for all 3 of her deliveries and for all 3 she had it all (pitocin, epidural,etc). I have heard of women that have done it, God Bless them. I know some women whose labor went so fast that they couldnt get any drugs.

I really never understood why women decide something like this, or feel this way, especially before ever havng gone through labor.

I totally respect your decision, but dont be so hard on yourself if you do totally change your mind..
I know that once a woman decides 'no pain meds' she gets disappointed in herself if she does go for it...

LOTS OF LUCK TO YOU !!!

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Ana- Not to be too graphic but are these pains like really bad menstrual cramps????

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I agree with you that I shouldn't punish myself if I do decide to do unnatural childbirth, if I accept now that at the last minute all my plans will change, then I'll be less disappointed. Like I said in my 1st post, I know I'm in the minority, and most of you would say why not take the drugs when they are available? I can go on and on about why I don't want drugs...

IMO, the reason women chose natural childbirth is because if a pregnancy, labor and delivery are low-risk and uncomplicated, there is no need for medical intervention. Childbirth is a natural event, and that's how I view it. I don't see the need for there to be Drs, drugs, and machines involved, unless something goes wrong.

My plan is to PREPARE for natural childbirth with a midwife who runs a water birthing program in a hospital. Typically when women give birth in water they don't even need pain meds. And, of course if you're in the water, you can't be hooked up to IVs and monitors, which are uneccessary in a low-risk, un-complicated pregnancy and delivery. Also, I don't want to consider the pain as suffering.

I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who has had or plans on natural childbirth.

Re: Natural Childbirth

I am super interested in hypno-birth and working with a doula- but I want to be in a hospital just in case we need a doctor or something goes wrong.
I am NOT TTC until the summer, but I am investigating the idea.
I saw a segment on 20/20 or Dateline about hypno-birth and it was amazing. No drugs, and the women were not in pain. It was truly a hope-giving segment to women like me who totally fear child birth.

Re: Natural Childbirth

Hmmm I never heard of that. I should check it out

Re: Natural Childbirth

I went through my whole pregnancy thinking I would tough it out and not have any help but lemme tell ya..
Almost Impossible.
I was only having contractions for like 30 minutes and I was pleading for something to help me..
Every woman should just keep an open mind when it comes to this.. if you can do it without thats great but if you cant.. Thats OK too!

Re: Natural Childbirth

Definitely check out the alternatives that are out there and do your research to see what is right for you but HappyBride2B, you have a great point, definitely keep an open mind just because of how different it can be than you may expect.

Re: Natural Childbirth

When I was pregger w/ DS I said I was going for the epi. I was not going to be brave. Well I was induced which they say makes labor more painful cause there is no gradual progressoin of stages. Anyway, I got my epi and it never kicked in!!! (labor was 5 hours start to finish) The epi for me was more painful than the labor. I will not be gettting one the next time around. So I recommend keeping all your options open, cause you never know!!!

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I never had children but one day want to have 2-3 , but let me tell you, if it is anything like menstural cramps.... count me in for an epidural, etc.!!!!

Re: Natural Childbirth

I will keep my options open, but for those considering natural childbirth, I started reading a book called 'Childbirth Without Fear' by Grantley Dick-Read, MD--very good so far.

Re: Natural Childbirth

Just wanted to jump in for a second and share my experience. My son was born at home by fire light. When I went into labor mt DDH - dear dear husband - drew a warm bath where I labored. When it came time to push we went into the den where he had started a fire (in the fireplace not the house). All the lights were off. He took a mattress from the spare bedroom and brought it into the den. And there is where my son was born. Completely natural! Four hours later I had over 40 people at the house. And yes I was up and about! This isn't for everyone but if you have the oportunity for a home birth you might want to look into it. My first child was born in the hospital. If we ever have a third, it's another home birth for me. Thanks for letting me share.

-Liz

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That is the most beautiful story I have ever heard!

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Liz, that's wonderful that you chose to homebirth, was it unassisted, or did you have a midwife? I considered it, but am going with the waterbirth program based in the hospital. Thanks for sharing your story, I seemed to be the only one opting for natural childbirth, and most women don't understand why I want it.

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LIW, that was a great story ! I felt like I was there just reading it !

My thing on this is, that labor and childbirth are totally and completely UNpredictable, and Nina,to say that labor and childbirth are low-risk and uncomplicated, well thats a strong statement and I think it's something you cant really say until after it is all over. You never know if youre going to have the easy labor by the fire, or if youre going to have a 30-hour induced labor, push for 3 hours and then need an emergency c-section (gosh, I dont wish this one on anyone, but I've heard quite a few of them, and of course the mom didnt plan it, of course she wanted and planned on the easy simple labor, but its's something we just cant predict) and thinking that you dont need medical intervention, yikes, I would just keep an open mind on that (which I know you are, and I'm glad.)

The world of medicine has come SOO FAR in this day and age - why would you want to go back to giving birth as if it were 1935 ? Childbirth is JUST as beautiful, breathtaking, precious and amazing WITH medical intervention, with all the precautions that we have available to us today in the world of medicine. Just having gone through my son's birth, I can say that it's not a time to 'try out' and see what you can do and how 'natural' it can be, it's really a time to 'be on the safe side' and be where you have everything you might need available to you. I have an EXTREMELY high pain tolerance, and I was in the worst pain of my life in labor. and or course 2 1/2 weeks later, you forget about the pain, and thank God for what you have gotten out of the pain, and can't wait to do it all over again !

This is just my opinion, not meant to offend anyone in any way.

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Anna-I started this thread to find out if any other women are planning on trying natural childbirth, not to get into a debate about it, so that's my response to your last post. I'm not going to defend myself about why DH and I chose to plan a natural childbirth. It's a choice, just as choosing to use medications is or choosing an OB over a Midwife. I think you need to learn more about it, before making statements like giving birth as if it was 1935. I'm very happy for you that your birthing experience was wonderful.

So, if anyone else wants to share their experiences with those of us that are interested in natural childbirth, please do.

Michele, when you find out more about hypnobirthing, please let us know about it, it sounds very interesting.

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Nina, I apologize if I offended you, no offense was intended, honestly.
I just cant understand, after just having gone through labor, why anyone would be thinking to go through something so painful without pain medication. We (women) go through enough, and those pain medications are a treat to help us go through the procedure a bit easier...
Like getting a tooth pulled (thats a sinch compared to labor ! but I would never say 'ah, forget the anesthesia, let me tough it out'...)

I am actually the type that would rather lay down and rest to get rid of a headache, rather than grabbing the Tylenol. But if it gets bad enough, I will absolutely take it. I know people that take tylenol on a daily basis, and i think thats way overboard. My point is that, in my opinion, we shouldnt be relying on and addicted to pain medications, but with what we have available to us (in this day and age, as opposed to many years ago), we should take advantage, especially in a situation such as childbirth, which is completely unpredictable.

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Nina,

I could write a book with all that I'd like to share right now. But I won't!

Yes we had a midwife present. I say present because I delivered the baby with the aid of my husband. Midwife was there just in case. As I stated before, my first was born in the hospital. I had pit and an epi. Just as I was about to push the epi wore off. Because I was ready to push they couldn't administer any more drugs. I went from moderate pain to ouch times a million! After my daughter was born I couldn't even hold her I hurt so much. With my son he was delivered by firelight. I immediately nursed him (cord was still attached). What a bonding. I was up and about in about 30 minutes. My husband cleaned up the baby, dressed him etc. while I took a bath and got changed. A very different experience than my daughter’s birth. If you are going natural you need to prepare in the same way you would for a marathon. Even before you conceive. What I thought was very interesting was when I was in labor with my daughter - the hospital had my $ucking on an ice cube. When I was in labor with my son I drank water and ate real food. When a marathon runner is running the race do they give them ice cubes or copious amounts of water? The hospital gave an excuse why but the real reason (according to the doc) is because I was on drugs (pit and epi) and any food or water could make me vomit and they don't care for vomit. Anyway, I promised not to write a book so I'll stop here. Just one more thing though because it was the cutest. Just after my son was born my mother went upstairs and woke my daughter (2yrs 10mts). She walked into the den saw me by the fire with the baby and in the cutest voice ever said, 'mommy, you had your baby'. All The Best to everyone!

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While I honestly LOVE Liz's birth story and believe that because she was not afraid and very calm her birth was easier for her (and the baby) I don't hear many like it. I wish I did. Maybe if we all did, we would not fear labor the way most of us do (with good reason from some of the stories) and thus, make it less painful. BUT I would NEVER judge any women about their birth decisions. They are more personal than anything remotely wedding related.
Here is the link the the LI Doubla homepage and one about Hypno Birth. The doctor is in CA (of course) so I am trying to find one here on LI.

http://www.lidoulas.com/client_info.htm
http://www.hypnobabies.com/pages/895069/index.htm

Re: Natural Childbirth

Okay, I have waited days to respond to this thread b/c I was slighly offended by something that was said very early on. I am not looking to debate anything with anyone - just stating my piece as it relates to my experience.

I chose to have medical intervention in my son's birth, and I am very proud of my choice. I never pretended to be brave about the pain of labor, and knew myself enough to know that I would labor without any medication for as long as I could physically stand it, and then I would get an epidural.

Coming to this decision was a very thoughtful and long process for me. I read a ton of books. I attended my birthing classes religiously and asked questions constantly about alternatives to meds, etc. My husband and I practiced labor positions and we used them well during my real labor. I gave birth in California (which tends to be more progressive than NY and many other states around the country), at Stanford University's Lucille Packard Children's Hospital - which is a very progressive facility with regard to the flexibility and choices that they give their patients for their care.

I trusted that I was in good hands b/c my OBs (there was a team of 5 that shared patients) were considered private practice doctors, so there was NO WAY that a med student was going to birth my child. My OBs even had a certified midwife in their offices, and I was fortunate to have met with her several times throughout my pregnancy.

All this being said, I was very offended by the comment that a medicated birth is an UNNATURAL birth! There is no one on God's green earth that can tell me (especially if they haven't gone through it themselves) that my son's birth was anything BUT NATURAL. He came into this world in the natural way. I don't consider the fact that I had an epidural to be unnatural - especially since I labored for 22 hours total and 12 hours before the epidural was administered and then spent 4 HOURS PHYSICALLY PUSHING him out!! The epidural was simply to ease the pain so that I could stand it. I was completely coherent and aware of EVERYTHING that happened during my labor/delivery, including feeling my water break, feeling the baby descend and watching him come into the world. There is NOTHING unnatural about that.
Whew! I feel better...just needed to get that off my chest.
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To Liz at LIWeddings: your home birth story is wonderful, and I applaud you for choosing to have your baby that way. I believe that your husband is also a very brave man! I have heard that it is somewhat easier to have that type of experience with a second birth. For one, you are more aware of the entire process, and that counts volumes for dispelling fear that a lot of women struggle with in first births (fear of the unknown; what is happening to my body?, etc.)
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but I understand second births to be less rigorous and physically taxing than first births, which might be why you were able to experience such a calm and wonderful second birth. I have even heard horror stories about second epidurals not taking effect - that scares me!
I have also heard that your body is able to 'bounce back' sooner after a second pregnancy - I'd be interested to hear your perspective on that. How do you feel about that? I am very open to learning more now, before I even conceive a second child.