Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

As in no IV, no epidural, no drugs...?

I am reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and am considering childbirthing classes -- but not sure where. I don't want a hospital class because I think they will gear it towards how they want you to give birth in their hospital.

No offense but I am not looking for stories of women who wanted to go natural but have changed their minds, or who think I am crazy to want to do this - I am looking for positive feedback right now.

TIA!

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I think it is great that you want to try this...sorry, I have no info but wanted to wish you the best of luck...

FYI, I did notice that in my chilbirth class, they talked ALOT about natural childbirth and pain management techniques.

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

Uhm no...my doctor told me that I won't get a gold medal for it so I'm not On a serious note, I really don't think I'd be able to handle the pain...just by reading birth stories I get hot flashes.

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I'm only considering it if the pain is bearable. If not I will take the drugs.

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

My sister wanted a natural childbirth and ended up with an epidural and c-section.

Sometimes things don't work as planned so here is her story so other moms-to-be know to be open minded.

- She broke her water on a FRIDAY night.
- By SATURDAY late afternoon she was only 5 cm but by that time she almost begged for an epidural. She was about 20 hours after the water broke.
- She stopped dilating after the epidural
- SUNDAY morning.... she started to dilate again. Pushed and guess what. Baby was in an angle and kept bumping her head into her hips. They tried everything to put her straight so she could go in the birth canal. NO WAY! would not work.
- She ended up with a c-section and gave birth at 2PM that Sunday.

So... while we have those "preferences" about how we want to give birth, we all should know that it does not always go as predicted.

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I am planning on doing it the natural way! I also read Ina May's book and it was extrememly inspiring. I would recommend taking the Bradley Method Classes. Check this website for a teacher and location in your area. Best of luck!

BRADLEY METHOD

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I didn't plan it the first time [made it to the hospital about 45 minutes before giving birth so I couldn't be still long enough for the epidural], but ended up forced into it. I didn't take any classes. I am actually glad I didn't. I just kind of knew what to do...and they tell you. haha.

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

Posted by karacg
No offense but I am not looking for stories of women who wanted to go natural but have changed their minds, or who think I am crazy to want to do this - I am looking for positive feedback right now.
TIA!

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

You are so not crazy for wanting this! I did too! I almost did and if I realized I was almost fully dialted I wouldn't have gotten the epidural at all. I had back labor from 7pm until 1pm when I delivered. I only had it for about an hour. I will try to not have it again! I labored at home for most of the time and would have waited even longer if my husband didn't think I was going to have the babyon our new carpet!

Also: if you happen to need it don't feel like a failure. I do a little

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

i wanted to have a natural birth. the whole time i was against any drugs. However, I caved in once the real contractions started. Good luck!!

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

Posted by smdl

My sister wanted a natural childbirth and ended up with an epidural and c-section.

Sometimes things don't work as planned so here is her story so other moms-to-be know to be open minded.

- She broke her water on a FRIDAY night.
- By SATURDAY late afternoon she was only 5 cm but by that time she almost begged for an epidural. She was about 20 hours after the water broke.
- She stopped dilating after the epidural
- SUNDAY morning.... she started to dilate again. Pushed and guess what. Baby was in an angle and kept bumping her head into her hips. They tried everything to put her straight so she could go in the birth canal. NO WAY! would not work.
- She ended up with a c-section and gave birth at 2PM that Sunday.

So... while we have those "preferences" about how we want to give birth, we all should know that it does not always go as predicted.

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

how's this:

I was totally on team epidural. 100% without a doubt. No one could convince me otherwise. NO ONE.

I had/have very short labors...so I was forced to go it sans the drugs.

I am now an advocate for team au naturale! it just wasn't nearly as bad as I'd imagined and sometimes, AF is such a drag, I tell DH "I'd rather be giving birth right now."

The worst of it is the labor, if you can get through that, you can get through ANYTHING. The actual birth isn't so bad because baby's sweet head smashes all of your nerve endings so much you simply can't feel anything...except for the huge relief after the pressure is gone.

My aunt used the Bradley Method with her 2 kids [she and I are closer in age than she and her siblings] and preaches it...personally, I didn't use any particular method and just tried to stay calm between contractions and focus on pushing when they yelled "Push."

This is, in a nutshell, how it went down for me. I am now confident that barring any unforseen issues, I will go through this labor natural as well.

Good luck!

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I've always been pretty good with pain, and have a positive outlook on things, so I've been saying all along that I'd like to do this the natural way, if possible.

My morning sickness wasn't that bad, so I need something to complain to this kid about when he/she gets older!

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I too would like to attempt to go natural... I am a really strong believer in that your body was made for this. I will try to labor at home for as long as possible to avoid interventions... however, since I've never done it before I cant say 100% that I wont want an epidural at some point... but I'm gonna definitely give it a shot naturally! I've had two friends who both did it without drugs, and although they said it HURT LIKE HELL... they got through it and once it was over they felt great and were walking around like nothing... so it can be done! Good Luck!!

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I am not planning on going natural, but I did take Lamaze this wekeend. I had a woman come to the house and give DH and I a private class, wasnt much more expensive than going to the class at hospital, FM me if you want info

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I really want to try natural childbirth. Not that I'm competeing with this- but my mom delivered all 3 of her kids naturally with no meds. I figure if she can do it, I can do it!

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I do not intend to get an epidural.

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

YOU DONT HAVE TO LOOK TOO FAR!!!!


ME

Planned it and did it. Loved it! No problem. I was on the phone with friends right after delivery as they were stitching me up

I would do it again in a heartbeat! And I did take the hospital class, it was good, no pressure either way.

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I wouldnt say i'm planning on it per se, but I really am hoping I can do everything naturally....

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

hell no!

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

are you using a midwife? i feel like they are much more understanding about the mother's preferences when it comes to this than OBs are. If so, they may teach some classes

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I had a natural childbirth and it was great! You can do it. The best piece of advice I have is 1) find a practitioner who supports your decision and 2) prepare yourself by taking some sort of class.

I used the Stony Brook Midwives and they were completely supportive of natural childbirth. I used Hypnobabies, which was great. I have also heard great things about the Bradley Method. FM if you have any questions!

Re: Anyone planning on a natural childbirth?

I'm sorry for crashing.

Just wanted to share that I think it can be done (provided the baby's in position and there aren't any issues requiring an emergency c-section).

After seeing my sister deliver her fourth child (my first live birth) drug free (she had pitocin to make the contractions worse when she wouldn't dialate past 5cm ), I think we can all do it! I'm ready!!

My sister was calm, no screams, was breathing when she would feel a contraction and pushed when she felt pressure. It literally took 3 pushes before my niece came out, I realize this is what would happen in a "perfect world", but it was so relaxing and "easy" that she required no stitches post-partum (this is very rare though, it only happened with 2 out of her 4) and it really didn't seem like something out of the ordinary. She listened to her body, stayed calm and had that baby quietly.

My mom delivered 5 babies all natural too. I realize some women have a higher pain threshold than others...but honestly, being there, having my sister tell me that it does hurt a lot but it can be overcome if you concentrate on listening to your body and breathing (we were in the hospital for almost 24 hours, it wasn't a fast labor) I think it can be done. She also shared, sorry of it's TMI, that she finds it "easier" because she's suffered with constipation and painful BM all her life (as have I )...and giving birth is really one big, painful BM. She claims that the same muscles are used and if you've ever struggled in the BR in pain and "got through it", you'll deliver with no problems.

Sorry if I grossed anyone out...my sister's honest to a fault!!

Good luck!!