Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Can you post a link to it if you have it written out? I find reading birth stories of those who went through natural labor (without pain medication) really motivating!

If you don't have a birth story written out, any words of encouragement? I'm getting a little anxious with less than 5 weeks to go but hoping to get through labor without pain meds. Thanks!

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

I would like to see, as well!

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

You can see mine,
Under my profile

ETA: Here u go:
Birth


And truth to it, was that I wanted to be but didnt have a choice.

If you have questions, feel free to ask.

Message edited 7/14/2009 4:50:53 PM.

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Here's mine...

Feel free to ask any questions that you may have...

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Posted by Smileyd17

You can see mine,
Under my profile

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Feel free to FM me

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Mine from DD is in my profile from '05. I did natural with DS the second time as well but haven't finished writing it up.

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Mine is in my profile as well.

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

I don't have mine written out on here yet so I'll copy and paste from my Facebook page. I never wanted to go naturally but I didn't have a choice. It's amazing what you're body can do when you really have to put your faith into it!

This was written for my family so it doesn't have ALL the details. So if you have any questions, feel free to FM me. Here's my story....

Little did I know when I wrote my 39 week appointment update, that DD would make her entrance into this world that night! (well, technically it was the next day, but you know what I mean)
So DH and I were just sitting around Thursday night catching up on all the Conan O'Brien episodes we had recorded throughout the week, relishing in the fact that it was my last day of work for a couple of months... just relaxing.
I started to feel a bit crampy around 10:30pm... they were exactly like menstrual cramps that I had gotten randomly throughout my whole pregnancy. The only thing that made me take notice of these cramps was that they were coming exactly 10 minutes apart. In no way did I think I was going into labor because I didn't have any tightening in my stomach or back pain, which most women say they feel when they're having contractions.
So time was passing by and the cramping was getting progressively more painful and closer together. At this point I knew something had to be up. It was around 1am when we decided that I'd better get to the hospital. The cramping was unbearable at this point and the contractions were coming about 6 to 7 minutes apart.
The drive to the hospital felt like forever!! The contractions were getting closer and closer together and it felt like we were hitting every red light possible! Twenty minutes later we finally arrived at the hospital, and at that point my contractions were pretty much coming back to back. I went directly into the Labor & Delivery triage room where they do the initial exam and decide whether you will be checked in or sent back home. I immediately went into the bathroom because it felt like I had to pee. I sat down but nothing came out so I started waddling back to the bed so the nurse could do her exam. As I was walking back, I started to have another contraction so I had to stop and lean over the bed to get through it. As I was doing that, my water broke! I was still wearing my clothes that I came in with... YUCK! I jumped into a gown and the nurse did her exam. I was 10 centimeters dilated and her head was at +2 station... meaning the head was already coming through the cervix and down the birth canal. I could have told them that without the exam though because I was already screaming to them, "I feel like I have to push!" The nurse at that point said, "this baby is coming now, we need to get you to a delivery room! DO NOT PUSH!"
So they quickly wheeled me to my room where apparently, according to DH, there were about 10 different people waiting to 'lend a hand.' LOL The hospital we went to is a teaching hospital, so there were a lot of students in the room at first. I could have cared less though and didn't really even notice them to be honest...I was in too much pain!
So at this point I knew any sort of pain medication was out the window and that I was going to have to do it naturally. I was terrified, to say the least. I never imagined myself to be strong enough to go through labor naturally. I started pushing, and pushing, and pushing... DH put on some Dave Matthews Band music to try and relax me a bit. It definitely helped to give me something else to focus on, and at that point I seemed to start making some real progress. DH was even able to see her head crowning at one point. Finally, at 2:52am, DD made her entrance into the world! The relief of knowing that it was over and what I had just done is something that I cant even begin to explain to you. Incredible! lol Oh, and for you Dave fans... 'So Damn Lucky' was playing when she was born. :)
The whole labor process for me was about 4.5 hours. I still can't believe I did it naturally (not that I really had a choice). Although it's not what I wanted at all and the epidural was #1 in my mind, it's still something that I know in the future I'll be happy that I experienced. (the pain is still too fresh in my mind to appreciate the beauty of it all right now lol) And I really could not have done it without DH. He was my rock through the whole experience, and I'm so lucky to have had him there with me, really, that day and everyday. I love him so much!
We're settling into our new family nicely. We're all just very happy and excited for the future.
Thanks again to everyone for their well wishes. It really means a lot. Time to go be a Mommy..... :D

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Check in my profile. I was induced for pre-eclampsia but, I didn't get an epi.

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Here is mine ! Very funny one at that

My birth story

ETA: I didn't get there in time to get an epi. I was going to get one ,but Eva had plans of her own lol

Message edited 7/14/2009 5:39:29 PM.

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

good luck jess! read my birth story through my profile, hope it helps!! i'm so proud of myself and would highly encourage you to consider it!

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Here is mine, feel free to ask any questions!

My Homebirth Story

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

I never wrote my birth story with Erik, but I'm happy to answer any questions.

My first delivery (Ella) was medicated with an pitocin and an epidural, my second was completely free of drugs.

Its interesting to have experienced both.

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

One thing I learned that was helpful was that contractions come in waves - with peaks & valleys. You only need to "survive" the peaks (which really aren't as long as you think until you are closer to the end). So looking at a monitor, your DH can tell you when it's coming down. Just breathe out slowly through those peaks. Each peak gets you closer to seeing your baby. Trust your body & whatever you feel the urge to do, do it (in my case I needed DH to dig his fist - for 10 hours - into my lower back as counterpressure). Don't underestimate counterpressuring from the outside to help ease the pain.

This isn't quite the whole thing but it's from a post called "The day you went to the hospital" - the point of which was to write down what you remember.

HTH. If you have any questions, feel free to FM me.

Posted by nrthshgrl

Sept 19th. 2001
I remember coming back from my nightly 3am potty break & feeling “uh oh” as I felt a leak. I just went to the bathroom so I knew it wasn’t that.

I remember waking up DH & saying “I’m pretty sure my water just broke.” His response was “Oh, ok” snore…I waited another half hour & wwoke him up again – and said “Babe, I’m wondering if my water just broke.” He said “What does that mean?” “Well maybe I’m in labor.” He finally woke up like a shot.

I remember explaining to him that my doctor said if my water broke, I’d have to be induced within 24 hours.” (not true, I misunderstood the “you need to deliver the baby within 24 hours.”)

I remember convincing him that he should go to work because we probably had plenty of time and that I’d go into work but “didn’t want to deal with my water leaking on the train.”

I remember how unsure he was saying “I really don’t think it’s a good idea for me to go in to work. I’ll just stay at home & sleep since I’ll be up with you tonight” (and I thought he was just being really lazy).

I remember saying I don’t want to call anyone in our family because I don’t really think I’m in labor.

My doctors’ answering machine message said “If you have an emergency, press 0, for all other routine matters please leave a message & we will call you when the office opens.” So I waited to leave a message because I considered birth to be a routine matter for an ob/gyn office.

At 7am, I remember leaving a message on the doctor’s answering machine saying “Hi, it’s Barbara. I’m pretty sure my water broke & according to your chart the pain I’m having is real labor pains, but I’m 34 weeks so that can’t be right. If you could call me back when the office opens, I’d appreciate it.”

At 9am on the dot, I remember the panic in the receptionist’s voice saying “The answering service didn’t call us. Please meet Dr. so&so at the hospital so he can evaluate you.” I jumped in the shower & shaved my legs

Our couches were being delivered that day. I told him if I tell my sister not to come wait for the delivery – she’ll tell everyone. So I called her & said “I’m just going to stay home today, you don’t need to come.” About an hour later I said, “My doctor wants me to swing by the hospital to get evaluated, so I still need you to wait for the couch delivery. I’m not in labor or anything.”

I remember my sister showing up & throwing a pair of sweats into a bag “just in case”.

I remember driving to the hospital, down the same road we drove to the wedding reception. He turned to me & said “Remember this moment. Next time we drive back, we’re coming back as a family.”

I remember begging DH to stop for egg sandwiches because I hadn’t had any breakfast. His response was “We'll swing by the hospital & then we’ll go out for egg sandwiches together.”

I remember telling the admitting person that I was having psychosomatic contractions but that my water had broken.

I remember my doctor saying "You're 5 cm dialated, you're not going anywhere." I glared at DH & snapped "What about my egg sandwich?"

I remember waiting for each peak of the contractions, thinking "Millions of women do this every day, I'm no different - and if I can hang on for a few more seconds, the pain would start subside."

I remember asking the nurse "So when does it get really bad? When is the last possible moment to get an epidural if I need one?" She responded "Honey, you're 8cm, if you gotten this far, you won't need one."

I remember throwing up in this moon-shaped tray & telling DH "whoever designed this thing was a genius".

I remember the nurses coming into repeatedly change the linens and whispering to DH that they were so much better than our cleaning lady ever could be.

I remember thinking "they really think I'm having the baby today?" when the doctor said "Ok you're ready to push."

I remember DH saying "You're pushing wrong." I thought "What the h3ll do you know about pushing a baby out your crotch?"

I remember DH saying "It's a boy!" & thinking he was stupid & mistook the umbilical cord for a penis. I secretly knew I was having a girl. Then I realized I was wrong

I remember DH looking at our son with tears in his eyes & then seeing his face go white as he saw me shaking. I remember him looking so scared & saying "Doc, why is she still bleeding like that?" The doctor said "It's slowing down." I heard him whisper to himself, "No, no it's not" and seeing his eyes tear up more. I remember the doctor saying "Ok, there I think I got it." and the look of relief on his & DH's faces.

I remember my mom telling me that she was praying for a miracle for the people that perished in 9/11 the week before- that someone would just be found alive. She told me that when no one was found, she thought that God gave our family a miracle & that Joseph would be ok.

I remember the days we drove down the road 2-3 times a day for a week to see Joseph, promising myself each time that "the next time" we would drive back to our house as a family.

I remember taking him outside the hospital for the first time & feeling this huge weight lift off of me because he was going to be ok.
==============
Maddie - June 15th- much quicker

At 39 weeks, I remember going to a surprise party for a friend. I told people I would probably be a week overdue.

I remember having what I thought were BH at the party.

I remember overhearing DH tell someone that there was no way I was going to have this baby without an epidural. That I "had one already under my belt and would say that this one REALLY hurt."

At midnight, I remember going to bed & thinking how badly my back hurt - and not being able to sleep as I was having consistent back pain. A 1:30am, it occurred to me that the back pain was really regular & waking up DH to say I thought I might be in labor.

I remember it was 2am & telling my parents that I was going out to the car & if DH wasn't out in 1 min I was driving myself.

I remember DH stopped at a red light & I cursed "I AM IN LABOR. HOW DARE YOU STOP!" He said "Barb, we have at least 6 more hours, calm down." I apologized saying "I'm sorry I just want to get to the hospital, this one really hurts." - and then gasping because I thought I really was wimping out.

I remember the women at the admitting desk didn't realize I was in labor until after she asked me dozens of questions until I snapped "Do you think we could hurry this up - I did fill out the maternity forms & sent them in"

I remember telling the nurse that I had to go to the bathroom & then I'd get on the gurney. She said "No, you could have the baby." I said "I have hours more of this, I really need to go." So we compromised.If I got on the gurney to be evaluated and the doctor said it was ok, I could use the bathroom.

I remember the doctor going to examine me & saying "Let's see how far along you are, whoops, there's the head!"

I remember her saying "You need to push." and me saying "I'll wait a little bit. My husband is almost here." She sent someone out to get DH.

I remember her asking me to slide down & I felt something like a bubble. I said "WHAT is THAT?!" She said "That's the bag of waters - it's completely in tact." Then I heard the other nurse say "Quick go get Connie" (who had never seen a baby born in the caul.)

I remember thinking if I push just a little bit maybe I would hold off until DH got there. So I did just a little bit - and then I heard "Ok we have the head out" and I thought "uh-oh"

Then I remember DH coming in as Maddie was on the french fry warmer & said "You were right. I shouldn't have stopped at the light."

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Here is Ryan's.....I wound up with a section but did manage almost 2 days with natural labor

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Well, I didn't get an epidural, but I was given Demerol, but I didn't consent to it. So I just want to give you a piece of advice, since I wish I had been warned.

I was on my way into the bathroom in my labor room, having contractions but I had to use the bathroom. My nurse said "do you want something for the pain?"...and I was trying to race to the toilet to throw up. I said "Maybe, in a minute"...I literally was thinking Tylenol or something like that. By the time I came back out and was almost having another contraction, she put something in my IV. Well, long story short, it was Demerol...I NEVER consented to it, and the nurse never discussed with my DH what I was getting while I was in the bathroom.

Let's just say that the Demerol KNOCKED ME OUT. I literally passed out, and would wake up for a contraction (which still hurt like a mother!!), then would pass out again. This continued into the pushing process. Wake up for a contraction and to push, pass back out again, etc. I was still groggy when DD entered the world, but it was wearing off.

Moral of the story-- I said "Maybe" to "something for the pain" as the nurse said...I thought it would be Tylenol or Motrin or something...and wound up with Demerol and a really out-of-body experience. So just be aware of what they're giving you. I would have never consented to Demerol, I wanted to wait the pain out and see if I needed anything (epidural). I mean, everything worked out fine with DD and all, but I would have never (and didn't) consent to it.

Message edited 7/15/2009 8:24:47 AM.

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

With DS #1 I had an epidural. With DS#2 here is my story:

I was due March 23rd. On March 19th I went to bed about 10 pm. Baby Chris was sick with a fever so at 1:00 am I woke up to give him motrin.

I used th bathroom and had green discharge and then blood. I called my neighbor to watch Christopher and then DH drove me to the hospital.

By 1:30-2:00 am I was 7 cm!! the hospital was packed with preggos and the staff was very harried. Thank god my friend Rosanne was on call that night since she took me into L&D right away.

I was screaming for an epidural but two people were having c-sections and thats where the anesteologosits were!!

My dr was not there so it was me, rosanne, a midwife who was wonderful and DH. They told me I was 9 cm and I was having this baby WITHOUT DRUGS!!!--my worst nightmare

I was freaking out--i cant take ANY pain. By 3:50 am I was 10 cm and started pushing. It was the most physically enduring thing I have ever done--my body (including my arms) is still in pain.

My dr walked in at 4:15 AM AND Carlo Raphael was born at 4:29!!!!

It was exciting until they told me he had to go to NICU since he swolled meconium. Of course I freaked out--but now he is home and is perfectly fine (I will post more about NICU--god bless those babies)

I am home and exhausted--up with DS all night and DS number one all day---Moms of 2 under 2---fun!!

Thank you for listening--i love my boys!!!

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Thanks for posting all your birth stories, they are really inspiring!!

I noticed some said getting in a warm bath helped with contractions so i'm definitely going to take advantage of that since the rooms at the hospital have tubs.

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Re: Can I read your birth story if you had a non-medicated birth?

Posted by greeneyes361708

Posted by CaMacho

Thanks for posting all your birth stories, they are really inspiring!!

I noticed some said getting in a warm bath helped with contractions so i'm definitely going to take advantage of that since the rooms at the hospital have tubs.

Yes, the birthing pool helped tremendously! I really didn't feel much pain at all until 9cm because of the warm water. Just a tip, your belly has to be completely submerged for it to work, and the water has to be around 98 degrees