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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Natural childbirth
As in no IV, no epidural, no drugs...can anyone share their experience, advice, suggestions, etc.?
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 it didn't work out - I am looking for positive feedback right now.
If you already posted your story, just tell me who you are and I will look it up so you don't have to repeat.
TIA....
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Posted 2/26/07 9:49 AM  |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: Natural childbirth
Wow, nobody???
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| Posted 2/26/07 10:51 AM |
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CathyB
Member since 5/05 19403 total posts
Name:
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Re: Natural childbirth
I'm a big weenie and wanted epidurals both times. With Sarah I had an epidural and didn't feel a thing, which for me was great.
With Andy the epidural didn't work at all since they'd given me another narcotic painkiller a few hours before that and I progressed really fast, so they really couldn't give me anything once that wore off for fear it would affect Andy. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was painful, I wish I'd taken a Bradley or hypnobirthing class to manage the pain and my fears better. If we decide to have a 3rd I'm going to take one of these classes and try to go without painkillers.
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| Posted 2/26/07 10:57 AM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: Natural childbirth
I had natural childbirth. I used Birthing from Within and had a doula. I highly recommend a doula for added support even if you think your DH will be great. A lot of people use the Bradley method (I thing Barb used that with her kids). Myneighbor used Hypnobirthing twice and said it was very helpful as well.
Also I suggest a birth plan and a newborn plan if you have specific ideas of how you would like your labor to be so that the nurses don't try to push an epi on you.
Honestly for me it wasn't that bad. It was painful when I got to 7cm but 7-10cm went super quick and the second she was out it's like it all just went away.
I'd be happy to email you my birth story if you'd like. It's long though and pretty detailed so not sure if you'd like to read or not.
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| Posted 2/26/07 10:58 AM |
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ABCiverson
<3 my family
Member since 1/06 7465 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Natural childbirth
I didn't want to go natural I am really bad with pain. My first labor was 12 hours and I had the epi. My second labor I went into labor at 2:30 am. by 3:30 am my DH thought we should go to the hospital. By the time I made it to the car and finally to the hospital it was 5 am I was alrealy 9 cm so it was too late for the epi. I was begging for one. Within 45 minutes she was born. It all went so fast but I remember that pushing felt good because it relieved some of the pain from the contractions. It was the worst pain I have ever felt but I was amazed at how good I felt after I had my DD. I was up walking around within a few hours. With my first labor I was in bed for 6 hours after I had my DS and I think it was because of the epi. I just felt out of it. During my first labor I pushed for 2 hours and I needed to be cut because my DS's heartrate was dropping. With my DD I didn't tear or need to get cut. I also blame that on the epi. Unless I have another fast labor I will get the epi again. I am terrible with pain and I get all my labor pains in my back. But I know it can be done and if you have the miindset of no drugs I think it will be easier to resist the urge to get them.
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| Posted 2/26/07 11:16 AM |
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AlohaMa
Never Forget
Member since 2/06 2735 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Natural childbirth
I went natural but not by choice. I wanted an epi and stated such but it was "too early" when I requested it. Long story short, I progressed extremely quickly and wasn't able to get one I am glad I did it but next time, I would totally get the epidural...
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| Posted 2/26/07 11:30 AM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: Natural childbirth
barb's stories are great! i got inspiration from her.
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| Posted 2/26/07 11:42 AM |
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jennyg
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/05 633 total posts
Name:
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Re: Natural childbirth
I went natural with my DD by choice - didn't take any classes, just really concentrated on breathing and relaxing and like monkeybride said, 7-10cm was the worst but it was a great experience overall.
With my DS I went in wanting a natural l&d again but it was a completely different experience. I did not dialate at all and after they broke my water I stalled at 4cm and couldn't deal with the pain. I got the epi and dialted to 10cm in 40 minutes. In all honesty, it was heaven!
I think you have to go into it with a "lets see what happens" attitude. You should definitely have a plan but there are lots of factors out of your control and in the end you have to do whats best for your baby.
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| Posted 2/26/07 11:52 AM |
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michele31
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3372 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: Natural childbirth
You can do this!!
I took hypnobirthing classes and honestly they were my happiest times during pregnancy. I felt confident and not afraid. Things did not work out for me since my daughter was breech but I am totally a HUGE supporter of natural childbirth and if there is anything I can do to support you just let me know.
One thing I do think is important is taking a non-hospital class that can prepare you. You need to know what is going on with your baby and your body. Fear itself is a huge part of pain. Remove the fear and you can have better control over your pain.
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| Posted 2/26/07 12:17 PM |
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My3Shmoos
Me and my Monkey
Member since 7/06 2437 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Natural childbirth
I had an IV with ds but didn't have a choice. I had low fluid and was in the hospital for a week to pump me with fluids. They had to induce me and put on the pitocin. That is the drug from HELL!! The pain became so bad I had to get an epidurial. Unfortunately it was not what I wanted but had no choice. They told me I would be in labor all night with out it. And I have a very high tolerance for pain. Once they took the pit off to give me the epi I felt much better but they insisted that after the fact they wold have to turn it back on. After a 45 minutes ordeal of trying to give me the epi (the resident and attending were fighting) my midwife checked me and said well that was a waste, you're 10cm and you can push. 8 pushes later ds was born.
As for dd I had no meds or IV. I had them put in a Med-lock because I have HORRIBLE veins, that way god forbid I became dehydrated or needed and emergency c-section they already had a port to push it through. Thank god that did not happen and after about almost 12 hours of labor and 10 pushes she was born.
I was able to move around for both births. I used Hypnobirth for both which worked well for me. Of course the last 2 cm were tough but worth every minute.
Message edited 2/26/2007 12:34:27 PM.
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| Posted 2/26/07 12:31 PM |
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emilain
UNREAL!!!!!!!!
Member since 5/05 4457 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: Natural childbirth
ouch, natural birth was not easy for me, nor was it by choice, i loved that epidural, but all the docs and nurses commented on how alert my son was rigth fromt he get go and they attributed it to goung au natural.
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| Posted 2/26/07 12:36 PM |
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Kidsaplenty
Sister love
Member since 2/06 5971 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Natural childbirth
Posted by karacg
As in no IV, no epidural, no drugs...can anyone share their experience, advice, suggestions, etc.?
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 it didn't work out - I am looking for positive feedback right now.
If you already posted your story, just tell me who you are and I will look it up so you don't have to repeat.
TIA....
I went natural with my DS, but had an epi with my DDs.
The birth with my son was so much different. I felt aware, empowered, and it was really a great experience. The pain was bad, but you can definetely make it through. I refused constant ivs and continious monitoring, and it gave me room to roam around. I used a birthing ball, sometimes rocking on my hands and kness worked best. I also felt like screaming during transition, so I would put a rolled up washcloth in my mouth and just wail in pain. Pushing was so much quicker because I could feel what I was doing. When he came out and they put him on my chest, that was the best moment. He was much mmore aware than more girls, less cranky in the beginning. That night I just held him and we stared at each other for a few hours. With my other two they were groggy from my epi.
Try hypnobirthing or Bradley classes. Whe you're in labor, remember this is pain with a purpose, and it doesn't last forever. Don't be afraid to try weird positions to ease your pain. It helps to put yourself in a zone, I did yoga breathing and some poses throughout and it helped tremendously. Make it clear to nurses that you do not want pain relief. They offered me iv pain relief several times, and I wish they hadn't. Good luck!
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| Posted 2/26/07 2:43 PM |
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Juliet
Family is Complete!
Member since 5/05 5913 total posts
Name:
Juliet
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Re: Natural childbirth
Posted by KAbs
I had an IV with ds but didn't have a choice. I had low fluid and was in the hospital for a week to pump me with fluids. They had to induce me and put on the pitocin. That is the drug from HELL!! The pain became so bad I had to get an epidurial. Unfortunately it was not what I wanted but had no choice. They told me I would be in labor all night with out it. And I have a very high tolerance for pain. Once they took the pit off to give me the epi I felt much better but they insisted that after the fact they wold have to turn it back on. After a 45 minutes ordeal of trying to give me the epi (the resident and attending were fighting) my midwife checked me and said well that was a waste, you're 10cm and you can push. 8 pushes later ds was born.
As for dd I had no meds or IV. I had them put in a Med-lock because I have HORRIBLE veins, that way god forbid I became dehydrated or needed and emergency c-section they already had a port to push it through. Thank god that did not happen and after about almost 12 hours of labor and 10 pushes she was born.
I was able to move around for both births. I used Hypnobirth for both which worked well for me. Of course the last 2 cm were tough but worth every minute.
This sounds a lot like my labor. That pitocin was wicked. I wish my labor had progressed on its own. I wanted to go without the epi and spent a few hours fighting it until the midwife who was with me told me I needed it. At that point it had been 48 hours with my water broken and I was GBS positive and they wanted my baby out of me as soon as possible (but they helped me not have a C-section)
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| Posted 2/26/07 3:01 PM |
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My3Shmoos
Me and my Monkey
Member since 7/06 2437 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Natural childbirth
Posted by Juliet
Posted by KAbs
I had an IV with ds but didn't have a choice. I had low fluid and was in the hospital for a week to pump me with fluids. They had to induce me and put on the pitocin. That is the drug from HELL!! The pain became so bad I had to get an epidurial. Unfortunately it was not what I wanted but had no choice. They told me I would be in labor all night with out it. And I have a very high tolerance for pain. Once they took the pit off to give me the epi I felt much better but they insisted that after the fact they wold have to turn it back on. After a 45 minutes ordeal of trying to give me the epi (the resident and attending were fighting) my midwife checked me and said well that was a waste, you're 10cm and you can push. 8 pushes later ds was born.
As for dd I had no meds or IV. I had them put in a Med-lock because I have HORRIBLE veins, that way god forbid I became dehydrated or needed and emergency c-section they already had a port to push it through. Thank god that did not happen and after about almost 12 hours of labor and 10 pushes she was born.
I was able to move around for both births. I used Hypnobirth for both which worked well for me. Of course the last 2 cm were tough but worth every minute.
This sounds a lot like my labor. That pitocin was wicked. I wish my labor had progressed on its own. I wanted to go without the epi and spent a few hours fighting it until the midwife who was with me told me I needed it. At that point it had been 48 hours with my water broken and I was GBS positive and they wanted my baby out of me as soon as possible (but they helped me not have a C-section)
I thnk we go to th sam epractice of Midwives. When I walked in with my 2nd labor the first thing out of my mouth was NO PITOCIN!!! FM and tell me who delivered your dd.
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| Posted 2/26/07 4:06 PM |
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rose825
Best Friends
Member since 6/05 10228 total posts
Name:
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Re: Natural childbirth
ME
I posted on PG board
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| Posted 2/26/07 4:09 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Natural childbirth
I had both of my children without pain medication.
For the first delivery, I had no pain medication but they had to give me an IV of antiobiotics even though I tested negative for Strep B. They were afraid of infection because I delivered up at 34.5 weeks.
The second delivery, I showed up a full 10cm dialated after laboring at home for 1.5 hours.
I'll try to find my birth story but if you have any questions, feel free to FM.
Here's one I found
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| Posted 2/26/07 4:16 PM |
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