Natural child birth

Theresa - posted on 07/07/2012

It's YOUR body and YOUR baby and if you feel like you want to do it naturally (which is what I did) then do it. My idea on birthing was 'if it needed to be done then do it'. My first daughter they gave me pethidine because I wasn't dilating and was in ALOT of pain, but that didn't work and neither did the gas they gave me to try, so I just did it all myself : ) My second daughter I just decided to go with the flow and turned out I didn't have time for anything, which, as much pain as she gave me, I loved it! I will NEVER forget either of their births and I will probably do the same for my current 'bun in the oven'. Having a natural birth (to me) is soooo much more satisfying that getting doped up on drugs enough that you can't feel anything. I WANT to be able to feel my babies coming into this world : ) I also wanted nothing to do with a C-Section, unless it was necessary ie. me or the baby was in danger. Once again it's YOUR choice! If people don't like it well too bad! : )

Danielle Del - posted on 07/05/2012

Hi Jamie,

Is this your first pregnancy?
I had my little son 4 months ago (my first), and I had every intention of having a natural childbirth. I think its a personal choice, and there are many benefits to it as well. Things didn't go as I had hoped, and I was in labor for 19 hours. My son's heartbeat was stable the entire time, and technically (according to my near perfect blood pressure) so was I...But after 16.5 hours, I was exhausted and starving (my hospital didn't let me eat while I was admitted) I gave in and had them call the anesthesiologist. I initially felt a little guilty about not being able to stick with my plan, but that's just the thing, I got the most perfect son in the world and I couldn't be happier. So my advice to you would be give it a shot, but if at any point you want to change your mind, don't beat yourself up over it. The anesthesiologist I had was great, he could see how guilty I felt, and I had said to him, well I guess I am not trying to be a super hero, and he answered, you are already a superhero...you're a mom...What a great answer! So do what feels best for you, have the support of your significant other, and get ready for an adventure!

Bernadette - posted on 07/01/2012

I haven't actually gong through "child birth" as such, but I have gone through labour twice (both ended up with emergency c-sections). During my first, I had gas and a pethidine shot. I have to say that they didn't really make that much difference. The gas made me feel really sick, I just felt drunk and not happy drunk but the kind of drunk you feel at the end of a huge night when you realise that you should have stopped and gone home hours ago. So when I did have my c-section (with a spinal block) it all passed in a big blur. The pethidine did ease the pain of the contractions slightly, for a little while, but didn't make a big enough difference for it to have really been worth it. You'll still feel pain even with the drugs, so if you don't want them I wouldn't bother.

Monique - posted on 06/29/2012

I had natural births with both my kids no drugs or nothing i was in labour 7 hours for my 1st and 18 for my 2nd it hurts but its worth it. I chose natural because i was scared of needles

Leslie - posted on 06/29/2012

I did natural birth up till I had eight hours to go. I was induce. I took a two nap with my own pain. i had 28 hours of labor.

Donna - posted on 06/17/2012

I had five children and had all natural child births it hurts but it is worth it

Jena - posted on 01/30/2012

Going natural is something to celebrate...stats show that less complication arrive when you let your body go through the natural process. The more that women talk about it in a kind way the more familiar it will become to individuals that don't understand. It so important for women to talk about their positive birth experience, yay!

Ania - posted on 01/26/2012

I would say that you are doing it for the badge of honor and machoism reasons... Seriously do whatever you want . Just get ready with breathing and the fact that a lot depends on your mind... If you truly want a natural birth you need to get ready mentally and tell yourself that the pain is there to help the baby to come out, this pain is not there because theyre is something wrong with you. Every woman durong labor has a moment when she feels that she will not be able to do it, but that is usually at the end...after that...it is almost time to push :) Also make sure that you move around a lot especially early in labor, don't go to the hospital too early, otherwise you will be subjected to the 24h mark labor in hospitals cannot last longer than that without interventions. Watch The Business of Being Born movie available on netflix for free. It is good....do as much reasearch as possible on everything that is used in hospitals to speed up process and definately get midwife... Good luck

Pamela - posted on 10/06/2011

I had a lot of people say the same thing when I was pregnant and I wanted natural....I'm very happy I went natural my baby came out very alert and it was nice to get to see her awake for a couple of hours instead of sleeping cause she's doped up...plus if you're breast feeding they're more alert for that as well. I'm planning on going natural with this one as well! The epidural freaks me out!

Starfish - posted on 09/29/2011

I think you should do whatever you feel is best for you and your baby.

I wasn't able to follow through with my plans for natural birth due to severe complications, but I got a lot of flack for having chosen to do it without drugs too. Even the nurses in the hospital harassed me, saying, "Oh, you'll never make it" and "you'll be begging for drugs" and "there's no way you could endure that pain".

It was crazy. I may be rubbish with needles, but I'm tough with pain. Heck, I didn't even notice my contractions when I was in labour.

You're the only one who knows what you're capable of handling. I believe that of everyone. Some women know they can handle natural child birth, some women know they'd rather not. Stick to your guns, and hopefully you'll have a better outcome than I did, and get to follow through with your plan.

Tiffany - posted on 09/28/2011

I did it at 19 and it was hard but i did it and felt empower by it like i could do anything!!! i was so happy i did it and taking a birthing classes really helped

Amy - posted on 09/28/2011

I gave birth to my son last year through natural child birth. I had no medicine what-so-ever. I just didn't want to take any risks with getting an epidural, I mean, its a tube stuck in your spine! Just the idea of it freaks me out. Lol.
I am expecting my second baby in May 2012 and I am planning on having a natural birth with that baby also.
Congrats on the baby Jamie and props for doing it natural :)

Linea - posted on 09/28/2011

I got the epidural because I needed it I was being induced because of low fluid and they were constantly monitoring my baby's heartrate...would I have like to have her with out any pain meds YES! was I able to no...do I think that you should get the meds just because you can absolutely NOT!

Cassandra - posted on 09/28/2011

Do what you are comfortable with, I was comfortable with an epideral ASAP lol. Im hoping for a natural next time though.

MomOf1 - posted on 09/28/2011

THIS IS MY FIRST CHILD AND I WANT TO TRY NATURAL BIRTH

Kayla - posted on 12/07/2009

I think the people who gawk at natural childbirth as a sign of insanity forget that women have done it for thousands of years (and still continue to do it to this day) without medication. I'm pretty sure if the pre-modern-medicine human race didn't die out from women giving birth without meds, it shouldn't be such a shocker that people still want to stick to a simple (natural) birth plan today.

Heck, my own mother didn't even get a single ultrasound for any of her four pregnancies, and we're all still alive and well today.

I'm pregnant with my first, and I'm taking heart from my best friend, who had her first without an epidural, and has chosen all-natural now that she's expecting her second. I, too, have heard about complications from epidurals, and as I already have back issues, I'm not crazy about screwing up my back even more getting a needle prodded in there. So don't worry if people give you a hard time about it. Plenty of us (who are just as sane as you are) have chosen the same route.

Kimberly - posted on 12/07/2009

hey i had a natural childbirth with all of my kids except 1..There is nothing wrong with choosing that. I have 5 boys....My 4th is the one i had an epidural with and i hated it..I am due to have my 1st girl february 24th and i plan to go natural..

Mary - posted on 12/07/2009

I honestly have to say that I am in my 1st pregnancy and have had people ask me what I am going to do and I have chossen a natural birth as well.It seems to me that people have their own opinions of what they think you should do and I just tell them that it's my decision and that's what I'm doing and they just try and they still just try and persuade you to change your mind.It's like this is my child,my birth and I'm the one who's going to be doing it so it's kind of like MYOB! I hate to say it but sometimes you just have to be blunt.I know a few people that have had very difficult births and they try to give you their opinion and I say if I want advice I'll ask my mom and my mother in law who had choosen to do the same thing that I am....I mean know one says it's going to be easy but let me make the decision for my self.Good for you for doing it natural.I hope that everything works out for you.Just stand your ground and say it's what you want!Hope this was helpful...Your not alone!

Jessica - posted on 12/07/2009

I wanted to go as natural as possible for my first labour, and I found staying at home in a relaxing environment for as long as possible helped, then when I was at hospital my midwife got me in the big bath and that helped with contractions too. Unfortunately my son was pushing down very hard with the sac of waters so that was broken at 8cm which was fine, and had I had asked an hour later through transition how far away I was from pushing I probably wouldn't have had the pethidine (was the only thing i would take unless had to have epi for a c-section) I asked for. But I don't regret it because it took no pain away it just helped clear my head as I wanted to go home. This labour I'm going to try for natural and if I do ask for pain relief my midwife has it in our birth plan that she will tell me how far along I am, how far away I am from pushing and why I'm asking for the pain relief (of course this is depending that the labour is as smooth as my first) because I have asked her to do this first and if I tell her I'm not coping she will give me pethidine again.

Good luck, and who cares what people say...they can give you grief all they like and tell you to take the drugs because they did, but it's your body, your labour and your choice. No matter what it hurts drugs or no drugs!

Angela - posted on 12/06/2009

I delivered both my children naturally. I had no IV or anything with either. People say why would you want to go through unnecessary pain. I say the healing is usually better. You don't have the huge risks and side effects from an epidural. No swelling from potosin and other pluses as well. Do what feels right, and your Dr. is right practice really relaxing during high stressful (painful) situations that's what saved me. RELAXING during contractions they only last for 30 seconds at a time.

Melba - posted on 12/06/2009

I had my first child natural as well. I think so many people are opposed to it because choosing the easy way is simpler. But in my experience I met a women who had an epidural and now has nerve issues with her eyes due to he complications. That alone freaked me out and gave me the motivation and courage to choose a natural birth. If you get a good Doctor and/or mid wife that supports you, you will be fine. Don't let others fears lead you to feeling worried about choosing natural birth. I am planning to go natural this time around as well.

Brenda - posted on 12/06/2009

Don't let anyone change your mind. If you decide to have an epi while giving birth that's fine and if you don't that's fine also. This is YOUR experience and no one else's. I am also planning a natural child birth as with my first but I am also open to the demarol (if I spelled that right) as this pregnancy has not been easy like my daughter's, which has me fearing the birth.

D - posted on 12/06/2009

I am getting grief from people as well. Just ignore them...they are probably just jealous that they didn't try to do unmedicated birth themselves. I have learned to just literally walk away if they don't take a subtle facial expression of disgust with their comments as a hint.

Juelle - posted on 12/04/2009

Hi I support your decision to go natural, it's really your choice alone. My bb was 'overdue' according to the doctor (which I find hard to believe as it is only an EDD not actual precise date). Before the date scheduled for inducement, my husband and I prayed that the bb will be delivered naturally without any external intervention. True enough, my water broke on its own, went to the hospital with mild contractions, and after 3 hours of labor the bb was out. Of course the pushing was hard work but the contractions were very tolerable, felt like menses cramps. I did get an injection of pethidine, felt drowsy for two days but the bb came out alert and screaming - it obviously didn't affect her. My friends have advised me to take epidural, even the midwife and doctor but I specified in my birth plan that it would be the last resort.
All the best for your delivery, pray!

CIARA - posted on 12/04/2009

its how you feel.you want a natural i say go for it. at the end of the day you will be the one on the bed pushing and if you feel going natural will bring you closer then i say go for it. i had my first natural(wasnt by choice) but the feeling i had once knowing i gave birth was the more then anyone could imagine.

Amanda - posted on 12/04/2009

i had a natural childbirth with both of my first two children and am planning to do it again with my third. honestly, it is not as bad as people say. i mean yes, it does hurt a lot, but you can do it. you have to do what you feel is right for you.

Amy - posted on 12/03/2009

Congrats on the decisions! I wanted to do it naturally as well, however I decided to have pain meds via an IV if needed (We wanted to cover all bases and make sure that I could be comfortable if needed). So many people told me how horrible it would be and how I need the epidural, Honestly it wasn't that bad at first (I did use the pain meds via the IF). I agree with Julia, DON"T ALLOW THEM TO BREAK YOUR WATTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was 2 weeks late, they stripped my membranes the night before to start labor, things went fine till I just sort of halted. Then the dr wanted to break my watter, I figured what harm could it do? Well breaking the watter is kind of like them giving you meds to induce labor. I went from a pain of 3 to 9 in a matter of seconds. As soon as they broke my watter I went to the bathroom and feel on the bathroom floor from pain.

I really hope that your labor goes smoothly, I believe as long as it progresses at a constant rate that you'll be fine. For a little bit of inspiration, my sister in law delivered a breach baby 100% naturally! It's amazing!

The one suggestion she gave me was to get regular chiropractors. When you get to a specific point your hormones start getting your body out of whack, if you get adjusted regularly it can help your body stay how it should and make giving birth more comfortable.

I hope you have a safe natural labor!

Stefanie - posted on 12/03/2009

I am also getting people who tell me that I'm crazy for wanting a natural child birth. I have told them, just because you got drugs, doesn't mean I have to as well. I am keeping the options open just in case something happens. But I keep telling my Doctor that I want natural and she told me, really practice relaxing under stress, practice breathing. She also said that my husband and I should have a trail labor, got through the relaxation techs, breathing, massage the lower back and focus on relaxing overall. I have been doing this, my husband is quite helpful and it gives us time to focus on our baby.
I have also gotten to the point where I have been telling people to mind thier own business and I will do what I want. People try to tell me how awful it is and uncomfotable they were, just remember you are not them. I keep reminding myself that every labor is different and you can't really compare yours to anyone elses. Good Luck!

Jamie - posted on 12/02/2009

Thank you for all your helpful tips and personal stories. It does help me to hear that I'm not the only person who is/has gone through this. I will be sure to use the advice that was giving if and when the conversation comes up again.

Rachelle - posted on 12/01/2009

I had my first child naturally and my second is on the way.I have no intentions of pumping myself or my baby full of drugs. The idea that people think that is what should be done just because it is available is crazy to me! I would probably tell them that they are welcome to take all the drugs they please, but it is my choice not to. End of story! I wouldn't start a discussion, They'll just try and tell you drugs are safe blah blah blah...
Good luck with everything, I hope you stick to it!

Erin - posted on 12/01/2009

This is my first child and I'm planning as natural as possible. I am going to stay open in case of emergencies, but if things are running smoothly I want to be left alone as much as safely possible. Too many times on Birthing Stories, or other such shows, have I seen a woman induced, and then rushed into a Ceasarean because of failure to progress. No thanks! I'm using hot water, walking, squating positions, essential oils, music, and mediation to try to make it through mine. Good luck! and try having an advocate on your side, like baby's Dad, your mother, or even a Doula, if you think your Doctor or nurses might try pushing you towards interventions you don't want.

Cheryl - posted on 12/01/2009

I had all 3 of my babies natural and I commend you for doing it.. I caught a lot of grief to but I jusy looked at them and said this is my choice and just because you wanted the drugs doesnt mean I have to..I am now pregnant with twins and I am hoping that I get to do this childbirth natural as well.. Good luck to you and congrats!!

Julia - posted on 12/01/2009

I would tell people to mind their own business. I had natural childbirth with my first daughter, and thank God I did my daughter was born not breathing and was taken away if I had drugs I am afraid of what could have happened. She is a healthy happy active 3 yr old right now. Few tips for you, bath tub or hot shower helps with the contractions, don't allow them to monitor you constantly or make you stay in the bed, walk around sit on the ball. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO BREAK YOUR WATER!!!! The way my midwife described it, when the sac is still in place it is like a cushion against your pelvic bone when that sac is broken and gone then that cushioning is gone and it is like bone on bone. Hurts worse. You'll be able to do fine. By the way I was in the Army for 7 years so me telling people to mind their own business is me trying to be nice about what I would actually say! Shoving something in places that shouldn't be mentioned is more along the lines of what I would say!