Non Medicated births! Tell me your story!

Nicole - posted on 01/12/2010

I had a great drug free birth. I was in labor for a few days before waddling into the hospital. At my last dr. visit two days before Phoebe's birth I was 6cm :D My doc said I could head to the hospital or go home. I went home until I was 10cm (I learned to self check). After 9.5 hours at the hospital fully dilated I felt the need to push which broke my water. Ten minutes later out flew Phoebe. And I do mean flew- I pushed vertically. Squatting was amazing! Gravity is your friend while pushing. I had a really joyful birth. The staff was rather shocked that I was laughing and rather smiley through the process. Through the labor, I did various yoga sequences and made use of a ball. At one point I made my boyfriend take a hot bath because he was so worked up! Men!!!! such weanies about pain even when it isn't theirs o_O ;)

Jaclyn - posted on 01/12/2010

We had a lovely unmedicated homebirth! It was awesome, peaceful and truly a rite of passage.

April - posted on 01/02/2010

I also had a non medicated birth with my son. He was my first, so I didn't know what to expect, but I knew I wanted to try it without medication. Fortunately, my son was a very cooperative participant and came quickly enough for me not to tire out and give into the offers. I got into my labor and delivery room at 4:00 am, and he was born at 5:47 am. My husband was so shocked by how quickly everything went (We had taken the classes offered by the hospital and expected to be pacing the halls for a long time) that he almost passed out, and HE almost had to have some medication(hahaha)!!! It was a wonderful experience, and I realize that remaining as calm as possible, and focusing on allowing my body to do its job was just the right way to get through this beautiful, life changing event!

Anna - posted on 11/25/2009

Quoting Jessica:

I also had a non-medicated birth with my first( and only). I'm very stubborn and knew that's what was best for my baby, so that was the plan form the beginning. I laboured at home for over 12 hours, having contraction 2-3 minutes apart for about 3 hours before we went to the hospital. I pushed for 2-3 hours, and realized why people take drugs! The pain was unreal!! But I was rewarded with a healthy, alert, 7lbs 7.7oz beautiful "little" girl! I had tons of stitches an a rough recovery. I required and IV AFTER having my DD to start contractions b/c I was bleeding heavily, and fainted on the have to the bathroom... Needless to say I didn't have an ideal birth, but would still consider having a natural birth if I have another one.

I'm slightly anxious about our next baby since my L&D were so rough and long, but freinds keep saying that every pregnancy, labor and birth is so diffrent so I'm thinking we will get lucky next time and have an easy one, I really can't wait to do the whole thing again though, the whole process was just amazing, even though I felt like I'd been hit by a bus the next day and for aweek or two after, it was all worth it for a perfect baby girl!!

Jessica - posted on 11/25/2009

I also had a non-medicated birth with my first( and only). I'm very stubborn and knew that's what was best for my baby, so that was the plan form the beginning. I laboured at home for over 12 hours, having contraction 2-3 minutes apart for about 3 hours before we went to the hospital. I pushed for 2-3 hours, and realized why people take drugs! The pain was unreal!! But I was rewarded with a healthy, alert, 7lbs 7.7oz beautiful "little" girl! I had tons of stitches an a rough recovery. I required and IV AFTER having my DD to start contractions b/c I was bleeding heavily, and fainted on the have to the bathroom... Needless to say I didn't have an ideal birth, but would still consider having a natural birth if I have another one.

La Donna - posted on 11/18/2009

I have had 3 children. 1st one in 96, 2nd one in 99 and third in 08. All 3 I have had no meds. My middle son birth I had a broken knee cap from my ex-husband that was only 2 weeks old. The WHOLE hospital knew that I was coming in with a broken knee cap and they were very prepped with a sling and sandbags and 3 extra nurses to assist in holding my leg down when I pushed. We laugh about how much "prep" went into my knee not the baby. My middle son jokes that when I "fell" I shook the fat off of him. He was 7lbs 13oz. My 1st daughter born was 8 lbs 14oz and my 3rd son 9lbs 9oz. All my kids are under 4 hours of labor and I had to be induced with all 3. My 1st one was a 1 month overdue. She was VERY dry when she came out. I did NOT have the prenatal doctor assist with the labor-he was on VACATION and I was VERY young not to know better. My last son, my liver was starting to shut down and I held out to 39 weeks. I ate very well with all 3 yet still gain well over 100 pounds with each one. So I go from a size 2 to size 18. The non medicated birth is something I also tell people that they should try at least once. Even with there being soooo many years between my middle and last I was still able to calmly go thru the painful(no lie) birth yet my son was sooo alert and calmed down within minutes. Yet here is a secret-I can't handle getting my eyebrows pucked. ;-)

Angel - posted on 10/19/2009

I tried to go un-medicated with my first, and was unable. I did hypno-birthing with my 2nd, and can say it was the most beautiful experience I have ever had! I really didn't experience pain, I had discomfort but not pain like my first. I was able to enjoy the entire experience of bringing my second into the world. Had no tearing (he was 10 lbs) and the recovery was sooo much better. I felt great!

Anna - posted on 10/14/2009

We had our daughter Nakyla one year ago at home!!! completely non-medicated and my labor lasted 41 hours and I pushed for 3. I really enjoyed the whole process, we just took our time, watched movies while I was in the birthing tub, took a walk in the middle of the night, the only thing I didn't care for was trying to get my water to break, I ran up and down the stairs, and my midwife would pinch the water bag while I pushed for contractions. she said I had the strongest water she has ever broken ( and that's out of 500 babys!!) it was painful, of course, think of what you are trying to accomplish!! the only thing I would change is mabe to relax a little more toward the begining so I would have some strength for the end. It is such a rush having a baby the natura way. can't wait to do it again!!!

Marianne - posted on 10/14/2009

My baby came out breech (bum first) owww... non medicated, and i wouldnt change a thing. Best feeling of my life!

Amy - posted on 10/14/2009

I have to agree. I attempted to have a "natural birth" but that is not fun at all! I would much rather have the epidural. Unfortunately, I was kind of pushed to have an epidural with my first child. I was in labor for 31 hours & the doctor suggested that I have an epidural otherwise I wouldn't have enough energy to push. I thought with my second child that I would try it with no drugs. I will NEVER attempt that again!!! I got have way through my labor & thought "this is crazy! If they are offering me something that will take the pain away why wouldn't I want it! I wanted to be a little more calmer for my baby's sake. So, by the time my third child came along I didn't even think twice. As soon as I got to the hospital I told them to get the anesthesiologist for my epidural. I feel bad for people who have no choice to do this without drugs because the baby is coming too soon but I would never opt for it voluntarily! More power to those that do!

Anna - posted on 10/10/2009

ok mine wasnt supposed to be non medicated she came out too fast!! i went to the hospital at 11 pm i was having little twinges for labor pains well about 5:30 in the morning all of a sudden i was having hard contractions. the nurse came in and checked me then she left to go get the anastesioligis (i have no clue how to spell that!!) and as she was walking out the door i screamed "IT BROKE" my water broke as my daughter started coming out the nurse was yelling for the doctor he comes running in the tell me to stop pushing, and man that is so hard to stop pushing it is just a natural thing your body does so i managed to stop then when the doctor was ready he told me to push and that was worse then trying to stop pushing. finally she came out. i had her at 5:55 only 25 min after hard labor started so i think i was lucky!!! but no i did not enjoy it i would never do it again if it was up to me it was the worst thing i have ever been through. if my first child would have been naturall i would have never have had my other 2!!

Tanya - posted on 10/10/2009

With my son Kyle I went in for a check up after work one day the month before he was due. Turns out I was 9 centimeters dilated and the mid-wife could see my sons hair! That was at 4:15pm. At 9:44pm I had Kyle, no medications what-so ever. I never questioned whether I could do it or not until the last couple of pushes when I was sure I was passing a dinner plate! It was the greatest experience ever!

Jaimie - posted on 10/09/2009

I had a non-medicated birth. I would never do it any other way (unless there were complications of course). Your body knows what to do and as long as you prepare with the right mindset, it's great. I can't say I was comfortable but I never complained of pain. I think it's like someone who has worked out really hard and hated doing it but in the end was so worth it. It's a great natural high! Plus much healthier for your baby.

P.S. My babe was posterior, I pushed with no meds for 2 hours and 20 minutes...

Katherine - posted on 10/06/2009

I too am proud to say I had a natural birth experience. I had decided to try natural right from the start, as I didn't want any drugs of any sort to go through to my baby. I was open to the gas if I felt I needed it because this is supposed to have the least effect on the baby, but I honestly never felt the need to even ask for it. I hired a doula to educate me on natural birth & be there for the labour & delivery, so my husband could relax a little (and me!) The extra support was good & I highly recommend learning all you can about natural birth because it is amazing what we are designed to do. There are so many wonderful natural hormones that get released at the right time to aid birth (providing you don't mess interfere with strong medication or have lots of fear which can increase adrenaline & cause more pain/less helpful hormones). I would do it all again for sure. I have no fears about it. I was prepared & I will be again. The pain was totally managable with the right mindset. I don't even refer to it as "pain". Warm water/distraction methods really help anyway :) You just need a good encouraging support system around you (especially midwives). My labour was 12 hrs (start to finish), 6hrs "established" labour. Laboured mostly at home. Tried a water birth but things weren't "happening" in the tub at the hospital so I needed to get out and utilise gravity. as soon as I stood up I felt the difference and pushed her out in 4 or so contractions. My main fear was tearing but I did pereneal stretching excercises leading up to the birth & the midwives told me when to slow down. Only got 1 small front tear with 1 small stitch required. I also drank raspberry leaf tea leading up to birth - I think this helps have a shorter smoother less painful labour.

Zoë - posted on 10/05/2009

I had a natural birth too - also studied Hypno-birthing and most amazing experience EVER! I would definatley do it again! I was fully dilated in 4 hrs and the "pain" was totally managable and much much better than I expected so I would recommend it to anyone! And i have a super happy, relaxed and content baby as a result!

Marit - posted on 10/04/2009

I also had no medication, and according to my midwife, the whole birth was "perfect". But hell, soooo painful!! It lasted 10 hrs, pretty normal, but the only reason I didn want any epidural was because I am SO SO SO scared of needles. If it wasnt for that, I would definitely have some epidural the next time. :) But I guess I`ll just have to grit my teeth and do it the "natural" way....

Michelle - posted on 09/30/2009

i've had 2 induced labors and didn't have meds either time..both were short and only a couple pushes my entire induction with my oldest was 6 hours 18 minutes labor was MAYBE 3 hours of that... my youngest induction was less then 4 hours and less then an hour was actual labor

Tara - posted on 09/30/2009

I did as well and I too had a really good experience. I had 9 hours of labour and 20 mins of pushing. I studied Hypno-birthing which did help. However I was in pre term labour for 4 weeks before he decided to arrive so this may have helped me with my labour in the end. The labour itself was nothing to me. The pushing was very intense and painful but it was a rush delivery as the cord was around his neck and his heart rate dropped so they got him out asap. The overall experience couldn't have been any better and I would definitely do it again. Getting an epidural didn't even come to mind as I was way to scared of the big needle and I wasn't of the labour itself.

Kristin - posted on 09/25/2009

I had a non medicated birth. I had a bad labour experience. 15hrs of labour and 7hrs of hwanting to push but not allowed cuz I was 9 and a half centimeters dilated. After 7 hrs of the worst pain ever they finally let me push with still only being 9 and a half centimeters. I was mad but I would definately do it without meds again and hopefully next experience will be better.

Natasha - posted on 09/25/2009

Yes I also I also had a non medicated birth! It felt so liberating to do so and I was oh so proud of myself. I didnt think I was gonna be able to but my body did what it needed to do and it was a breeze! Painful yes but nothing I knew I couldnt do. Definitely an experience I wont ever forget!