Normal vaginal delivery without epidural or spinal...

Brenda - posted on 03/06/2013

I used to joke around that I wanted 2 epidurals and would listen to my friends tell me that I probably would get one because I didn't seem like I could handle pain well.. which I did not argue because I had never been in the hospital, broken bones, had stitches or gotten a tattoo! Lo and behold! Brenda gives birth to baby with no epidural! My main concern was NOT having a C-Section, the thought of having to get one angered me so I knew that I wanted to go through labor mostly at home. I did, and once I arrived at the hospital I was 7 centimeters and ready to go! Had an all natural childbirth thanks to encouragement from the doctors, nurses and most importantly spouse. It really is mind over matter and once baby is born the pain is gone. Hallelujah!

Andrea - posted on 05/16/2012

epidurals scare me!!! i had my son at home with a midwife :) BEST DECISION EVER! :) it is amazing what the human body can endure!

Kayla - posted on 05/14/2012

That was the best thing I ever did, for my child and self I walked in the hospital

and walked out Know wheel chair for me

Proud - posted on 01/19/2012

I had a natural birth. No pain meds of any kind and I am so glad I did it that way.



I also was 17 days overdue when I had Madison and had refused an induction but agreed to go in and have fetal monitoring to make sure baby was still okay. I believe that the human body knows best when it is time for baby so I do not believe in induction unless it is 100% necessary.

Miranda - posted on 12/31/2011

I too loved going totally natural....you can move after and not have to worry about anything. I wouldn't change it at all. I would do it natural again if ever have more. You just remember everything about the delivery...some people I talked to that had the epidural hardly even remembered anything about their babies birth...I think I can tell you pretty much everything about it!!!!!

Susie - posted on 12/28/2011

Both of my girls were born completely natural no gas n air or pethidine or anything with my 1st only reason i didnt have gas n air is because during my pregnancy i was taken to hospital by ambulance in severe pain around 33weeks and the paramedics gave me gas n air and it was vile made me sick and dizzy hated the feeling so never used it in labour but i found with both my girls labours i didnt feel i needed anything obviously with my 2nd daughter i coped better with the labour than with my first but i enjoyed both :)

Kayla - posted on 08/12/2011

I have 2 sons with my first i was in labor for 17 hours after my water broke. I attempted for all natural vaginal birth but after 10 hours of hard labor and an annoying nurse insisting i get the epidural i gave in. I didnt like the fact that i couldnt move freely and that the position i was in for the next 7 hours til i pushed him out made my nexk stiff but i loved being pain free. It also only took me 18 minutes to push him out and the epidural was already half worn off so within a half hour i was up eating, walking and showering.

With my second son, who was born November 17th, 2010, i was induced 7 days after due date. The pitocin mad my contractions so explosive and on top of each other they had to keep shutting the pitocin off. 3 1/2 hours into it my water broke, i was in crazy pain asked for nubain to take the edge off because i didnt want to get the epidural again. Well that didnt help, 2 hours later i ended up getting the epidural, the contractions were on top of each other i couldnt breath and i was crying. Not even a half hour after getting the epidural and only about 10 minutes after it took full affect i was fully dialated after being stuck at 3cm for 5 hours. After 6 hours of hard labor 5 minutes of pushing, i had my stubborn 9lb 1oz 21 1/2in beautiful baby boy in my arms.

Now that i look back on both labor and deliveries, i wouldnt change anything at all, even if the fact was that i probably could have made it with out the epidural either time, im just glad i have 2 beaautiful boys. And that everything went smoothly.

Virginia - posted on 08/10/2011

2 completely drug-free natural births...I thought I was going to die from pain in 2007 when my 7lb 6 0z daughter was born, but apparently I was being a bit dramatic because even with the tearing, I would have delivered her again in a heartbeat if I had have known how much pain my son would cause. At almost 9 pounds and with his large little head pushing the boundaries of my pelvic capacity, it was mind-blowing, near black-out inducing pain. When I presented at the hospital, the 4 labor wards were full, so they sent me outside to walk around as long as I could. At about 11:30, I had to stop and clutch at my husband to keep on my feet and thought it must be about time to go back upstairs. I was 8cm, to far gone for anything that might have offered minor relief and so I jumped in a hot shower to wait out the last 2cm. They had to break my water and then it was on... and at 2:11, after thinking there was nothing left in me to push this baby out, they handed me my boy.
Now, while it was absolutely no fun at all, to deliver either of them drug-free, I was discharged and shopping by the time my first was 50 hours old and in November, when my 6 days over-cooked son was born, he was having photos with Santa as a 1-day-old. I don't know how we manage to cope with the pain, I know I felt like I couldn't at times, but I couldn't be more greatful than to be able to get up off the bed, walk back to my room and feed and bath both myself and my new baby! It might be the kind of pain you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy, but it's also the kind of thing you never regret going through, afterall, it's a means to one of the greatest achievements you will ever make!

Holly - posted on 06/28/2011

I had all three of mine all natural. The first was not expected should of know I was pregnant but didn't delieved at home then a hour later after the birth was stitched up not recommended. My second. Was induced a month early with crevidal. Third was with petosem . Never felt contraction till third baby but am glad I was there with a clear mind. Do what you feel is best this last one if I needed it I knew I could every one is different try it but don' feel disappointed if you had to use help that is why it is there.

Holly - posted on 06/28/2011

I had all three of mine all natural. The first was not expected should of know I was pregnant but didn't delieved at home then a hour later after the birth was stitched up not recommended. My second. Was induced a month early with crevidal. Third was with petosem . Never felt contraction till third baby but am glad I was there with a clear mind. Do what you feel is best this last one if I needed it I knew I could every one is different try it but don' feel disappointed if you had to use help that is why it is there.

Kris - posted on 06/25/2011

My first was a 22 hour labor that I wanted to do naturally and gave in to an epidural at 19 hours. My second came too fast and I had her naturally. I would do it again and again naturally if they coul definately tell me it would be that short (4 hours from start to finish) I felt great after both.

MICHELE - posted on 05/15/2011

I had a completely natural childbirth...I wanted to at first...but when my contractions started @ 8:30pm on my birthday I thought maybe I will get some meds...but the contractions did not let up...my hubby got me to the hospital around 10:30 because I could not walk or talk right because of the pain. We were put in a room and the nurse said I was already 8cm...so no chance of any meds. Lucky me the doc came and my son was born @11:14 pm...still a great birthday gift. The amount of pain was worth it to be able to love my baby, breast feed, not feel groggy, walk around and shower. Lucky me my labor was so short, right around 3 hours...lucky me I was only 20 min from the hospital and we left when we did or I would have had him on the side of the road, he was born less then 45 min after arriving in the hospital parking lot. I love him dearly and it was a funny feeling but one I never have to forget and it was amazing. I cant even explain it! Who knew, after watching so many movies where moms said to their kids 'I was in labor for 17 hours with you' or longer that someone could be in labor and delivery in less than 3...If I have another one I need some training on how to deliver alone. SO keep my in mind when you are posting information on that!!

Mujou - posted on 03/16/2011

I just had my first birth and it was a natural vaginal water birth without any pain medication at a birth center. Contractions were hard but I had my husband, sister and a team of midwives supporting me thru the 20+ hours and finally my son was born. I passed out after I held him due to lack of sleep/so much work during labor but the experience is worth it. Max is 7lb and 8oz, a healthy boy! Next day a doula helped me with a Sitz bath then we were discharged. I would want my next birth to be a water birth as well. The experience is life-changing. I feel like a stronger person after giving birth, I don't know if you all feel the same kinda? Everyday I look at him and can't believe how perfect he is and how much I love this little man.. :)

Karie - posted on 01/25/2011

I have had 5 naturally but with the last two I did have pain meds. Just something to take the edge off, I can't even remember what it was called except that it wasn't morphine. I loved doing it naturally and the recovery is so much easier (except with my son who came so fast and was so big I had to have a bunch of stitches in places that just don't get numb.) I still don't understand why everyone is so surprised that I was out and about getting groceries that first week.

Meagan - posted on 01/24/2011

I delivered all natural. It was weird its like my head went someplace else. I really don't remember pain. I counted out every contraction. And after Chris came out at 8 lbs 2 oz I was able to walk around and shower. We were able to leave after 48 hours.

Candace - posted on 01/24/2011

I had one on November 23rd but not by choice. I was in labor 1 hour before we left for the hospital 10 minutes away. When I arrived, I was told I was ready to give birth right then and there was no time for an epidural. 20 minutes later and 3 pushes, Genevieve was born. While it was painful, at least the labor and delivery lasted only 1.5 hours. My first child was much different. I was in labor about 11 hours and pushed about 1.5 hour and with an epidural. When comparing the two experiences, I feel like I was up and about and recovered faster with the natural birth however, I wasn't sure if I just knew what to expect so it seemed like it went much easier. If I knew I would only be in labor for a short period of time and the delivery would go so quickly, I would do it again naturally.

Sam - posted on 01/13/2011

I've done both; I vote drug-free.

I had my first child back in the states in a Navy hospital. I had told my OB before delivery that I really wanted to try for an all natural delivery, and he said that was fine, but he did not respect my wishes, and kept insisting I get one. I made it 6 hours and 8 1/2 cm, and finally gave in. The labor took another 6 hours plus 1 1/2 hours of pushing.

With my daughter, I had a drug-free delivery at a Japanese civilian hospital(It was an amazing experience, and aside from the slight language barrier, I would do it again in a second.) Instead of an epidural, my mid-wife would massage my back with every contraction, which proved to be just as affective for me as an epidural, without the uncomfortable numbness. I was in active labor only 6 hours, and maybe 5 MINUTES of pushing(because I was in control of all my muscles). Recovery time was AMAZING; I loved it.

I would highly reccomend to anyone who feels they need the crutch of an epidural to look into this massage.

Anna - posted on 01/06/2011

Our son was our first and I did it all natural and my husband said that I kept wanting to hold my breath and not say anything or talk to anyone. But I enjoyed being able to deliver with no pain medicine, all my family said I was crazy but I looked at it as it was best for him and I in the long run. Giving birth was the best experience of my life!

Nicola - posted on 12/31/2010

I wanted to attempt a totally natural delivery after 2 c-sections and had done all the research etc. However, my labour (although my first) was extrememly fast and explosive and I didn't really have time to get out my lip balm let alone get my head around what was happening. Ended up attempting epidural. Because of my cesarean history they had to get an IV which took 5 attempts then I was screaming for the epidural. Midwife said that my contractions were extremely explosive and she hadn't seen that before and she advised pain relief because I was stuck at 3cm due to stress. 3 attempts at epidural and when it was finally effective I was 10cm and ready to push. I totally enjoyed the moments that I had pain relief as I felt relaxed and totally in control of the waves of contractions and the intensity but then it was all over! Next time (if there is a next time) I will try again for no pain relief but if labour is as quick as it was this time then maybe that will prevent pain relief anyway!

Veronica - posted on 12/17/2010

I had a completely drug free birth this time without my consent! lol The kiddo came too quickly! I never ever want to do it again, but probably wouldn't feel that way if I hadn't had such a tramatic birth! They make it look all good on tv when the kid comes before anything is prepped and the Dr. isn't looking, but its not!! I had tearing back and front, which a month later isn't completely healed and which they said would have not happened if they had been ready! I think the worst part of it though was not the literally 1 push that had him out, but getting the stitches afterwards with no meds! Seriously feeling the stitches go in down there is something I would not wish on my worst enemy!! lol But, it was a fast labor (6 hrs total- 1.5 in active labor at the hospital) and my Baby James is perfect so I'll forgive him for being a little too anxious!! :P

Merry - posted on 12/17/2010

I had my little girl on the 16th. I had an epidural with my first, a son, and found the experience very pleasant. (probably why they are so close in age.) I wanted an epidural with her too, but labor moved so quickly. By the time they got to IV fluid in, I had dilated 3.5 cm more and there was literally no time. Will never forget the experience. Glad and not so glad that I went through it. My first delivery was, I felt, more dignified. The second was guttural, frantic and embarrassing. There were benefits, I was completely amazed at how good I felt afterward. I was sore, but had no problems moving around. It is amazing how much pain the body can withstand.

Holly - posted on 12/17/2010

I had a normal vaginal delivery with an epidural givin at 12 hrs, in labor for 17 :) and I loved the epidural it made being in labor, a piece of cake.... up until they yanked that placenta outta me thattttttttt hurt.

Kristie - posted on 12/16/2010

I did both of my last two kids natural, best decission ever!

Samantha - posted on 12/11/2010

i palnned to have my daughter vaginally with no meds or epidural. i was induced on wednesday 3rd november at 7am, and at 4am the next morning had an epidural so i could have an emergency caesar.
wasnt disappointed though as i'd done everything i could possibly do, and she just wasnt in the right position

Kylee - posted on 11/30/2010

i had my first 2 natural. i had my youngest on the 13th of nov. and i had an epidural with her and i wish that i didnt. i have had horrible back pain since then.

Elise - posted on 11/22/2010

ive never had an epidural either. the thought of them scares me abit actually. ive had two normal births with just the gas and one shot of morphine (which doesnt make that much of a difference). after my second i went home 15 hours after he was born and i felt great!

Jonna - posted on 11/20/2010

I just had my first natural delivery at a birth center, after having 3 epidurals I'm so glad I decided to do it naturally this time. It was painful, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Alison - posted on 11/18/2010

yes I delivered at home and loved it!! it was my 3rd natural delivery. Never had a epidural and never wanted one.

The birth is painful and tiring but its the recovery and bonding time that I always wanted to be up and fit for, that's why I chose not to have pain meds.

Congrats on your wonderful experience and little bundle