Vaginal birth without pain medicine?

Question

With my first I had an epidural as soon as I got to the hospital (6cm dialated)and my labor only lasted 8 hours, but im 32 weeks now and I was considering going natural. I know that it will hurt a lot, even with an epidural it hurt, but I think that if I don't try, i will regret it. I have a medium pain tollerance, and a certified Doula is attending the birth. Oh yeah and my hospital has a hot tub I can use, but no option of a water birth (they make you get out before that happens). So should I try it? Or am I crazy?

I have taken a childbirth class and like I said I will have a Doula there with me the whole time.

Answer 1

I have had both natural and medicated births. With my son I was afraid of what I would experience as far as the level of pain. I got to 8 cm and my Mom was screaming at the Doctor to give me some relief and that scared me so bad I screamed too!

With my daughter I wanted to have the full experience and know how it felt to give birth.

My Husband and I took birthing classes and did all the breething technics, the videos, the "how to comfort her" thing?

I do have a high tolerance for pain, and child birth is certainly painful, don't let anyone tell you that it isn't. But it can be managed.

But the wonder, the amazement and fulfilment of watching your child come into this world is immeasurable.

If you do decide to go natural you won't regret it at all.

My Mother had 12 children, 10 natural and the last 2 medicated. She chose to be medicated because she said "I have had all the experience I will ever need in knowing how it feels to give birth, I don't want to know anything else." she was put completely to sleep with my 2 baby sisters.

But you have a Doula so you will be just fine. She will help you do the right thing. (will your Husband be there?) it is a wonderful experience for him as well, but often men feel differently about child birth then women do.

I am not comforatble with the "hot tub" thing at all! It raises your body temperature, (and may cause more bleeding) thus the baby's as well. Personal opinion here.

But I think a natural child birth is a very good choice. The bonding between you and the baby is ever so strong.

My Mom told me that she loved the experience, but seeing her daughter go through it was hard. I always wondered why she chose natural child birth after having so many children when there are so many options to the pain?

She was with me the entire time of my labor and delivery for my son. My Mom passed away when I was 3 months pregnant with my daughter.

When my precious baby girl was laid upon my chest mere minutes after her birth I took her head in my hand and I swear to God I said, "I know why you did this Mama."

Giving birth is the most fulfilling emotion on this earth!

You will be safe in your Doula's hands.

But please read everything that everyone here has to offer and decide for yourself.

One woman's experience is not the quideline nor measure of how YOU may feel.

I wish you all the glory in whatever you decide.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I had two natural childbirths and they really aren't that bad!!! It seems like the World will end but it is not bad at all once it is over!!! My sister had one natural and one epidural and she said the epidural was SO much more painful!! So try the natural and if it gets too nad they will have SOMETHING to give you to take the edge off! Good luck!!! I am extremely proud to say I had natural childbirths!!! You will be too!

Answer 4

I watched my best friend give birth totally natural. I couldn't do it. She focused through the pain and kept going. Her labor wasn't long at all and she had a healthy baby girl.
As for me, both times I needed an epidural. So I give credit to the women that can do it without!

Answer 5

i'm gonna be completly honest..i wasn't feeling any of my contracts and my labor lasted 24 hours...within 10 of those hours they gave me an epidural..i wish i hadn't gotten the epidural they messed it up and cause me to have more pain than neccessary...if you are doing fine without the epidural then i say go for it....but dont wait too long before u make that decision because some hospitals will not give u time to make that decision..mines didn't

Answer 6

I have had 7 babies. YOU ARE CRAZY! The first 4 they didnt hand out epidurals like lollipops and I only had demerol. I WAS ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE! The last 3 I had epidurals and I was in heaven. Also the labors went much quicker. They said it is because the fact I am relaxed.

Answer 7

Leave your option for pain relief open, There is nothing wrong with pharmaceutical help. IF you are in so much pain that it makes the memory of your child birth awful then by all means take the drugs!

I had four children without pain meds, however I always reserved the right to ask for drugs! I also have a high pain tolerance and short but intense labors. Try dilating 10 cm in less than 90 minutes

Answer 8

Ive never had any pain medication giving birth and my last pregnancy was a set of twins...all were born natural...BUT...I go very very quickly and have a high tolerance for pain....we're talking my water broke at 3:00 and I had the twins at 6:16 and 6:23..why not give it a try as long as you can...the good part is that after the birth you feel fantastic when you dont have any pain meds...

Answer 9

I'm a pretty natural lady. I eat healthy and exercise daily.But my philosophy on this is: I wouldn't get a root canal done with out numbing medication? Because that would hurt! I wouldn't have surgery without anesthesia. That would be insane. So, I wouldn't push a baby out without an epidural. I've had one baby and know how painful it is. I was in heaven after I got the epidural. If you want to be tough and go through the pain, go for it. I don't understand why you would though.

Answer 10

i think its a good idea. my first son i had completly natural, but my second i had an epidural. epidurals to me, take about 80% of the pain away. Having a child is very painful, im sure you know, but can also be neat to experience it naturally. If i can do it you can do it. i cant handle pain at all. while in hard labor, i was in so much pain i was vomiting. Im not gonna say its easy because its the most painfull thing ive ever done but if you think you can handle it then go for it. Epidurals are great though too. i can tell you that if i ever had another child i would get an epidural.

Answer 11

I had Lamaze classes with my first and second child. Both were done without drugs until I needed an episiotomy. I think the needle hurt more than the labor, but I had very short labors.

I had my third child via C-section (large babies meant large tears and corrective surgery), and I think I was in more pain after the birth than I ever experienced with the other births. I was also sent home from the hospital earlier than with the other two.