Natural child birth... should I do it?

Question

I am only eight weeks pregnant, but I am thinking about having my baby natural.
Have any of you had a natural childbirth (no epidural)? What does it feel like and would you do it again? When is it too late to change your mind? Serious answers only please. Thanks!

And yes... I know to discuss this with my doctor and I will at my next appointment.

Answer 1

I have had three unmedicated births.

The first was an unmedicated hospital birth. My doc wasn't on call and the guy who was on call was a jerk. I fired him in labor and had a resident recommended by my normal OB catch the baby. I walked and squatted a lot in labor and used the birth ball and the rocking chair. I tried to use the shower but the water was too cold. We had a doula and her help was priceless. (My hospital actually provided her for free! Check to see if yours does the same!) Labor wasn't really all that bad. It was kind of long (about 18 hours total) but as long as I could move around I could cope. I did also use deep breathing and did a little bit of panting. Pushing felt GOOD since I was working with my body towards a goal by that point. Crowing sucked. It was the worst part. Thankfully, it doesn't last long. It was burning and hurting as I stretched that last little bit. I think part of my problem was that I fought against it instead of surrendering to it and working with my body. I did have a tear and then had a shot of lidocaine after the birth in order to repair it.

My second was born in a freestanding birth center with a midwife. I labored at home.....a lot of the time alone as my hubby took our son to the GP's to watch him. It was faster and more intense than my first. (Only abou 4 hours this time.) I used the birth ball and a lot of affirmations and breathing. The worst part was probably going through transition in the car! I had to try to lay on my side and pant and moan. I was complete when we got to the birth center. Kaylee was born in a birthing tub at the birth center. Being in the warm water felt GREAT! I was relaxed and talking as soon as I got in the tub even though I was a 10 already! I consented to letting my MW break my water and it was probably a mistake. I think it caused my daughter to come down in a bad position. I got her head out and had problems with her shoulders. I remember saying that I could feel myself bruising. My MW had me switch to hands and knees and then I was able to get her shoulders out. No tearing at all this time.

My third was a home waterbirth with a midwife. I labored with the birth ball in front of our fireplace most of the morning. (She was born in February.) We had a birth tub set up in our kitchen. I had birth affirmations posted around the house. My midwife and doula did counter pressure on my back or reminded me to relax if they saw me holding tension somewhere. This labor was really easy and lasted about 6 hours. Again, the birth tub was very relaxing. We listened to music and I laughed and cried from joy in the tub while pushing and listening to Sting sing "We'll Be Together Tonight." My husband supported me in the tub and then moved in front of me to get ready for the birth. My MW was behind me outside the tub supporting me under my arms while I squatted to push. My hubby caught the baby and put her in my arms. It was AMAZING and powerful and beautiful and I'd never do it another way! The only discomfort that I had that time was just for a few seconds while I was pushing......I think the crowning again.....but it was really only seconds long.

NOW WHY IS IT.....someone asks a question about unmedicated birth and everyone starts telling her to get the epi?

Answer 2

It's too late to change your mind about having and Epidural when the baby crowns! Until that point, you're usually able to get the procedure done with little or no problem.

You may want to discuss with your doctor the fact that you may very well change your mind (a lot of women do when the stronger labor pains start). This way the hospital will have an anesthesiologist available for you in the event you do want pain management.

My personal experience with natural child birth is one that would make ANY woman run for the hills, so I won't bore you with details. Let's just say that should I EVER get pregnant again, I plan to have FULL pain management!

Answer 3

When I had my son I got to the hospital just in time. He gave me stitches. My daughters are twins so I had no choice but to get a epidural, I was young and didn't know about labor. My last child who is a girl, I decided to get a epidural and it helped me focus on my pushing and not on the labor pains. The labor pains were still bad, but my husband said that she come out after the second push. I'm not sure when it is too late to change your mind. If I was going to have anotheor child I would still get a epidural or a water birth(my sister gave birth in the water and said it was so easy and fast). Look at all the options first and remeber go by your judgement and yours alone. Everything isn't for everyone.

Answer 4

A natural childbirth is much more comfortable after your baby is born. The recovery is quicker, and you dont have the drugged feeling. However, the pain and tiredness, that is involved with a natural childbirth can really take its toll on your body. There are many pros and cons. You dont have to make a decision now, I had decided with my first pregnancy that I was going to do it without drugs....well when those contractions got to the point where I was screaming in pain, I immediatly got the epidural and spent a nice comfortable labor to bring my baby boy into the world. When I was in labor with my daughter, my contractions werent showing up on the screen, so they didnt believe that I was really in labor, until my water broke while the nurse was checking me and I pushed her out onto the gurney...I wasnt in a room, there was no doctor and no drugs.....I felt alot better than with my first during recovery though. Good Luck, and remember you make the decisions while your in labor.

Answer 5

i had my daughter natural. it wasn't planned that way, but by the time i got to the hospital there was no time for an epidural. the worst part is the pain from the contractions. once you are able to push the pain diminishes because you are able to "do something" with the contractions. i'm 9 weeks pregnant with my second baby and i will try natural again. you'll probably change your mind about it a thousand times before the birth, but that's normal. as long as you aren't fully dialated you can decide to opt for the epidural. good luck!

Answer 6

I had one and about to do it again.
Reason being you have more control of your body and you do not have to wait for the numbness to wear off after the baby is born. The pain is not as bad as what all my friends told me 12-13 years ago. I had my oldest who is now 11 and I had an epidural with him. With my 2nd the doctor just gave me the epidural...well both times it made my back hurt afterwards. With my youngest right now...I went all natural with her and glad I did. Yes it hurts (mostly the contractions...like really bad period cramps) and the baby's head coming out is like a burning sensation, but once it was all over with I felt no pain. It is up to you but it is better for you and baby from what I have been told. I am going natural again...still scared but I am going thru it again because like I said you have more control of your body when having natural childbirth.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I have had 4 babies using natural childbirth. I used the Bradley method which also means that in addition to no medication, you are encouraged to eat during labor and you do not have an electronic fetal monitor. Also most people using Bradley method do not have an episiotomy. I have had hunger pains before that were worse than labor. The crowning hurts; but I don't see the need of medication to avoid 2 minutes of pain. If you can find it; please read the book, Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. It is the second most popular childbirth method in the U.S.

Answer 8

It really depends on your tolerance for pain. I have a high tolerance but was sooo thankful for my epidural. My second child, they almost sent me home and didn't give me epidural. I wasn't progressing. Unfortunately, I had to have an emergency c-section. With that, they gave me a spinal block. I went right to sleep due to being exhausted and didn't see my lil guy born.

Depending on your Dr., if you change your mind during labor that you do want a epidural, they can usually give it to you up until you are 7 centimeters dilated. My theory is, if you can alleviate some pain and it not be harmful for the baby, do it.

My suggestion is to enroll in Lamaze class and make your choice closer to your delivery date.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Natural Childbirth is the best for mother and baby. I had natural with both of my children. All of the people that have had epidurals have had bad experiences, ie: don't work, hard to push cause can't feel contractions, etc.. It is totally up to you, however in my opinion Natural is the best!

Congratulations and Good luck!

Answer 10

I had a normal vaginal delivery and was given diamorphine for pain relif - it was a wonderful experiance.

A C section isn't 'easy'. How do u expect to recover for the 6 weeks they tell you to rest when your on your own with a new baby?

Epidurals can leave you with back pain, might not work and take a while to kick in.

The best thing you can do is keep an open mind. Thats what I done. I wanted to just use pain relif but I would take an epidural if it got to much for me!

Answer 11

when I had my first baby I had to have the epidural I had a lot of pain and now I'm pregnant with my second and I'm going to try really hard to have a natural birth but I will have to wait and see. Congrats