Natural Child Birth?

Question

I am expecting my first child in February... Considering going the natural route... What are your thoughts on this? Is the pain extreme? Is an epidural going to be my best bet?

Answer 1

I had 2 beautiful girls...the first weighed 8.6 lbs and the second was 9.8 lbs......I gave birth naturally with absolutely no drugs.....it was painful and I wont lie...but labor pain is exaggerated by movies and such....there usually isnt any screaming and stuff like that....if you breath and push correctly the experience is wonderful......the pain is just a general discomfort more than anything...not really a stabbing ripping pain that some say.....I would suggest you have them naturally and without pain meds if you can.......one day you will look back and be glad you did.

Answer 2

Wow I guess people don't really read the full effects of pain medications and what it can do to the baby and all during child birth. Plus it slows down the labour and I don't know about you but I want to hurry up and get it done. And unlike some of the comments, I don't except a medal or a pat on the back b/c I choose to do natural childbirth. I am doing what feels right for my body and my baby. How would you like being called a wuss or a wimp b/c you can't handle what your body was made to do or what women have done for years. Anyway to answer you questions. Is there anyone who had a natural child birth? Yes I had a completly natural birth almost 9 years ago with my daughter she was 7 lbs and 4 oz Would you do it again? I plan on it, I'm due in april with number 2 and am planning for a natural birth Do the contractions actually feel worse then the birthing process? My contractions weren't ever regular some hurt worse than others some didn't hurt at all. Also could you describe all the pain in detail if you remember? Most of my labour was in my back and I didn't want to be touched but it felt better to walk around. The thing that hurt the most was whent he baby crowned and it was a searing pain but it is over (atleast for me in seconds) and you hear the wonderful sound of your baby crying. I was lucky and my active labour from the time the water broke was only 15 mintues. But I had been in the begining stages of labour for 2 days prior. My cotnractions were never regular, some hurt worse than others and some didn't hurt at all. Walking helped alot as did deep breathing and taking my mind out of the situation mediation. Honestly it wasn't the worst pain I've ever felt that was kidney stones, that was the worst pain. Child birth isn't easy and it does hurt, but to me the risk that come along with epidural and pain medicine outweigh making myself more comfortable Does it feel like you're going to die or that you're being ripped in half? No, there was a searing pain when the babies head crowned and came out but that was it. Did you have the baby natual without any Lamaze classes? Didn't take any classes, I might this time b/c I'm older and this will be my last baby and I want the full experience :P. I read alot of books though one of my favorites is A good Birth, A safe birth.

Answer 3

I have 2 children, ages 23 and 29. Both were born via natural childbirth, and I handled it fine. Everyone is different, has different threshholds of pain. Both my daughter and my daughter-in-law had epidurals and feel that an epidural is your best friend! I think you should go to all the classes, prepare to give birth, and if you need to, take that epidural as soon as it's offered! It doesn't affect the baby at all. It's not a contest!
I remember that mostly, in the transition phase of labor, I was so very tired and the contractions were coming right on top of each other. Both times, at one point, I wanted to just say "Never mind, I didn't really want a baby anyway!". I was lucky in that the intense part of both my labors was fairly short in time (4-5 hours). I don't remember the pain as being sharp, as much as it was unrelenting. But, for sure, have the classes, because then you understand what is happening.
God bless you, congratulations, and best of luck in your life adventure!

Answer 4

I am a mom of 2 and have gone both ways. My first child I wanted to go natural but after 16 hours finally caved and had the epidural. Mostly because I was so tired and wanted to sleep (which I did after the epidural!) That labor totaled 23 hrs.
My second child I got to the hospital and the labor was so intense that I asked for the epidural right away but they wouldn't give it to me because I was already dilated to 8cm. Total 4 hrs.
I plan on having one more child and would like to go natural again. I've always felt like if you can go natural it's better for the baby. Especially if your labor is progressing quickly, it does hurt but the recovery time is so much less.
With my first after I had the epidural his heart rate started dropping so I felt really guilty.
Just think of all of the women who had children before there were drugs. I know you can do it if you really want to! Good luck!

Answer 5

I wanted to "try" to go as long as I could with out the drugs. That didn't work out too well. I am a huge baby! HOWEVER...after 2 deliveries...I still would like to "try" and go natural. Why? Because I HATED getting the epidural!With my first pregnancy as they were putting it in I kept moving and the anesthesiologist yelled at me said "YOU HAVE TO STAY STILL!" but I couldn't help it..it was reflex. Second time I delivered I was so scared of that needle and catheter that my blood pressure sky rocketed and the nurses looked at me like < hey honey you need to relax or your gonna cause complications!> I wish I was able to deliver without meds...I'd like to know just how bad the pain does get. What ever you decide, good luck. It is the most beautiful experience you could ever imagine!Pain or no pain...the whole experience is SOOOO worth it!

Answer 6

Yes, the pain is extreme. I had both of mine naturally. However, I watched the epidural video, I am terrified of needles, not to mention even the slightest though of them making a mistake and paralyzing me, so I opted for natural. Friends who have went both natural and with an epidural say that with the epidural that they did not feel in control of their body. I couldn't imagine that!

Answer 7

I had some type of iv pain relief, 1 c-section, 2 induced, and 1 natural and I found that the natural birth was the easiest and there wasn't as much pain involved as I had imagined. Everyone's pain level is different, so it will probably be best for you to make that decision when you go into labor. But I would like to wish you the best of luck and congratulations. I wish you & your baby the best of health.

Answer 8

I did it with the frist and it was hell but it was wroth it at the end. With my other two I had pain meds through iv because I could not stand the pains. My frist birth was fast then the other two and that was the reason I think I made it through that one without any meds or anything. He was 6 hours and the others were 12 hours and 15 hours long... You can try it and if it is to much they can give you the pain meds or what you feel would be best for you.

Answer 9

I am expecting my baby in Feb too, how neat huh! anyway I want to go natural too, I have been doing some research on the topic and on the www.babycenter.com website there is a video of a lady who gave birth naturally to her first child with no problems at all! it is actually very comforting to watch the video because she is not screaming or nothing, she is just laying there, breathing and pushing and baby came out just fine! I am definitely going to do it like that, the only thing you have to do is to train yourself into knowing how to breathe, that is the clue, and the pain? well it will just hurt for a little bit, It won't hurt forever right? I am not afraid of the pain at all because I have a back piece (tattoo on my back) that covers my whole back and it hurt like hell and I never took any pain killers, I know I can do it. Good luck with your little one and remember to check out the videos on that website.

Answer 10

i went natural last time and plan to do it again i say just be open minded honey like on birth plan say if the pain does get out of your control and you cant handle it have an epidural but with natural you know when to push and things and make the whole process faster! just be open minded to everything! good luck to you xx