any thoughs and help with natural childbith?

Question

i am going to a birthing center where i will not have any acess to drugs unless i transfer to a hospital, i am having anxiety about giving birth naturally, it has been done for thousands of years and will continue, but i don't know if I am strong enough please help

Answer 1

Hope I can at least rest your mind a little.


For me, labor was nothing but sit ups. Granted they were sit-ups that continued every 30 seconds for 23 hours, but they felt a whole lot like doing sit ups over and over and over again. No pain, just annoying.

After 10 hours or so, I asked for the epidural and it put me in a huge amount of pain. After it started working, I really didn't feel much from the waist down but GETTING the epidural hurt much worse than anything I can imagine.

Answer 2

I just had a homebirth and it was wonderful. the pain is a little more intense but when you have freedom to change positions and move around it makes all the difference. I had 3 hospital births before this one and let me tell you... I'd choose natural childbirth over hospital medicated any day of the week. The only thing I would have done differently was to take an extensive childbirth class that teaches breathing and relaxation techniques. You need to start practicing that stuff now because When you're in labor and those contractions start coming hard and fast relaxing and breathing will get you through it. your body was designed for childbirth so if you just go with the rhythms of your body and don't fight it you'll do great. Keep in mind that at the hospital you would have tons of restrictions on movement and you would be denied food and drink...not good for a laboring woman!! Also, learn about the different positions for labor. For most of my labor I sat on one of those exercise balls and jsut swayed around in circles. it was extremely relaxing and helped me get through each contraction. and when it came time to push I got on my hands and knees...it was instinctive...I just flipped over in that position and was most comfortable. In a hospital you would be confined to a bed flat on your back which can sometime slow down labor...IMHO, this is one cause for c-sections in hospitals because the pelvis is not able to fully open when laying down to push. If you are squatting or kneeling on hands and knees, your pelvis opens much wider. Don't worry about the pain, just realize that natural childbirth is a huge gift to yourself and your baby. Your recovery will be so much easier and short. Good Luck and Congrats on the upcoming birth of your baby! You ARE strong enough and you will be so empowered!

Answer 3

I have had labor both ways, if given the chance I would definately get an epideral. My first labor was 12 hours long, without any drugs....excrutiating pain. Then after twelve hours, it was time to push...I pushed for 1.5 hours. I had to have an emergency c-section cause the baby's head would not fit through the birthing canal. I was put to sleep for the c-section. With my second child I opted for an epideral, and it was a wonderful pleasant experience. The few hours before the epideral were hard, but although my labor was a little longer -15 hours, it was a pleasant beautiful experience. My daughter was born vaginally and it was awesome.

Answer 4

All i know is an epidural will allow you to enjoy your childs birth. A friend of mine did hypnotherapy during her daughters birth. She was very prepared. She said the actual labor was awful. She was in so much pain that she did not enjoy any part of it. She said she will NEVER do it again. She said the hypnotherapy birth was pretty much useless. If natural birth is to prove you are a strong woman well you have already done that. Being pregnant for 9 months in hard enough. I would reconsider. Also birthing centers are not very safe. What if your child has trauma. The safest place to deliver is in a hospital. Why would you risk your childs health?

Answer 5

If you have access to it, I would highly recommend the Bradley childbirth classes. I took them and learned many natural ways to alleviate pain. The most important take-home point that I got was that pain is your body's way of telling you that something isn't quite right. Often a change of position will help. Sometimes that means walking around, sometimes that means getting into warm water (this is the absolute best if it is available for you), sometimes that means lying down, sometimes it means sitting and rocking. It can be trial and error.

The biggest thing to remember is that you CAN do it. As long as there are no complications, it is the best thing for you and your baby. If you are planning to breastfeed, having no drugs in your baby's system will make things a good deal easier.

Answer 6

Like you said, women have been doing it for ages! It does stink. With my first I requested the epidural but didn't get it till I was already like 8cm and it took about 45 minutes to get in (why I dont know but it was torture) and then it only lasted an hour. I personally am not sure if I would get another one and I'm due on Monday. I mean it was nice for that hour being able to relax and even take a little nap but I don't know. I'm sure you'll do fine. Hopefully you'll have a fairly quick labor and delivery and if you simply can't take the pain well, it's ok you're only human. Best of luck to you hun!

Answer 7

with my first child, i was adamant that i would not take anything and i was in a hospital. i labored for 28 hours from start to finish and i felt sooooo good in the shower....we couldn't get a room with a bathtub, which I've heard is also great but i stood for 3 hour intervals in the shower as hot as i could stand it and it was pure heaven. of course i had other issues and ended up with a c-section anyway but the good intentions were there. for those that say that natural childbirth is not all its cracked up to be, they are entitled to their opinions as am i and i believe that i didn't want to be detached from the most miraculous thing that would ever happen to me. not to mention the severe anxiety about enduring contractions while they told me to hold still for the epidural, there is no holding still while in labor and when someone is pushing a large needle into your spine, you tend to pull away...simply a natural reaction....i don't recommend it i was scared silly

Answer 8

Get a doula - or at least talk to one before hand. They know tons of strategies to help you make it through natural childbirth. And IF things don't go that way and you need to make the transfer - know that that is okay too!!! I have never had an epidural but never gone entirely natural either (wanted to though) but you just have to do what you can and listen to your body.

Answer 9

that's what i want to do when i have a baby. have you looked into water birth? i hear it's supposed to help with the pain. and i also read that birthing balls can be very helpful. good luck! and don't be disappointed if it doesn't happen just like you want, like if you need meds or intervention. whatever is best for you and the baby!

Answer 10

Look into hypnobirthing and other relaxation techniques. That's what I'll be using. Best of luck.