My friend just had a baby and she tells me the pain is "unbearable". I always said I want to give birth to my children the natural way - just like my grandmothers did. What do you think?
2007-03-26 16:07:31 · 23 answers · asked by cristabel80 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
i had my first with meds and i will NEVER do it again(it interfered with my pushing and truthfully after the epidural was put in i can't remember much of anything and what i can remember is foggy : ( ).....my last two were all natural, it was great, and while it does hurt it can be done with out meds....
heres some tips to make it easier
-stay off you back...i know everything you see on tv..or even when you just imagian a laboring woman yopu picture a woman on her back legs in the air...bif nono on your back is thee most painful posistion to be in..it puts all the pressure on your hips and spine and it truely is horiable....not only that without gravity helping babys head put pressure on your cervix it can take longer to dilate...
-stay happy and calm...don't panic, fear triggers the flight resopnce wich sends all the blood that should be in you uterus into your arms and legs wich causes more pain..which leads to more fear etc etc.
-warm water is a laboring womans hero...its amazing what a simple warm shower can do...a warm bath is called "natures epidual" for a reason its amazing. some hospitals are even doing waterbirths now (i had two and highly recomend it).
-stay active don't be afraid to more around stand,squat,sit,etc. it really really helps
-if you want to take birth classes bradley classes are great very informative..
hope that helps good luck
2007-03-26 17:18:47 · answer #1 · answered by adriannemae 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't have any with my second one, wasn't time for it. I had been having mild contractions all night, doc broke my water at 10:15 in the morning, the anesthesiologist came up and had the epidural needle in my back and was getting ready to start the anesthesia when I started having push pains so her ran to get the nurse and doc, I was fully dilated so there was no point in starting the pain med. From the time my water was broke until I delivered it was 37 minutes. It wasn't actually all that bad, I only had a couple of unbearable contractions. But with my first and third children I couldn't have done it without pain med cause I was given petocin to make my labor get going.
2007-03-26 16:22:38 · answer #2 · answered by Jennifer L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had 5 kids, 1 c-section and 4 natural births and I can tell you from my own experience that having a natural birth is actually less painful then have a c-section and here is why:
- with a c-section they cut through skin, muscles, and your uterine wall to get the baby out. Then they sew up all those incisions. You not only have external stitches but internal ones as well. Any doctor will tell you that when you have a c-section that it will take up to 8 weeks for you to recover fully.
- with a natural birth, although the contractions are considered 'unbearable' it essentially takes less time for your body to recover because there is less strain on your body.
2007-03-26 19:08:43 · answer #3 · answered by cambelles2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With my first daughter I didn't have much pain medication. I could still feel everything, then when I had my second daughter I had an epidural and would not do it without and epidural again. It was a much better experience and I actually got to enjoy the birth. Also just because you have pain medication does not mean you are not doing it natural. Having a baby vaginally is natural no matter what. I hope this helps.
2007-03-26 16:17:22 · answer #4 · answered by mamaof2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i went au natural all the way with both my boys and the second i had to have pitocin which makes the contractions stronger and closer together and it doesnt feel natural the only part that bothered me was pushing but that only lasted like 5 minutes with the first and 5 seconds with the last lol now as for pain tolerance i hate needles and cry when i get one every time but i was able to give birth the natural way it is hard to explain it is more of a tightening and like menstrual cramps well it felt that way to me as for pushing that part kind of burned but i also have wide hips which really helps!!!! it is all up to you and what is best for you and baby when the time comes just research epidurals first though because they have different effects on different women some have chronic back pins for years after ward just make an informed decision and you can always start natural and decide to get the meds later if you need them i used family pictures to focus hope this helps
2007-03-26 16:42:26 · answer #5 · answered by bluekittymomma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did not use any pain killers with all 3. The first one I tried an epidural but it did not help me at all. So the last two I did not. The contractions are very painful, but try to focus on your breathing and a focal point. I thought that the pushing was the greatest part about it. Yeah it felt like being ripped in 2, but it felt so good to push through the contractions. I would recommend no pain killers, then you can remember everything.
2007-03-26 16:34:03 · answer #6 · answered by Amy-Pokey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had three children, each one was different. My first child was born in a small hospital where epidurals were not an option. Due to complications and her quick rate of delivery, I couldn't even get the effect of the IV drug. For the first time in my life, I swore (repeatedly). My doctor also got slapped.
It took nearly 5 years before I forgot the pain and agreed to number 2. (I don't care what anyone says - you don't forget the pain!) I didn't ask for any pain meds as I only felt pressure - until they broke my water. Then I went from 4 cent. to 10 cent. in less than 15 minutes. Sent my husband running for anyone who could put me out of my misery. No Luck!!
After that I was done. But God has a sense of humor, and our "oops" child was delivered 15 months later. I have blessed that hospital and doctor repeatedly for at last letting me have an epidural ( I was smart enough to get it very early, before they broke my water). I was totally in control and comfortable at the same time. It was the perfect delivery!!! No pain and I was even able to reach down and hold my son even before the doctor did.
Warning - receiving the epidural is painful, but oh so worth it.
Best of luck.
2007-03-27 07:08:50 · answer #7 · answered by claraskids 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did four times only on my last one did I have pain meds 'cause I had a C section and wanted to be awake. Just do LAMAZE or something like that and walk and shower. The pain is bad I will admit that but with my natural births I was breastfeeding with in 5 min! So it was 100 % worth it.
2007-03-26 16:20:05 · answer #8 · answered by Barbara 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont be a hero! I got IV drugs for the pain and then got an epidural. Even with that...my sis was basically holding down the epidural pain pump button contantly that last hour....the pressure was UNBELIEVEABLE! My sis left and when she came back, right before I was starting to push and they were getting everything ready, she got freaked out for a second at how much pain I was in. I was MAJORLY trembling. The best part about all of that....you have a natural reaction to black out most of it.
Good luck!
2007-03-26 17:15:02 · answer #9 · answered by GAjen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did it 3 times with no anesthetic, no iv and no obstetrician - just midwives in a birthing center. (And I'm a doctor!)
I had quick labors, though, only 2-3 hours of pain.
If you need pitocin augmentation to help your labor along, I'd go for an epidural. Otherwise, give it a try naturally, and see how you do.
We can usually throw an epidural in, or a saddle block if you're close to delivery, any time you want it.
2007-03-27 13:12:55 · answer #10 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋