Any tips or advice? Anyone who planned to have a natural birth but then changed your mind part way through? I'm due on July 3 and planning to have a natural birth but would like to hear some real experiences. Thanks!
2007-03-27 06:01:08 · 18 answers · asked by Rosie B 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
By the way, I will NOT have an epidural. I know far too many people who have had ongoing back problems caused by them.
2007-03-27 06:10:08 · update #1
The hardest part with natural childbirth for me was not the pain but the fact with labor you don't know how much longer its going to last--So what I said to myself was "okay i can tolerate this pain for another hour and if i have not delivered by then I will ask for medication" usually for me my labors where quick enough that that worked--I've had both ways two with epidural one without recovery is so much better with out!! For me Breathing really does help but I had to have a coach I could not do it on my own.
2007-03-27 06:09:22 · answer #1 · answered by I'm so cool 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I had my first two natural, well, let me just say my first was almost natural. I was 21 hours into my first labor, and that was all natural HARD labor, but i started to get really tired and doc didn't think I would have had the energy to push baby out so he gave me a real low dose epi. It numbed me for about an hour and a half, which was awesome because I slept the whole time. I woke up with extremely painful contractions, and was dialated to a 9, 10 minutes later I was pushing , however it took 45 minutes of pushing to get my son out, I felt it all, and it was so worth it. My second I did pain med and epidural free ALL NATURAL his labor was 281/2 hours long. It was very painful, but I just kept it in my mind I wanted a natural labor. I am 38 weeks pregnant with my third, and I plan to go natural again.
2007-03-27 06:18:24 · answer #2 · answered by peyton31602 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you CAN do it!!! You will hear from SO many people along the way that you are crazy or that it is too much pain, yadda yadda. Trust me, it's possible and wonderful. Think about how women have been giving birth for centuries, this is a feeling we are supposed to experience! While, of course, it is painful, it is not as bad as some things because it is gradual, you get breaks, and in the end you get to see your BABY!!!
A few things I would suggest: 1. do not be induced unless it is medically necessary. You may be aching to have your baby but it will be harder to do naturally if you have drugs speeding up the natural process. 2. Write out a detailed birth plan to explain your wishes to your doctor and nurses. In mine, I wrote that I did NOT want to be offered pain medication at all. It's much easier to give in if someone's sitting there with something they say will make you feel better! 3. Take good birthing classes and PRACTICE your technique with your birthing coach. It really truly makes a big difference. 4. When you first feel labor coming on, please try to rest. I know it seems impossible but you will be much stronger if you get some sleep!
I am so proud to hear of another mother so strong and willing to feel what nature has made our bodies for!! Congrats and I wish you the best luck during labor and with your new baby!
2007-03-27 06:12:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Had my first 3 w/o pain meds for various reasons, and got an epidural with the 4th when my labor was extrememly painful but not progressing. Had another epi with my 5th and plan one this go round as well. So I have done it almost half and half and as you can tell I'm partial to the epidural...BUT I also believe that everyone should try it naturally at least once.
And P.S. An epidural does NOT make you "out of it" for the birth as someone above me said...that is effects from having narcotics for pain relief, not a spinal epidural. ALL an epidural does is numb and it's safer for the baby than narcotics b/c it doesn't go into your bloodstream.
2007-03-27 06:07:21 · answer #4 · answered by Proud Mommy of 6 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I won't lie to you natural childbirth is extremely painful, tiring and if this is your first child it could be a very long labor, I was in labor for an entire 27 hours before I even went to the hospital but I was given an epidural and 5 hours after I gave birth. And having the epidural hasn't given me any long term effects or back pain and it was well worth getting because I was able to relax and enjoy the rest of labor and child birth. With my last child I didn't have an option and have pain meds. and although labor was short, I really wish I could have got the epidural, as I was in extreme pain for the entire duration and had terrible cramping after that left me unable to care for my newborn with a series of other things that went wrong. I was extremely worn out in the end. I'm not trying to discourage you for wanting a natural birth but I'm trying to tell you that I had very good experience with the epidural and if you want pain meds. it isn't nothing wrong with that and it was only a minute of discomfort over hours of extreme pain.
2007-03-27 06:30:36 · answer #5 · answered by attheendofmyrope 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I went typical with each my boys. I made up our minds on the starting that medicinal drugs were not anything i desired and that i cannot even stand to look at an epidural on TV permit on my own permit any one stick it in me. My cousin had one performed for a c-phase and it took them a few attempts then they hit a nerve alongside her backbone so now she has permenant harm from it. I did good enough. By the time the relatively unhealthy anguish got here I was once already eight cm dialated so I went speedy after that and best took a couple of pushes they usually had been out. I am pregnant with my third now and can pass typical once more if the whole lot is going as deliberate. I simply did plenty of respiring via the anguish and attempted to cognizance on the truth that I was once going to have a brand new child to like and maintain. It is tough I have got to be sincere approximately that, and it's painful and plenty of girl relatively simply cannot manage it and opt for the epidural chiefly if exertions is taking an extended time. My bestfriend attempted typical and he or she simply could not do it she ended up with the epidural however she additionally took painkillers for two wks afterwards considering she cannot manage so much anguish in any respect
2016-09-05 17:42:30 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've gone through 2 all natural births, and am planning another one for my baby coming in June. I honestly have to say that after being sick and pregnant for 9 months, giving birth is the easy part. Yes, there is some pain and discomfort, but nothing unbearable. For my 1st 2 births, I had my now ex-hubby and mom in the room with me, I brought some good country music to listen to, and had my focal point that I could focus on when I was ready to push. For this birth, it will be my new hubby, my mom and my 2 girls (now 10 & 11) who will be in the room with me. Its pretty frickin exciting just thinking about it.
Of course they may come a point where drugs are absolutely necessary, but unless that time comes, all-natural is definitely the way to go.
2007-03-27 06:23:47 · answer #7 · answered by thersa33 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I changed my mind after 28 hours of pushing and pain... But they told me it was too late by then anyway!!
My son finally finished being born an hour later!
It was hard work and agony, but I'm 35 weeks pregnant now and planning on having anther natural birth. (I am mad - lol!!!), I'm actually terrified of the epidural for some reason. I may change my mind again.... Never say never!! This time I hope I'm not too late if I do!!
I'd say it's worth a try if you think you could cope with a natural birth. Much less risk for you and baby.
And if I can cope with the pain, anyone can!! I'm the girl that runs away screaming like a maniac when a wasp comes near her!!
God luck!! :-)
2007-03-27 06:11:59 · answer #8 · answered by Krissyinthesun 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Definitely read up on techniques for assisting labor with positioning and poses. Go ahead and start practicing relaxing stretches so you know what feels good for your pregnant body, and train your mind/body to relax. A great book is "The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin and also this website: http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cnhome.html
I had natural birth with my 1st daughter - she was born in less than three hours. I contribute that to the fact that I exercised and did yoga all through pregnancy, and was not induced or medicated so was free to move around during labor. Squatting on a squatting bar helped me push her out in a few minutes. I will go natural with #2 as well.
2007-03-27 07:04:08 · answer #9 · answered by bb 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I planned to have natural birth, maening no medications or anything, but when my son didn't come and he was almost a week over due, my pregnancy had to be induced, and when you're induced, your labor pains are harder, more intense.
I held out until I was 4.5 centimeters dialated, but then, I was almost out of it with pain and ended up having demerol, then an epidural since the demerol didn't work, I waited too late to get it.
I wanted natural, but sometimes you can't have everything you want. I have no regrets.
2007-03-27 06:07:41 · answer #10 · answered by Nyema 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋