Is it possible to be set on a natural child birth and follow through with it?

Question

I'm being induced and I really, really want to have a natural child birth. Is this possible if I stick with this in my mind, I can do it, no matter how painful. My mother had both my brother and I naturally because he labor was progressing so slowly they couldn't give her an epidural...will this happen to me because it happened to my mother? She was in labor with me for 23 hours!

Answer 1

My sister was set on natural with her second and sure enough she had him naturally and said it was sooo much easier to push without an epidural. Not to mention how proud you feel afterwards that you just delivered your baby naturally!!! Thats my plan too no epidural for me!!! You can do it too just keep your mind focused and set and you'll be fine

Answer 2

Being induced shouldn't have any effect on whether you need an epidural, etc. Every birth is different, even from the same mother. So your mom's experiences won't say anything about yours!

Stick to your guns. Have supportive family or friends in the delivery room with you -- they help you through the pain, remind you of your choices, and can shoo away nurses or doctors who are trying to convince you to get an epidural. Try to stay off your back, because that's the least convenient and comfortable position for giving birth -- walking will help move your contractions along, and a squat position when you're pushing lets gravity assist! A midwife or doula improves your experience, but I guess if you're already to the point of being induced it's a little late for that bit of advice :-)

Remember, there are times when it is medically necessary to have an epidural, or pitocin, or heaven forbid a c-section -- if any of those end up happening, you gave it your best shot and you should be proud of that, and just enjoy your baby! GOOD LUCK and I hope it goes well for you (and quickly)!!!

Answer 3

Some women can. I - being a mother of 5 so far can't see why you wouldn't want the epidural. My last one was induced and I ended up being given pectocin (sp?) and boy was that much more painful than normal contraction... I did have the epidural - but part way through - just as I hit transition - it wore off and they didn't want to give me more meds for fear of slowing things down. But even still the time that I was able to labor with out the major pain really helped me be able to enjoy the birth of my daughter and the time just afterwards with her and my husband so much.

It is your decision but remember - giving birth is amazing - no matter if its c-section, natural, or with the assistance of pain maintenance meds. And you are not "failing" in any way by not going 100% "natural"

Congrats and good luck to you.

Answer 4

Your mothers deliveries are not necessarily yours. The internal shape of your hips is a factor, but so is the size of the baby, it's position, and station, when labor starts, as well as many other things, all of which can be different from your mothers.
My wife was always open to the idea of using drugs, she does not like pain. However both of our children were born so fast, (1 natural, 1 induced) that there was no time for drugs. I was there and helped. She said drugs would have been nice, but while it may be the most pain you could feel, it is not constant, and, it is a Human pain, ie: it is not an Inhuman amount of pain, and then you forget because you have a beautiful baby !!! Congratulations !

Answer 5

I believe in mind over matter (so to speak) but even then, you really have no idea what actually might happen. You have to know that there are SO many factors and even if you end up not being able to have the birth naturally you have STILL accomplished something amazing and it is all worth it in the end. No matter what! You have to do what is best for you, regardless. I have had all 3 of my children vaginal with no pain meds, but I have been fortunate that my longest labor was about 3 1/2 hours. I am 17 weeks preg. now with my 4th and I am praying that she will be just as easy. Good luck and THINK POSITIVE! :)

Answer 6

Sure you can. If you want, write an agreement that you will have natural childbirth unless a medical emergency warrants other measures, then have your doctor and husband sign it. You have to realize, though, that this is a one-way street. If you have back labor (like my wife) or some other issue, you're going to have to deal with the agony. Technically speaking, natural childbirth is for bragging rights only. I get novacaine for a tooth filling, there would be no way I'd go through childbirth without a little something.... You won't be any better or worse of a mother if you make your child's birth any easier on yourself. Just my 2 cents.

Answer 7

I really wanted a natural childbirth too, but I have no willpower and looking at the average 14 hours it takes a first-time mom to deliver once they get to the hospital, I gave in and asked for an epi soon after I arrived. I soooo wish I hadn't! I was ready to push within an hour and a half of getting there. I only had the epi in for about 20 minutes before I started pushing.

I pushed for almost three hours and I swear if I had been able to squat I just might have been able to get my little babe's head out, but laying flat on my back and not knowing "where" I was pushing, lead me to a lovely csection. They say his head was too big for my pelvis but I'll never know for sure...

The reason I shared is that I really regret not waiting to take the epi. Now, every birth is different , so you could have a fast or a slow one, but if you really want a natural birth I say try to wait as long as you can before getting an epi. Then, you can say you tried your hardest and not feel like you "gyped" yourself. And, don't feel bad if you do need/want the epi, it does marvelous things for the pain and there is nothing wrong with wanting to reduce it.

Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 8

I was induced with my daughter and had no epidural or pain meds. It is very painful but if you keep telling yourself that the pain is only temporary it will help you through it. There were times during labor that I didn't know if I was going to be able to handle the pain. I didn't scream because what does that help?? I was able to breastfeed my daughter immediately after birth with no problems. My pitocin was started at 8 am and I had my daughter at 4 pm. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Answer 9

I had all 4 kids natural The thought of a needle in my back scared me more than natural childbirth. Just know that when you are induced, (#3 for me) the medicine makes your contractions VERY STRONG. If you are set on natural, tell the doctor and the nurses when they check you in. Every labor is different. If you need pain medicine, ASK. There is nothing wrong with a little help. Good luck..

Answer 10

Yes it is possible. However, Don't get your mind set on a natural birth. Keep your mind open about it. That way you won't be too upset if you decide to get an epidural. They can give you potossin to speed up your labor also in case it is going extremely slow. Good Luck.

Answer 11

My wife had all four of our children naturally. The first was 12 hours, second was 6 hours, third was 23 hours, and fourth was 2 hours. The first was also a posterior birth, which they say is more painful, but she never had an epidural. You can do it, and once you have that baby in your arms, you will forget all about the discomfort in getting them here.