What are your thoughts on natural childbirth?

Question

I had planned on natural for my first child but, after many interventions, had to get an epidural. The epidural gave me a serious infection which I could of died from.

Answer 1

If you avoid interventions, you avoid further intervention and each individual intervention has a risk of serious side effects. Epidurals in and of themselves are both risky AND cause the need for more interventions (though it sounds like for you the opposite was true).

Either way, avoid the first intervention and you will likely avoid them all. To that end most midwives, and some OBs are very low intervention. Or you can give birth at home. Also educate yourself, remember just because a doctor recommends something doesn't mean a) you have to concent nor b) they are right or even have YOUR best interest in mind. Many interventions are based on defensive medicine -that is what prevents them from loosing a court case should they be sued.

Honestly I had a natural child birth and it wasn't painful.

Answer 2

I had both of my children natural. With my oldest I had stadol which is a muscle relaxant. It helped take the edge off but I was still able to push and feel the contractions. The labor nurse told me it didn't count because it wasn't a pain killer. I didn't have anything at all with my second. I thought the recovery was easier the second time. I had a very short labor the second time and didn't feel nearly as tired as I did the first time, I don't know if that was because of the absence of any drugs or the shorter labor. I didn't want to have an epidural because I was more afraid of the needle in the spine and the possible side effects than I was of having a baby. That is just my personal experience.

Answer 3

I have not believered yet, only 4 more weeks but I am planning a natural childbirth. To me the the risks of having an epidural highly outweigh the benefits such as what happened to you, having bad migranes afterward, you have to have IV's at all times, the baby has to be monitored, it can slow down labor, something being entered in my spine scares the heck out of me!, you cannot get up and move around, plus I am paying for the whole thing out of pocket so those things will definately add to the bill. Those are just a few. I am so sorry to hear what happened to you. I am glad that you came out of it okay and that you are feeling better. When was this? Just recently? Once again I am sorry that sounds so scary!

Answer 4

I have an 11 month old son. I was fully prepared to have a natural birth with him. However, as the ocntractions started I begged for drugs. As it turned out I gave birth so quickly...fully dilated in 15 minutes and only pushed for 15 minutes... that I had no time for an epidural. Although the pain was bad, I found out that it was also bearable. I was also happy that I didn't get an epidural because of all the side effects I have since heard about. However, I don't judge anyone's decision as I believe each mother is entitled to her own.

Answer 5

I am all for natural childbirth. Your previous experience is part of the reason. Personally, I prefer natural childbirth at home. Then you don't have to worry about all the "interventions" that would cause you to want or need and epidural. In a normal, healthy pregnancy, it is better for mom and baby. Check out www.bradleybirth.com. It is a great resource for natural childbirth.

Answer 6

I had a natural childbirth with my second son and plan on doing the same with my daughter. I had the epidural with my oldest and it only worked on one side of me and I had bad side affects afterwards. I loved having a natural birth, I won't lie to you it hurt but it was so worth it. I have never regretted it and am so glad I'm going to do it with my daughter. Luckily I have very fast labors!! My first was 3hrs 9 mins and my second was 2 hrs 14 mins, so I figure she'll be even faster!! Good Luck & Congrats!!

Answer 7

Many women try to go at it naturally, but for many different reasons, they had to have the epidural. There is no shame in it! I wanted the epidural and wound up going natural, (with much protest!) Sometimes it is better for the mommy and baby to relieve the stress on the body and have the epidural.

Answer 8

I plan on using just gas and air, not sure how much of a natural birth that makes it. Though i said i plan on it, chances are il be begging for whatever drugs and injections they have there im a severe wimp.
Sometimes going natural is great at other times not so great. i think that having a natural birth gives rise to more complications, even simple things like being in too much pain so the doc decides to intervene and get the needles out, or getting exhausted very quickly..... etc.... take what you can handle and no more. My mum had gas and air with all of us and was able to cope, i plan on doing the same but there is every possibility that i wont cope with just that and end up with every intervention they've got.
btw, just realised what that sounded like im not suggesting that your interventions had anything to do with not being able to do it proper or being a wimp in face of the pain- just sayin that would probably be the reason for me having to have intervention

Answer 9

I am pregnant with my 4th child. With my other 3 I had natural childbirth, no med whatso ever BUT if there was ever a time that intervention was needed I would not hesitate. I really want to "tough it out" this time again but I know that I will, if needed take whatever meds are recommended. Good luck!

Answer 10

I think it's good to try for a natural childbirth, but that no woman should feel guilty if they ask for pain meds. I'm scared of epidurals because I know a few women who had complications because of theirs, so I didn't get one. I did get some Stadol through my IV which helped to relax me.