Wanting to go 100% natural with this birth-suggestions?

Question

I have had 2 vaginal births (both with epidurals) and 1 c section. My doc said with this pregnancy I can try for a Vbac if there are no problems. I am wanting to try natural all the way. I'm pretty tolerant of pain so I know I can do it. I would love some suggestions on managing your pain and labor. Stories are welcome too. Thanks!

Answer 1

I will be VBACing this delivery, all natural. I've researched the Bradley Method and hypnobirthing. I'm going with hypnobirthing. Don't be put off by the title of hypnobirthing. Its not what people think of when they think of hypnosis. No crazy, "You are getting sleepy," just relaxation techniques. Not only does it make commong sense, it makes medical sense as well. When we're scared/nervous/tense, our muscles tense up as well. Try working out tense muscles (uterus has two sets of muscles pulling in different directions). That is where a lot of the contraction pain comes from.
I was in hospital last weekend with LOTS of strong, regular contractions. The nurses were puzzled. They kept asking how much pain I was in. When I replied none, they asked how much cramping I had. Again, I replied none. I explained that I was feeling the tightening of the contractions, but no pain or cramping. Made me very confident about my decision to use hypnobirthing. There are lots of options out there. Just remember, women gave birth without drugs for a LONG time, you can do it too. Best of luck.

Answer 2

6 weeks ago today I gave birth to our third child and went natural all the way. I have had 2 previous vaginal deliveries, both with epidurals too. This birth was the by far the best experience I could have asked for. I was admitted to the hosp at 5am and my induction was started by 5:30. The contractions started pretty much right away so there is not really a whole lot of time to mentally prepare for the pain, you just have to tell yourself beforehand that it is going to hurt but that you can manage it. Every 20 minutes or so a nurse would come into my room and turn up the Pitocin and the contractions would get a little more intense, but nothing unbearable. You just need to get someone to rub your lower back and rub it as hard as they can. You may even have some bruises on your lower back if they do a good job, but the hard back rub offsets the pain from the contraction. Pretty soon you will find your rhythm and before you know it hours will have gone by. Then, just when you think you can't go anymore and you want to call for pain meds, you are almost there. By that time, the pain does not get any worse, you just have to remember that. Once you get to 10cm and get ready to start pushing you don't feel the contractions any more and then you push a few times and your baby is here and any pain that you did have is gone immediately. It is almost like magic, it is the most intense and fulfilling experience you could ever hope for. Good luck with your VBBAC.

Answer 3

I'm currently 28 weeks preg with #3. My first 2 I didn't have any pain management and it was hard. My first labor was 14 hours long. They gave me an epidural when I was about 7cm dilated and then turned right around and shut it off when I was at 9 because they wanted me to know when I needed to push and said they would turn it back on when I got the idea. Yeah they didn't get it turned back on in time. And I think getting the epidural is what made my labor so long. My second pregnancy was only 4 hours from start to finish and I didn't have time to even think about an epidural. Now with this one, I'm being induced and don't want the epidural. I don't really know how to manage the pain other than just breathing through your contractions like they tell you to do. That does actually work. And what keeps me calm is the fact that as soon as labor is over, you feel a lot better and without an epidural you can get moving sooner. Good luck.

Answer 4

I had my daughter all-natural. Not by choice though. lol To make a long story short, she came so quickly, the epidural didn't start working until AFTER she was born. I went from 4cm to delivered in under 90 minutes!

Something that really worked for me was my mom would apply firm pressure on the small of my back when I had a contraction. It was the only thing that helped me get through the pain. I also sat straight up in bed. That seemed to help as well. I know it sounds silly, but I actually found it helpful to be able to SEE my contractions. You know how they hook you up to that thing that measures the strength of your contractions? I would watch the numbers jump up and down. It was reassuring to be able to see that what I was feeling was legit. Some people say not to concentrate on the contractions, but that's what worked for me.

My husband was away in the Air Force during my entire pregnancy and labor & delivery. He was suppose to be able to come home, but I hadn't heard from at all. That took my mind off the pain as well. I was more worried about my husband being there for the birth of his daughter than worrying about the pain. Not applicable in all peoples situations though. lol

Best of luck and I hope you have a successful speedy delivery!

Answer 5

I had 2 usual births (my first and moment, each had been posterior as good) All I can say is there may be the categories and special approaches you'll be able to do however for me in my opinion (and I am very tough headed) I went in considering I can do that and there's no motive I can not do that. Everyone thinks I can not and I can and I will and take it ONE at a time. It fairly actions so speedy whenever you get to the factor had been you "can not" take it anymore and by way of that point medicinal drugs are now not a alternative besides. Don't consider approximately the suffering or what ti will probably be like, consider approximately the child.. Also throughout my contractions I might make noises dull off the wall noises to start with they made me chuckle but if it bought hard my brain began going into that "humorous" side and I consider considering even via the suffering that I have to sound like a retard! But it labored. Your frame is aware of what it demands to do. Also have your husband begin doing tough again rubs while you're approximately 30 weeks and ensure it's performed each night time for a minimum of quarter-hour I swear by way of this and I consider it makes the hard work such a lot less difficult by way of going into with a absolutely lax again. Also, remind your self too that it's good enough if you wish to have it, I informed myself if I wanted it I might take it and I might push it out by way of "one" extra contraction. After this one I will ask, good after the following one and so forth. Then when you do by way of threat emerge as desiring it for some thing the motive you will not consider such as you "failed" you might recognize that you just did the whole thing you would and took it to the furthest factor you would.

Answer 6

Good for you!

I've had 3 vaginal births and my biggest reccomendation is to not allow the doctor to break your water. For me, the contractions hardly hurt until that point.

Take a class or read a book on hypno-birthing. It really helped me and I found the exercises to be more relaxing than lamaze.

Make sure your labor coach knows your wishes and is prepared to actively help you through the entire process.

Also, you may want to consider delivering at a birthing center rather than a hospital. Hospital staff sometimes encourage women to get an epidural because it makes their jobs easier. At a birthing center, the midwives will do everything they can to help you through labor.

Answer 7

I had a natural birth with my son , a big part of the success is having a high tolerance for pain but also having a focus point. My husband and I are very funny people and i found laughing to help. Not thinking about the pain and just thinking about the baby helps. Breathing is also a great technique.

Answer 8

I have had five natural births, and I think the Bradley class my husband and I took before our first was born was very helpful. Some of our friends have just read the Bradley books, and practiced the relaxation tips on their own, and have found that to be helpful, although you wouldn't have a teacher to ask questions to, or other couples to gain support from. With this being your fourth baby, make sure you take time to visualize yourself in labor for this one, and holding this one after he or she is born. Don't try and replay the c-section in your mind, but rather your labors, and visualize different ways you have coped, and will cope, with the contractions. I hope you have a wonderful, natural birth for your little one.

Answer 9

With my 1st I worked while in labor.... I was already 6cm. by the time I arrived at the hospital. My blood pressure rose too high so they put me on magnesium and I hated it!

With my 2nd I did a whole lot better! I had a focal point. I stared at a picture of a rose on the wallpaper when I had a contraction and my blood pressure was perfect and it helped ease some of the pain.

When you start pushing the pain of the contraction goes away. Just try a focal point and breath slowly and stay calm. Relax as best as you can, your baby will be born shortly!!!

Answer 10

With my first 2 I had epidurals . With number 3 I decided to just have IV pain meds .
I went into labor right after I woke up around 7am and didn't really realize it because I had to get my other 2 ready for school and drop them off at 2 different schools. I had to help my mom out by taking her to work. She works close to where I live and while I was taking her she looked at me and asked if I was going into labor? I told her I don't know for sure I am hurting and very witchy feeling.
When I got back home around 9am I woke up my husband asking him if he was ready to have this baby? He looked at me and then started to time my contractions which were not very far apart.
We went to the hospital about 9:30 am and I got checked out and when the nurse checked me out I was already at 5cm dialated.
Blah blah blah checked me into the delivery room hooked me up to tne monitors ,doc came in to check on me and first thing she asked is if I went into labor in the middle of the night?
I got into the bathtub to soothe the pain when I got out I was at
6cm dialated and then the nurse decided to give me pain meds well I did not get to have any because by the time my doctor came back I was 7-8cm dilated and it was too late.They broke my water
and low and be hold a few minutes later I was holding # 4. I had him at 11:55 am.