Hi all, I'm 23 weeks pregnant with my first baby and really wondering about how I should bring this little baby into the world. I really want to go natural (with epidural of course) but what if the time comes and I feel I can't do it or I get too scared to go on? Is there anything I can do in the mean time to make natural childbirth easier later on? I'm healthy young and not over weight. Please don't tell me natural is better or c section is better - I know the pros and cons of both, but has anyone ever gone natural or thought they could and when the time came they couldn't??
Thanx ladies!
2007-10-11 18:29:45 · 11 answers · asked by MOMMYtoJAKES 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
i can tell you from expreince that c-section are way more painfull in the long run!! My first daughter was by c-section and I was in massive pain for about 4 weeks after having her the first 2 weeks I couldn't even get out of bed with out taking meds. My 2nd daughter was natural and I would rather have that anyday. I can understand how you feel because I was scared to death to give birth to my second daughter because I had never done it. I had an epidural and it was not bad at all. There are risk that come with both but the less risk is natural.
Good luck in your dession. But also remember that giving birth is a very impowering feeling in the end. And it also gives you more time with the baby. You can't hold your baby after a c-section because you are in the middle of an operation.
2007-10-11 18:40:53 · answer #1 · answered by butterfly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most of your experience depends on how prepared you are mentally. If you are petrified, you'll have a bad experience. If you are cool, you'll have a better experience. That is completely independent of what your labour is actually like. I tried to do without drugs, but couldn't (was tiring too fast) so had pethadine at 5cm. That allowed me to catch up on a bit of rest, which might sound dumb in the middle of labour, but that's how it was! I also ended up with a forceps birth, because I was getting crappy quality contractions near the end. Despite that, and forceps are not pleasant at all, I feel I had a positive experience. It was as good as it could have been under the circumstances. Actually, I'm more positive about it than either of my support people! My partner wanted to beat up the obsetrician. Our other support person (our daughter's godfather) wanted to beat up the obstetrician and the midwives! They're usually pacifist types too!
Advice:
*Go and read everything you can on positive childbirth even if it looks too hippyish. I did and felt much better for it. I wasn't in the least bit scared as I went in to be induced, just interested to see what my body would do.
*Pack barley sugars in your hospital bag. Often the "I can't keep doing this" feeling stems from low blood sugar. The barley sugars help a lot!
*During the last week of pregnancy, change your voicemail message to "No, I haven't had the baby yet, I'll tell you when I have. In the meantime I'm laying on the couch thinking serene pregnant goddess type thoughts and can't possibly get up to answer the phone or I'll lose my train of thought." Take the phone off the hook and leave it off :) The last thing you want is your mother in law or someone ringing to complain about any of your plans. That's why I was so tired...
2007-10-11 19:37:07 · answer #2 · answered by Rosie_0801 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a natural birth with no medication at all. It depends on what makes you comfortable. Try sitting up, lying down, or (I never did go) lamas classes give instruction on different ways to become more relaxed. The only best thing I got is to only worry when there is something to worry about. Stressing yourself out with only stress the baby, which could cause complications. It is up to you to do epidural and it may help you. The only way that you would be having c-section if the baby can not come out or if there is a problem with the baby. Otherwise if there is nothing going wrong, natural is the way to go. Congrats!
2007-10-11 18:36:55 · answer #3 · answered by Barbara 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are many different schools of thought on natural deliveries. If you have an epidural, you will have minimal to no pain during the delivery itself. The time leading up to the delivery will be the hard part. Walk, sit, stand whatever feels better. I had my coach press on my lower back with each contraction as a counter pressure, both my boys were back labor. Some hospitals will offer water birth in a hot tub (more like a warm tub) to help ease the pain. Speak with your doctor, they may be able to refer you to different childbirth classes for help
2007-10-11 18:46:23 · answer #4 · answered by RN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a scheduled C-seciton due to preclamsia and have a fabulous experience! Of course it's major abdominal surgery and the recovery period is twice as long as a vaginal birth but it was wonderful!! Not at all saying you should go the C-section route b/c really it should be the natural way but if you opted to go that way I'm telling you my experience. Congratulations and God Bless!!!
2007-10-11 18:33:56 · answer #5 · answered by beachcutie03 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both my boys were born the natural way....one with an epidural, one without. I didn't think I could do it either time, but I did :)
Good luck!
2007-10-11 18:56:41 · answer #6 · answered by Chewie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not considered natural if you use an epidural. Natural means no drugs. Be careful with epidural, everyone I know that has had them has back problems
2007-10-11 18:37:45 · answer #7 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I say ask tha doc which one is less painful then choose the lesser of the two.
2007-10-11 18:32:36 · answer #8 · answered by Eason W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long the babie comes out I don't care ..and he/she is healthy..lol..Next kid getting the DOPE bc..it hurts like hell..
good luck..
laloka
2007-10-11 18:33:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO YOUR KEGEL EXERCISES and walk, walk, walk!!! That makes your labor go a lot faster.
2007-10-11 18:43:49 · answer #10 · answered by babymama. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋