natural childbirth?

Question

is it possible to do this and still be calm... like just breathe through it all, not utter a scream or yell when the baby passes through your vagina and out, not scream at the crowning, is it possible? i don't want to look weak in front of my boyfriend.

also, how long is the average labor with natural childbirth? when someone says they only took "4 hours", what does this refer to? the very first contraction til deilvery, time in the hospital, or what?

Answer 1

I don't believe that this is a decision that anyone can make but you. Pain is subjective and what hurts me may not hurt you. I am approaching labor with an open mind. I don't have any thoughts except that I want to do what's best for me and my baby. If I get there and feel like I can push through it with out meds, I will. Then again I am not ashamed or embarrassed if I need to ask for pain meds. This is an individual choice.

Your boyfriend is probably not going to be thinking that you are wimpy. He should be amazed and proud of the woman lying in the bed giving birth to a new life. Besides, how can he say what wimpy is if he has never done it himself?

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

My mom had 6 children through natural unmedicated childbirth and claims not to have screamed or moaned or anything very dramatic - so it's possible, in theory. BUT, every woman has to handle the pain in a different way. If you feel like screaming, that's okay to do. Your boyfriend won't think you're weak - and if he does, he's a jerk anyway.

What one person said about it being less painful if you stay relaxed is true though. If you are screaming a lot, you are not breathing properly and deep breathing is what is going to help you stay the most relaxed and minimize the pain.

And, whoever said that natural childbirth is "overrated" is just rude. Don't let anyone discourage you from doing what you think best for you and your baby. If women knew the risks and disadvantages of having an epidural, I'm sure there would be fewer of them putting down the idea of natural birth. Go here and scroll down to the "disadvantages" part to see what I mean: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html

Answer 3

Yes, it's possible. But if you're going for a natural labor, you cannot be concerned about keeping up appearances for the sake of other people. You need to do what you feel you need to do - and if that means screaming, then scream! It's nothing that the labor nurses and doc's haven't heard before. You are not less of a woman if you cry and yell and grunt and make noises. And your boyfriend isn't EVER going to think you're weak after seeing you push a baby out of your vagina!

As for labor length, there is no way to predict. Every woman is different, every pregnancy and labor is different. First babies USUALLY - not always - take the longest. Early labor can often go on for hours, days or off and on over several weeks! Once ACTIVE labor starts, where contractions are regularly 5 minutes apart and not stopping and only getting more intense, on average, it takes 8-12 hours until delivery.

Getting to 4-5cm is the longest part. Once you reach that point during labor, we expect to see about 1cm change every hour. Once you are completely dilated, the average first time mother pushes for about 2 hours - but again, that's just an average, some people push longer or shorter than that.

Answer 4

I'd reccommend reading "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth." It's an amazing book that will give you a different perspective.

It is NORMAL to make noise during labor and delivery, whether you have an epidural or not. Don't worry about it. Screaming can actually be disruptive to the labor process - low grunts and moans are more common and are more productive.

It IS possible to have a positive, natural child birth, but it takes planning and information. In addition to the Ina May book, I'd read about the Bradley method and other techniques for labor.

(For what it's worth, I always thought that the contractions were WAAAY worse than the pushing or the feeling of the baby coming out.)

Answer 5

I think that there is no way for any woman to look week in child birth, whether you have durgs or not. The whole goal is giving birth to a healthy baby. I had an epidural for both of my children and am expecting my third any day, and will be getting one again. If you can do it with out drugs, good for you! I personally don't think that I am less of a mom or less of a woman because I took the pair relief. If you think your going to look weak in front of your boyfriend, then just remind him that there is NO way that he could every have a baby. Men would die if they even had to be pregnant for a week. I know my husband would even though he is a big strong man.
as to your second question. THe lenght of labor varies for each birth and each woman. Labor starts when your cervix starts to dialate. This can be WEEKS before you actually have the baby. I have been dialated to 3cm for the last 5 weeks. My "labor" with my first ( the time that I was having active contractions at the hospital) was 6 1/2 hours. SHe was induced because I was 2 weeks over due. My second child was 19 hours of active contractions. I have had contractions with this baby for about 4-5 weeks every day, so we'll see how long it is when I actually go to the hospital. I'm 38 weeks now...

Answer 6

okay... i had a natural childbirth, i had NO MEDICATONS! the worst part pain wise as i can recal are the contractions, the actual giving birth, i can't even remember, and i was not screaming, just remember that your a strong woman, and you can get through this! and when you do you will look into the eyes of the most important person in your life, if your boyfriend, has anything to say negatively about how you did during the process remind him that it was YOU that did it, but seriously i remember contractions like it was yesterday *my son is almost 2 1/2* but actually delivering him..... your endorphens kick in.... also remember that, our bodies were MADE TO DO THIS. this is what we are on earth for! and honestly i feel like a stronger woman for doing what i did, and my boyfriend was so very proud of me, and schocked at how well i did! he loves telling people that i gave birth to our son naturally with no meds and that i was frikin awesome!! you will be too!!!..... i also want to share that i was SOO SCARED, my whole pregnancy i kept asking if i was making the right choice what if something went wrong, what if it hurts really bad, i thought about it daily! but all the pain, worry, when your child gets here, the sleepless night, messy diapers and espeially when they are sick, it will ALL be worth it ALL of it!!!! i love that you chose to do this!!! I am young still 21 and all of my future children will come into the world the same way!!

Answer 7

I've seen women do it nautral and they don't scream or anything! However with my first son it was absolute torture. Of course it was only for a short while, but when you're in pain like that it feels like an eternity. There is definitely no set time, but natural births do tend to go quicker bc your body isn't "doped up" I wasn't allowed to have any pain medication due to complications, I was 3cm and an hour and a half HAD my baby. It varies with every woman. I'm 8 months now though and I can tell you the first question I had at the OB was when can I have my epidural. Do what feels right for you, most men think women are amazing for even going through it so I wouldn't worry about your BF too much.

Answer 8

Labour is less painful if you don't scream -or at least this is what I have been taught. Tight mouth = tight muscles elsewhere (uterus, vagina) = more pain. Most moms who birth naturally find low moans are more useful than screaming. I didn't scream, but I wasn't dead silent either. I am sure some women are, some women report any noise during contractions annoy them.

As for how long is labour, well that is an interesting question. I think "active" labour for a first time mom averages about 8 hours, but of course labour can be much longer than that.

Answer 9

The last thing you need on your mind is how you look to someone else. Does your boyfriend love and support you? Then that's what you need to focus on. If he doesn't, then don't let him in the delivery room.

If he's not able to support you, see if you can get a doula. A doula (pronounced doo-lah) is a woman trained in birth support. She'll help you through each contraction and know many kinds of relief measures to help you. Don't count on the nurses at the hospital for this--it's unlikely to happen, as they have lots of other things to do.

If you haven't thought about it, you might consider having a midwife. In my experience, midwives are much more supportive than doctors. If you want a hospital delivery, find a midwife with hospital priveleges (this is easier in some places than in others).

To your actual question: yes, it's possible to breathe through contractions and not scream, but you're not going to be able to act like you're sitting on your patio sipping iced tea. Having a baby is HARD WORK that involves your whole mind and body.

Good luck. Many blessings to you and your baby.

Answer 10

I went common with each my boys. I determined on the starting that medicinal drugs were not anything i desired and that i are not able to even stand to look at an epidural on TV permit on my own permit any person stick it in me. My cousin had one performed for a c-segment and it took them a number of 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 agony got here I used to be already eight cm dialated so I went rapid after that and best took a couple of pushes and so they have been out. I am pregnant with my third now and can move common once more if the whole thing is going as deliberate. I simply did plenty of respiring by way of the agony and attempted to cognizance on the truth that I used to be going to have a brand new child to like and maintain. It is rough I have got to be sincere approximately that, and it's painful and plenty of girl relatively simply are not able to manage it and opt for the epidural certainly if exertions is taking an extended time. My bestfriend attempted common and he or she simply could not do it she ended up with the epidural however she additionally took painkillers for two wks afterwards in view that she are not able to manage a lot agony in any respect