For those of you who had gave birth with no or very little medical intervention..?

Question

What were the most effective non medical pain relief methods you used and why? What would you recommend most to another woman?

Answer 1

i've not given birth yet, but plan to deliver without meds.

i've heard many testimonials from guest speakers at my Bradley classes that they had great experiences using the techniques they learned in class, though. (one couple did Lamaze for one birth and said it didn't help at all, but the stuff they learned in Bradley class helped tremendously with the subsequent birth). Bradley method utilizes the father as labor coach (my hubby is so proud of his "official coach card" and pin!). it tells you to relax as much as possible because tension & fear will cause the pain to be more severe. you learn a dozen different relaxation methods (one per class) and also different positions to labor & to push in (sometimes changing position can ease the pain as well).

good luck!!

Answer 2

I had a ton of medical intervention, but that wasn't my first choice (I had intended on having a natural childbirth, and I had the furthest thing from that). Definitely do breathing exercises beforehand, and hire a doula to do massage/aromatherapy during labor. Pick something to focus on, like a photograph, to distract you from the pain of labor. I would have done all of these things had I not had a medically necessary induction!

Good luck.

Answer 3

I used the Bradley method with all four of mine. It really works. The Bradley method uses total relaxation to prevent uterine cramps. My labor felt nothing like cramps. It was just a dull ache that came and went. My husband took my picture during a contraction in transition. It looked like I was asleep. I would recommend the Bradley method to anyone. Also, you are allowed to eat during labor, you are not hooked up to an electronic monitor, and you do not get a routine episiotomy.

Answer 4

I haven't done it yet so take this for what you will. I hear that hypnobirthing is wonderful and I plan to do a water birth. I haven't done too much looking into hynobirthing other than to check out the website. I am taking a birthing class tailored for women who wish to go without meds(taught by a doula) and plan to ask lots of questions about it at that point.

Answer 5

all of my labors went too fast for meds, that I already said I didn't want anyway. I found a good spot on the wall to stare a hole through, held (squeezed until it was purple and he started yelling) my coach's hand, controlled breathing. If I had had enough time for the epidural I wouldn't have gotten it anyway, I hate needles and don't know much about the side effects.

Answer 6

everyone loves the idea of a natural birth, with no painkillers, or medical intervention. but believe me those notions go out of the window when intense labour kicks in.i managed on gas and air (barely) with each of my children but i wish i had tried more pain relief, i just didnt like the idea of drugs or an epidural. if you can manage without fine,but keep an open mind to all possibilities,dont be a martyr to pain,its not necessary.

Answer 7

My delivery went super fast so there really wasn't time to try too many things. By the time I knew it was getting intense I was ready to push so there wasn't a need for coping mechanisms. I did have a good support system and I would recommend having one person with you that will be supportive and say things to help you through it.

Answer 8

I had my Son when I was 15 and I had him in 2 and half hrs there was not much time for me to have much done.

My 2nd child was a Girl and she took 8 &1/2 hrs and all I had wad a inama and a IV.

My 3rd child was born in 2 & 1/2 Hrs and By the time I got to the Hospital they had to rush me to the dilivery room,No medication,No Iv ,But for me excrsheating back labor!!

Answer 9

Well, my situation was unusual to say the least. I was hospitalized on Wednesday because of pre-eclampsia, and was scheduled to be induced the following Monday. I went intot labor on my own on Friday night/Saturday morning at 2:30 in the morning, and spent 6 hours with the nurses telling me that I WAS NOT in labor. Finally I was rushed to labor/delivery at 7:45 AM and my baby was born at 8:10 AM on Saturday with loads of scrabbling on the part of the staff.

I had no painkillers, no epidural, no episiotomy, no NOTHING!

The thing that helped me most was breathing. I did the Lamaze breathing. Breathe deep through your mouth, hold it through the pain, then let it out through the nose. Did this on my own for 6 hours, with hubby gently snoring on the hospital couch beside me. He was exhausted and I hated to wake him.

Am I gutsy or what?

Anyway, the breathing really did help, that and walking around between pains.

Answer 10

My son came too quickly for any kind of medical intervention and I hadn't taken any classes prior to his birth (doc told me they were a waste of time). I just screamed my head off... seemed to help, LOL.