who here has had or will have a natrual birth with no drugs?

Question

i want to have one i just am scared of the pain i had an epidrual with my son but with this one i dont want the epidural.. does it hurt? how can i cope with the pain when i go into labor?

Answer 1

I am currently living in China...and they don't 'believe' in medication during labor. So with my last one I had to survive a natural childbirth. Needless to say it WAS THE WORST PAIN IN MY LIFE. By the end I was begging for a c-section just to get some relief from the pain. I have a really high threshold for pain...I even survived 10 years in the Army but nothing has ever compared to that. It was like being ripped in two and having no where to run from the pain. Needless to say I am desperately searching for a hospital which will give me an epidural this time.

If you want you can always try it...but just keep an open mind about it. You may find that natural childbirth is not for you. There are options other then epidurals...I would talk to your doctor and maybe contact a birthing class that teaches the Bradley method. It might work better...here they don't offer any kind of breathing or pain management classes so I was basically on my own in handling it. Either way I wish you luck!

*****Forgot to add****
That if you are induced it hurts about 300% MORE then if it starts natural. Of course I was induced and went through 36 hours of hard back labor. I couldn't lie down, I couldn't sit, and I didn't sleep for the last 25 hours. All I could do was lean over the bed. And of course I didn't have any real support since my dear hubby is Chinese and also knows nothing about labor coaches- pain management or lamaze.

Answer 2

If you don't want the epidural I would highly suggest a good childbirth class taught by an independent childbirth educator. At the class your educator will talk about all of the medications as well as comfort measures that can be used. She will also tell you the importance of being out of the bed, not flat on your back, while laboring. Not only are you more comfortable, but studies show that your labor will progress faster that way. You might consider hiring a birth doula (those working on certification may offer their services at no charge or a nominal fee to cover their expenses.) who is educated and trained to provide guidance and support to you and your family. A doula doesn't replace a mother or partner, but can be an important part of your birthing team. Laboring in water during the active stages of labor really helps most moms cope with the pain. Women I've worked with have stated that they immediately felt relief in water.
I hope some of this information helps you. Best birth wishes!

Answer 3

Well...i can't tell you anything about natural birth because I'm on my first pregnancy, but I can give you some things I learned in my birthing class that I plan to try.
You really need someone there that can help you through pain. If you have a Mom or friend or significant other that can be there, go over some of these things with them. Some people find breathing works well...whether it's deep, short or a combination...find what works for you. Walking around will make things move more quickly. Also try sitting backwards in a chair with your support person rubbing your back lightly. The idea is to have your pelvis in a forward open position so the baby can drop. You also need to try to relax. You can practice that now. Lay on your left side and have the lights down and some soft music playing while your support person rubs your legs and back lightly. Try imagining every muscle in your body relaxing like when you are asleep. Good luck!!

Answer 4

I became pregnant at 16 years old and lived in a Small town with a small hospital the anesthesiologist wasn't full time so if he wasn't there then guess what you didn't get an epidural and on the day I went into labor he wasn't there ad I had to grin and bear it . I will not lie to you this is a very painful experience but it is also the most beautiful way to have a child the energy and exhuberence that you will experience after is amazing you think about it its the way child birthing is supposed to happen and I would suggest that everyone experience this atleast once this is the was god intended on it to be . I have had three kids first was natural the last two was csection out of my control. I think it takes a very strong women to do this and I think that you can do it with the help of God . Good Luck and God Bless.

Answer 5

I didn't have an epidural with my daughter, but I did go ahead and get the Stadol pain med through my IV, which really just helped relax me. I tried all the breathing and relaxing techniques that I had been taught, and they worked a little at first, but the pain got to me after a while (when I started to transition) so that's why I gave in to the pain meds. There are other options besides an epidural.

Answer 6

I had an all natural birth. It wasn't really my plan but I honestly felt that I was in too much pain to even ASK for it .. It's unbareable pain but at the same time .. I expected it to be ALOT worse, and it actually wasn't. If you can't handle it then just take the epidural or ask for something else to help relieve the pain. But in no way does that make you any less than someone that didn't take anything. Every situation is different. Some people want it and can't get it because they are dialated too far.

Answer 7

I have had one child with drugs through iv (demerol) and they made me feel so sleepy and out of it I decided that if I had anymore children they would be completely natural. I have since then given birth to 3 children completely natural. No Ivs or anything. I won't lie that it does hurt but for me it was the best decision I could ever make. After the baby is out its immediate relief and you're able to get up immediatly. No sleepiness, no having to wait for an epidural to wear off.

Tips I have for making it through a natural delivery. Have a good support system. Someone you can trust and that loves you to remind you how good you are doing and also remind you of your goals. They will be there to talk you through your contractions and keep your mind off pain medication. Take a small cd player and have comforting music played. Personally for me I liked listening to instrumental music of songs I knew and tried to remember the words as I had contractions to work through the pain. Reciting a set of random numbers, changing positions often until you find what helps you as well as having your partner ask you about your child such as the childs name, what color hair you think it will have. Those things will help keep you focused on your goal.

Answer 8

It does really hurt, not going to lie to you! I have had 3 kids and the first was without any drugs or pain relief.
I learnt my lesson the hard way and had an epidural second time around, third time it was too quick and over before they could set one up. So I had gas and air, now that's fun!
Also if you tear that hurts like hell too, please go for a anaesthetic if you need stitches!!

If you don't want the epidural because you want to be up and about after you deliver, forget it! I had to crawl on my hands and knees to a wheel chair because I thought I would be ok!
My legs were like jelly for a couple of hours at least.
I hope I havent put you off, but advances in medical help are there for a reason! :o)

Answer 9

I am 32 weeks preg. with my third child. I had natural childbirth with my two sons and plan to have natural birth with this one too. I was afraid of the damage that an epidural could do to my spine. I can say that it wasn't all that bad. The contracts do hurt, but they can give a small does shot of morphine to take the edge off. This doesn't interfere with anything other than taking the edge off the contractions. I rested between contractions and then when it came time to push, it was alot of pressure, but over fairly quick. Good luck to you, keep in mind all pregnancies are different.

Answer 10

I had an epidural with my first and a natural drug free (IV free) birth with my second. YES it hurts naturally but it wasn't labor that was the part that scared me. It was the actual pushing stage. Labor is called labor because it isn't easy, but you CAN do it. I'm a wimp when it comes to pain but I had a 8lb 13.8oz baby with no pain meds.

Walk the halls, breath in through your nose and out through your mouth during the contractions rather than panting because that can lower your oxygen levels. Stay relaxed... you're thinking yeah right..... however it is possible to stay relaxed if you focus on something, breath through the contractions and when you exhale blow it out with your lips relaxed, and like rock back and forth.

If you DO what is comfortable to YOU during labor it makes it much easier. I recommend reading the book Birthing from Within and also visit http://www.babyzone.com. Go to community: message boards: pregnancy, due date clubs and related issues: and there find the Natural Birth board. There are many women on baby zone and on the natural birth there are birth stories and other women who have the same fear as you.

Here is my birth story.... http://www.babyzone.com/community/f_Posts.asp?tpc=5733291&brd=651#5733291

ETA - I forgot to add that I had my midwife, husband, and mother there with me for support