Hey i was just wondering the benefits of natural childbirth i still have time to think about what i want to do but i am very afriad of labor and the whole process...Did you have natural childbirth?? Any stories would be helpful thanx! ↓
Well, it's been 7 months since I gave birth to my dd, so I think I'm ready to talk about the birth now. I was induced for both of my kids. The fist time, the epidural worked perfectly, but the second time, it didn't. I ended up giving birth without any anesthetic. To say it's "painful" doesn't do it justice - but I don't want to freak you out. I'll just say that the pain gets so intense that you 'check out' for a while. However, compared to my first, the recovery was incredibly fast. And to be honest, I felt pretty proud of myself...despite all of the screaming I did. Aaaaanyhoo, one of the things I though of was would it have been easier/slightly less painful if I had known about the breathing techniques? I never took any pre-natal classes for either of my children (fully expecting to have epidurals that worked) so I had no idea how to breathe. I was really freaked out because I wasn't prepared for it, but I wonder how different it could be if you are mentally prepared for it. To end this, I'll just say that if I were going to do it all over again I would definitely get an epidural, but that's just me. The risk of anything going wrong is so small, despite what some groups would have you believe. Good luck with your choice. ↑
the epidural was awesome and I'll do it again if i need it. :) I had a perfectly fine recover and no issues with the epi at all. Just didn't like not being able to get up and about after birth - but then again, everyone catered to me. :) ↑
Why the hell do you women have to talk about drugs & epidurals? Anyone would think you were a bunch of druggies pushing for a new customer. This poor woman is asking about a NATURAL BIRTH & all your doing is scaring her into feeling like she has to have drugs. angelhdfd DON'T listen to anyone tell you that you need drugs to have a baby, because you don't. If you want a natural birth good on you, you CAN totally do it, our bodies were made to give birth. Taking drugs can hinder the birthing process, leading to interventions & even c-section. I had gas & pethadine with my 1st & it was the worst birthing experience as dd fell asleep due to the pethadine, my labour was slowed down as a result & they had to do tests on her while I was still labouring (NOT FUN). 2nd time around I trusted my body & was able to have a completely natural drug free water birth & ds was 9lb 3oz. Epidurals can greatly diminish your pushing ability & can lead to episiotomy, baby being vacuumed out or even c-section. If you really want a natural birth I recommend reading 'NEW ACTIVE BIRTH' by Janet Balaskas. It helps you understand how & why our bodies are sooo efficient at giving birth & why drugs & doctors have made the birthing process so much harder for women. Just remember Yes it is painful but it is manageable. Goodluck & I hope after you read the book you won't be so fearful of birth. Oh & what WP said about breathing, just breathe big deep breaths while contracting other than that just breathe normally, if you breathe too quick you can hyperventilate & feel a bit dizzy. ↑
I forgot to mention that I am preg with #3 & plan on trusting my body again & having another natural birth. It really was a wonderful experience 2nd time around & I bonded quicker with him than I had with dd & I was able to go home within 24hrs because I had recovered so well. (No they didn't make me, I wanted to go home) ↑
well E586467 ... I was just giving my OPINION from my own EXPERIENCE that drugs aren't as bad as SOME people make them out to be. To say that no one needs drugs isn't true either, but I'm not going to get into a long debate about drugs vs natural and what's better. Personally, I would LOVE to have a natural child birth but i was induced the first time and dilated so quickly that I had no time to figure out how to deal with it. Anyways....Just as drugs CAN hinder the process, so can NOT taking them when you need them. Some women reach a point where they have labored so long that they tense up or whatever, and labor stalls or doesn't progress and things such as C-Sections and such happen. Case in point, a friend of mine labored for 20 hours NATURALY and still had an epesiotomy AND had the vac. used. So...if you want a natural birth GREAT!!! So do I! Just keep in mind that that there is nothing wrong if you can't handle it and use some sort of drug intervention but if you want to do it natural, great and good for you! I certainly wasn't trying to scare anyone and I resent the fact that some people have to be so rude to those of us whose intent is to share our stories and opinions. ↑
fefer1 NOT once did I say that NO ONE needs drugs! Of course drugs have their place & can sometimes prove beneficial, but women should not be made to feel like they can't give birth without them. This woman was asking about NATURAL BIRTH, WP's & your experience with an epi is better suited to someone asking about pain relief. She already said she was scared of the labour process, so how is only hearing about drugs for the PAIN going to help. Yes sometimes things don't go as we plan & drugs & interventions are necessary, but there are soooo many things you can do to help relieve the pain, & women are often NOT told of these options as administering drugs is easier. I am not against women having drugs during labour, but I am against women only talking about how 'painful' it was & scaring others into believing that they won't be able to manage without drugs. ↑
angelhdfd I found the best pain relief during my natural labour was water. I used the shower to begin with & when I was towards the end more I hopped in the bath. The warmth of the water is comforting & helps ease back pain. Also you can try aromatherapy (talk to a licensed aromatherapist) & massage is awesome. Also if you feel like being vocal eg moaning, groaning, screaming - go for it, making noise can really help. ↑
E586467 as a first time expectant mother, i enjoyed reading your post. I am quite honestly tired of hearing women's 'horrendously painful' birth stories. my mother gave birth to me and my other 3 sublings without the need for any drugs whatsoever and said there is no need to scream during labour. it is the positive natural birth stories that i now focus on because you could literally make yourself scared to death when you hear horror stories, how many drugs you will need and how much you will scream with pain! at the end of the day we all have different pain thresholds, some of us feel we need drugs whereas others don't, so its each to their own at the end of the day. im just glad i heard about your positive natural birth story rather than negative ones! ↑
Wow. Sorry if I came across as negative. I really just thought my story was relevant because I have experienced both a drug and drugless birth. I was just being honest. I guess I should have phrased things a bit better. If I may leave you with a better piece of advice: Be prepared for anything. Each birth is as unique as each person, so you never know exactly how it's going to go until you are going through it. You want to try natural? Good for you. Read as much as you can about it - knowledge is power. But learn about the different anesthetics that are available to you as well. If you do find it difficult to manage the pain, don't beat yourself up if you opt to use them. Statistically speaking they are safe for you and your baby and no hospital would give them to you if they weren't. Only you will know the best way to do it at the time. Keep an open mind to all possibilities, even the ones you don't want. My natural experience was completely unexpected, but now my dh and I look back at it and LAUGH. I'm such a wimp when it comes to pain that I wear it on my sleeve like a badge of courage. I'm proud of myself for doing it (even though I didn't have much of a choice). I hope you have a crazy, amazing birth story of your own one day. Good luck. ↑
Cat24 I am glad my positive experience has given you some inspiration & hope. How far along are you? It is true that if women ONLY hear negative things about birth & how much it hurts, they will end up having a negative experience themselves because they go into it with fear which in turn causes unnecessary pain. I forgot to mention that keeping upright & forward leaning will not only help shorten the labour but will help ease some of the pain. When a womb contracts, it contracts forward & down. If you are lying down -especially on your back- your womb has to contract much harder to do the same job as it is contracting up & across, which causes each contraction to be unnecessarily more painful. Being upright (walking, kneeling, sitting, squatting) uses gravity to help birth the baby, instead of just your muscles. I recommend reading 'NEW ACTIVE BIRTH' by Janet Balaskas, it really helped me understand the birthing process, the best positions to labour/birth to minimise pain & I no longer had the fear that I did with #1. ↑
angel I have given birth all naturally to 4 children. Each delivery was different. I won't tell you it doesn't hurt because it does, but there are natural ways to help reduce the pain and fear is the biggest! Fear of pain can make pain more intense. You need to know the process of birth, have a focus point ( for me my 1st was time. I watched the clock in 15 min periods, 2nd was a spot on the ceiling, 3rd because of no drugs he came so quick a nurse delivered him, 4th I again foccused on time) There are many good things about not using drugs. It is really mind over matter. TO give birth naturally you have to be mentally prepared. Breathing helps, I cussed some to...lol. But the pushing part is what hurts the least. Pushing makes it feel better and I don['t have any horror stories about long pushing because I didn't use meds and feeling the pain will make you want to push more effective and longer and harder. I never pushed more than 12 pushes and that was because it was my 1st. I like the Bradely Method of child birth. I am now ttc num 5 and will not use meds again. I don't regret not using meds. I had all really healthy children, except 3rd was a premie, but shee was 5lbs 15 ozs and came home with me at 48 hours even though she was 7 weeks early she also only had to stay only a few hours in NICU since I chose not to have meds. There are many benefits medically, mentally, and physically. Educate your self find a class and a good support person and You CAN do it! Its only as bad as you think it is. ↑
What E said about water is true. I had the hospital bring in these huge baskets of hot towels that were we and they kept placing them on my stomach the presure and warmth helped. Just like the cramps with AF and how hot baths help! ↑
Sorry to post back to back but when i made my original post I hadnt read the whole thread. I thought it was much longer. What E also says about standing and such is also true. Gravity helps with the birth and using an epidural all you can do is sit there which takes longer. Its also said to be harder to push with meds especially for first time moms who don;t know exactly how to push. Pushing is less effort with out meds For me sqautting was the best way! But even if you decide to use meds still prepare your self forchild birth incase meds don;t work or wear off to early and you aren;t able to get anymore. sorry so much ↑
E i am just over 31 weeks pregnant at the moment so im starting to think about the birth more etc. I am going to go to some ante natal classes to see what they are like and socialise with other mums. I will find that book you suggested and give it a read. i want to be as prepared as i can mentally and then i think it make it better rather than just panicking about how bad the pain will be and how many stitches i might need etc etc. i usually deal with pain mentally anyway and by breathing well as i find its never as bad as you think it is when your mind is at peace. it was good to read mama's advice and stories as well. i know it will be scary because ive not done it before but im going to try and be as positive as possible and not freak out when the pain starts! ↑
I think it's best to go in with an open mind. Some woman go in wanting so badly to have a natural birth that they feel dissapointed with themselves if they do take something during labor. The way I would be about it is to think ok, I want to go natural but if I end up taking something that's ok too. I had to have a c-section but I had contractions 2-3 minutes apart for ten hours. I was all for an epidural when I was induced with my first. They broke my water right away and they contraction were hellish, just right on top of the other. Since I was induced, I wasn't able to get up from the bed except to pee anyway. This time though, I knew I had to have a c-section so I couldn't get a spinal till it was time for that. Any pain meds I could have had would have to be injected into my IV and would have made me groggy. I was just waiting my turn for my c-section since it wasn't considered an emergency, and since it could have been at any time I didn't want any part of my son's birth to seem fuzzy. That's why I turned them down this time. Getting up and stretching every once in a while really helped becauce my body would get sore if I layed there too long. I would just breathe through the contractions and watched tv in between. I would also watch the numbers on the monitor so I could tell when the contractions peaked and when it was starting to go down. Somehow it seemed relaxing to watch it go up then know the worst was over and I cold start to relax. ↑
Cat24 what was suggested to me was at around 34wks onwards is doing ALOT of forward leaning as this encourages bubs to be in the best position for birth & try to avoid any positions where you are slouched backward like a recliner. Also (only if baby is head down) you can do squatting to encourage bubs to move further into your pelvis. I'm glad you're going to a birthing class, it does help & you will also learn about the pros/cons of medications should things not go to plan (I really hope you can have your natural birth, but it doesn't hurt to know just in case). Also make sure anyone that will be at the birth knows your wishes, as what they say & do can make a difference to how you cope. Do you have a doctor or a midwife that will deliver the baby? ↑
I delivered all 4 of mine without pain relief...I was induced for my first 3 - high blood pressure, pre-e and then being late...but no pain relief...Because of that history I was on my back to deliver, beacause I had all the monitoring going on...I have quite a decent threshold for pain...But I do focus on something everytime....My husband talking to MY midwife, who is there to deliver My baby!! lol! He chatters on a lot when he's nervous or anxious and it always amuses and in this case distracts me...You do zone out when you're having a contraction ...I like to totally focus in on it and breath through them...it definately takes the edge away...And I find the last couple of contractions uncomfortable but then I know the end is right there...Obviously the head is the sore part, but it brings with it instant relief...No4 was my best and quickest ever...I barely made it to hospital - and was walking the length of the room, went to the sink for some cold water to cool my face , just as a contraction hit me - I'd had my 2 powerful ones just before so I knew it was close, Anyways the contraction hit me and my ds's head was born - into my knickers that my m/wife had insisted I leave on for this very reason - LOL - My m/wife laughed when I said the head was there - but my dh knew me and our labours - always quick - and he came to pull my knickers off (isn't that always the way!) So then it was a game of 'catch the baby' ...It was fantastic he was delivered (fully) from behind and below and passed up to me to hold while dh cut the cord....His birth time was a guesstimate because we were all so caught off guard...( I should mention maybe that I'm in the UK so I'm delivered by just one m/wife and no-one else.... ) But definately walk through the labour , it helps speed it up and obviously you're helping baby with the gravity of moving down...And a standing or crouching birth is really great too....Good luck....Oh and as everyone else says - do keep an open mind, you never know how it will be - even with no4 and my previous experience I leave it open that while I want it drug free if I wnat it , I'd like it to be on hand! And on the screaming part - its not in my nature and I never get beyond a groan or a 'don't touch me now!' ...but again everyone is different...and you do forget the pain so quickly when you have your LO...cliche but true.... ↑
Hi angelhdfd, read some home birth stories, they are so powerful and you can find tons of books and internet sites about it. I had a miserable, drug induced (epi and the works) with dd and it was HELL. I decided on a home birth with my 2nd and it was the most beautiful, empowering, healthy experience for all my family. The more you know and understand about your body during this time, the more powerful and in control you will be. Knowledge is power. Sadly most women (including myself at one time) believe in male doctors, big machines and that we can not do it on our own. Good luck!!! ↑
hi E586467. thank you for your advice. i will be trying it out. ive got a breastfeeding class this week for 2 hours! but i don't start my ante natal classes till im about 37 weeks - they leave it pretty late but my midwife has said it is the best time stage to have the classes! I will be having my mum and my hubby at the birth so i will be discussing my wishes with them closer to the time. but i know that with labour you can't plan anything so if i end up feeling like i need some pain relief then i will not feel bad to take it. ive heard having an older female there (who has been through it all before) is a really good help. i will be 32 weeks thursday and will be having another check up with the midwife. i will be having the baby at hospital and the baby will be delivered by a team of midwives!! ↑
i was in labour 76 hours with my daughter and i had pethidene, gas and air and the epidural during that time. the drugs actually wore off before i started to push and it was to late to top them up so on my actual birthing notes it says i gave birth naturally. there is no right and wrong way to give birth, its whatever you feel comfortable with. Cat24 i have never heard anyone say you either do or don't have to scream during labour. but whilst having lucy i was actually told to let the sound / scream out as she said i was holding back. but hey everyone's different oh and good luck with the breast feeding class. i look forward to hearing about that. lol ↑
For everyone who has had a natural child birth, I have a question. Because of the pain you are going through did you remember the birth? This is my first baby so I am naturally a little scared because of course i have heard only BAD stories and I have never experienced it before. But I am planning on NOT having drugs but if it gets too much I will. But I just want to make sure that I am going to remember my baby being born. I have just heard of people getting so overwhelmed with pain that they pass out or something like that. ↑
Cat24 it can help to have another woman there but ONLY if they had a good birth experience themselves. I had my husband, mum & sister there for dd, & as my mum had a horrible birthing experience, her concern & anxieties for me, made my labour much harder. She was forced to labour on her back, than after 8hrs had to have a c-section, so everytime I had a contraction I could feel the negativity from her reaction (obviously remembering her own labour) & it made me tense up which made the pain worse. My mum wanted to take the pain away instead of helping me cope with it, so for me it was a BAD decision having her there. With ds I had my husband, mother-in-law & sister & it was a MUCH different experience. My mother-in-law had very easy labours so was a wonderful support & my sister and husband just seem to know what I wanted & how to help me cope. I felt very free & relaxed with them & I think all the positivity in the room had alot to do with me being able to have a natural water birth. This time I plan on having hubby, my sister & the M-I-L there again. I'm sure as your mum had easy labours she will be a great support & won't portray her own fears onto you. Good luck & I hope everything goes they way you want. ↑
newmommi08 YES you remember the birth. Don't listen to all the negativities about birth, & as for passing out because of the pain, I doubt it. During labour your body produces it's own natural pain relief called endorphins. Yes it hurts but it is manageable & it only becomes really intense just before your baby is born. Your focus becomes inward & you seem to go into a tlabouring haze even though you are totally in control mentally & know whats going on around you. You do forget the pain of the labour but you will NEVER forget the birth of your baby. When you labour you produce large amounts of oxytocin, which make your labour progress but also puts you in in that inward labouring haze. Just before bubs is born (just before your fully dialated) that is when it hurts the most but it's good to know if you plan on having a natural birth as it is a focus point. When I got to that point & I thought I couldn't go on (nearly everyone thinks it) I knew the birth was near & I got a new found determination to keep going (naturally). When you are fully dilated you get a surge of adrenalin which snaps you out of the labouring haze & make you want to push the baby out. Trust me you will remember the birth of your baby. ↑
lol tracey im not sure how much they can discuss in 2 hours but i will give it a try! are you going to go to any? did you go to ante natal classes when you were expecting your daughter? ↑
Cat - nope i never went to antenatel classes with lucy and i didn't breastfeed with her and i have no intention of doing it this time round. it might sound weird to some people but the idea just doesn't appeal to me whatsoever. the hospital are sending me some information on pregnancy physio so i may give that a try - mainly because i have arthritis in my knee (and pretty sure in my hip as well) and it can get bad in summer with the heat and whatnot. ↑
Thanks E586467, I am pretty confident that I can do it. I just want to hurry and get the baby out. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do? I know sex helps. But I am now 37 weeks and I don't think that I can take being miserable anymore! ↑
Hi Angel...I think if you know you can even consider it in your mind, you can do it. It is totally mind over matter (unless you know of any potential problems). I went for it luckily, it was extremely fast, but I knew I had a high tolerance for pain. It hurts like you wouldn't believe, don't get me wrong...but if you think you want to do it, the best thing that got me through it was just counting through each contraction. I just kept thinking and knowing that my body was doing exactly what it was supposed to be doing and that it's supposed to hurt and that it's temporary! So I wasn't worried because of that and just took it. I had the nurse asking every time she came in if I wanted an epi and I kept refusing it. She told me I was going to be begging for it later. Then JUST when I did beg for it, I was 10cm's and 1 push later he was out!! I felt great for the most part afterwards, my baby boy was extremely alert and I was just so glad to do it. I wasn't even thinking of the benefits so much as the possible consequences of an epidural. Not sure whey but I was more afraid of the needle going into my spine than the temporary pain I knew I could endure!
Good luck and keep us posted...when is your due date? ↑
Oh, the day I delivered, I did a TON of walking...I believe that definately helps a lot. I had sex the night before too which is supposed to help and it worked for me I guess. Walk, walk, walk! ↑
Just reading through all of your posts and putting in my 2 cents....YOU REMEMBER EVERY SECOND OF IT BECAUSE OF THE PAIN!! Every second I remember and not in a bad way whatsoever. I also had the qeustion of whether or not you could pass out from the pain before I gave birth. Seems like a logical possiblity but you won't. Your body 100% takes over at that point. Lamaze didn't do shit for me either!! They didn't even tell you about the one most important part which is the awkward position they ask you to get into right before you're about to push. Had I known, it would've been a bit easier until the nurse yelled at me to stop moving around like a lunatic, put my knees up to my chest, tuck your chin down and PUSH!!!! One thing I learned from the whole thing is just how amazing your body is!! Takes over completely! ↑
