BabyPoints: 1510
Posts: 2
5/10/13 8:56 A

I'm planning on going as drug-free as possible. I planned a drug-free delivery with my son, and was fine until about an hour before he was born. I had been on bedrest for almost a week, with most of that being in a hospital bed. I was having back spasms so bad I couldn't move. They gave me other medications, but the muscles wouldn't relax enough to let labor progress, so an epidural was my last and only option. It wasn't a miracle, or magically made labor painless. I felt most of it, but it did alleviate the back pain enough for my body to do what it needed and 15 minutes and 3 pushes later, my son arrived.

Posts: 1
4/14/13 2:33 A

I had a natural birth with my first but it hurt ALOT. I want narcotics this time.. no epidural because i want to be mobile.

Posts: 36
4/11/13 4:47 P

DRUGS please! lol

Posts: 47
4/2/13 12:44 A

I'd like to go natural as I'm hypersensitive to pain medications. I'd like to be conscious when the baby comes. There is some concern with scar tissue from battles with endometriosis and several surgeries, so we'll have to decide as labor picks up.

Posts: 6960
3/30/13 12:28 P

I'm planning on going natural fora third time. I will need to be in a hospital due to medical history but it didn't stop me before. I've walked both of my children down. In fact, my biggest worry in terms of delivery will be making it to the hospital in time. See, I'm one of those walking, talking, laughing and joking 9cm people. The nurses both time thought I would probably be more around 4-6cm. My water broke on the toilet in the hospital with both kids. As soon as my water breaks, I'm at 10 and it's GO time in a big way.

As far as what I use for pain management, I use walking between contractions and squatting or getting on my hands and knees during them along with breathing exercises from being a long time asthmatic. I am a firm believer in listening to what my body is telling me. With my son (first), I had insane back labor and didn't want to get of my hands and knees for a very long time. Labor was almost 24 hours from start to finish with the last 2-3 being in the hospital. Turns out he was sunny side up. My daughter on the other hand was in a hurry. Her labor was like a sprint. Example, after her water broke she was born 3 contractions later. I didn't really push because I didn't need to. I ended up going for a D&C after labor due to unexplained bleeding. I ended up losing 1/2 my blood volume and I got to do show and tell for the medical students due to the type of catheter I needed to have. I guess they didn't do them very often and I was happy to help them learn about something that will someday help others.

Between the two labors, I'm hoping that this baby will be a happy medium. My plans are to do the same things I did for my other two with two exceptions: NO EPO (suspected cause of bleeding/not clotting right) and go to the hospital earlier in labor.

Posts: 4
3/28/13 7:59 P

I had an epidural and my labor and delivery went very quickly. I was pain-free and able to relax until I began pushing, and only when he started to crown did I feel any pain (in my vaginal area only). My back is a little sore where I had the epidural only when I bend over, and it's starting to not hurt as much now (5 weeks postpartum). Before I had the epi my contractions were so severe and hurt so bad. The epi made my labor and delivery so wonderful, and my baby came out just fine.

Posts: 407
3/24/13 8:20 P

I am going in automatically thinking that I will use an epidural lol and I commend and praise women who choose to do it all naturale. I guess with proper training and techniques, maybe going natural wouldn't be as painful. But I am a whimp lol and would like to get an epidural.

Posts: 119
3/21/13 10:21 A

ftm, so i am leaving epi as an option but would rather do without it. i do want some IV pain meds, though. i will also likely get induced since i live an hour away from my hospital. i have only 6 weeks left and feel a little unprepared and very uncertain and anxious, as most ftm's do, i guess. hope all goes well!!!

Posts: 4997
3/8/13 11:05 A

Doing it without drugs isn't about being superwoman. For some theyve done it with an epidural and didn't have a good experience. And others are afraid of the epidural. I won't lie to you though, I am proud of myself for having done it naturally. But I didn't like my first medicated birth sO that was what motivated me.

Posts: 30
3/6/13 9:09 A

I haven't had my child yet, but I plan on an epidural. I am not Superwoman and I dont need to pretend to be...lol

Posts: 1
3/3/13 5:15 P

I went with an epidural, but wish I hadn't. I was 6cm when they did the epidural, and by the time it was done I was already 10cm (this was at 3pm). The epidural ended up freezing me up to my neck, and everything halted. The nurse had told me I'd end up having the baby in the next hour, however it lasted another 5 hours! The nurse ended up shutting off my epidural (don't think she was supposed to do that) and without asking me turned on the oxytocin. It made my next hours so intense I almost couldn't handle it.
I will definitely be going natural for the next baby.

Posts: 4997
2/24/13 8:14 A

Went natural for the second time with my latest birth. Contractions were especially painful during transition. But that only lasted an hr and a half. They were painful prior, but I was able to sleep in between contractions. Once transition was over and I knew I was completely dialated, my body completely relaxed knowing we just had a little. It more to go and that if I focused on getting some really good contractions and making sure that when I pushed, I would push her out in just a couple of concentrated pushes. And that is what happened.

I recommend for anyone wanting to do it naturally - that 1 if you to have painful contractions - its important to rest through and in between them as much as you can. And when it gets to a point where your body can't rest through them and you're needing pain relief - use the tub. It will likely speed up labor, it will give some pain relief - at least initially - and then in no time you'll be completely dialated and then out of the tub and youre ready to get that baby out. If delivering in tub is an option you can try that too. I was one of those strange folks where the tub only worked initially for pain relief. My best pain relief was using DH as my anchor. Leaning my head into his body- it was the best pillow. I could lean into him standing up. When I was pushing I had him get on all fours in front of me and I leaned into him as I pushed the baby out. Having his body to lean into really made me relax and making the last part pushing baby out go so fast.

Posts: 1
2/23/13 12:26 P

Getting an epidural is one of the best choices I have ever made! I have NO pain tolerance and was in a lot of pain when contractions were still far apart. After they broke my water, I was in excruciating pain and asked for meds almost immediately. I really do believe that the epidural is what allowed my body to dilate quickly and helped me relax enough during labor. I only had to push through like 5 contractions and the baby was out after only 30 minutes of pushing! And my baby did not act drugged or affected by the drugs at all. He was awake and alert for 2.5 hours after birth and was very attentive to what was going on around him.

Posts: 43
2/19/13 7:11 P

I've always used some form of pain meds - not always an epidural though. I was hoping to try ONE LAST TIME for a natural birth - but this baby is already really big and I'm leaving my options open! LOL

BabyPoints: 902
Posts: 17
2/13/13 11:19 P

I had 2 failed epidurals with my son. It really sucked since I had back labour the whole time. This time I hope to go natural unless of course I have crazy back labour again...then maybe I'll try the epidural again.

Posts: 55
2/12/13 8:25 A

I'm going natural all the way this time!
I had a very bad experience with the epidural last time. I ended up at the last minute going through it completely natural because of my scoliosis. This time I'm starting out natural so that 1: I can have a water birth and 2: It won't feel like a ton of bricks when all of a sudden the epidural stops working and 3: I will have the use of all my limbs.

My suggestion is that if you have any kind of low back scoliosis then don't get the epidural. It sucks when you only have one limb numb!

Posts: 5
2/5/13 11:50 A

My last pregnancy I wanted a natural birth, however at the last minute I chose the epidural. Its a good thing I did because my son got stuck and it ended up an emergency c-section. Without the epidural I have no idea how that would have went. Also I have a severaly tilted uterus so my suggestion is unless you have a compleatly normal uterus use the epidural.

Posts: 177
1/28/13 1:17 P

I also was looking forward to a natual birth my second time around. Unfortunately, I had to be induced three weeks before my due.

Edited by: LULUREX at: 1/28/2013 (13:17)

Posts: 77
1/23/13 3:25 P

I initially wanted (and asked) for an epidural. However, being my first pregnancy, no one on the staff was prepared for a quick delivery.

My contractions started 3 minutes apart (humm waiting 1hr of having contractions every 5 min, not for me!!!)

When I was first examined, I was at 4cm. At that point,I was asked if I wanted to use the bath. Of course, it was delayed, so one hour later, when they asked me again, I asked for an epidural instead.

Anesthesist wasn't available at that time. Given that from first contraction to full delivery, the labour was 4:45, I never got the epidural.

I wish I would have been told I would get it (instead of being told the anesthesist would come in a few minute). I would have tried other things (like use the bath). Trouble is when contractions were 30-45 sec apart, walking to the bathroom really did seemed a good idea for me!

Next time, I doubt I will get an epidural (I'm more hoping I'll get to the hospital in time!)so I really want to look at more ways to get relief, especially since I know my body won't have time to build-up any hormones to help dealing with the pain.

On the positive side, I never reached the point of exhaustion, and I had a lot of energy left to welcoming my baby!

Posts: 634
1/18/13 9:57 A

I held off as long as possible to get my epidural. When I decided to do it I could have probably chose not too but I am glad I did. It relaxed me enough to dialate the last 2 cm within 10 minutes! Two pushes later I had a beautiful baby girl.

Posts: 2
1/15/13 11:56 P

Hi, I'm 24 and just had my first child. I delivered her natural. It was extremely hard however the feeling afterwards it was amazing. I felt like I could run a marathon. I wasn't drowsy. I actually stayed up all night. Partial probably because I was excited to be a new mom, but I wasn't sleepy either. I wasn't in much pain either. didn't need an ice pack. Most people get jealous when I tell them that my labor was only 6 hours. I am actually really satisfied with it and it couldn't have gone greater.I also would like to say that my faith in God had a great deal to do with my "easy" labor

Posts: 5
12/3/12 6:44 A

Epidural for me worked wonders. I did hold off on getting my epidural for as long as possible. It really helps for your friend or loved one to hold your hand when getting it done. The contractions may be painful depending on your tolerance. Keeping as still as possible and relaxed is key. Nothing to be afraid of.

Posts: 5460
11/6/12 5:31 P

M2C, there are pressure points he can learn that will help you relax as well. Your lower back on your sacrum has one, your shoulders about half way between the bottom of your neck and your shoulder, the inside of your ankle, between your thumb and pointer finger and several on your feet. I use them all the time to help moms feel more comfortable and relaxed during labor. I wouldn't practice them during pregnancy as most can cause some mild contractions but you can find them and briefly test them out. I can usually get to one of the points no matter what position mom chooses. Using a tub is a huge one for most women although I didn't find that it helped with back labor, it just allowed me to rest easier between contractions. Practice deep breathing, keep your mouth open and loose, and make low noises. I've had several moms comfortable sitting on the toilet. I can either give them a couple pillows to hug, they can lean against me(your husband would make a great head rest), or we put pillows on the back of the toilet so mom could lean back between contractions. This position will give him good access to the pressure point on your shoulders.

I was only comfortable standing leaning over a ball that was up on the bed, my legs were so tired but I just couldn't lay down, it hurt so much more. My husband and doula took turns working the pressure points on my lower back.

Almost no matter what you do a lot of women get a huge wave of exhaustion during transition and it's just something you have to wait out if it happens. When you are prepared to feel it and know that it's a sign that you are nearly done it's easier to deal with. I carry peppermint oil that will sometimes perk up a mom just a little or sometimes a little sugar(sipping some coke or eating honey).

Edited by: HOPE2B at: 11/6/2012 (17:33)

Posts: 4997
11/6/12 3:59 P

One thing I'm doing with this pregnancy and my husband is practicing birthing positions and massage now. Me getting in various positions now, finding out what positions may make me sore where - just from being in the position without the labor can be straining on the body. So I'm having him massage me where I feel strained and massage my lower back when I don't feel strained, and just practicing my breathing in various positions.

With my last I recall not being able to get in a comfortable position and in the moment I was dealing with it, but I'm wondering if I might have done it better if DH and I had built up a routine prior to birth where he was in tune with where I would feel pain (labor aside). That this could help me with the exhaustion part - which I feel like was partly derived from wanting to find a comfortable spot but my body just didn't want to be squatted or on all fours or leaning over a ball, least painful labor wise but more exhausting. Being on the bed for me was more painful labor wise, but allowed my body to rest.

If this makes sense at all??

Posts: 5460
11/6/12 3:38 P

In my experience the pain isn't what gets to you, it's the exhaustion. In early labor rest, eat and drink! Once active labor starts use positions that allow you use as little extra energy as possible. Lean over a yoga ball and rest your head, get in the tub, lay on your side, or let your partner support you as you sway/rotate your hips(slow dance).

Kandy8408-

Keeping an open mind is a good idea. Educate yourself about the process, read as much as you can. Your sister-in-law's experience is very very common. The hardest part is when it's almost over.

Posts: 1
11/6/12 10:45 A

I wanted a natural labor and delivery, but most importantly I wanted a healthy baby and me.

After 14hours of labor overnight on ptocin, with no pain meds, I could no longer relax through the contractions. By tensing up I knew I was going to stall out at the 7cm I had reached and really did NOT want the c-section if I could avoid it. I got the epidural at 12pm and baby was born at 2pm on the dot!

My anesthesiologist was perfect, numb enough to take the edge off the contractions but I could still move my legs, feel the contractions and push the baby out!

Pushing felt very strange, it really felt like the baby was a giant poop, all I could think while pushing was "OMG...I am going to get such a bad hemorrhoid!" All was well though, as that really was just how it felt to push him out, 9.5wks post partum and I feel great and pretty back to normal down there.

Since we only had the epidural 2hrs he was bright eyed and alert at birth, it barely got into his system. He nursed right away, no issues, I was able to get up and go to the bathroom, and later shower.

I have no regrets about how the delivery went, maybe if I'd had a doula I could have done it completely natural, but all in all I am so proud of myself for knowing my limits and being able to deliver vaginally!

I guess just be open to whatever the reality of your situation might be, and be proud of yourself no matter how it goes. Childbirth is an amazing event, but each one is unique and there is no way to know how yours will be until you are there! Don't get hung up or feel ashamed/guilty because of the details, feel empowered that you are able to make your own decisions and advocate for yourself in order to have a healthy baby!

Edited by: PT_SARAH at: 11/6/2012 (10:48)