Looking for tips and encouragement for a natural birth experiance with my second child. I had an epidural with my 1st which went fine but I am really interested in natural birth for the next one. I have not taken any medication while pregnant and want to keep it that way throughout labor, thinking this is beneficial for my baby. I also want to see what my body is capable of and heard there is a better recovery time for natural births. Anyone had any experiance with water births or other natural births stories of encouragement? What method did you use to deal with pain or what book did you find had helpful advice? I am interested in any thoughst on the subject.
Hi Lisa,
Things about going natural that I loved- I felt like I really knew what was going on with my body. I was proud that I could do it. My recovery and my daughters were really positive.
I used the Bradley method with my first, its a natural method that uses the husband to help you focus outside the pain. There isn't any strange breathing but you want to get a book so you can work on some of the stretches and getting used to relaxing. I actually need to get a couple books as my second is due this Feb and I need a review :)
Last time I read through Husband-Coached Childbirth : The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley and Ashley Montagu
Its a good book... you husband needs to be on board because you depend on him through out the birth. If you want to talk more about this let me know, I would be happy to share my experience.
I had a all natural child birth with my 2 child and I felt great after it. The pain method I had with him was none at all only because he came to fast for any thing and my thing that I focus on was the clock in the L/D room but not much of any thing went on in the room. But good luck and congrats with having your 2 baby and I hope every thing works out for you.
My husband's suggestion was, "Wait until the last minute to go to the hospital!" which is what I did and I had no time for an epidural (although it was what I really wanted).
I had an epidural with my first which was a lot of back labor and I loved the epidural (and it was over 15 hrs and a very long recovery). However, with my second the labor was all in front and I was able to tolerate it, to my suprise, with a lot of breathing. I'd liken it close to Lamaze techniques, but really, it was just what I did naturally to deal with the pain (I never took a class or read any books on pain-med-free birth). By the time we got to the hospital 3 hrs after labor started, I was already dilated 8 cm and going quick. Within 20 minutes, I was ready to push and 5 pushes later, our daughter was born.
By far the most painful part was the last hour or so and, especially the last 5 minutes. I can only liken it to feeling like I was being ripped in half and there was screaming. :-) However, my recovery was extremely quick and pain-free. I think I took maybe one ibuprophen pill the entire hospital stay.
Would I do it again without drugs? Not if I could help it, but I was proud of what my body could do, how I somehow managed the pain and that there was virtually no recovery. So if you want to do it without pain meds, then go for it. I really found that focusing on the breathing helped me manage the pain. Good luck!
Yeah for you!!! I've had two natural births, the last being at home even. I used the Bradley Method and took classes both times. They were wonderful classes. They really help you to understand your body and how it can take care of this process naturally. Our bodies really do know what to do! You practice lots of relaxation techniques. And you get lots of moral support! I felt very informed when I was done with the class!
I hope that your husband supports this 100% because my husband was the best coach possible!! I couldn't have made it without him! Throughout the Bradley classes he learned the best methods to relax me, how to read my body, how to really be in tune with me in order to know what I liked and wanted. He was support, encouragement, massage, and a hand to squeeze. If you have the baby in the hospital, I imagine he has to be the one to be firm about doing thing naturally because I've heard many nurses/doc's aren't into that and sometime get pushy. You'll be in pain so unless there is an emergency, he must be the firm one and keep you committed.
Bradley classes will give you so many exercises and methods for relaxation and pain management (for birth preparation too)! For me, the bathtub was wonderful! I didn't have a waterbirth, but being in the warm water helped immensely! Moving around sure didn't feel good while in labor, but they say it helps. :) Back massage helped also. A friend of mine said that sitting on a birthing ball helped her. Oh, I also liked leaning over with arms on a table letting my belly hang. And this may sound funny but groaning during contractions helped deal with the pain; did that both times.
My first baby was born at a free standing birth center (not connected to a hospital) so it was much like a home birth. I went home 6 hours after the baby was born. Neither birth did I have stitches. I can't compare it to anything, but recovery was very easy.
I guess I've gone on enough...I love talking with people who are into natural births! Feel free to write me if you have any other questions or just need to hear someone say, "YOU CAN DO IT!!"
I had a natural birth and I thought it was a great experience. I read an old book on the Lamaze method. I will confess I never made it through the whole book. But what I found most interesting about it was the history of childbirth and the concept of pain. Reading that really helped me redefine what pain was; it helped me understand what my body was going through instead of just calling it pain. My experience was quite positive. And my perception of what I went through, wasn't really painful. I was by no mean comfortable, but it wasn't what I consider pain. I never had a contraction but at my Dr. appointment 5 days prior to giving birth, I was 90% effaced and 4 cm dialated. My water broke at 2am which woke me up. Still, I was not having contractions. I was at the hospital by 3 am and didn't start having contractions until 3:30 am. I had a wonderful nurse who gave me lots of ideas. I kept moving for as long as I could; rocking on the swiss ball, on all fours, hot shower, walking, etc. The whole time, I was uncomfortable- like really intense and long menstrual cramps. My nurse told me that the cramps would not get any more intense after getting to 6cm, just longer and closer together. I kept moving and breathing and at about 8cm is when I couldn't move anymore and just had to lie down and focus on breathing- still, uncomfortable but not painful. At 7am they told me I was fully dialated and ready to push. Once I hit that point, I wasn't even uncomfortable anymore and it felt so good to finally be allowed to push- it was a very satisfying feeling. However, I pushed for an hour and I just couldn't get him out. So, the doctor did an episiotomy- again, I really didn't feel that- I pushed again and still couldn't get him out. So, the doctor used forceps- that was the only thing that hurt- that was painful- and let me tell you, nothing motivates you to push a baby out like a pair of forceps! So one more push with the forceps and once I cleared the head and forceps- no more pain. The afterbirth and passing the placenta was more uncomfortable than I expected- but not really painful. I think what also helped me was knowing that the discomfort I was feeling was temporary and I knew what was happening; unlike when you have a backache or toothache and you don't know why or what is causing it or when it's going to stop. I plan to do a natural childbirth next time too (if I'm so lucky to have a next time). That's my experience and I hope that helps you. I say go for it- but always keep an open mind- you never know what is going to happen, everyone is different and every birth is different.
http://www.babycenter.com/2_easing-labor-pain-naturally_1287343.bc
Here are some videos i found on natural birth there are ones that show you relaxing positions, easing labor pain, stuff like that hope it helps a little atleast i didnt get to watch them all so not sure what exactly they include. but good luck and hope everything goes well.
Lisa,
My first child was delivered naturally with no pain meds. I must confess that having her without the epidural was NOT part of my birthing plan, however when I was given some meds after being induced (she was two weeks late), but body could not handle it and there were some problems, so I honestly cannot tell you what the doctor did, but it was something to counter-act the pain meds and for the next 12 hours I was not allowed any type of medication. So obviously I had no idea what I was in for. But I did it. And of course I can remember screaming, "just get her out!!!", but now looking back I don't remember the pain at all. And I know that all mothers say that to some extent, but with me it is totally true. Long story short, with my next child I planned a pain med free labor. Of course it didn't hurt that my labor time literally cut in half (and yes, I had to be induced for the second time - he didn't want to seem to come out into the world either). For me, and all women are different, it was all just a state of mind, and a level of determination. I told myself I could do it, and I did. And I'm glad I did!
Good luck!
Laura
Mom of 3
Yoga. I had my 3 boys with epidurals partial working. I went to Yoga when I was preg with my twins with no problem. It works!!!! good luck Patty
Congrats on your upcoming baby! I had my daughter without drugs, even though she was a week late and it was a 33 hours of hard labor. It was awesome! Giving birth was so empowering and I loved it! Two things helped me get through this with a smile on my face. The first is that I had a doula. I'm not sure if you are familiar with Doula's but they are labor assistants. My doula was also a certified message therapist so she messaged my back during my contractions, which really releived the pain. I read the book The Doula Advantage by Rachel Gurevich. I really think that my doula was the key to my positive birth experience. She kept me positive and focused on my goal of a natual childbirth. The second thing that my husband and I did is Hypnobirthing. Check out http://www.hypnobirthing.com. This method basically gives you ways to relax and refocus during contractions. So, good luck on your upcoming baby. I hope that this helped.
Hi! I've had two natural births, and I wouldn't have it any other way. My first son was born at home with mid-wives attending. I wanted a water birth, and was in a tub for awhile, but I was too relaxed and not progressing enough, so I eventually gave birth on a futon. I was in labor for 17 hrs., and it WAS hard, but it certainly didn't discourage me from having a natural birth again 16 months later with my twins! I was in the hospital for that one, and had a VERY supportive doctor, Dr. Sheldon Wasserman. My first son was born naturally and quickly, within 4 hrs. of the onset of labor. My second son turned onto his back, and after three attempts at manual turning (this is gross, but the doctor reaches up inside the uterus to try and manually turn the baby, and it hurts WAY more than labor, and I did that drug free), I had a c-section. If I have another child, I will definitely do a V-BAC, all natural! It is an amazing, wonderful experience that will connect you to your baby, and give you the self-confidence to realize that you can do AnYTHING! I won't lie, and say it isn't painful, but I never asked for drugs, so that's something! I would definitely recommend #1 a doctor who is COMPLETELY supportive of natural childbirth and who won't try and pressure you otherwise #2 hiring a doula, for sure! I can give you names of people I adore if you are interested #3 writing a birth plan #4 a natural birth friendly hospital like Columbia St. Mary's or a home birth or a birthing center like Menomonee Falls Birthing Center #5 lavender oil, classical music, low lights were nice #6 taking a Bradley class with your partner or whoever is going to be your "coach" during labor. Lisa, it is a beautiful, rewarding experience. I do not think you will regret going "all natural". think of all of the women who have done it over the centuries! but don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work out the way you planned. like my c-section, sometimes even the best laid plans need to be changed at the last minute! good luck, Christy
I have three children, each born with no pain meds. I did Lamaze with the first, and was not too impressed with it. Then for my second child, my sister-in-law introduced me to hypnobirthing. It made a huge difference. I was at an 8 and just breathing through the contractions. There is no actual hypnosis, they teach you how to completely focus and relax, and how to breathe through the contractions. Classes are taught at St. Marks Hospital. I love it. And yes, you recover very quickly. You are able to get up, walk around, shower, etc. right away. My sister-in-law also has three children, all with hypnobirthing, and the last was a water birth. She loves it. A very important thing about hypnobirthing is that they do not talk about contractions or pain. They call contractions surges, and refer to pressure, not pain. As long as you are relaxed, pain does not register. It really is amazing. I did feel pain at the very end, on the last few huge surges, but then you are ready to push. I highly recommend it. Another thing that helps physically is to supplement with cod liver oil or blends of plant oils like borage and flax. It helps you to stretch more easily, and not tear.
HypnoBirthing is a wonderful technique for a natural birth! About 30% of women actually have painless births (not sensation-less, but not painful) without drugs. There are testimonials at www.hypnobirthing.com, as well as the syllabus. If you are near Fond du Lac, WI, I teach here. You can find more information about my classes at www.kimwildner.com. If you have any questions at all about it, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. It's my favorite thing to talk about :-) but I don't know what you might want to know.
Kim Wildner
Certified HypnoBirthing Educator
I had both of my daughters naturally, and has amazing births with both of them. I am also a doula and childbirth educator specialized in music therapy assisted childbirth. I combine traditional birth methods like relaxation, breathing, and movement with music and music therapy. You can use my methods during any kind of birth you choose (water birth, squatting, etc.) I offer discounts to mamasource members as well. You can find me under member perks, or go directly to my website at http://musicbirth.googlepages.com My method also uniquely prepares couples emotionally for the birth of their child, and view pregnancy and childbirth as more than just a physical occurance. I would love to help you!
Marie Bigelow, MT-BC, CD(DONA), CBE
Hey Lisa!
I had a natural labor and the one piece of advice I have is get a "birthing" ball. Same thing as an excercise ball or yoga ball. You can get one at Target. This was a life saver during my labor. I sat on it almost the entire time I was in labor. I would also recommend a second support person other than your husband. My sister acted as my labor coach while my husband massaged my back and tried to keep me comfortable. A doula would be great for this. Mys sis just happened to be a natural at it! Hope you can decide this is what you want and stick to it.
Ash
I've done it both ways, and have VERY fast births, which is why I have done it both ways, didn't make it to the hospital, and I can honestly say thier is no way I would choose "natural" when given the choice between pain meds or not, all births are natural regardless of pain meds, and all of my children are perfectly normal and bright! If your doing it to see how long you can handle it then don't, the recovery was the same with all of my children.
Lisa -- I had an all natural birth just over a year ago. It was amazing. I am SO glad I choose to give birth this way. I honestly believe that WANTING a natural birth is half the battle, and since you've been there before and know some of what to expect, I think you will be great.
Here are just a couple suggestions I have for you:
Find a doctor who feels the same way you do. Or a midwife. Whoever it is, they should fully support your desire to have a medication-free birth.
Ask the doctor/nurses to refrain from offering you pain medication. Someone suggested this to me, and I think it helped me get through the birth. I knew I could ask if I thought I needed it, and I'm certain if things had gotten "bad" they would have offered it to me. But the nurses all knew I wanted to give birth with no pain meds.
Get a doula. Or a friend, sister, mom, someone besides your husband to be there. My husband was there, and he was fantastic, but it was such a relief for both of us that my mom was there too. She had two very easy, very quick (I didn't get that lucky, lol), all natural births. So she knew what to expect, and she held my hand when I needed it. It also allowed my husband to take a break, get some food, things like that.
Read some books and learn some different options about natural childbirth. I have heard great things about waterbirths (I didn't get to do one because I was GBS+ and our hospital didn't allow it, for whatever reason) and I'm pretty fascinated with hypnobirthing. See what's out there. Take a class. Learn. Then, when you're actually IN labor, you'll have different options of what might work.
Relax, and remember that many women have done this before you, and many will do it after. I truly believe that (for MOST of us) we are made to do this, and if we want to we surely CAN give birth without medication.
Good luck!
Please email me if you have any other questions or if you want to chat more about this. I'm studying to be a doula and I'm very interested in helping women have the birthing experience that they desire.
Amanda
Hi Lisa. I had a wonderful natural birth experience this past spring and am now studying to become a doula so I can help others achieve this as well. The things that I felt helped me most were being knowledgeable beforehand about what I wanted, what the hospital had to offer, and who was going to be an asset to me.
I found out about 'Hypnobirthing' while listening to the Pregtastic podcast and found it to be the best book I have ever read. I was able to have my labor partner help me along while reading passages (it's helpful if they read the book as well) and I used the cd during labor as well. If you have classes in your area I'm sure these would be an asset, but I did not have that available to me. I have heard that 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth' is excellent as well. I have found that listening to podcasts helped me learn more as well and is an easy format. A few good ones from itunes are pregtastic, birthtalk, babies & moms: birth & beyond, & natural moms talk radio.
The only hospital I had access to (I live in a pretty small town) was very drug-friendly so I had to make my wishes known both to my doctor in a birth plan before I went into labor, but most importantly with the nurses as soon as you are admitted. Ask for one who is an advocate for natural birth and you will be home free. I was able to avoid being hooked up to a monitor constantly or have an iv in my hand so I could walk the halls, be on the birthing ball, take multiple showers and eat whatever I wanted :-). The only person who wasn't fully aware of my wishes was a resident doctor who ended up joining my doctor about 1/2 way though and she was in my room multiple times during the active stages asking me if I "wanted anything for the pain". It was very empowering to be able to say no each time.
Finally, I would not have been able to get through it all without my doula. I was very lucky to find someone who was working on getting certified so they have to attend so many births free of charge, but I would gladly pay to have one again. She kept me strong, focused, gave me massages and support when I needed it most.
I found that even with a 24 hour labor and 8lb 5oz baby that labor was intense but not what I would describe as painful. I hope this helps and that you have the birth experience you desire. Your baby is very lucky to have to as a mommy :-).
Lisa,
I have 2 children. The first I had 7 years ago when I was 19. I wanted to go natural and almost did until the 3rd day of labor when my doctor said epidural or c-section ( I had stressed my body out so bad they insisted that I would never be able to follow through with labor without help..)
My second child I stated from the very start that I was not going to have anything. I had an OBGYN and a Midwife. I talked this over with my midwife who fully supported my choice. I had only a local while in full labor because I had broken my tailbone a few weeks before...and my baby was pushing directly on it....I had a wonderful midwife who coached and comforted me...My baby's father was also very comforting....It can be a very painful experience however, if you stay calm and focused and know going in its ok to yell a little bit and while in labor if there is no danger to the baby you can be in whatever position you feel is most comfortable...(and use that to your advantage) you will do just fine....I wanted to go natural because I felt it was better for my child in the end and I wanted to experience every part of the birth. I am glad I did! I was alert and with it for all of the second birth and I wouldnt go back and change it for the world!! Good luck!! ....
Also what I forgot to mention is I was so upset after my first having used an epidural....however, I have an extremely intellegent and wonderful son who obviously was never effected by it....I think I pushed harder with my second to have no help simply because its my last and I wanted to "be there" for it all.....And my Midwife gave me the best advice...the only person to know you is you....so, if you get to the point that you are stressed out and in so much pain that it is consuming you....then by all means get a little help...there is no reason to make yourself miserable....and it doesnt mean you are any less of a person......(being a mom and going through labor however it may be makes you a wonderwoman all by itself!!)
good luck...and love yourself no matter what choice you make!!
Hi, Lisa. I love to hear that women are looking into more natural ways of birthing their babies! I birthed my daughter in a MA hospital with a midwife, and although they gave me pitocin, I birthed her naturally without any meds. I birthed my son here at home, and although I had wanted to birth him in water, or at least labor in water, his birth was so quick that the tub didn't fill fast enough. You're welcome to email me if you want to talk more about my experiences.
A great place to start is to check out if there are Bradley classes in your area. Go to www.bradleybirth.com and you can find out if there are some located near you. Some great books to check out are called "Birthing From Within" and "The Thinking Woman's Guide to Birth". You can read more about them both at Amazon's website.
A GREAT magazine for this kind of information is "Mothering", and they have a great online forum community on their website, too: www.mothering.com.
Best wishes for a strong and beautiful birth!
Peace,
Kristi