All Natural Childbirth

You should contact Choices: The Center for Humane Options in Childbirth Experiences http://www.choicemidwives.org/
I attended their childbirthing class and hired one of their doulas and they have a free lending library.

I've given birth four times. First one I got a shot of something a couple hours before the birth (just let me sleep between contractions), the 2nd one I got the epidural and he ended up being born 10 minutes later so I thought,well that was a waste, the last two were natural and soooo much better. The reason I say so much better is that I felt great afterward! There was nothing in my system so I felt like me! I did take the Lamaze refresher course and it was worth it. To get through without pain meds I just kept giving myself little goals. I never went in saying I'm not going to have pain meds, I just said okay, made it this far lets see if I can make another 5 minutes, okay made it, lets see if I can make it more. I never got induced so I can't really contribute there. Best wishes on a happy healthy delivery and remember whatever your choice, a healthy baby and you at the end is all that matters!

I've had two all natural births . . . not because I felt it was better for baby or anything, but I'm scared to death of the epidural!!! I was induced for both, never went into labor with the first and the second my water broke and no labor with it. It is important for the nurses to know you want it naturally because they will really push the epidural - I think it's because it's easier for them, don't have to deal with you in pain. As far as pain, I won't say it wasn't painful, but you sort of go into your "own" world and focus on your body and what it's doing - if that makes any sense at all. I remember after my second, as soon as she was born, I opened my eyes and was amazed at how many people were really in the room with me - haha. I can't say about after as I've never had the epidural, but I know I was in my recovery room much quicker because I could get up right away. Nurses commented how I appeared to feel better than most sooner - I can only attribute that to the natural birth. I've seen friends who seemed groggy and out of it after birth - I was not like that at all.

Good luck - D.

I loved my bradley method birth class. These are 12 week classes so go ahead and look around if you want to go this route. I had a waterbirth with my son and it was peaceful and beautiful. While I will say that the last 2-3 minutes were painful the other parts of my labor were only uncomfortable. I used deep breathing and meditation techniques to deal with the pain. I envisioned being at a beautiful vacation spot and really tried to put myself there. It helped so much.

I have heard of people who are induced and go on to have natural births. Just make sure that they know you are trying to go natural and let them step up the meds really gradually.

On another note at the birth center where I delivered the midwifes recommend that women use evening primrose oil to help ready the body for delivery. After 37 weeks when your baby is full term start by taking 1000mg orally and inserting 500mg vaginally at bedtime. It will help you to go into labor on your own.

Good luck and know that you can do it.

Both of mine were without drugs. My first was an 8 lb 12 oz boy who was 10 days past his expected due date. I did lots of reading, but also took the 4 (4?) week birth class offered by the hospital I was delivering in. It was one class per week and included lots of Lamaze but also drug information and procedural information for that specific hospital. VERY helpful. Particularly the drug info. Did you know that some of them can cause you to ITCH all over your body?! Did you know that you can get a spinal headache for DAYS afterwards with an epidural? Did you know that to have an epidural can cause a drop in blood pressure and so you must have an IV for fluids before they will administer it?

I learned all the relaxing and breathing techniques of lamaze, and the medical info on the drugs at this class. Once per week for 4 weeks or so.

Of course childbirth is not painfree, but it was such an amazing experience. I was wired once they were born. SO happy and full of energy. I was up walking and using the bathroom within 30 minutes after they were born. It was very empowering, and also wonderful that none of it was blurred from medications. My biggest "issue" was that during the transition phase (the worst of it, the last 2-3 cm) when the contractions are at their strongest and most painful, I couldn't talk. And my husband kept asking me did I want this or did I want that... lol. I just wanted him to shut up and hold my hand, not change the music on the CD!!

Two beautiful kids. No real memory of the pain. I know it WAS painful... but that is blurred with time. I had horribly miserable pregnancies though. Incapacitating nausea throughout from about week 5 until birth. I would take unmedicated labor/delivery any day over 10 months of non-stop nausea...

I just had my 2nd on Monday all naturally after being induced! I had an epidural with my first and lots of complications for the poor baby, so I was determined not to have an epi this time. But I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to do it without pain meds when my OB told me he had to induce (I was overdue, waters broken with low amniotic fluid). I had taken a Bradley class with my husband and I wasn't sure it would "do the ticket" but IT DID!!! I'm so proud of myself - sorry but I really didn't think I could do it haha! And seriously - if I can do it I promise anyone can because I am generally a wimp.

My labor was short and intense, but these are the things that made it possible:

1. I labored in a birthing tub during the 2 hours of active (very hard) labor. It was a Godsend! The labor tub allowed me to sort of kneel with my knees wide apart, butt low and out and leaning up and forward with my head on my arm on my husband's chest or knee. I stayed in this weird position the whole time because if I moved backwards, my back was intensely painful. The only reason I could stay in it and not have my knees give out was because of the weightlessness in the water. It also helped moved my labor along quickly I think because my pelvis was totally open.

2. I used a shorter, rhythmic powerful breath, kind of like a running breath during contractions. This is kind of contrary to what people tell you to do, but the long breaths didn't make me feel like I was "on top of the contraction" and in control. So I used long breaths in between to relax and the shorter ones during it, I kind of imagined using the breaths to "climb" up and over the wave of the contraction. Sounds silly, but it worked. When I was in transition, I used the running breath constantly. It's not panting, but I wasn't taking long breaths either.

3. It was really important for me not to be distracted when it got tough. I kept my eyes closed the entire time during the hard labor and ignored everyone around me. I had them turn off the music and didn't want anyone to touch me below my head when it got really hard because it was distracting.

I had a doula, but I don't think theyre necessary. It was my husband who was awesome. He got in the tub w me, was quiet when i wanted him to be and told me how great I was doing btwn contractions. Pushing was short and crazy, but so worth it. I had so much energy after unlike when i was mediated and the baby was wide awake and latched w/in an hour. I am so so so glad we did it and you can too!

Check out the "Hypnobabies" Home course. I used it, primarily so I could get to the hospital an hour from home in labor, but it worked so well that I was 8+cm on arrival to the hospital and delivered within 45 min of getting there without any pain meds or intervention. It was my second baby, and labor was, from start to finish, less than 5 hours. It's amazing! With my DD I had an epidural and a wonderful birth experience too...so I can compare. Recovery was just a piece of cake without an epidural. I am SO not the "crunchy type", but I will rave to anyone about this program. If we ever have a third child I will do the same thing...it really was awesome. (And I wasn't great about doing the "practice" at home, but apparently, I did enough!) I sometimes use the same techniques now if I have cramps or a bad headache.

I have had one induced, epidural birth and one drug-free...the biggest difference for me was to find the right provider and place to give birth. I had my first in the hospital and my second at home with a midwife. When the support system around you is geared to fewer interventions, there usually are fewer interventions. A doula is another great suggestion to a drug free labor. The Bradley Method of childbirth is widely used in the midwifery community if you are interested in a class/method. There is a book that is an easy read on your own, but there are certified instructors who teach classes too. Induced labor is so very different from natural labor...why were you induced? Was is more of a convience, like you were 40 weeks and your doctor offered, so you accepted? Or were you or the baby in distress? I have heard a few stories of women who were induced who did it w/o meds (they all had doulas!) but my impression is that it is not the norm...contractions and labor have a completely different feel and pace when they are induced. So my suggestions are: find a provider/place to birth that has a high rate of not inducing and using meds, get a doula, and take a Bradley class (or at least read the book). Another great book is Birthing From Within by Pam England CNM...this is also a childbirth method that has certified instructors but the classes may be harder to find. Good Luck!

My third baby was born without any drugs. I delivered her within 12 minutes of getting to the hospital room. I felt wonderful after delivery. It was so great not having the effects of the epidural.
I did not plan to have a natural birth but there was simply no time for drugs and I am so glad since my labor was so short.
Best of luck!

I highly recommend that you read the book, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, by Henci Goer. It discusses the modern hospital birth protocols, the reasons behind them, how they are not actually following the board recommendations, your alternative options, inductions, epidurals, C-sections, midwives/OBs. It is the best book on the market for pregnant women. I have 6 children. The first two were induced. The third came too fast (30 minutes from 3cm to birth). The fourth was induced. Fifth at a birthing center without meds (loved!). Sixth at home without meds (loved even more!). One major thing is that most people don't need to be induced. They are induced due to convenience and impatience. Once you are induced you are pretty much stuck in bed for the rest of your labor. This is not where a laboring woman ought to be. Walking, kneeling, resting, as the mood strikes is where you ought to be. Being forced in bed is wrong. And, laboring/pushing on your back is the worst position for you. Many hospitals won't let you push kneeling or squatting, or standing. Gravity is your friend. This also opens up your birth canal to its optimal width. My babies fly out! LOL I cannot imagine having no pain meds while being induced. The contractions are so much more intense and awful when induced. Seriously. It is a whole nother ball game! Read. Get informed. You can do this. You were created to do this. Blessings! and Congratulations to you!!

I've had two babies the natural way.
No pain meds, no petocin, nothing.
Its hard to give too many suggestions because everyone is different.
For me My 1st pregnancy...My water didn't even break..I started having contractions at 10:45pm. My son was born at 3:30am. My 2nd was about 15min longer than my first. So I have quit labors.
I do know that my 2nd labor was WAY WAY more intense than the first. Even though most people told me that it gets "easier"

I'd say research More info about breathing techniques. The never worked for me. What worked for me was a kinda of "mind over body" kinda thing.
I focused my mind on something other than the pain to help me through it.

I say if you really want to do it naturally, tell your dr.s you don't want pain meds or to be induced unless its ABSOLUTELY needed. *in an emergency and such*

My water broke with my first & they started pitocin when i wasn't progressing. I made it with no pain meds. I would recommend taking a bradley method class or another type of natural childbirth class. And i would also recommend getting a doula.
Good luck!

My daughter decided to come 6 1/2 weeks early and I was induced with Pitocin after the medicine they gave me to try to stop my labor didn't work (my water had a leak and they were going to try to stop my labor and try to have her wait for another week or two so she could grow more). I was also put on the internal monitors, both me and her, because she kept moving and they kept losing her heart rate and was worried about stress. Once they put the internal monitors in, I was not able to get out of bed at all but I could see my contraction strength on the monitor, well I wasn't watching it but my friend who was there with me was, and all my contractions were peaking at 9-10 but I was very determined not to get an epideral or any medication- mainly because I didn't want a huge needle in my back. I was in labor (very active labor) for over 24 hours before she was born but the last 2 cm I progressed very quickly, the dr checked me and I was 2 cm away and he told me I had another 2-3 hrs but 5 minutes later, I was ready to push and the dr came back in and said that wasn't possible but he checked again and there was my daughter's head. What helped me the most is I kept thinking about getting to meet her and that I could do it. Maybe more of a mind over matter thing. You can do it and will do great!

CHOICE midwives in Columbus. They also offer doula services. You can have a free consultation with them. I used one of their doulas to deliver, and it was great. Just what I needed to help me have a great natural birth. Honestly, I think you can read some books about natural birth, however, in the moment, my doula did the coaching for me. In retrospect, the books helped me prepare mentally beforehand, but during labor, I wasn't really thinking about books!!

I have had 4 kids. 3 of these were with inducing and I had to have the epidural. My daughter who is number 3 on the totem pole came naturally without any inducement and no drugs. My water broke on the way to the hospital and ironically she is my only girl. So now based on my experience I think boys are lazy(lol). My boys still are very laid back guys.

Hi Mama
I had a natural labour after being induced. The reason for this was my waters had broken and I was still only 3cms dialated after 24hrs in labour.
I highly recommend the natural route. I had such a fantastic feeling after he came out and was in the shower a half an hour later.
I didn't attend any classes so my advise comes from experience.
Firstly have a bowel movement and a shower at the very early stages of labour.Having a bowel movement helped me greatly as it got rid of any potential paranoia of pushing out a poo on the table.
For dialation try to stay out of the bed walking around, swatting or sitting on an exercise ball (great thing to have during labour). Take some rescue remedy and some gas and air if you need it.
The most intense part is dialating between 6-10cms . Try your best not to panic, this stage passes, try to keep quite,don't waste your energy,let your mind go,drift off to a nice place. Try to pratice meditation from now until your time.
Your body will feel a strong urge to push. I found pushing the easiest bit as I felt in control of my body.
The best advise I can give you is to push from your Anus and not your vagina.
You will feel pressure on both your anus and your vagina. If you push from your anus you decrease greatly the chances of stitches. That why earlier bowel movement is so important. So push from your anus. I did and had no stitches.
So wishing you all the best and you will not regret having a natural birth.
Good luck
B.

I would recommend you hire a doula, if you want great support for a natural birth. Amy Chavez in Yellow Springs was my doula, and she's absolutely wonderful. A doula will help you in so many ways. I had a breech baby and was able to have her naturally because of my committment to natural birth, and a supportive MD (Dr. Stephen Guy--WONDERFUL) and the support of my husband and Amy Chavez (doula). Worth considering. Take care and good luck!

I had all three natural... never had meds.. last one wasn't planned and thought, I should try meds... by the time the dr. got there and prepped, it was too late!

It really wasn't that bad! I wouldn't have said that within minutes after the birth though LOL

I was induced with the last one and it did make the pains stronger but got me through them faster!! Everyone is different but you can do IT!!!!!

I had 2 drug-free hospital births and one homebirth. The best thing you can do is get a doula. I also recommend Hypnobabies or other hypnobirthing programs. Not only can it help the birth, but it can center you and gives you a way to naturally lower your blood pressure if it starts to go up again.

I would recommend Bradley Method, or the Hypnobirthing.

If you are induced, request strongly that they use the bare minimum for pitocin to induce, and once the contractions develop a pattern, that they discontinue the pitocin and let your body take over.

Also, getting a doula can be an enormous help, since they are trained in helping find good positions for labor (the best ones to suit your particular labor, at various points throughout), and pain relief techniques (like pressure points on the back, etc.). They can be absolutely wonderful. Go with a DONA-certified doula--they have been trained & certified by a national association of doulas.

Have you considered hiring a doula? She would be a great help in the natural process as well as preparing a birth plan. It's not hard however if you decide not to pursue a doula..you basically write down your wants....dim lights, no epidural, etc, etc...and you need your dr on board with it our it will be for naught.

I was induced with my first and went naturally until i was 8cmm and then because of the pitocin the contractions got so strong there was no recovery in between and I asked for an epidural.

I took Bradley classes and had both of my kids without interventions. I did get an IV with my second because we'd decided to do cord blood banking and by time we got to the hospital I was too worked up to argue much. (I wish I'd argued more though...)

I highly recommend the Bradley method - at least as a plan A. Hiring a doula is also a great idea. They're such a calming presence and can really help calm you down, interact on your behalf with the staff, etc.

Plan B -- go with the flow. Every birth is different, right -- so expect the unexpected!

Good luck.

One of mine was an epidural. One was a natural, land birth. Two of mine were water births (still in the hospital). If I had to choose which one gave me the best experience......hands down, it would be the 2 water births (my two biggest babies). The water helps to relax you in between contractions, helps to stretch your membranes, and helps to support your muscles, so you can spend more energy on contracting and pushing. Do it! You won't regret it!

I was induced with all 3 (the last two due to high blood pressure), I had epidurals with the first 2, but went unmedicated with #3.

My first recommendation... Hire a doula. Mine cost $500 a little over 3 years ago, and it was worth it. Many doulas will also work for a lower fee if you can't afford their rates. My doula held relaxation sessions twice a month, so I went to those for the last 3 months of my pregnancy. She gave tips for breathing, tried out different relaxation music, did some stretching, and just talked about ways to handle different labor scenarios.

During labor, she used aromatherapy to get me through the nausea at one point. She also manually moved the baby monitors during labor as needed so that the nurses weren't always running in and out frantically because they couldn't "hear" the baby anymore. She even encouraged me to eat in early labor (light things like watermelon, granola bar, banana, etc.) to keep my energy up.

My 2nd recommendation... use water (bath or shower) to help relieve labor pain. When I was ready to quit and get the epidural, my doula encouraged me to call my midwife first and have her check me. When the midwife checked me (8 hours after the pitocin had started), I was 5cm and 90% effaced. She encouraged me to get in the shower, and for 45 minutes, she ran the spray back and forth over my lower back. The contractions were still painful, but they were much, much more manageable. I even started to feel a little "pushy" during them. When I got out (because my arms were getting tired from holding me in that position), I was 8-9cm and almost ready to push.

When I pushed, I did so on my own time. All the midwife and doula did was apply counterpressure and tell me to slow down as needed to minimize tearing.

Once baby was out, I felt amazing, and my recovery was so much better than with my first two. I highly, highly recommend a natural birth.

Good luck to you!

I hired a doula with my 2nd baby, after having a horrible experience the first time around. Now I recommend it to everyone. She charged about $350 (insurance didn't cover it) but that also included her coming to our home for several classes, and even doing some sibling preparations with my older child. I had false labor for a week, and she spent some nights on our couch - she was worth her weight in gold! I never wrote a birth plan, but she was there in the hospital to help intervene and make sure I got what I wanted. She was also able to teach me some last-minute breathing techniques when the nurses wanted me not to push until the doctor got there. I could not have managed that without my doula. I was able to have my daughter without any meds, and it was such a feeling of accomplishment. Good luck to you!

You have great advice so far. A couple more thoughts. I have had 2 children completely naturally and am so glad I did it that way. It is much safer for the babies and it is wonderful to be able to get up shortly after the birth. I also refused to have an epidural. I had previously had one with a D & C after a miscarriage. At that time they nicked my dura and I had horrible migraines anytime I stood or sat up for 2 days afterward. I didn't want to deal with that with a new baby, so I knew an epidural was not going to happen.
The births were very different. With the first I did most of the laboring at home and moved around a great deal which helped with the pain. I would sit, stand, walk around and just keep moving. By the time I got to the hospital I was at 9 cm and was able to push fairly quickly, but still pushed for over an hour before my daughter was born. With the second she was born premature at 33 wks 4 days. I was tied to a bed with the monitor on the entire time and the labor was much more uncomfortable - one because they were trying to slow it and two because I couldn't move around.
My suggestions are:
1. stay as mobile as possible. If possible don't get tied to a bed with monitors and an IV. You may have to argue this but it is key to helping you get through it naturally. The water would have been great but I didn't have time to get to the shower.
2. take things to distract you. I took videos of comedians to help take my mind off the repetitive contractions and that helped. Whatever helps distract you will be vital.
3. Make the decision from the start to not have the pain medication. If you are adamant about this it makes it easier not to give in. Remind yourself it is not permanent and you will get this kid out. You will survive and that women all over the world do this without epidurals and they do great.
4. I also second trying to be as upright as possible when you deliver. It does make pushing easier.
5. You need someone with you who believes as you do that you can do it without the pain medication. The hospital will push for it. They did with the second until I told them I labored mostly alone at home with my second. Then, they finally believed me. I think the epidurals do make it easier for them so they push for women to receive them. It makes their interventions easier - you are already numb so c-section is easier, episiotomies etc. By the way, I made sure the doctor knew in no uncertain terms that I was not having an episiotomy. If I tore, then so be it, but it would be a natural tear which studies show heal better than artificial tears.
6. Midwives and Doulas are wonderful. They are trained to help you and to take the time you need to accomplish your goals. My first was with a midwife and she made me feel like I could do anything I wanted. She also helped with stretching so I didn't tear.
7. Don't feel like a failure if you end up taking the epidural. It is not wrong and you have not failed. Your labor may have been more complicated or intense than anticipated so it is okay.
You really can do it. You just need to surround yourself with people who will help you accomplish your goals and make those goals known to everyone you meet in the hospital. Good Luck! A.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and for your decision to have an unmedicated birth!!

I've had both of my daughters naturally in a tub and both were the most empowering, graceful experiences I've had. I have so many friends who have been induced and/or had unnecessary medical intervention and admit they had a terrible experience. I am now in the certification process to become a natural childbirth educator (Bradley Method) and believe so strongly in what it teaches: proper nutrition, appropriate exercise, relaxation, labor and birth rehearsals, finding care providers supportive of natural birth, promoting the partner as birth coach, and so much more. I HIGHLY recommend researching the Bradley Method at www.bradleybirth.com. You can find a Bradley instructor in your area on the web site.

I won't wish you good luck, because you won't need it with all that good training. You'll be amazing and strong! I wish you and your family a happy, natural birthing experience.
S.

Hi. I had my son all-natural down in the Virgin Islands so it was a bit different and the care down there was far less than what is available here in the states. I had to have a potosin drip after delivery due to complications. Lets put it this way, the pain that the inducing drugs caused was far greater than any of the natural labor pains. They were still bearable but still much worse than natural contractions. I'd say on a scale of 1-10 natural contractions peak out at 8 and induction contractions peak out at 10. I know if pain meds or an epidural at that point were an option, I would have taken it, but then again I had just delivered an 8 pound baby naturally so perhaps my body was over sensitive? I believe it's all relevant to your mental frame of reference. If you believe you are strong enough to endure anything, you pretty much will endure anything! Staying focused and practicing through meditation and bio-feedback during the pregnancy helps for the big day! Also keeping in mind that this pain is all temporary and is for a purpose to hold a marvelous miracle in a matter of moments is consoling. The worse pain comes in transition but is so temporary. Once the baby's head is engaged the head acts as a pain block on the nerves too!
I hope this helps.

I was induced with my second because my water broke but labor didn't start. I was very committed to natural child birth and I had no interest in epidural or any other kind of intervention.
I didn't give birth in Ohio either time, so I can't tell you what classes to go to. But here are some general things I learned: talk to you doctor/health-care provider. It's important to know what their attitudes are, and whether they are even willing to entertain a birth plan. My first OB was very medical, and they were willing to honor my desire for a natural birth, but weren't going to have a birth plan. With my second, the practice also really wasn't into birth planning, but they did have nurse midwives on staff and in L&D, so I could pretty much make sure my baby would be delivered by a midwife instead of a doctor.
One thing I have heard and seen over and over is that women who remain at home longer have better outcomes in terms of natural labor. Women who go to the hospital early in labor have a tendency to get impatient or anxious, and more interventions end up being introduced.
A word of encouragement: women have been giving birth naturally for thousands of years. You can do it!
Good luck, and congratulations!
-Sarah
P.S. My second baby was also over 8 lbs!

I've had 2 babies and i have another one on the way and i always try to go without anything. First one i got induced becasue my dr was an idiot. And i got an epidural around 8 cm dialated. Second one. I freaked out when when dr uncovered scissors. I though she was gonna do a episiotomy and i'd feel it. So i tried to run out of the hospital. I was really crazy! lol I was all ready pushing before that and baby was crowning. I sucked her back in and tried to leave. I insisted i get an epidural, casue thats all iknew was available. They gave me a spinal block which took the edge off, but also ruptured my spinal fluids. So i had a spinal headache for 5 days before i had to be injected with my own blood in the back to clog it. It was awful. So this time i say im getting epidural as soon as i go in to hospital, but i dont want to. lol

Why did you have to be induced?
Just asking because I had my first 2 boys all natural and my 3rd just a shot to take the edge off. My last 2 boys were almost 2 weeks late and I said no to being induced.