Nervous about Natural Birthing....HELP!!!!
I have always said I was just going to get an epidural with my pregnancy becuase I have always had really bad period pain and everyone kept telling me that I was going to need it and all this stuff. Well I am now almost 30 weeks and I know I am a little late but I am more and more convinced that I want to do this naturally. I dont want my daughter to come into this world full of drugs just because everyone told me I couldnt do something or that it was going to hurt too bad. I talked to my doctor yesterday and suprisingly he is very into supporting a natural birth and even though I am giving birth at a hospital he thinks that water birthing is very good and will contine to let me stay in the tub even after my water has broken and every other doctor I have heard says there are too many germs to let you stay in after the water has broken. I am more determined than ever to do this naturally but I am very nervous because I dont have many people encouraging me and no one knows anything about it so if I could get some suggestions on things that will help me get through it...books, or anything I need to bring to the hospital like a ball or anything would be great to know. I am delving into searching everything but there is a lot out there and I think the best advice is from someone who has done it already! Thanks
Emma May 23rd
Posted by
on Mar. 4, 2008 at 6:24 PM
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by
on Mar. 5, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Hey! I didn't plan on having a natural childbirth for either of my kids so I can't really tell you what helps :(. I kept on begging for an epidural even after I knew I couldn't... So I guess that kept me focused :). I do know I plan on doing this (I'm pregnant again) labor without pain meds even if I DO have time. So, I'll stop babbling and just say this: It hurts a lot, but in the end, look at what you got! You have bragging rights because you did the birth without pain meds, you did it the way you wanted, and you got a beautiful new baby! It's worth every bit of pain and there's my encouragement :). Good luck!
by
on Mar. 8, 2008 at 3:38 AM
Check out Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I looooove that book. Also, don't worry about the nay-sayers. Most of them are just telling you you can't do it because they couldn't or wouldn't and it makes them feel better. I just had my first son and almost EVERYONE told me I couldn't do it. Apparently I was too small (I was 120 lbs before pregnancy and 146 lbs when I delivered) and labor hurt too much. Well I did it and I didn't even tear. I highly recommend water birthing. I also second another poster's suggestion of hiring a doula. Good luck, momma! You can do it!
by
on Mar. 8, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Hey...
I had my son in September of 07 and planned natural all the way. What helped me was knowing exactly how the birthing process went, the different phases what my body was doing I did alot of research online. I also looked up was to help with pain during labor I used a birthing ball, JACUZZI TUB (the best thing ever) and A rocking chair wierd I know but I just rocked with the pain... Also massage I had the worst back labor so my husband and a friend where on both sides and I layed on my back and the put there hand under my lower back and used there knuckels really hard it was heaven! I also researced hypnosis and had the nurse talked to me really calm... and was like think of the ocean now relax you toes, now you feet and ankle and so on.. IT REALLY WORKED I was in labor 23 hours and 30 mins... and pushed for 15 mins the worst part was the labor pushing was a relief really. I tore but didn't even fill it. I had no shot, no IV, No pills, and no Epi. The thing with no IV you want to DRINK lots of water I didn't drink enough and bleed alot once my son was born, they thought I was gonna hemorage, I lost alot of blood and was really light headed and coldn't get up for a few hours till that pass so DRINK DRINK DRINK nad good luck you can do it! If you have question just ask!
I had my son in September of 07 and planned natural all the way. What helped me was knowing exactly how the birthing process went, the different phases what my body was doing I did alot of research online. I also looked up was to help with pain during labor I used a birthing ball, JACUZZI TUB (the best thing ever) and A rocking chair wierd I know but I just rocked with the pain... Also massage I had the worst back labor so my husband and a friend where on both sides and I layed on my back and the put there hand under my lower back and used there knuckels really hard it was heaven! I also researced hypnosis and had the nurse talked to me really calm... and was like think of the ocean now relax you toes, now you feet and ankle and so on.. IT REALLY WORKED I was in labor 23 hours and 30 mins... and pushed for 15 mins the worst part was the labor pushing was a relief really. I tore but didn't even fill it. I had no shot, no IV, No pills, and no Epi. The thing with no IV you want to DRINK lots of water I didn't drink enough and bleed alot once my son was born, they thought I was gonna hemorage, I lost alot of blood and was really light headed and coldn't get up for a few hours till that pass so DRINK DRINK DRINK nad good luck you can do it! If you have question just ask!
by
on Mar. 11, 2008 at 5:06 PM
You can do it!! Our society is scared to death of this completely normal and natural part of life. There's so much negative stuff out there: I've heard stories of women being told "your hips are too small", "the baby is too big", blah blah blah blah blah.
I've given birth 4 times: I have 3 of my own children, and the 4th delivery I was a gestational surrogate. The only "intervention" I had was a dose of demerol with my 3rd. I TOTALLY went into my first labor wanting & asking for the epidural (I was a self-professed weeny--yes, WAS): my first baby, i was in a foreign country, didn't speak the language, my husband was deployed. In short: I was scared. No, terrified. But both of the anesthesiologists were "busy". long story short, after 26 hours of labor, 3 hours of which I labored in a regular old bathtub, my eldest was born. My second: didn't even ask for the epi or anything, I was totally focused on me and my babe. Don't get me wrong, it sure hurt, but I had done it before and knew I could do it again (and that labor was MUCH shorter). Third baby, labor was WAY longer than the second, and at 7 cm I asked for a dose fo demerol. It didn't take the pain away, it just gave me back my voice (with my first 2 kiddos I reached a point in labor where I could no longer speak, I was so internal.) With my fourth labor & delivery I had a Doula, and she was absolutely amazing & invaluable. I consider myself a huge DOULA ADVOCATE, and think that every preggo woman should have a doula. My last delivery is the one I am most proud of and feel best about, as I was much more active and I actually delivered her while I was standing/semi-squatted next to the bed. she was 9 lbs. 9 oz.! With my first I was exhausted and petrified, and in the bed. With my second I was on a birthing ball until it came time to push: I knew I was ready before they checked me but my legs were like jello by that time (i started out labor exhausted). With my 3rd I was also in the bed for pushing as I again didn't feel the strenght to stand. With my last (the 4th) I only got into the bed long enough for doc to break my water (I was not quite fully dilated, and just as in my first three pregnancies my bag of water was super strong and always had to be broken to allow for full dilation). Then I got back out of the bed (not without much assistance! as laying on my back while in labor has always caused me to feel like a fish out of water!). rocked and swayed for a few minutes next to the bed, doc waiting in the corner (thinking I'd be getting back in the bed when I felt ready to push, I'm sure) and just started pushing when I felt it was time, nurses grabbed towels and doc grabbed the babe :)
Sorry to be so lengthy (I'm a blabber) but I share all this to let you know that even as a woman who never in a million years would have guessed she could tolerate natural birth, I feel like I have come through it with flying colors. All my babies have been born alert and sucking from the starting line! YOU can do it too!!!
So here's my advice in a nutshell:
Great book: Birthing From Within
Get a birthing ball/exercise ball. I sat on mine more and more frequently as the due dates got closer (especially the last week), rocking on it.
Listen to your body, trust it, have confidence in yourself as an amazing female!
Find a Doula you click with. Interview a few to start, more if you need to, to find one you fee really comfortable with. The Doulas you don't choose willbe very understanding that it's not necessarily that you didnt' LIKE them, just that you found another that was more suited to YOU as the individual that you are.
Watch "The Business of Being Born" (it's available on instant view on Netflix.com--I just saw it and believe every women in the U.S, childbearing or not, should see it)
Best wishes to you!!!!
I've given birth 4 times: I have 3 of my own children, and the 4th delivery I was a gestational surrogate. The only "intervention" I had was a dose of demerol with my 3rd. I TOTALLY went into my first labor wanting & asking for the epidural (I was a self-professed weeny--yes, WAS): my first baby, i was in a foreign country, didn't speak the language, my husband was deployed. In short: I was scared. No, terrified. But both of the anesthesiologists were "busy". long story short, after 26 hours of labor, 3 hours of which I labored in a regular old bathtub, my eldest was born. My second: didn't even ask for the epi or anything, I was totally focused on me and my babe. Don't get me wrong, it sure hurt, but I had done it before and knew I could do it again (and that labor was MUCH shorter). Third baby, labor was WAY longer than the second, and at 7 cm I asked for a dose fo demerol. It didn't take the pain away, it just gave me back my voice (with my first 2 kiddos I reached a point in labor where I could no longer speak, I was so internal.) With my fourth labor & delivery I had a Doula, and she was absolutely amazing & invaluable. I consider myself a huge DOULA ADVOCATE, and think that every preggo woman should have a doula. My last delivery is the one I am most proud of and feel best about, as I was much more active and I actually delivered her while I was standing/semi-squatted next to the bed. she was 9 lbs. 9 oz.! With my first I was exhausted and petrified, and in the bed. With my second I was on a birthing ball until it came time to push: I knew I was ready before they checked me but my legs were like jello by that time (i started out labor exhausted). With my 3rd I was also in the bed for pushing as I again didn't feel the strenght to stand. With my last (the 4th) I only got into the bed long enough for doc to break my water (I was not quite fully dilated, and just as in my first three pregnancies my bag of water was super strong and always had to be broken to allow for full dilation). Then I got back out of the bed (not without much assistance! as laying on my back while in labor has always caused me to feel like a fish out of water!). rocked and swayed for a few minutes next to the bed, doc waiting in the corner (thinking I'd be getting back in the bed when I felt ready to push, I'm sure) and just started pushing when I felt it was time, nurses grabbed towels and doc grabbed the babe :)
Sorry to be so lengthy (I'm a blabber) but I share all this to let you know that even as a woman who never in a million years would have guessed she could tolerate natural birth, I feel like I have come through it with flying colors. All my babies have been born alert and sucking from the starting line! YOU can do it too!!!
So here's my advice in a nutshell:
Great book: Birthing From Within
Get a birthing ball/exercise ball. I sat on mine more and more frequently as the due dates got closer (especially the last week), rocking on it.
Listen to your body, trust it, have confidence in yourself as an amazing female!
Find a Doula you click with. Interview a few to start, more if you need to, to find one you fee really comfortable with. The Doulas you don't choose willbe very understanding that it's not necessarily that you didnt' LIKE them, just that you found another that was more suited to YOU as the individual that you are.
Watch "The Business of Being Born" (it's available on instant view on Netflix.com--I just saw it and believe every women in the U.S, childbearing or not, should see it)
Best wishes to you!!!!
Erika Wife to Matt, Surro-Mum to
Mom to Zoe(7), Madison Erika
Kaden(4) & Anya(2) 8-24-07
by
on Mar. 11, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Good for you!
My simple advice, get a doula...make sure she/he knows your birth plan and is on the same page with you. It will be her job to enforce your wishes at the birth.
The last thing you need is a nurse asking if you're sure you don't want an epidural every time you have a contraction!
I gave birth at home in a birthing pool, and have never regretted it. I asked for peace and quiet, minimal intrusion (my mid-wife only checked me when I asked), no drugs, no episiotomy(!?) My sister in law went the completely opposite route and has since said she'd wished someone would have supported her in making the birth all natural.
Good Luck :D
My simple advice, get a doula...make sure she/he knows your birth plan and is on the same page with you. It will be her job to enforce your wishes at the birth.
The last thing you need is a nurse asking if you're sure you don't want an epidural every time you have a contraction!
I gave birth at home in a birthing pool, and have never regretted it. I asked for peace and quiet, minimal intrusion (my mid-wife only checked me when I asked), no drugs, no episiotomy(!?) My sister in law went the completely opposite route and has since said she'd wished someone would have supported her in making the birth all natural.
Good Luck :D
by
on Mar. 11, 2008 at 5:25 PM
With my second daughter, I was at a birthing center and I spent a lot of time in the water (I was in labor more than 24 hours), once you try it you pry won't want to get out! LOL. My other half got in the pool with me and supported me, and I kinda napped between contractions, it was very soothing. I birthed her in the water as well, it was amazing! You can do it if you put your mind to it :) Maybe try reading a bit about hypnobirthing? Or you can always read about the dangers of epidurals -- thats what I did with my first! There was no way in HECK I was going to let them give me an epidural! And its good I didnt too, because I had to labor on my hands and knees with my first due to complications...If I had an epidural things could have been a lot worse in my case. No matter what you decide, I hope everything works out for you :)
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- jrsyssa04
on Mar. 4, 2008 at 6:24 PM