I did it! I gave birth without pain meds!!

[mommyjen2]

Well, I did it!!  I had a natural birth WITH Pitocin!!  It was quite an emotional experience.  It was a roller coaster ride of emotions that I can actually remember because I didn't have any drugs.  Now I have to say it wasn't the natural birth some people would approve of but for me it was a huge step and I am so proud of myself for making it!!  There were interventions, obviously because I was induced.  They started me on Cervidil Wednesday night and the contractions started pretty quick.  The nurse asked about an epidural or other pain medication and I told her I wanted to go without.  To my surprise she was very encouraging.  She put it in the computer and from there all other nurses knew what I wanted.  The next morning talk about to many people having to do a vaginal exam.  The nurse came in to take out the Cervidil and couldn't find it!!  So she had another nurse come it to try and she couldn't find it either!  She said she would talk to the doctor and he may just want to go with the pit and not worry about it.  I was hoping for this because I have had vaginal exams from him and lets just say he isn't very gentle!  I really like my doctor but when I saw him walk into my room I wasn't happy.  Let's just say he found the Cervidil, which I knew he would! 

 

My cervix was still a bit posterior and I was about 3 centimeters dilated but he wanted to go ahead and start me on the pitocin, after I ate some breakfast!!!  I was so happy to hear that, I was starving!!  I ate a decent hospital breakfast and a little bit later they started the pit.  I was doing well there for awhile.  I was relaxing through the contractions and it really wasn't so bad.  I really impressed my husband at how I was handling them.  Every time the nurse came in she upped the pit.  At one point the nurse that teaches the birth class at the hospital came in because she had heard I was going to go without pain meds.  She gave me lots of encouragement and a fan that said "Birth is Normal".  She said when those pitocin contractions hit to look at the fan and tell myself "birth is normal, birth is normal".  She was really sweet.  Everyone was great.  No one pushed meds at all the only time anyone said anything was when my doctor came in after the contractions has started getting pretty rough and I was only 4 centimeters dilated and my cervix moved back to a more posterior position.  I told him he was suppose to have better news.  He said it was OK and that if I wanted an epidural that was OK also.  But that was all he said and no one else said anything about any pain meds.  I was worried that being posterior I would end up with a c-section but my doctor wasn't.  Every time I asked he said it would be fine and not to worry.  He never even mentioned a section as an option.

 

Well, then things got interesting really fast.  In about an hour and half I went from a 4 to delivery!  My pitocin was upped eventually to a 17 and those contractions are AWFUL!  My sister came in to check on me and got stuck in there!  She was rubbing my back and my husband was giving me tons of encouragement.  I don't know what I would have done if it were not for them!  I hit the stage of "I can't do this".  My doctor had mentioned that morning (I also read about it in the bradly method).  My doctor said that if I could make it to that stage and know that once it hit I was only about 20 or 30 minutes from birth then I would be OK.  Well my husband knew it also.  Boy when those contractions hit I was done.  I didn't want an epidural because I didn't want to slow the labor down but I wanted something to take the edge off!  Every time one of those Pitocin contractions hit I was wanting something.  My husband was great at putting me off.  He would say "OK, well I just want to make sure that is really what you want" and then the contraction would be over and I would change my mind.  At one point he went out to tell the nurse just to ease my mind.  Then those contractions got even worse!!  I said I couldn't do it and he told me not to say that.  That I could say it hurt or anything else but not to say I couldn't because I could  and I was!  When the next contraction came that kept my mind off of the pain because I kept trying to say I couldn't and remembered that I wasn't suppose to say that!  Then it got worse, and I was serious about the pain meds.  But I also felt like I had to push.  The nurse was taking her time on the pain meds because she knew what I wanted.  But when my husband pressed that nurse button she was in there quick.  She came in with the meds and my husband told her that I felt like I needed to push.  She said she needed to check me and I said "wait give me the meds fist"  she said she couldn't and I said "oh man".  She checked me while another contraction hit and I said "what the hell was I thinking"  that got quite a laugh out of everyone!  My sister cracked up and the nurse had to stop what she was doing because she was laughing.  Well when she checked me she knew I was ready.  She called another nurse and told her to call the doctor.  Boy did I want to push!  And boy did all those nurses move fast to get things ready.  I am telling you ladies I went loopy!!  I kept asking for my doctor.  I started saying "I need Dr. Jones, where is Dr. Jones" it was humorous.  He got there, got dressed and said OK push.  I said "I can push now" he said yes.  So I did but apparently I was so loopy that I completely forgot how!!  After having two other kids I forgot how to push!  He had to stop me and tell me what to do.  Then I got it and pushed.  Only took a couple and my wonderful little man was out!! 

 

It was such an interesting experience!  I still can't believe I did it.  I nearly gave in, well I did but it was to late.  If it wasn't for my husband I would have and probably been disappointed with myself.  At one point he even scolded me!  I said "I can't" (oops) and he said "yes you can.  This is what we wanted because it is best for the baby and you are doing great, you can do it".  He was amazing.  Last night we were eating dinner (my husband, sister and I) and just laughing at all the emotional ups and downs of the whole situation.  I love the fact that I can actually remember what happened.  Even though the pain was awful with those pitocin contraptions I have to say I can never have another birth and even consider an epidural.  Come to find out the lady across the hall had one and it went very wrong.  It numbed her from the neck down and she passed out.  She was OK and eventually did give birth (without a c-section I might add).  But knowing that I can never have one.  Not that I would anyway.  I have to say if I can go without any pain meds and have pitocin anyone can.  Boy, it was rough but I did it and am so proud.  Like I said in the beginning, it wasn't the natural birth some people would define as natural because there were interventions but for me it was a huge step.  I am so happy with my experience and so happy I made it through.  I have a handsome baby boy and I love him so much.  He was 7lbs 19 1/2 inches and all beautiful!!  He is so sweet.  His sisters can't get enough of him!  Neither can me or my husband!!  I am a lucky woman to have such a wonderful family.  

[debmom07]

Aug. 23, 2008 at 11:43 AM

what was the thing that put in and why. other than that  i had 3 all natural not cuz im brave but cuz im more afraid of the epidural. you did good. ready for another. ha ha good job mama

[mommyjen2]

Aug. 23, 2008 at 2:55 PM

My cervix was not favorable for induction.  The Cervidil was used to get my cervix favorable. 

Ready for another, I will get back to you on that one!  Thanks!

(Original Poster)

[mamadixon]

Aug. 23, 2008 at 11:36 PM

Very good job mama!Been there and I know how hard it is but oh so worth it!Sounds like your husband deserves a medal!

[momof5monkeys]

Aug. 24, 2008 at 12:15 AM

Yea!  That is wonderful!  Sorry about your experience with BIN....it can get crazy in there!  Enjoy your little man!!

[antivaccinemom]

Aug. 24, 2008 at 2:17 PM

I'm very proud of you!!! Especially having a first natural WITH pit ctx! You're lucky they let you eat, I didn't get any food when I was induced (unecessary induction b/c I was 42 weeks, I would have never agreed to it now) but anyway, congrats!

[Roosbabe]

Aug. 25, 2008 at 12:59 PM

I knew that you could do it!  I'm glad that he's healthy and everything is good.  I know alot of people think it's dumb, but there really is nothing like REALLY experiencing the feeling of labor and birth.  And you can't do that while numb!

btw, I'm from BIN, don't know if you remember me.  Congrats!