Natural Birth Feedback Needed~

Do not talk to your friends about your decision. It amazes me that all my friends who have had epidurals go on and on about their nightmare experience. I had two natural births, second a water birth, and I have had a great experience. When women start complaining about their births, I have nothing to say. Just try to change the subject. You need to read and study up. Get the book, Birthing From Within. Hire a doula. Take a class from a doula agency instead of the hospital. http://www.alaboroflove.org/

Hi J.. I was fully prepared for a unmedicated natural birth with my first child but was not able to because he turned to a breech position and then was in distress so I had to have a C-section. I was very upset and felt like everything I had worked for and planned for was lost. I had to be reminded that the most important thing was my son arriving safe and healthy.
I had many people telling me I was crazy for wanting an unmedicated birth too. My mom did it with two of her three children and says that it really wasn't too painful for her (but I'm sure it is hard to remember 20+ years later) and her labor didn't last too long either. Have you taken any classes? I took a 12 week Bradley method class. It was very informative about the pain process. If you don't have time for a class you can find books about it. I have the one I used and if you want it I would give it to you. Just message me. It is important to remember that everyone's experience is different and personal and you have to be flexible if things are not going the way you planned. I know people who have had safe and successful water births. I really hope you can have this experience. Best of luck! -C.

P.S. Whales are mammals that give birth in the water! ;)

I had a great experience. Yes it was painful but not unbearable. with my first child I had medicine to help with feeling sick at my stomach. I think it stalled my labor. With my second child (same group my fav doctor) I also had back labor and sick feeling but he said the nausea would help quicken the labor and it definitely did. I wish the first time around the lady doc (my least fav of the group) had suggested that. I very much appreciate being able to not feel groggy or medicated during the birth of each child and not pass those medications on to the children. I had medication right after the birth of my first and none after the second. Worked great for me!

J.,

Go to this web site. They attract the "cloth diapering" crowd and topics on there might help you decide.
http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13

From my own experience, my first delivery was pretty painful. I waited till the last minute for the EPI and then it didn't take. So it was medication-free - not by choice. I was in so much pain, I couldnt enjoy the moments afterwards, I just wanted to crawl away and die.

But for my second son, I got the EPI as soon as I got to the hospital (about 5cm) and it was wonderful. I was aware and felt the pressure, just not the pain. Being my second child, I think it's less painful and quicker regardless of whether you use pain meds.
But I am very grateful to have had a happy experience the 2nd time around! I even shot photos of my husband and the baby together as I lay on the bed being stitched up!

PS - My midwife delivered both babies and was great.

Wishing you the best! And remember, the pain doesn't last...

First I would like to say that while I didn't have a water birth and I also opted for an epi after 18 hours of labor, I do have several friend who have had very safe and successful water births. As well as unmedicated births in a hospital beds and one who even labored at home and delivered in her own bed. The previous poster should take her own advice and do some research. As long as you have a good mid-wife, you should be fine. Your baby has lived in "water" for 9 months and won't take it's first breath until you bring out of the water. It's not as if you will be leaving her under there for an extended period of time. I will say that labor is called labor for a reason...it's hard work. From my own experience, I ended up with an epi because after 18 hours and only dialating to 3, I was exhausted. I have no regrets about getting the epi...I tried for an unmedicated birth, but I can't beat myself up for not being able to. The goal was a safe and healthy baby and mom. Go in with a plan, but understand that things may change. I hope that you have the birth expeience that you hoep for! good luck!

All child birth is natural...except what you are planning on doing. Listen to your friends. This is a crazy and dangerous way to bring your baby girl into the world! I can't think of one mammal that gives birth in water! The concept is to appeal to those looking for a new fad! It’s ridiculous and very dangerous. The baby moves though the birth canal and their ribs are compressed so that when they free themselves from the tight confines of your body, their ribs expand and they take in their first breath of air. How is that going to happen under water? No offense, but this practice is ridiculous! I would do research to find out the mortality rate for water births. This is your baby, why would you want to do something so dangerous? I suggest you change your mid-wife, she sounds like a flake! And yes, child birth hurts. Decide if you want an epidural or not to help with the pain. But it’s 12 or more hours of pain for a lifetime of love.

I hadn't planned on going through natural birth- but my second child came so quickly that i didn't make it to the hospital in time to get any pain meds. Honestly, the pain wasn't any worse to me than when I had my first child (with meds), plus my recovery seemed so much quicker, I went home early from the hospital and I loved that I wasn't drugged out- with my first child i felt soooooo drugged for several days. I told my husband, for our third child I planned on going natural again. :-) Hope this helps :-)

I may have already contacted you regarding this but it is worth telling you twice. At whatever the cost, try to have a natural birth. I had two water births in 13.5 months at North Fulton Regional and I can honestly say the water helps a GREAT DEAL with pain. My first waterbirth was almost painless and the labor was short. Plus delivering in the water makes you much less likely to tear since the water helps your skin get really soft.
If you are using the midwives at North Point OB/GYN, you are most likely going to be very well supported if you try to go all natural. Plus if you have a waterbirth, you cannot use an epidural nor can you have any meds.
And who wants to give their baby medication anyway????

Best of luck to you. Trust me, you can do it!!!

Hi J.-
I have 2 kids. My first baby I got the epidural and my second one I didn't. If we have any more kids, I personally would never get an epidural again. I threw up after the epidural with my first one and was in so much pain after giving birth, I couldn't even get out of bed the first day. Plus, my recovery was much longer than the 6 weeks and I just felt so "drugged". My second child I figured I would just "wait & see" if I could make it through w/out the epidural and I did it. It was only hard the last hour really, and then an intense 5 minutes and it was over. My body just knew what to do. I was up and walking around within hours after her birth and my recovery was a breeze. It was a night and day experience and for me, I just felt so much better and will never get an epidural again. I don't know too much about the water births though, but maybe that would help ease the moments when the pain is tough. Good luck - hope this is encouraging!