Natural birth

Do you think it's possible for anyone? I mean before pain med options it had to be! But I really wanna try it without an epi, knowing me though, I believe I'll end up screaming for one. I'm the worst person ever with pain. Any real pain weaklings manage to go through with it? Advice and stories?

I think if you really want it, then you prepare for it. You have to be in the right mental state of mind and have those relaxation techniques and focusing techniques in place. I think that's the real key to success. Plus, if you birth in a place where an epidural is not available, that probably helps too.

Of course its possible, lol. I've done it twice and I'm planning my 3rd to be another home birth.

I tried really hard. I got to 9 cm but couldn't do it. After 36 hours even my midwife said we gotta finish it out with pitocin so I caved and went to the hospital. Just breathe and use a tub!!! Just remember it will be over and you'll forget all the pain once your baby is in your arms

I planned on natural with my son but I just lost it and demanded one.
I don't want it to happen again.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mandy Schlatterer:</b>" Do you think it's possible for anyone? I mean before pain med options it had to be! But I really wanna ... [snip!] ... for one. I'm the worst person ever with pain. Any real pain weaklings manage to go through with it? Advice and stories?"</blockquote>




I did it without drugs.. no epi.. I did get a local for stitches after he was born tho... no reason to not do that..

I have a high pain tolerance I think.. 2nd birth without epi . When i thought I cudnt do it and was gonna wimp out BOTH times..they checked me and i was alrdy 9 first time & 10 this last time.. so I must have good tolerance bc I was basically delivering at the time I could no longer bear it.

Depends on your pain tolerance. I honestly did not think it was that bad at all. it HURT, thats true, but it was not something that was unbearable. Especially knowing it wouldnt last forever. And pushing was actually a relief. If you don't want meds, dont get them. You can do it.

eta: i labored at home the whole time. And OMG being in the shower worked wonders. I just sat in it and almost gave birth in there because I didnt realize I transitioned! Got to the hospital and had my son 30 minutes later lol.

Quoting Mandy Schlatterer:" I planned on natural with my son but I just lost it and demanded one. I don't want it to happen again."

So, what happened with the first that made you feel like giving up? What could you do differently? What did you do to prepare? Who did you have supporting you?

I was 18 when I had my son, all natural, no meds whatsoever. He was 8 lbs 3.7 oz and I am 5ft even. I didn't go to the hospital until my contractions were 2-5 mins apart and when I was finally checked into labor and delivery I was 8-9 cm already. They asked me prob 5-10 times if I was sure I didn't want anything and I said no, because that was my plan. It can be done!! I have a fairly low pain tolerance I think.

Quoting Mandy Schlatterer:" Do you think it's possible for anyone? I mean before pain med options it had to be! But I really wanna ... [snip!] ... for one. I'm the worst person ever with pain. Any real pain weaklings manage to go through with it? Advice and stories?"

of course it's possible! My mum had 5 without any pain mods, not even gas and air. (made her feel sick, lol) and my best mate had her 3 without pains meds (she's pretty crap with pain and she managed it fine. She says she enjoyed it.   and i would have gone all the way without pain meds if i didn't need an emergancy c-section! lol. xx

Save needing an emergency c-section, there was no way I was gonna drug myself up or put a needle in my spine. Absolutely nothing against women who choose that route - it does not make them less, nor does my giving birth naturally make me better - it's just not something I could do. Even if I caved for some reason during labour, medication wasn't an option where I delivered. It had to be natural.

I was in labour for 5 days and hasn't prepared even a bit for what was to come. I read and listened to my hypnobirthing book while in labour and it did wonders - can't imagine how better it could have been had I practiced beforehand. I walked and walked and took baths and remained very active throughout the 5 days. I loved giving birth. From the moment I knew it was really happening, I felt energized and joyful and silly. I would have been heartbroken to lay on a bed hooked up to machines. I knew the only way I was gonna have that baby was to be 100% active 100% of the time. I felt no pain throughout the entire process. There was discomfort with the contractions and I began feeling tired on the third day, after only being able to sleep between contractions for rest, but there was no pain.

So much of it is in the mind. You just have to be in control of it - be in control of your body. Natural birth IS possible. You were made to do this, you can do this. You just need the right support from the people you love and to be determined. Trust yourself.

I suggest reading Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method.

Of course it's possible. My son was born naturally. I was 8 cm when I arrived at the hospital lol. Labor as long as possible at home so you're more comfortable and the option of getting an epidural is not available

I'm a pain weakling. I had a home water birth and a 26 hour active labor. I was in a wheelchair and had severe pelvic and spinal pain and baby was back to back, not only did i survive i can't wait to do it all again  

Learning about birth is the most important thing ime. Active birth and books by Ina May Gaskin are a must read.

For pain relief i used
Denial
TENS machine
homeopathy
Bach remedies
Music
Chatting on BG!
Massage
Movement - like rocking on all 4s
Swearing, a lot
Blowing raspberries like a horse freak
More swearing
Water, swishing and swooshing around in a birth pool
A lovely doula who did lots of counter pressure on my hips and back and who held my hand tightly

Quoting Mama*AtoZ:" I'm a pain weakling. I had a home water birth and a 26 hour active labor. I was in a wheelchair and had ... [snip!] ... around in a birth pool A lovely doula who did lots of counter pressure on my hips and back and who held my hand tightly"

I agree whole heartedly about Ina May.. awesome stuff.

I've had 3 kids (pregnant with #4) and my first was 27 hours of natural, my 2nd was 13 hrs with epi, and 3rd was emergency c-section. I plan on doing #4 natural. It can be done. I wanted an epi with my first but I have severe scoliosis so they made it out like it wasn't an option (even though it was). I felt 1000x better after the natural birth than I did with the epi. It's definitely worth it.