For those that had Natural Births

This is the way I am planning to go, My mother had all three of her children naturally. and I am already putting my foot down on not wanting any meds or a cesarian unless absolutely necessary. I know it will hurt like hell, and it won't be easy.. but I'd like to hear experiences, words of wisdom/advice..

Also, I'm very concerned about the risk of tearing.. I've read up on kegels and also massaging a few weeks prior to labor, but I've heard some pretty nasty stories about women getting even 3rd degree tears.. ouch! Of course, I was told they didn't know they tore, they thought it was all pain of labor.. but geeze!

So, I thought about the possibility of an episiotomy, but I also read that these aren't routine anymore and the doctor will make the judgement on whether or not to proceed with one. I've read that sometimes, even tears are easier to heal than episiotomy's.. and then I've heard otherwise.. I guess I'm just scared about it all...

My mom said that the interesting thing about her as well was, she could be in labor for a couple of hours but it wasn't until she threw up that she knew she was ready.. with all three of us she threw up and said, "K, It's time to push!"

Just thought it'd be interesting to hear more stories similar to that..

i had a fourth degree tear so good luck

I puked too before having to push - lol!

And I tore but didnt know it until they said they had to stitch me up.

It did hurt - a LOT - but going all natural was amazing and I wouldnt have done it any differently if I could go back and do it again! lol.

how is a vag birth, whether medicated or not, ever unnatural??

I got meds because i was too exhausted to push, so they gave me Demerol and i slept for a while and got my strength back...

I tore with both my babies, but only needed 4 stitches the first time and 2 the second time... i say episiotomies are unnecessary most of the time...

Quoting Kailyn's Mama:“ I puked too before having to push - lol! And I tore but didnt know it until they said they had to ... [snip!] ... - a LOT - but going all natural was amazing and I wouldnt have done it any differently if I could go back and do it again! lol.”

so do you think it would be wise to request an episiotomy?

I did it without drugs. It hurt. I would attempt to do it again without drugs next time, but if I have back labour like I did with this one NO WAY! The back labour was the worst.

I tore badly, but it didn't hurt, the stitching up was painful because they couldn't keep me frozen so I could feel it all.

I recommend staying in the shower or tub for as long as you possibly can, and ear plugs! I wish I had them or head phones or something. All the little "hospital" sounds and the talking going on around me drove me nuts and made it impossible for me to concentrate through the pain.

I wish you the best of luck!

Quoting Jackie0508:“ i had a fourth degree tear so good luck”

Way to be encouraging  

Quoting WiFeY- MoMMy- PReGGo [P&F:“ how is a vag birth, whether medicated or not, ever unnatural?? I got meds because i was too exhausted ... [snip!] ... but only needed 4 stitches the first time and 2 the second time... i say episiotomies are unnecessary most of the time...”

Please, I don't want to get into technicalities.. and if you read i said i would do other options if necessary.. just because i used the term "natural" doesn't mean i'm dogging you, i wouldn't do that.. how else would you want me to put it?

"to those who had vaginal birth without the use of meds, even though if you needed meds i'm not putting you down, just posting this to get advice please no drama"

I mean, come on..

My last birth was technically natural. I was induced, and had planned to get the epi from the get go, but by the time they got one in that worked, it got turned right back off so I could push. I did opt to have Nubain about half way through because I had the flu during labor and it helped me rest just enough to quit throwing up. The best advice I can give you for laboring without meds is to BREATHE!!! Know your breathing techniques and try to focus on breathing through the pain.....it does wonders. As for tearing or episiotomy, I have never torn but I did have an episiotomy this last time as well. My son is 14 weeks old and I haven't felt anything where I was cut since he was about 5 wks. Healing time depends on your body, and you'll have to decide what is best for you. I left it up to my dr and I 100% feel she made the right decision.

Quoting Mommy G [to be!]:“ so do you think it would be wise to request an episiotomy?”

I think tearing heals better, what if your not going to tear and you get an episiotmy? Then you got cut for nothing.

i diditn go all natural, but i did have a 3rd degree tare, and i didnt take any meds or any thing after labor, i was sore for a few days, but i was expecting that, just clean and use the sitz bath if you do and it will heal up nice and fast  

I had meds with all my labors and trust me its so much better to wake up from sleeping to push being relaxed was wonder ful for me. My daughter came so fast the meds didnt have time to work so i hurt like hell and really i was so tired after i had her that i just wanted to sleep and not do a damn thing for her or me. But if you can do it kudos go for it. But i would much rather tear than be cut you can heal better that way.

Quoting Mommy G [to be!]:“ Please, I don't want to get into technicalities.. and if you read i said i would do other options ... [snip!] ... even though if you needed meds i'm not putting you down, just posting this to get advice please no drama" I mean, come on..”

i wasnt starting anything... i just think its a bad way to put it...

I was in labor.... real active labor for 23 hrs with out even a freaking tylenol. I survived it and am pregnant again, so it couldn't have been that traumatic lol. I didn't get an episiotomy, I tore on my own, and healed fine with the help of a few stitches. I have heard that if they cut you, it takes longer to heal and is more painful.

I was dead set on a natural delivery, with no drugs. For some reason, with my second baby, I could care less if I have drugs or not. I did it once, I can do it again, but if I need something, I am open minded enough to take it.... if that makes sense.

Quoting Mommy G [to be!]:“ so do you think it would be wise to request an episiotomy?”

A tear will heal faster than an episiotomy, unless the tear is extremely severe. I'm not sure how common 3rd and 4th degree tears are. I had two 1st degree tears and a few stitches. They burned a little for a few days, but healed pretty quickly.

As far as the natural labor- When I was in labor, Brennan was sunny side up (and I was on Pitocin...OW), so I got on a birthing ball and did hip rotations for a while, which helped to keep me from jumping out the window. I would reccomend bringing one if your hospital doesn't have any, although I think most do.