re: not allowed to get the epidural!

That's terrible that you can't get it (if you want it).

I didn't have an epidural or any other pain medication but that was completely my choice. I really recommend hiring a birth doula if you can afford it. Also read "Childbirth without Fear" by Dick-Read and "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth". Both books made me feel that I could trust my body so much!

Also, you can do it! I found that I went into what I call "Labourland" when I was in active and especially through transition. I never even thought about pain relief (but I'm very glad I had the option in case I had a really difficult labour).

Good luck to you.

yes, DEFINITELY get a doula or at least go with a midwife....a lot of hospitals give doulas to women free of charge!

Oh sorry, I forgot to say what I call "Labourland" is. It was this dreamlike state. I was in the tub and my husband was spraying water over the part of me that wasn't in the water. I was in my own little world. My doula helped me keep my moans low and kept me calm. At some point she started talking to me and I just watched her, then I realized that she might be saying something important and I couldn't hear her (my ears were under the water), I had to work to get my ears out and get focused enough to understand what she said.

Anyway, that part of it was actually pretty nice, except for the few times that I started to panic, but my doula helped me very quickly.

Quoting Roe23:“ Oh sorry, I forgot to say what I call "Labourland" is. It was this dreamlike state. I was in the tub ... [snip!] ... part of it was actually pretty nice, except for the few times that I started to panic, but my doula helped me very quickly.”

That sounds so amazing! I bet my mother in law would help me do that with my delivery. Ha! She should be a pro on natural birth! She had 7 kids and was un medicated with 6 of them (she said that my husband was her most difficult delivery, lol).

Quoting Belly_Full of Sunshine:“ That sounds so amazing! I bet my mother in law would help me do that with my delivery. Ha! She should ... [snip!] ... birth! She had 7 kids and was un medicated with 6 of them (she said that my husband was her most difficult delivery, lol).”

it really does help if it isn't someone you know personally......REALLY helps!.....i ended up getting pretty snippy with my mom....but, as soon as my midwife put me in the place, i listened....i didn't argue with her!

Oh, and try staying upright as long as you can, it will likely help your labour to go faster. I spent some time on an exercise ball watching Blue Planet (I love those) and during every contraction I did little circles on the ball. I watched two episodes and by the end of the second one I wasn't paying attention because of that labourland I refered to earlier  .

Quoting haley (team blue):“ My sister didn't get an epidural and shes still alive.”

that wasnt the kind of advice i was looking for smartass

Quoting wet fur:“ it really does help if it isn't someone you know personally......REALLY helps!.....i ended up getting ... [snip!] ... up getting pretty snippy with my mom....but, as soon as my midwife put me in the place, i listened....i didn't argue with her!”

That makes a lot of sense, it would depend on the relationship with the mom and how mom might behave during the labour.

Quoting Mandi ♥s Madisyn:“ Why aren't you allowed to?”

my platelets are too low

Quoting Roe23:“ That makes a lot of sense, it would depend on the relationship with the mom and how mom might behave during the labour.”

My own mother had me naturally but it was because her labor was so short...

Quoting *~*LaLa*~*:“ my platelets are too low”

Are you allowed other medications?

I am planning on a natural birth anyway. I am good with controlling my mind and I also have a high pain tolerance (I pierced my own tounge!) My doctor is the one worrying me by being so concerned he is not going to be able to "manage" me. He said almost every young girl he sees ends up getting the epidural even if they didn't plan on it and if they can't that he can't "manage" them and has to put them to sleep!

Quoting *~*LaLa*~*:“ I am planning on a natural birth anyway. I am good with controlling my mind and I also have a high pain ... [snip!] ... getting the epidural even if they didn't plan on it and if they can't that he can't "manage" them and has to put them to sleep!”

Sounds like your doctor is a pansy, lol

Quoting Belly_Full of Sunshine:“ Are you allowed other medications?”

narcotics but i dont want to be on them. i want to be wide awake and alert when he comes so i can remember the special day very clearly

I think I should have asked how to get through labor without pain meds instead of saying "how am i going to survive?" I would have got better responses.