re: not allowed to get the epidural!

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!”

This is the main reason I opted for a midwife and hired a birth doula, I wanted people to keep me calm and comforted (and safe). My husband was an active participant too, but this was his first birth as well as mine. I will do the same for the next birth, though I hope to be able to have the baby at home instead of in the hospital.

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.”

I have read about the laborland mind state when I read about natural birth stories. Also I have a doula but she is not professionally accredited or anything. I trust her though that she will help me a lot. I know she takes being a doula seriously.

Quoting *~*LaLa*~*:“ I have read about the laborland mind state when I read about natural birth stories. Also I have a doula ... [snip!] ... accredited or anything. I trust her though that she will help me a lot. I know she takes being a doula seriously.”

I think water really helps to get to "laborland" lol. I sat in a jacuzzi at the hospital for almost 3 hours and it calmed and relaxed me so much. It truly does help to have someone who is good at their job who you aren't close with in the room to keep you in check. My nurse was heaven sent. My whole labor/delivery experience wasn't bad at all, the anticipation of it all was far worse than the actual process. Oh and I had a 9 lb 10 oz baby boy! You can do it mama.

I plan on a Bradley style birth. It is very much how animals handle labor and they do not get pain meds. The basic idea is to mimic what animals do instinctively. Rest and realx your body during contractions. Breathe deeply and steady, mimic sleep as long as possible. As another said, natural childbirth has been around for eons. It is possible, do not let him threaten you. It is not his job to manage you. Your body knows what to do, relax and let it do it's job.

I know how you feel hun. I'm on blood thinners and I'm not allowed to have one either. Luckily for me I was already planning to go all natural. My best friend has done labor both ways and says that natural was the best way for her. Don't worry about the pain, just think that woman have been doing this for a looooong time. If they could do it with no meds, so can we!

Quoting *~*LaLa*~*:“ ladies, how can i survive this? give me some advice”

lol well i went in thinking i was going to get one, then i dilated too quickly and couldnt get it. I didnt know how i was going to survive it either, but i did! lol I thought the contractions were worse than the actual pushing. I just pushed as hard as i could and she was out. The worst part of pushing is when her head and shoulders come out. Then its relief! Goodluck though mama!