natural labor? - no meds..

Stephademic wrote: Has anyone here gone through labor without an epidural or any pain meds?

What is it like?

PrairieMom replied: I did it with no epidural, I did have a shot of Stadol with both my labors, it doesn't take the pain away, it just kind of makes you relax.
For me, the key is to relax between contractions. When you start getting scared and tensing you body up that is when things start getting real painful. I did a lot of breathing, and other relaxation techniques, I also used the whirlpool tub with my first, and I think that was real key. (I went from a 6 to 10 in one hour)

I always suggest that people do a little research into epidurals before you get one, there can be some nasty side effects.

gr33n3y3z replied: 3 of the 4 I had nothing and if I said it was a picnic I would be lying to you
the labor from start to finish was anywhere from 1 to 2 hours tops with all 3

The first born I had a shot and made me so tired so I wanted nothing to do with any needles of any kind after that.

ediep replied: I did 2 weeks ago

it wasn't my first choice but my labor went sooooo fast that there was no time for any drugs. It hurt alot, but I could feel what my body was supposed to do, I could tell where to push and it made the entire experience so much better. i actually felt more in control. I pushed for 3 contrax and my daughter made her way out

with my first I had an epidural and the labor took forever, I couln't tell where to push, I ended up pushing for 4 hours and my son had to be vaccuum assisted

My3LilMonkeys replied: I had 1 natural and yeah, it was painful - VERY painful - but if I were to have another I'd want to go natural again. The recovery time for me was amazingly different - with my epi I didn't want to get out of bed for 2 days, with the natural I was begging them to let me shower 20 minutes later.

MyLuvBugs replied: With my first I had an epi and I will NEVER do that again. It was a horrible experience and I still have back problems.

With my second (just 3 months ago), it was completely natural and we'd planned it that way. The contractions didn't really hurt or anything. Just a lot of pressure until the midwife broke my water But after that my labor was over in an hour and 20 minutes. I really only had about 20 minutes of true pain that I cried about. Basically as the head comes down your cervix is so stretched that you go through this "ring of fire" stage. It felt like I was being ripped apart each time I pushed, but at the same time it felt good to push through that pain. Then her head came out and I breathed a sigh of relief, and in one more push she just popped right out and then no more pain. No tears at all, and the pain was gone. It was a wonderful experience and I hope to do it another 2 times.

Stephademic replied:
oh wow that sounds like you had a pretty good experience.

I'm definitely planning on going natural, but I want to keep my options seeing as how I just don't know how I'll handle the pain.

But from everyone I've talked to about this, they all say that natural seems to be the best way as far as...the baby being born drug free, being able to feel the baby as you push, having a faster labor and better recovery. (from what i've heard anyway)

ZandersMama replied: I think natural is definitely the way to go. I had a spinal with my second, ( C-Section) and my first completely natural. I would definitely go natural again if I could have more, it was a much better delivery, and from what I have been told it is quicker.

MyLuvBugs replied:
It was a wonderful experience, but I must ask....is this your first baby??

If it is your first, it's going to be an adventure and a learning experience. From my own personal experience, you can read all the books and take all the classes, but until you are actually in labor, feeling the contractions and preparing to push....it won't actually make sense to ya. KWIM?

There is a reason they call it labor, so don't ever try to fool yourself by thinking it will be a piece of cake, but definately don't psych yourself out by thinking it's going to be the worst pain in the world either. Just try to keep an open mind and remember to breathe and remember most of all there is a difference between pressure and pain. (that's what sorta happened to me the first time around )

I'm sure you'll do great!!! Do you have a Dr or midwife?? Have you taken any classes yet? Have you considered water birth or getting a doula to help?

Edited b/c I wanted to add....if you do go with pain meds or have a C section that's ok too!! All that really matters is that the baby and you are healthy in the end.

luvmykids replied: I had an epi with the twins and had no problems....I was in labor 12 hours total but only had to push twice with each baby and they were only 9 minutes apart. I felt great within about an hour, no ill effects at all.

The second pg I also had an epi but it didn't work and suprisingly, as painful and uncomfortable as it was, I'm really glad it worked out that way. I like knowing that I know what it really feels like and as bad as it got in some moments I never felt like I couldn't do it, kwim?

But there's really nothing that comes to mind to describe labor, contractions, and the feeling of the actual delivery. Nothing anybody told me even came close to what it was actually like.

Stephademic replied:
Yes, this is my first...I have a Dr..and I wanted a waterbirth, but that doesn't look like it will be happening.

Ideally, I'd like to go through the labor pain meds-free..however, since it IS my first and I'm not sure what exactly to expect until I feel what it's like for myself, I am going to be keeping my options open..for as long as I can anyway. Everyone keeps really encouraging me though and telling me that natural birth isn't as bad as people make it out to be and they're giving me confidence, but I don't want to go in over-confident, either.

amymom replied: All good advice. I did both of my full term children totally natural. And I would recommend it fully. But it really all depends on you and how you feel your pain tolerance would be.

As someone said it is called labor for a reason, it IS a lot of hard work. I only wish you well.

kimberley replied:
i completely agree with this statement. 3 of my 4 were epidural babies and labor was longer, pushing was harder and the experience sucked cuz i was tied to a bed with IV's. i had my 4th at home, no meds. labor was about 5hrs. it hurt but i could bear thru it. the birth was lightning fast and i didn't need stitches cuz the mw massaged the perrineal area with oil and had me push AGAINST my cx so i controlled how fast she came out. it was a great experience for me, but she was my 4th. i cannot imagine doing that with my first. the fear of the unknown itself is almost worse than the actual pain.

JamieR replied: I heard that as long as you can bear the pain it is advisable not to take epidural. Infact I know many people who have delivered without the epidural.