Natural Hospital Birth? HELP!

Question

I had my first child almost two years ago to date and am currently 20 weeks pregnant with our second. We are thrilled!! Going into my first labor & delivery, I knew that I wanted an epidural. I got one maybe 5 hours into labor and the pain wasn't bad. Getting the epidural was the absolute worst part of my entire experience. It was such a mistake for me personally. I hated every part of getting that epidural and the side affects afterwards which continued for 9 months PP for me. 😩
I'm opting out of an epidural this go round but I'm not gonna lie.. I'm pretty nervous. 😕 I'm scared I won't be able to deal with the pain! I need some mommy experience.. It calms me down hearing others stories and that it's possible!! It's empowering for me to hear that natural births went well in a hospital. So PLEASE! Share away if your comfortable!! Tips and tricks that worked for you? Anything!! Thank you!!

Answer

2nd births often are a lot faster. Induced and labored 36 hours (with epidural) with 1st. 2nd time, I woke up at 2:45 am (40+3) and labored at home for a while (honestly wasn't sure I was even in labor). Finally got hubby to the car about 4:15 am. She was born at 5:13 am. I wanted an epidural, but when you get to the hospital at 7 cm, there's just no time! My doctor didn't even make it till it was time to pass the after birth and get stitched!

I would have gotten one, and if you had told me beforehand I'd go all natural, I'd say you were crazy, but looking back, it was so quick, I wouldn't have changed a thing! And no epidural after effects! Don't get me wrong, it was INTENSE! But you can definitely do it!

Answer

I labored at home as long as I could.  It helps mentally being comfortable and not having doctors and nurses in and out telling you how far dilated you are and stuff.  I just took showers and bounced.  I didn't get to the hospital till I was 7cm...so I'd try to stay home for a bit till the pain gets bad...

Answer

I've had both my babies natural. Two girls. I was 19 with my first and literally didn't hardly feel NO pain during labor. I had back labor that was it. I went into the hospital and I was dilated to a 5 and they kept me. I went in at 2 in the morning and had her at 5:02 in the morning. I didn't get the epidural because I had recently eaten and they said I couldn't have it. I ripped with her, that was the worst part. My second time around I had her induced. Let me tell you, I will NEVER go to induce again. I would much rather have my baby naturally. I went in already dilated to a four and progressing. The nurses went ahead and put the pill in to help dilate came back in and said we have to get it out, your baby's heart rate is dropping really fast and the doctor is pissed that we put it in in the first place. Mind you, my husband left for a second to go down the road to get some food. I'm like what? Next thing I know, they are DIGGING in my vag and it fucking HURT. My husband came in panicked because he has no idea wtf is going on and I'm laying there screaming and crying as this woman seems to me like she has her WHOLE FUCKING ARM IN MY VAGINA. She finally gets the pill out. And what you do know, I'm already at 6, and it just kept going SO fast. I was tired and worn out. But I had her naturally with no epidural at 2:08am. But let me tell you. I am now pregnant with my third baby. I'm absolutely terrified to have this baby now after reading all these horrible birth experiences. I'm literally in tears death afraid and I've already had two babies naturally. I'm 22 now. I promise you that at times it does hurt I'm not going to pie but in the end, you really do forget all the pain in the end. I was just relieved it was over and could hold my babies. I never wanted the epidural in the first place because I already have such bad back problems and I've heard really horrible things about the epi. Good luck to you momma and I promise it will all be worth it!

Answer

Walk, walk, walk! I walked a 3 mile nature trail the day I had my son just to keep him moving on down. Don't let them tie you down to the bed, it will just make things progress slower. Try and stay at home for as long as you can before going into the hospital. I found it was much more comfortable being in my own home than the hospital. Every contraction I had I would stop moving, bend my knees slightly, and bounce from side to side. Not only did it help move him down but it also made the contractions so much more tolerable. Good luck!

Answer

Focusing on breathing and relaxing was really helpful for me. It wasn't as painful as I thought it would be either. I walked, paced, and stood rocking my hips and leaning against something my entire labor up until it was time to push. That helped with the pain as well as speeding labor along by using gravity. Find a good way to breathe now whether it's the traditional "who who he" or something else and practice with little stress or pains that come your way (stubbing toe etc). I choose deep breath in through my nose and long breath out through my mouth often with a sound or moan. It really helped me! Good luck and remember you can do this!

Answer

I went all natural at a birthing center. I had excruciating back contractions and I used the moaning technique through the whole labor... Also having people push on my hips helped during contractions. Just keep in your mind that the pain will pass.... You're working to see your baby.

Answer

I can't help you experience-wise, (I decided halfway through my labor that I wanted the epidural,) but I got a lot out of reading, "Natural Hospital Birth" by the doula, Cynthia Gabriel. She shares lots of tips and tricks for working toward a med-free birth in the hospital setting. I hope that helps.

Answer

I know it's cliche but focus on your breathing... that's what helped me was breathing through contractions. I had two all natural childbirth and they were the complete opposite of each other. My first was all stomach contractions and my second was all back contractions. By the time it got unbareable it was time for me to push. 
Have a good support system for you, my husband helped me through breathing. You can do it! Good Luck

Natural Hospital Birth? HELP!

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