Why have a natural birth?

Question

Just wondering. I'm gonna have an epidural. I can't even imagine being in agonizing pain for up to like 36 hours straight with no pain medicine. I know people don't hesitate to take medicine for a headache, etc. so why is childbirth (something so extreme) so different? Babies whose mothers had epidurals turn out just fine. Do these moms think they are empowered? Sometimes I get the feeling that some moms think they're better than other moms (who decided to take pain medicine and really enjoy the childbirth experience, as I've been told before).

Genuinely curious.

Answer

I would definitely not judge anyone for their choice.

I am a first time mom, so I haven't gone through it yet, but I made an informed decision to choose a birthing center where pain medication isn't offered. My reasons:
Women who have interventions usually have more interventions
I want to be able to eat during my labor and they will allow that
Epidural a can slow labor thereby making t a longer process
Pain meds have side effects and can cause more bleeding immediately following birth along with other effects
I'm terrified of needles and wonder if I would be able to sit still enough for an epidural
I would hate if something happened and I became paralyzed from the spinal or the epidural (very rare, but it's possible)
A vaginal birth requires less recovery and I want to stack the odds in my favor
My baby will be more alert immediately because it hasn't been effected by the drugs
Breastfeeding is often easier
I have less chance of being separated from my child due to complications
I have a lowered risk of a c section

Like I said, I haven experienced birth. I know it can be extremely painful and long. I can't imagine telling someone they are less just because they choose differently from me. How you birth is an intensely personal decision and should be gone into with some flexibility as well. I have really considered why this choice is best for me and my research has pooled all these reasons which I find compelling.

Answer

I'm afraid of needles and after seeing that needle I said, no thanks. Lol

And I educated myself and read a lot of things prior to labor. And I have done it with both of my kids and plan too with this baby.

Answer

I'm planning on having a natural birth. I'm one of those weird people that enjoys pain though. i feel more motivated when in pain. plus I've read up on the side affects of epidural for mom and baby and wasn't thrilled with my findings

Answer

I'm trying my best to have a natural birth because I have existing back pain that has only got worse with pregnancy. So I'm trying to avoid the complications and lasting effects of the epidural.

Answer

I'm doing an unmedicated birth because I have read all of the risks of an epidural and decided the reward wasn't worth it. We were built to do this. I'm expecting it to hurt, but I feel like it won't be something I can't handle. My mom has two epidurals, the first one didn't work and she still felt everything. The second one numbed her up instead of down and it almost stopped her heart. My aunt had one epidural, two unmedicated births and she said she hated the recovery with the epidural. They put a catheter in you btw which can cause chronic UTIs. For me it doesn't seem worth it.  But I don't think that someone choosing meds had it easier or anything. Birth is hard no matter what road you take and it's an accomplishment either way.

Answer

It's not a feeling of empowerment it's a sense of accomplishment. To me I didn't do it to feel empowered; I did it because I was proving to the people that said I couldn't do it wrong. My first was a 40 hr labor I had nothing! I felt like I worked for my son. My second I didn't hesitate for the epi, it was only a 9 hr labor total but I knew I didn't want to do it again and I don't feel any different and I still feel proud! I worked my ass of for both my kids epidural or not!

Answer

I loved being able to get up and do whatever I wanted right after and I felt absolutely amazing - no drowziness, catheter, numbness, or anything else to deal with.

Answer

I would like to have a natural birth because I already suffer from migraines and epidurals can cause them in the future. I also want to feel when I'm pushing and it's easier to use the correct muscles when not on any meds. I also want labor to go fast and, in some cases, the epidural can slow down the process. I  have a very high tolerance for pain so I really want to give it my all. With all of this said, I will probably not be able to go natural since I am having twins, but I am going to hope that I can!

I also have never met anyone who bragged about going natural. I've really only met one person, besides my mom, who have birth with no meds, the rest of the women have been super casual about getting an epidural.

Answer

I had an epidural with my first because they put me on pitocin (after I was in labor for literally 2 days and not making progress). It slowed my labor down, I had to push for 2.5 HOURS because I could really feel the urge and I was exhausted because I hadn't been allowed to eat for 2 days.  It was horrible and I will never have an epidural again. It's not about being "empowered" it's about not wanting to repeat that awful experience. With my second I had nothing and she was out in 2 pushes after only 6 hours of labor.  I even went for Chinese buffet right before we headed to the hospital because I didn't want to starve.  With baby #3 I am actually hoping to do a home birth with our midwife, but I won't decide until I meet with her next month for our initial appointment (I'm only 7 weeks).

Answer

With everything listed here & possibly having more interventions getting the epidural. I always manage pain as naturally as possible. My headache remedy is hot tea and a nap before I consider Tylenol. I'm approaching birth the same way, free movement, hot shower..etc

Why have a natural birth?

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