Natural labor!?

Question

I want to have a natural labor with my 3rd. I want to hear some of your stories on your natural labor! How did you advocate for it during your labor?

Answer

I would definitely say childbirth education classes. I am a labor and delivery nurse and had a completely unmedicated childbirth about a month ago. Most important thing is frequent position changes! Try different things. I labored at Home for a couple of hours- birthing ball, walking, squats and showering (the shower was amazing). I arrived to hospital 6-7 cm after making my husband stop for Dunkin’ Donuts! Haha. I informed my delivery nurse that I did not want medications for pain. One important thing is to have a support person that helps coach you through labor and knows your wishes. My husband was my support person. We took one contraction at a time and he engaged in deep breathing with me. Once I was transitioning into active labor and the stage of pushing it was key to have a support person who encouraged me to move forward without medications and coached me in letting me know I could do this! It was the most amazing experience of my life!

Answer

Definitely take a class, practice breathing techniques and relaxation methods ahead of time. I've had two natural births, one in a birth center and one in a hospital. The hospital was unplanned so I just had the ob that was on call which was blah, I much prefer the birth center. The hospital wanted to give me pitocin to speed things up and I declined, but I did let them break my water. Have a support system/birth partner who takes the class with you (my husband was mine). Both be knowledgeable about what interventions you are open to and what's a hard no or when certain interventions become acceptable to you. For me usually the moment when I'm ready to give in is just before it's time to push and then I'm good cause I know we're almost there. That's when you really need the support to help you mentally. It really is a mindset. Also, for me it helped to think of the contractions as pressure not pain, and pressure is a good thing because it means the baby is descending.

Answer

I had a fabulous doula and went through a birth center attached to a hospital. I had midwives instead of OBs and they were all on board. This time around, we have moved to a different state and don’t have the option of a birth center so we are having a hospital birth. Find a doctor you LOVE. Sometimes it is not necessary to have an OB, but a family medical doctor who practices obstetrics. They are less likely to push unnecessary interventions. Make a clear birth plan and share it with your doctor and nurses. Take natural birth classes (this is the most important thing you can do!). They will give you all sorts of tools to help with your journey. If you can afford it, look into a doula. They can help you through labor pains naturally, advocate for you in the hospital, and provide advice and support throughout your pregnancy and labor.

Natural labor!?

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