Natural birth?

Question

I would really like to have a natural birth - no epidural, specifically. I was thinking that I would just stay active up until labor, doing what I can to make it easier on myself, and then depend on a mixture of sucking it up and counting on my body to know what it’s doing during labor.
But I just went to a childbirth class and they say that 85-90% of the first time moms they see at their hospital get an epidural! I was astonished! And they said that those who don’t get one have usually been to a childbirth class (like Lamaze or whatever) to help them.
I am 7 weeks away from my due date and haven’t done a class or anything to prepare in any sort of official way.
Do I need to start a class ASAP?! Or do I just stick with my original plan of gritting through it?
Any advice welcomed!

Answer

I'm taking a natural childbirth class right now and while I find it useful I think you can replicate it at home. All it comes down to is practicing and preparing your partner for how they can help you. So here's what I recommend based on my class:
1. Buy a yoga ball and look up different labor comfort positions.
2. Have partner be ready to massage in between contractions and look up different methods to help for relief.
3. Research into pain management options and the risks of them so you have that to refer to if it gets hard.
4. Stay at home as long as possivle.
5. Come up with 48 hours worth of distractions (movies, activities, etc) for early labor.
6. Treat each contraction as it's own, not all together, just get through one more.
7. Choose a focal point to focus on
8. Look up other comfort positions since as slow dancing, crouching down, bending over for help during contractions. 
You can totally do it! Just put some time into research and practice and make your own version of a class.

Answer

Speaking from having given birth once. I was not wanting an epidural at all. I didn’t take any birth classes because I had been to one before with a friend and seen 2 births. I got to 8cm and caved. By the time they pulled the needle out it was time to push and I felt everything. I was so bummed that I didn’t just hold out for a little bit longer.
Here’s my takeaway.  My husband needed a birth class. I feel that if he had more of an idea of what was happening that he would have been a better support. He didn’t know where to rub my back for the pain and didn’t encourage me to push through. I’m not blaming him but a support system is huge. On top of it I had way too many people in the room that were too much of a distraction in a bad way. 
You need someone in the room that can really be there for you and an advocate. You also need to mentally prepare a lot. I kept telling myself I didn’t want it but in the back of my head saying we’ll see how it goes. If you are going to do it you need to be so firm in that belief. This is just my personal experience. I hope it all goes well!

Answer

With my first, I had a shot of Nubain and slept in a tub while I labored. My water broke on it’s own at 2:30 am, they gave me my shot around 4, woke me up at 11:30 because my son was just about crowning, and he was born at 12:15 pm. I’m hoping it’s that easy this time around!

Answer

With my firstborn I was in labor for 19 hours with slow dilation. Epidural was a better choice for me because even though there was very little progress the contractions were very strong and coming every 5-3 minutes lasting for 1 whole minute for the most part. Some people don’t have the threshold for pain and I’m one of those people. However I will say that I had a lot of back issues with the epidural pp. It’s definitely a catch 22

Answer

I think the percent is that high because people tend to scare first time moms and before they even try to see if they can do it they start thinking of all the stories they are told or videos they have seen and they scare themselves into getting one. Our bodies were designed to give birth like that I just always think of the women back in the day that didn’t have that option and just had home remedies were strong we can do this I’m also going the natural route and the first thing the nurse did when I told her was laugh at me and say we will see.... and I said we will see when I shut you up and don’t get one I’m strong and you will not scare me into getting one.

Answer

Hey! I’m from the UK and it is much less common for mums to get an epidural. In fact it’s around 35% and 50% for FTM.. I have felt from day one my midwife encourage me to have a natural birth due to having no risks and being classes as a low risk pregnancy.. I will be giving birth on a midwife led unit. Meaning no doctors / surgeons. In the UK they have done research into this being the most straightforward way to give birth and you are much less likely to need intervention.. such as forceps/ assisted birth. 
I think it’s wonderful that you feel you do not want an epidural - you should do what feels right for you! I’m exactly the same! The thought of not being able to move my legs or to feel when to push sounds awful! 
Good luck with whatever you choose :)

Answer

My plan is also a natural birth, and it is my first :) I recently bought a hypnobirthing birth that I have found to be very helpful, it's the Hypnobirthing Book by Katharine Graves. It has a ton of info and exercises to help you achieve a natural birth. Does your hospital/birthing centre offer a birthing tub? Or at least a tub you can labour in? The warm water is supposed to help with contractions and keeping your body calm. Also try the movie The Business of Being Born, super empowering for women looking to have a natural birth. Hope any of these help! 💜

Answer

Do classes from youtube.. and if you do end up having a epidural then dont let it bother you. It doesnt make you less of a person or a mother and it definitely does not make you a bad mum

Answer

With my last, I had to be induced which makes the contractions really intense. Still was able to do without epidural or other pain meds. I had no special classes. The only thing that made it possible was a jetted tub. It made the pain bearable.

Answer

FTM, I had no epidural. I stood home as long as I could and ended up not going in till the last second, well I was already 8 cm. That helped so much. I was in l&d for like an hour

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