In need of some honesty!!!

I’ve had 3. My best advice is:Don’t ask others what they think or even tell others you’re considering natural. Some people are so against it, their opinion could make a huge impact on your confidence. Only watch and read natural birth stories. Start hypno birthing (everything) music, breathing techniques, etc. Remind yourself daily, that your body has the tools it needs to birth naturally. Your endorphins will kick in, provide pain management, and help your mind relax while it does what it was built to do. Do remind yourself that this is a personal choice.. you can always change your mind later. Nobody is forcing you to birth naturally, this is something you WANT! The pain will end. It’s not going to last forever. As for my opinion on a natural birth.. some of us are made with a stronger pain tolerance and some aren’t. Nobody is better than the other. It’s personal. It’s a personal goal and accomplishment. Giving birth all around is an amazing feeling and as long as you’re feeling empowered with how you chose to deliver, that’s all that matters! I’m probably one of the “lucky” natural mamás.. i don’t feel contractions as painful until I’m in transition. The feel more bothersome until I hit around 6-7cm. I think one of the main reasons why, is because I don’t tell myself they’re painful. My body starts to believe that message and fuels my tolerance levels. Once in pain, I know it’s almost over. Feeling anxious or doubting yourself is normal. I’m due with my 4th soon and I’m already question if I’ll be able to deliver naturally or not. But I know that I can. I’m terrified of the epidural and would rather not get it lol. Like i said, it’s extremely personal. It’s nobody else’s concern.. your body.. your choice.

Not even kidding you, I’ve had more difficult poops than birthing my baby. 😂 it’s intense but your body is on your side, and baby is working with you. I studied HypnoBabies and my birth was painless. Intense but very manageable. Pushing was the best part, it was such a relief!Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth will give you confidence.

I had 4 all natural, its a big choice but I wouldn't want it another way. I can tell you many things but the truth is not everyones pain tolerance is the same. Your body also makes hormones to forget how bad the pain was. I know it hurt but I don't remember how bad 😂 I loved being able to sit in the chair 5 min after my child was born and feed her. I always found a focus point and controlled my breathing. I used the clock. Reminded myself it was almost over and when it was time to push I was giving it my all.Good luck, your body knows what to do just be confident in it😊

I’ve had 2 and currently planning another. Read anything my Ina May Gaskin. Positive birth stories help. I love The Curtis Method hypnobirthing and highly recommend to anyone who will listen.

My daughter was a natural birth and I can't recommend hypnobirthing enough! I listened to playlists of affirmations to sleep to for the last couple months and it ended up being a lifesaver. I had really bad back contractions, and I wish I would have had a couple tennis balls, but you can do it! I had a mirror so I could watch her be born, and that was an awesome experience- it also gave me something to focus on instead of just looking at the wall. Also one of my nurses said something I thought was so rude in the moment, but ended up being so helpful. I was screaming like no other and she just looked at me and said "you really don't need to scream like that. Take all that energy and use it to push if you need to." I was so taken aback at first but she was right. Like Finding Nemo, swim down! The nurse or midwife will coach you through it, and you'll forget the pain after you see that babe.

I just had my first baby at home I medicated in June and if I’m being completely honest...it was incredible! Nothing short of perfection and the beauty of being sober for it all is something I wouldn’t give up for the world. You can do it lady! Just trust yourself, your body, and personally I said prayers throughout, keeping in mind that He had control. I can’t recommend natural (ideally homebirth 😉) births enough. Check out Ina May’s book Guide to Childbirth for inspiration. Also watch the business of being born.. 😳 You got it mama, just Trust and BREATH!

I've done it 3 times and its so amazing! I highly recommend it. Music and breathing techniques as well as meditation and positive affirmations helps me a ton! Any time you think that you cant do it anymore just remind yourself "I am already doing it, my body was made for this". Also if you have the option of laboring in a pool or bath tub DO IT omg it was a saving grace for me with my last baby!

I had an open mind. I wanted natural, but I am a cry baby who cries with vaccines... And in case anything happened I would be willing to get all drugs available to deliver my baby. So... I had my mom and my husband with me. Very supportive of whatever I wanted. Neither of them tried to convince me to do natural. I actually don't even know their opinions on the matter. I was very excited. I imagined it being worse. I was calmed because my husband was there and I trusted my doctors.It was painful, but it would come and go. At some point I think the contractions were to close for me to tell them apart. I have IBS, and my heartburn and GI pains are worse. My labor was quick (pushed him out in 4 contractions). I had no issues after. I will do natural again.

I had a induced birth with no medicine (4 hours 1 push 6lbs 12oz) and a natural unmedicated birth (17 hours 3 pushes 8lb 14oz) Labor is awful. Induced labor hurts more faster instead of easing into it. I wrote in my notebook how it felt exactly so I wouldn’t forget... “hot boulder crushing my tailbone, burning acid being injected into my uterus and dripping into my inner thigh down my legs” Induction was awful for me. I coped by walking squatting and grabbing at my SO. Sheer willpower because my mom said “haha you’re being induced, you’re going to get a c-section especially because you won’t be able to do it without meds.” She wasn’t very nice to deal with. As for his birth he literally flew out. I felt a little burning when crowning and it hurt (very quick and fast) when his shoulders popped out. After shoulders they just sort of slide out.My second was a lot easier but longer. I used walking, stairs and shower/jacuzzi to tolerate labor. His labor was gradual so easing into it was better. It felt like period cramps, full stomach tightening then towards the end it became very intense like someone was trying to twist your organs while pushing on your stomach. His birth I felt him drop into the birthing canal. It felt like a lot of pressure and my bones might break apart. Pushing brought a feeling of relief. Crowning stung and burned but was quick. His shoulders got stuck for a minute and again quick fast pain when they popped out but he slide out after. Everyone experiences it differently. My one friend felt almost nothing! My other cried and screamed. Mine sound awful, but I never cried or screamed. It hurts but if you keep in mind it’s normal natural temporary and you aren’t dying that helps keep you calm. Your body goes into “I’m dying” mode with that much pain so you have to make a conscious effort to not clench your jaw or hands (believe it or not that relaxes the rest of your body)

I know it’s cliche, but you were made to do it. You’re body knows what to do so the best thing you can do is trust that and LET GO of any expectations. Let your body do what it was made to do. It’s like coughing or vomiting or going to the bathroom. You just instinctually do it. Labor is progressive so by the time it gets to be “too much” it will be over. The adrenaline is necessary in labor, but fear will cause more pain. If you understand what is happening to your body and that each contraction is literally working to get your baby into your arms, it won’t be scary. The pain is bearable and you will get to a point where you find your rhythm and it’s almost like being in a different dimension. And then it’s all over once you want to quit.If you can get past 5cm, you can do it. To me that’s when things are the worst because you’re not in that dreamy state yet.I found that saying the same mantras over and over in my head and actively relaxing my whole body between contractions helped so so much. My midwife tickled and rubbed my arms in between and reminded me to release the tension. It worked. You will do great and you will love the high you get afterwards!