My first birth was epidural at the hospital. Worst birthing decision I ever made: The epidural didn't work because my baby wasn't where he should have been...and no one in 3 shifts of hospital staff checked. The anesthesiologist caused a spinal fluid leak which resulted in forced bedrest where I could not lift my head or even have a fluffy pillow without extreme migraine for SIX WEEKS. I suffered a 3rd degree vaginal tear due to poor baby position in combination with being required to lie on my back (this position closes the pelvic opening, forces mom to push baby out uphill, & is statistically proven to increase tearing frequency as well as severity). My baby was grey and nonresponsive at birth and slept for 4 hours afterward due to the drugs beforehe woke enough to eat, and I now have chronic spinal misalignment from the epidural.

2nd birth was at home. No pain killers, no one interfering or trying to tell me how to birth my baby. I had trained my baby to be properly positioned (thank you Www.spinningbabies.com). During pushing I was able to literally stop my daughter's downward/outward progress mid-contraction because I could feel the vulva skin stretch to the max. After a moment of rest, the skin relaxed more and my daughter was born into her father's hands with no complications, no tears, and most importantly baby was hungry right away and I returned to normal activities in 3 days.

I don't know anyone who has had an epidural and come away without any side effects. I am not a fan. However, when the time comes and if you want one, do it. The man goal is a healthy baby & mommy.

This is the only video of the fetal ejection reflex that I've seen that includes the horizontal and longitudinal uterine muscles:

https://youtu.be/uk_o8Vydd_0

There are many studies now coming around to the conclusion that fear increases pain. For example: Fear releases adrenaline, adrenaline causes blood to flow away from digestion and reproductive organs and toward the arms and legs in anticipation of a fast escape. Lack of blood to the uterus causes fetal distress which can result in an emergency cesarean. Adrenaline also activates the parasympathetic nervous system which tells the circular (horizontal) uterine muscles to contract. This causes labor to slow or stop and causes extreme pain during dilating contractions when the long and circular muscles are activated simultaneously because it causes them to attempt to pull each other to shreds.

Bottom line: Get your mind in order and your body will do what it already knows how to do (it knew how to conceive, grow a healthy baby, and prepare for birth without any 3rd party coaching). Keep Baby properly positioned, trust yourself and have a great birth however that looks for you!

I'm due with #3 in Feb and the goal this time is something like: https://youtu.be/RqOr_c0Jm-Q

Happy birthing and meditating!

Natural birth

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