min. intervention natural birth for baby #1? How bad was the discomfort? (Boston area)

Question

Hi everyone, I'm not pregnant yet, but hope to be soon. I would like minimal intervention, but I have no experience, this being #1. I think the only reason I'd be up for an epidural would be if that were my only option left to having a cesarean (that happened to my sisters). I would like an honest estimate of discomfort. Did at any point you feel like you lost control if your mind? That freaks me out the most, more than the discomfort. Also, if anyone has used hypnobabies or had experience in Boston area hospitals, I would love to hear from you! :)

Answer

I'm in the same boat - this is my first pregnancy and I am determined to have an intervention-free delivery.  "The Business of Being Born" and Ina May Gaskin's books have really given me a lot of useful insight about natural childbirth and I am so thankful to have them as resources.  Almost veryone I know (OBGYN included) has given me crazy eyes when I tell them I want to have a natural birth; without having resources like these to help reassure me, I probably would cave in from the pressure of family, friends and the hospital.

All that said, Ina May is THE BEST and I admire and respect her so much for her work!! Check her out if you haven't already.  And, when the time comes make sure your midwife/OB is on the exact same page as you.  ✌️

Answer

I did hypno birthing.... It was awesome. There's an amazing midwife near boston named nancy wainer (sp?). If you have an epidural, you're more likely to get a csection. I had a natural birth, but if I'd chosen an epidural, I never would've gotten the baby's head out (38.5cm). Trust your body, you have amazing hormones that mask the pain (why else would women have more children?). You can deal with anything one minute at a time.... It's not like the movies. Good luck!

Answer

You can do it. Your body was made for this. HypnoBirthing is fantastic. Look for a book called Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein. And watch their documentary!

All natural birth with my son. Wouldn't have changed a thing. Pure magic.

Answer

Honestly, I was pretty much chilling and drinking my smoothie until about an hour before delivery. Then it started to get really uncomfortable for me. By the time it went from uncomfortable to OMG this crap hurts I was in transition. For me that was yelling at some people, puking and then 2 pushes and I had a baby. By the time it hurt bad enough to ask for anything it was too late to even think about it. 
Hypnobabies is greaaaat and make sure you stay up off your back. That's what really hurts.

Answer

It's definitely something you can manage. I recommend Bradley birth classes, they teach some good techniques. I had a 44 hour labor and did eventually get an epidural so that I could get some rest, but if it had been an average 17 hour first time labor, I would have been fine.

Answer

If you want a natural birth I highly highly highly recommend a doula!

Answer

Look into Hypnobirth. There are books podcasts YouTube videos and maybe even local classes. Birth and labor do not have to "hurt." Fear is what creates most of the pain and complications associated with pregnancy. Birthing a baby is natural and normal... If you're a female of course. Trust your body!

Answer

Keep in mind that transition is the stage of labor in which women really change and somewhat "loose their mind". Transition is a good thing, it means the baby is almost here! Get a doula and learn about labor. The more you know, the less scary it will be. Women are amazing creatures- we were built for this. We can do it, we are doing it!

Answer

I had really bad back labor and after 8 hours of labyrinth natural I had bad contractions lasting about a minute and coming every minute. My water had not yet broke and they said when it did they would get stronger and more intense so at this point I could not take any more and got an epidural. In the end I am so glad that I did. The reason I was choosing not to was because I didn't want it to effect breast feeding my baby because he was sleepy. When they broke my water I found out there was myconium and he would be immediately taken my the NICU team. They also did an episiotomy to get him out and I am really glad I didn't feel it! The dr also had to manually remove my placenta my sticking her hands and arms into my uterus. Again glad I didn't feel this. They also took my baby to the NICU because he wasn't maintaining his oxygen levels high enough they had him on an IV and I couldn't even breastfeed him until the next afternoon. In the end I wanted a natural birth and couldn't handle it, but I got really far and I plan to try again with the next.

Answer

Could anyone talk more about the mental state?? :)

min. intervention natural birth for baby #1? How bad was the discomfort? (Boston area)

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