Natural labor??

Question

So I've wanted a natural labor since I was too young to conceive children. I have a handful of people that are supportive and have either had natural births or recommend them, but most OBs "highly recommend" an epidural and want to take away that joy of bringing a life into this world like God designed us to do. I'm half way there 20w3d and have frequent dreams of a natural labor and breathing through it and having a beautiful baby. Any uplifting and encouraging words??

Answer

Dear lord. OBs do not want to "steal your joy." Their main objective is to get your baby out alive and safely. Their reputations and license depends on it. If your ob is highly recommending an epidural, it's because she knows that labor is long, hard, an extremely painful. She also probably has an idea of your pain tolerance. If you don't want one, you won't be forced to get one. It's not like they're sitting in a dark room plotting how to ruin your dream birth.

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I've heard about doctors pushing pitocin and then labor getting much more intense to the point of needing an epidural. It's a vicious cycle! I approve!! If I wasn't having twins I would have chosen a natural labor!

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I've never heard an OB recommend epidurals? I had my first completely natural and for me it was more of a mind thing. I went in thinking, I can do this and it won't be bad. 32 hours later I delieved my 7.6 pound baby girl natural. If it's what you want, be prepared, know it will hurt but it's not the worst thing in the world and totally worth it. But keep an open mind and don't let yourself feel down if you end up getting medication. Either way, you will have the same result, a healthy baby! I am 22 weeks with number 2 and hope to do it natural as well. Best wishes! 😄

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I am also planning a natural birth but am keeping an open mind.

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I want a natural birth as well. For one, epidurals don't always work for one reason or another. Sometimes they're done wrong, sometimes they only work on part of your body, sometimes they wear off before you deliver and sometimes they don't kick in at all before you deliver. They limit your ability to move during labor and change positions. You have to have a catheter. Your recovery is a little longer because you can't walk. They restrict you to laboring on your back, which is proven not to be an effective position for delivery. Think about it - on your back, legs pushed up to your ears - your pelvis tilts up in this position. Makes it harder for baby to come out, often resulting in tearing or the need for an episiotomy. Plus, laying on your back doesn't sound too great in the way of pain management. I think it sounds miserable, honestly. I want to go without an epidural but am open to other methods of pain management, including Demerol, or other intravenous pain meds. Just don't wanna be numb!

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Following for comments! I would really like to have a natural birth as well!

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Well just know that they can't force you to have one, you do have a choice.

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You always have options! It's your experience  not theirs

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You're already having dreams about having a natural birth so you're already putting it out to the universe that this is what you want and this is what's going to happen, and you're receiving these wonderful omens/dreams of what's to come! I want the exact same thing as you & was told I'll have to be induced bc of my high risk pregnancy. I'm absolutely against it and any meds. I will have a natural birth regardless of what the dr says. If you want a great book to read it's called Hypnobirthing by Katharine Graves. I like it bc it's everything I want and will have with a natural birth! :)

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I have to speak with an anesthesiologist to see if it's even worth considering. I had a back injury last year and they are concerned where the injury was I may not be able to have the epidural. The decision may already be made for me, and if so I won't stress about it either way. I just can't wait to meet my sweet baby.

Natural labor??

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