Natural delivery?!

Question

So I just watched the documentary "The Business of Being Born" and I'm def contemplating a natural birth, in a hospital setting, with a midwife, if my insurance will cover a midwife... Was just curious. So out of you moms out there who have done a natural birth w no interventions what are your suggestions? Stories? Advice? I want what's best for my baby and I and after watching that I def think no drugs is the way to go. But in a hospital.

Answer

I had 2 amazing unmediated births in a hospital. With my first, I labored for about 18 hours at home (in a warm bath using hypnobirthing techniques) I arrived at the hospital 9cm dilated and had my daughter 45 min later. I had a birth plan, a doula, my super supportive husband and an OB who specializes in natural births. With my son, I had early labor, which some people will call "false labor" for weeks. The day he was born, I woke up at 6:30am, my water broke, got to the hospital fully dilated and had him 25 min later only an hour and a half after I woke up. Same support team and another empowering experience.
I have to say, some of the staff was not on board with natural birthing...I'm guessing because their training is around interventions and they don't know what to make of it. One nurse tried multiple times to hook me up to pitocin AFTER my son was born to "help stop the bleeding" even after I told her no twice. I told her I'd discuss it with my dr when he came back to check on me and of course all was fine. I believe there is a time and place for medicine but in birthing a baby I think it is used WAY too much and that is why so many complications arise, not because we can't do it without medical intervention. Do what makes you feel comfortable but always advocate for yourself and your baby because they are just following protocol and that may not be the best thing for you. If you have any questions please message me as I'd love to see more women have the natural births they deserve. Best of luck to you!

Answer

I've had two extremely different experiences. My first son was with a Dictor group and the second I got to the hospital they forced me to get one unnecessary intervention after another, it created a domino effect of problems and I ended up with a csection. I literally grieved the experience I didn't get to have with him. I immediately knew next time I wanted to do everything different and began my research. With my second son I found an amazing midwife practice and drove over an hour both ways to every appointment. I had an all natural VBAC and it was the most empowering experience I've ever had. I'm now due with our third on Tuesday and went with the same midwife group and going for another all natural VBAC. My recovery was night and day after my VBAC as compared to my csection. My suggestions are to know your rights as a patient, trust your body and make the decision that's right for you and your baby. Don't allow yourself to be bullied or forced into anything just because you're told to by someone in a white coat. You ALWAYS have options!

Answer

Find a doctor or practitioner that supports your goals, research hospitals in your area, read Ina May Gaskin and positive birth stories, and take a birth class (I took the Bradley Method).

The doctor who delivered my daughter is a family practitioner, not an OBGYN, so he definitely has a different, more holistic approach to things. The hospital I delivered at was completely on board with natural birth. My nurse asked me if I had taken any classes, and once I mentioned the Bradley Method, she was 100% supportive and respectful of everything. She never made any mention of drugs, only checked me when I asked, and basically left me alone to labor how I wanted. I brought my birth plan but never had to get it out of my bag. Even the day nurses who took over at 7am were supportive an asked what we wanted before they did anything. They helped me breastfeed immediately and helped my husband bathe our daughter in the room when we were ready. She wasn't even weighed until after she had eaten and had skin to skin for quite awhile. It was a much, much better hospital experience than I had hoped for.

As far as accomplishing a drug free birth, my advice is to learn how to relax, breathe, and trust your body. That's really the best thing I could have done for myself, and it worked wonderfully.

Answer

I watched this show also and was dead set on a natural delivery but sometimes it doesn't work out that way, I say just relax and don't let then talk you into anything you don't want. That's where a midwife or a partner would really come in handy to help you stick to your plan when you want the meds or to tell your nurse no if they seem to be pushing the drugs. I went for the epidural only because I wasn't progressing after 24 hours. At that point, I just wanted it to be over. Good luck on your delivery and just remeber, don't get down on yourself if you have to change your birthing plans because most don't go the way they want them to. I believe there is a part on this app where you can actually make a birth plan

Answer

I had natural delivery in hospital but that hadn't been my plan my little man was in such a rush to come out I had no time for medication. We had no complications no intervention needed thankfully. It was by far the most pain I have ever been in but I do have to say I believe I healed so much faster this time around . I felt great within a few hours I was up walking around asking if we could go home. I had stopped bleeding at 10 days postpartum and we resumed sexual relations at 14 days I'm now 19 day's postpartum and doctor has cleared me to return to work. Not sure if any of this is due to natural birth or just bounced back quick this time. I'm also breastfeeding this time and have been told that will help you heal faster.

Answer

Labor in water...

Answer

Where did you watch it?

Answer

My first delivery was natural in the hospital I was 19 years.

Now I am pregnant and doing a home water birth.
I would not want a hospital birth again because I like the comfort of my own home and my needs and wishes to be met.

Also I live in the Netherlands and over here they look a little different at the birthing process then in thw USA.

Answer

FTM- what does VBAC mean

Answer

Read as many books on natural birth as you can get your hands on!
"Birth Matters" by Ina May Gaskin is what I am reading right now and it is full of studies, history, and how technology has not improved outcomes for mom or baby. It's very eye opening and encouraging. There are a few birth stories in there as well, which I love. 
Read as many natural birth stories as you can because they are extremely insightful! 
I had a natural birth in hospital with my first and I am planning a home water birth for this baby due in June. For me, natural birth is the only option. It is so empowering and amazing!

Natural delivery?!

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