Anyone have a drug free, vaginal birth?

Question

Hi mommas. I have a midwife and I'm doing prenatal classes with a doula, plus I've read a few natural birth books. I'm really wanting to try to have a natural/drug free birth. Any mommas out there who have done it and can give me any advice that helped them?! Thanks!

Answer

I had both my boys naturally & drug free! My advice stay home as long as you can... I got to the hostipal & 15 mins later had my boys... Breathing techniques!!! Inhale exhale through contractions have your partner lightly massage your lower back....

Answer

I did a natural, drug free birth with my daughter in a hospital and hope to with this little nugget I have brewing as well. I told the nurses and doctor when I arrived that I wanted to try things like they but with me being in Healthcare, I am realistic of what could go wrong. The pain gets to be unreal and I totally understand why people have an epidural! I think towards the end, I was on my side holding on to the railing of the bed for dear life. Breathing techniques help. Music was a good distraction for a little bit. I would suggest being open to being in various positions to find comfort and to be ready to push. The hardest part for me was the pushing because I was so exhausted. Don't be afraid of the word episiotomy. In the end, the pain is giving you something to hold in your arms when everything is sod and done. I say to try it and if you get to the point where you need something, there is no shame in that either!

Answer

I was induced because of gestational hypertension at 39 weeks and delivered without pain medication. So thankful that I did even though the pitocin made it rough! I took Bradley method classes and had a midwife and a doula. I recommend learning several positions to labor and push in. Also I recommend having a small fan and using a TENS unit to distract from the pain of the contractions. Recovery wasn't too bad.  didn't need pain med postpartum either.

Answer

I had a natural vaginal birth with my daughter 5 days ago, FTM. I was planning on having an epidural, did not take any classes prior to birth, light contractions started weds night around 6pm,  and by 12am I was having regular contractions that were mild every 5 mins for about 30-45 seconds a piece. The contractions got stronger by 3am I called the dr, he made me feel like I wasn't ready to go to the hospital and that labor could stop, so I waited at home as long as possible, when I had a bad contraction my husband and I would slow dance through it.. it helped. I also loved using the app "full term" which is a contraction timer.. I knew I only had to endure the discomfort for about a minute and looking at the seconds pass gave me something to focus on while using the app. I was supposed to go to the Dr for a regular apt that morning so when I called to cancel saying I was waiting to go to the hospital, they told me to come into the office to get checked. When I got there it was 10:20am, the NP told me I was 4-5cm. She told me to head to the hospital which was in the same town. I arrived at the hospital and was brought to the delivery room at 11:10am, within 15 mins the Dr. Came in and checked me again, I was 9cm. He told me I would be ready to push in an hour and I would be pushing for 2-3 hours because baby was still very high. I couldn't get an epidural until I finished an IV bag, and within 10 mins of being checked, my water broke, 5 mins after that I was ready to push. The baby was crowning after the first push, head was out on the 2nd, and she was born by the third push. She was born 56 mins after arriving to hospital. I didn't have time for the epidural, while in my mind I imagined it being WAY worse, it really wasn't as bad as I had imagined. I was more nervous about the unknown. At the end the contractions were definitely intense and I was squeezing the railing of the bed for dear life, and I did have a 2nd degree tear, but didn't feel it, you can do this!

Answer

I had a pain relief free birth with my son. I think the most important thing is to stay calm & relax and especially to not fear the pain (that may not be as bad as you think!). I stayed at home for as long as possible, walked around the block a lot and sat on the gym ball to keep moving. I had done pregnancy yoga during the run up and loads of the positions, stretches and breathing were really useful. 
I used a tens machine on my back when the contractions got a bit more intense & when I got to the midwife unit I was at 10cm. I then used the birthing pool which was amazing & I honestly don't remember feeling like I wanted any pain relief at all, I think my body just got in the zone & it was an amazing experience. My son was born in the pool. Another thing that made the difference was the midwife - she was so calm but not obtrusive - I was just able to get on with it but she was there if I needed her quietly keeping an eye on things!!

Answer

Mine wasn't completey drug free but i didn't get a epidural. My hospital gave me pitocin when i got there even though i was already 8cm dilated. My nurse didn't check me very well and said I was only a 7 for 6 hours.I Just  breathed and took it one contraction at a time. When my doctor checked me for the first time and i was at a 10 they put in in the traditional hospital birth position and i stopped feeing pain and only felt pressure and boom. I pushed for 2-5 contractions and he was here. For me the placenta hurt more than the labor. It was worth it though. 😊

Answer

I used IV pain meds with my first 2, but didn't really like them looking back on it as I didn't enjoy after the birth because they made me drowsy. So with my 3rd I had a 5 hour labor completely drug free! Just had my 4th a few weeks ago, also drug free as she came in about 45 minutes and we didn't have time to get to the hospital, so she was born at home. My drug free births were so much better for me.

Answer

Moving around until it was time to push was what helped me the most. I kept moving into a different position ever 10-15min with my husbands help or walking. I just kept moving so my contractions kept coming. My husband and mom gave me counter pressure on my back when a contraction started. I told them/put their hands where I wanted. You know where and if you want counter pressure so you need to be vocal about it as they are not mind readers and only see you in pain and don't know what you need.

Answer

I've had 5 natural births and getting into a water tub had been by far the best for pain relief. I deliver in a birth center where I don't have to lie down and I can eat snacks, so that freedom makes a big difference.
My first two were hospital births and both were miserable. That atmosphere really makes it hard to not give in to meds, which I didn't but in comparison it was much harder.
Also, one of those hospital births was induced and that was more painful all on its own.
Good luck!

Answer

I had a drug free home birth!

Anyone have a drug free, vaginal birth?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey