Anyone wanting to give birth naturally?

Question

What have y'all done to prepare for giving birth naturally? It's something I would love to do, but I'm so afraid that when push comes to shove I'll give in and ask for an epidural.

Answer

I think the best thing you can do is surround yourself with supportive professionals (doula, midwife) and take a natural birthing class. I personally feel like you either do it or not; there is no try. Sounding like Yoda there 😋.  What I mean by that is I hear a lot of people say "it got too hard." Well...yeah. It's freaking hard! But if you have people who can help with different positions, techniques, and emotional support it helps. Also laboring at home as long as possible can help you avoid unnecessary interventions if you're planning a hospital birth. It's also more comfortable staying in a familiar space as long as possible, IMO.

Answer

It's really a question of "are you a laborer, or are you a deliverer?" I personally am NOT a laborer-- I whine and complain and sound like a total wimp through the hours of contractions... but I am a deliverer! When it comes time to push, I'm all business and honestly the pain doesn't bother me because I know it's productive. My best friend was quiet as a mouse during her laboring and was polite to everyone and calm... but when she had to push she freaked out and started complaining of pain. So... I would say see how you're faring through your early labor and make a decision accordingly.

Answer

I plan to have an unmedicated birth. Your biggest tool will be educating yourself and practicing strategies. I took a natural child birthing class which gave me a ton of confidence in my abilities. I also practice breathing methods and laboring positions when I have braxton hicks or cramping so that when real contractions start I will know exactly what to do. Including my husband in this education and practice has been extremely helpful as well. He feels confident that he will be able to support me when the time comes.

Answer

I'm planning on doing natural. I'm at a birthing center and doing a water birth. I REALLY want my Water birth and by doing that I can't have an epidural. My midwife is also a doula and she is going to help me get through it all. I've gotten in the mentality that I CAN do it and by not doubting myself I feel almost zen about it all.

Answer

I've used my birth ball the entire pregnancy.  Squats, lunges, donkey kicks. Walking. Yoga and breathing. Set a code word for if I genuinely mean it when I ask for drugs. Gave my fiance and mom reading material on how to support me best and what to expect. Came up with an inspiration board of things to remind myself and have them remind me.

Answer

I gave birth to my 1yr old with no pain meds and am planning to do the same with this little guy. Here's to hoping he comes as quickly as his sister lol. 
I didn't do anything to prepare it just happened. I found a comfortable place to labor, on the toilet, and just moaned and cried and didn't worry about anything except getting the baby out!!

Answer

I'm also really hoping to do it without any medication as well. I've heard that you should labor at home as long as you can (do some reading on when you should head to the hospital though). It's supposed to really help get through a lot of it.

Answer

Lol I've always told myself that if I truly wanted a natural labor I could do it. My goal in each of my labors thus far has been to go as long as possible without any sort of pain medication and if I need it I need it. My labors are short. First was 5 hours and made it 3 hours without pain meds got the meds thru the iv then when that was up I got the epidural. My second was 3 hours I made it a little over 2ish hours before I asked for the epidural and they said I was lucky to get it. My third will most likely be the quickest and I won't be able to get anything which scares me cause now I feel like it's no longer my decision to get or not get pain meds. So I haven't honestly prepared so this will be a good post for me to follow as well. Cause I'm terrified. Because my labors are so short they hit hard and hit fast so I'm nervous.

Answer

I want to have a natural unmedicated if I can...but generally whatever I want or plan for is not how things go...

Answer

There's nothing wrong with getting an epidural if your want one. You're allowed to change your mind. However, there is a point of no return with epidurals, so you may want one, but be unable to get it.

Anyone wanting to give birth naturally?

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