Based on your research/experience so far, what option are you leaning toward for your birth plan?

Question

A big part of me wants to go natural to be fully involved in my little one’s birth, BUT the idea of things tearing/stretching/ripping is also terrifying. Weighing my options. Thoughts?

Answer

Things can still tear, stretch and rip with an epidural. After 3 epidurals, one only half working and 2 episiotomies and a tear, I feel like going natural with the help of a midwife you have a better chance of getting away with less harm to the perineum.

Answer

Plus you can always start out natural and if you feel you need help then get an epidural

Answer

I’ve done an epidural twice now. Last time I got to the hospital they asked what my birth plan was and I said epidural. I don’t care about any other details lol. This time I’ll do the same. I’ve always been able to walk almost immediately after birth and they’ve always turned the pump down before I pushed so I could feel what I was doing.

Answer

My first daughter I had an epidural. I didn’t really know what my options were and was basically scared into that being the only way to go. With my second daughter, I knew a lot more and was very confident about having a natural birth! It went great and I will absolutely be having a natural birth with this pregnancy as well! 
I tore with both of the girls and they weren’t big babies (7 lbs 8 oz and 6 lbs 12 oz).  I tore In different spots with both of the girls. With the natural birth, I felt myself tearing but to be honest it wasn’t that bad I think because I had so much adrenaline. When the Dr was giving me shots to numb and then stitch me up I really didn’t even notice it happening. 
Whichever choice you make, you will do great!!

Answer

Epidural. I have nothing to prove. Not ashamed of needing the pain relief.

Answer

I tried natural with the first. After 18 hours in labor I got an epidural and it was the best decision I've ever made. I'm going to try natural again with the second but I'm definitely not waiting 18 hours again!

Answer

with my last two babies I stopped at 6 CMA and with both them once I got the epidural I had them within 2 hours because my body finally relaxed enough to continue dilate. i had to be induced twice though so i am hoping this time will be a little different.

Answer

Risks are higher with an epidural. It’s a very empowering experience to have a natural birth and well worth it in my opinion. It increases the risk of assisted delivery and csection because it’s harder to push. Not saying all women who choose this pain relief have complications, but it does increase the risk.
Do your research. And if you decide you want a natural birth there’s an excellent book I read when I was pregnant with my first called “natural hospital birth”

Answer

Natural is wonderful don’t be scared I labored 36 hours all back labor and my dr gave me and episiotomy without any local etc yes it hurt but it was worth it and I got stitched up with no meds.... it honestly wasn’t as bad as it sounds and I don’t ha sleep pain well

Answer

This is my third, and for me it greatly depends on how labor starts. With my first I went into labor on my own, progressed super fast, no time for epidural, but needed a c section in the end (preeclampsia, fetal distress). With my second I was induced st 40w1d (mostly due to large 38 week first baby), had an epidural, and had a successful vbac with no issues whatsoever. Second baby was slightly larger than the first. Similar progression with that labor. If I go into labor on my own this time, and things go fast again, I just hope it ends in another vbac. I would also be ok with being induced though, since it went so well.

Based on your research/experience so far, what option are you leaning toward for your birth plan?

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