Did anyone have an unmedicated birth on accident?

Question

Did anyone go into labor with intention of getting an epidural but didn’t? I’m due in 9 weeks and haven’t prepared my body at all for natural birth. I’m a healthy weight but don’t exercise too much. I’m trying to avoid an epidural but definitely not opposed to one if I can’t handle it. Just wondering if anyone went in planning on having an epidural and ended up not needing it. NOT THE ONES WHERE THE EPIDURAL DIDNT WORK. Please share your story. Were you active through your pregnancy, was it harder than you imagined? What are some tips you could share to get through labor and delivery unprepared and unmedicated.

Answer

Yes! I had every intention to get the epidural with my last pregnancy but once they broke my waters at 4cms it took not even a hr before i was pushing. They were setting the epidural up when i needed to “poop” in 13 mins he was born. Honestly I thought I couldn’t do it with the epidural, i was shit scared but you become so focused on getting the baby out as fast as possible ( that’s what happened to me) that you don’t notice anything else

Answer

My plan was to get the epidural with my daughter which is 8 years old now but the labor was going so fast I didn’t have enough time. Got to the hospital I was 5cm asked for it took me to my room I was 7cm and they told me it was to late and next thing I know I was pushing. 3 hours in total with contractions and pushing her out

Answer

I did literally no exercising while pregnant. Also was a healthy weight, but a total lazy bum lol. I labored at home and went in when I felt like I was ready for an epidural (or at least some type of pain meds). Got there and I was at 9cm. Then I was like "oh, that wasn't as bad as I thought." I'm SO glad I did it without it. It was nice to feel when to push, and to be able to get up and walk around afterwards. You can do it, momma!

Answer

I can tell you with number 3 I didnt get the epidural until 6cm, a d I know I could have gone longer and wondering if I could have done it without. Maybe if we have number 4!

Answer

I don’t do any exercise and had a natural labour. It would have been too late for me to have an epidural as by the time I went into hospital I was fully dilated. I was pushing for a long time and boy did my body feel shredded to bits (pulled exhausted muscles) but if I had the epidural it’s not like this would have helped as I would have still been using those same muscles to push

Answer

Can’t speak from experience yet, however I’ve been very active during pregnancy but still have felt annoyed by people who say things like “Strength training is what got me through natural labor!” “Doing squats is what got me through natural labor!” Our bodies are made for this and, in my opinion, getting through labor without drugs is really a personal preference based on a lot of circumstances outside of our control (is baby posterior or anterior? Is labor progressing quickly? Did an induction need to occur?) and has nothing to do with activity or fitness. Don’t think you can’t do it because you haven’t been hitting the gym all pregnancy long! I have several friends who have run multiple marathons who all had epidurals because they felt more comfortable that way, but clearly they have endured discomfort time after time. I read The Big Book of Birth which talks about pain coping strategies, maybe check it out. Having some strategies up your sleeve may ease your mind. My chart notes from my doctor currently say “game-time decision” for an epidural because as much as I would like to go natural, I won’t know until I’m in it and feeling it and seeing how things are playing out.

Answer

Yes! With my first I was set on not having an epidural but when it came down to labor I cried for one but actually couldn’t get one because he was coming so fast’ 
I’m honestly happy I wasn’t able to go through with the epidural

Did anyone have an unmedicated birth on accident?

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