Tips on natural labor?

Question

I REALLY want to have a natural labor. I feel pressured to get an epidural from people in my family, but I feel as if I know I can have this baby naturally. I just need some tips and some people to talk to! I know it’s tough and I know epidurals aren’t bad. I just want to have her natural. So any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

Answer

I had a 30 hour labor and an unmedicated birth. Some things that helped me a lot were:
1- a doula! I’m definitely having my doula this time around too 
2- Learn how to properly breathe through contractions. This helps a lot! 
3- change positions a lot. Whatever is comfortable for you!
4- heating pads/warm baths/massage. Those 3 things helped my pain so much. 
5- visualization when you’re having contractions. Try to imagine you’re in your happy place wherever that is. What helped me is to visualize that each contraction was helping my baby to be here even sooner & I imagined him being in the bassinet that’s in the room 
6- do not tense up! 
7-positive birth affirmations!
8-know that it’ll end soon-quicker than you know. As soon as transition hits (which was the most painful part), you’re so close to pushing. Transition doesn’t usually last long at all and pushing is somewhat relieving. 
❤️ good luck!

Answer

I was 15 hours active labour with my daughter (first & until this one arrives only child)  contractions began on a Saturday morning & she was finally born on the Sunday afternoon! I did it naturally, I took no antenatal classes, no hypno therapy music, just support from my mother.
If you want to go natural, you do what you want! Don’t let others pressure you into something you don’t want to do.
Honestly you can go in tell them you don’t want anything to help, which is fine, but if you do really feel like you need the pain relief you can always change your mind :) 
I did at one point ask but they said it wouldn’t be worth it.
I changed positions a lot, but I found a position that was right for me & labour seemed more bearable.
There is nothing wrong with going natural, same as there is nothing wrong with having an epidural, but don’t let any one else influence your decision, many of us have been in labour but it’s a unique experience for everybody. Do what you want, and like I said plans can change & if they do that doesn’t matter either as long as you and baby are healthy :)

Answer

I don't have any tips for natural labor but You should never feel pressured. Tellnthe nurse that you do not want one. And that you don't want it offered. Let your Dr know as well. They will only listen to you not your husband/boyfriend or family. My mother told the nurse I needed the epidural before I wanted it and she told my mom not until I asked. Just breath and try not to focus on the pain. 
I got one with both my birth but with my second it only took on half my body so I still felt everything. Having my boyfriend beside me telling me I could do it and rubbing me really helped!

Answer

I got lucky with a short labor but I was also on Pitocin which I’ve heard makes things more painful (I’ve only had one baby).
I didn’t take any meds or an epidural.  I did use laughing gas (nitrous) and trust me, it still counts because it doesn’t take away any of the pain.  You still feel everything, it’s just a coping device.  It was great because it also helped me lose track of time so it felt like it went faster than it did.
One thing I’ve learned about managing pain is that it really helps if you don’t react to it.  Idk if that’s weird but I have IBS so I get really painful stomach aches, and this technique helped me during labor.  If you don’t react to the pain, it makes it easier to deal with.  I did this for as long as I could every contraction and it really helped.  Of course there was a point where I was just screaming and crying because man that shit hurt, but it really did help.

Answer

Me too! I’ve been discouraged from anyone I’ve spoken to about wanting a natural birth, besides my hubby. I HIGHLY recommend reading Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth. I got mine off of amazon. I read it when TTC and plan to reread it before giving birth now that I’m pregnant. The first half of the book is just empowering natural birth stories that will make you feel like super woman after reading. It also has very valuable information about having a natural birth and strategies. It has totally changed my mindset and I know exactly what I want after reading it. I’ll likely read it twice during these 9 months bc it made me just feel so good to read. Keep the negativity out and do what YOU feel is best for you and YOUR baby. We can do this...we were made to!!! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

Answer

Look into hypnobirthing and/or the Bradley method

Answer

Go in knowing there could be pain. When in labor find what works for you. When going from 1cm-4cm I was at home and sitting on a toilet rocking helped me. Then 4cm-7cm o did great walking and in tub. After that I got the laughing gas and would lean over the back of the bed. I ended up getting back in the tub between 8-9cm until I needed pitocin which is when I gave in for the epidural which worked since I ended up in c section

Answer

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Tips on natural labor?

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