Natural birth anyone?

Question

My baby is due in a few months and I’m highly considering trying to give birth all natural without the epidural. I am looking for advice, tips or tricks? How bad did it actually hurt??

Accepted Answer

Two tips. I have had 3 natural births and been present during 19 births. The moment you can’t feel you can go on is usually when it’s time to push. Also remind yourself... “ I can do anything for 60 seconds”. Try to move as much as you can too. If you’re having a hospital birth they usually like you confined to bed. Be adamant you want to be up and moving around. Try a birthing ball, squats, walking, warm shower or bath. You can do anything you put your mind to. While I personally prefer the natural route, there is zero shame if you choose an epidural. All that matters is you were able to have a birth that makes you happy.

Answer

I just had an unmedicated birth last week and it was so great! Here’s what I did to prepare. 
+I read Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth 
+I had an out of hospital birth. I went with midwives at a birth center. 
+I took HypnoBabies. I don’t think I ever really got into deep hypnosis while birthing, but all the relaxation techniques kept me cool, calm, and pain free. 
+I hired a doula. She helped so me so much. 
+I did prenatal yoga and I did the Spinning Babies Daily Essentials exercise video. 
+I drank lots and lots of red raspberry leaf tea.

Answer

Read Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth, Like a Mother by Angela Garbes, and hire a doula!

Answer

I tried to go all natural, but my labour was 52 hours so I was so tired that I had to get an epidural to let my body rest.
It’s totally fine to have the goal of a natural birth, just also keep in the back of your mind that things never go completely to plan and the ultimate goal is for a happy and healthy baby and mama!! Just go with the flow and there will be so much less stress... as for labour itself, it gets really intense but it’s definitely doable. In the moment, it seems like almost no time is passing. Keep moving as much as you can too!! And hot/warm water helps... also if you have back labour, a TENS unit is a lifesaver

Answer

I was amazed at how helpful music was for me! Also my doula helped me focus on breathing. Birthing class helped a lot too. As for books, Ina May is a must, and this one chapter in Mindful Birthing helped describe what labor pain sensations specifically do and do NOT feel like. It totally changed my mindset!! Learning to focus on "almost to the next REST," not "when is the next contraction." 🙂

Answer

Movement helped me a ton. I delivered in water and the warm water was a life saver. I  also started a breathing routine early on during contractions which helped me to stay focused and calm.
I had a 28 hour labor, without sleep unfortunately, and by the time I felt like I could not do it any longer, it was already time to push.
You can do it, mama 🥰

Answer

*give birth not conceive right 😉 you should be passed that part.
Following. I’m pregnant with my first too.

Answer

I did everything mentioned by the previous posters... reading all the books, oils, exercise, teas, hypnobirth, classes, music, visualization, different birthing positions, gave birth in a baby friendly, breastfeeding hospital where midwives delivery unless there is a need for the OB. Natural living woman.
My son is 9 months old, FTM. I was 6.5 when I got to hospital, on my due date, and he was sunny side up. I had back labor and it was the worst pain I’ve ever had in my life. It felt like a thunderstorm on a back. I reached 9.5 cm after being at the hospital for 4ish hours, and then was walking around, on the ball, doing my hypno music, husband and midwives rubbing my back, for 6 hours. After that.... I literally thought I was going to die. I wasn’t reaching 10 cm, he kept ramming my back, they kept saying I might need a c section and I kept saying no. Finally, finally, I got the epidural. At 9.5 cm stuck for all those hours. Then i had to stay in the bed, and I cried. I felt like a failure because I got the epidural and because I couldn’t reach 10 cm. 
I think it took 10 hours until I got to 10cm and could push. I still felt it all because they lower the epidural bolus so you feel the pushing. Personally, as a very fit woman who prepared for this, it was still the most excruciating pain in my life. And, because I didn’t do it 100% naturally, I carried PP guilt for months and had such sadness about it after giving birth- even with a healthy baby, full term, vaginal delivery. I had 2nd degree stitches and had pain the entire 6 weeks PP until finally healed. 
My point is. I am envious of the women who can have a natural birth with no meds, because i felt like a failure. But I can’t help but wonder if I had gotten the epidural sooner, once I knew it was back labor, if I would have enjoyed the experience more. Don’t feel like a failure, know your limits, know your body, and be your own advocate. And I hope you do not have back labor, and have a beautiful birth 😊

Answer

Some great advice here already. Start by understanding why you want to do natural birth and watch the business of being born to help build your understanding of the birthing process and system. That basis is going to be important in keeping headstrong about the decision you make and fighting for the birth you want. Also find a service provider who supports the birth you want (an OBGyn is a surgeon, not a specialist in natural birth!)

Answer

I had a natural in the women's ICU and got up to walk during transition (I said I needed to go the restroom). The doctors were supportive it was irritating how many times they offered the meds but they never forced me and we're nice about it they understandably don't like to see pain. Honestly it was a great experience pain was the worst in transition it quickly got easier once the baby was on the way out

Natural birth anyone?

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