Tips for a natural labor? (No epidural)

Question

Im 38 weeks, cervix is closed my ob checked it yesterday. She said it’s soft but closed. I’ve been drinking raspberry leaf tea to help tone my uterus. After my ob appointment I went on a 4 mile hike then came home took a shower. I drink a lot of water before bed and kept waking up to pee but started having painful cramps for 30 mins I was starting to worry since I need to change my medication prior to going into labor & my pharmacy is out of stock. The cramps were uncomfortable not painful but I cannot imagine anything stronger than cramps like those. Does anyone have any tips of dealing with contractions if you don’t want an epidural? I’m terrified of needles and being numb, but my medication also wouldn’t allow me to get an epidural so I’m left wondering what I can do for pain management

Answer

Breathing and have someone put pressure on the center of your lower back. It felt so good when my husband did this. Also, don’t under estimate those cramps. That’s all I felt for most of my contractions.

Answer

Where I delivered, they gave me oxygen with laughing gas, which helped ease the pain a lot before each push. You could ask for that :)

Answer

Most hospitals will offer other medications for pain management if you would want that. I can't have an epidural either because I'm allergic to bupivacaine which is one of the active ingredients in both epidural and spinal blocks and my doctors have stated they could use fentanyl or Demoral instead sometimes they also give morphine but I'm also allergic to that and they don't like to give it as often anyways. But I would talk to your doctor or midwife about your options also if you hospital/ birthing center has a shower or tub you could ask to use it for pain relief I've heard it does wonders for pain also this one is more difficult but try focussing on something else like music, watching a movie, reading a book or magazine, etc. You could also talk to your doctor or midwife about trying a tens unit I've heard a lot of good things about them but that would need to be approved by a medical professional first.

Answer

I have had two natural births and one csection hoping for another natural this time just breath and think of your baby your body is amazing and numbs you out anyway I handle the contractions really well by telling myself it’s probably not that 😂 with my five month old I went into labour at 8 at night and pretended it wasn’t happening until next morning wen I got the hospital I was 7cm dialated and had him two hours later same with my girl I went into labour went shopping went out for breakfast hers started at five in the morning then I went home had a bath and decided to go get checked and had her an hour later be strong you got this your made to do it ❤️❤️💙💛

Answer

I went almost 2 days in labor with no epidural and honestly what helped me was just remembering the pain was only temporary like it was going to stop in a minute. I ended up getting the epidural and I didn’t even see it tbh I never saw the needle and didn’t feel really anything other than a slight pinch. I got it only a couple hours before pushing so I labored med free for the most part

Answer

I’m opting for a water birth, tens unit, pregnancy massage, and nitrous & air for my pain management methods during labor. Discuss options with your midwife/doctor to see what they recommend as well.

Tips for a natural labor? (No epidural)

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products