So many experiences. I am limited,on my options so I'm hoping they'll at least let me,labor on all fours and on a ball and I would like to wait at home until baby is coming unless my water breaks like with my last

had epidural with my 1st and was calm and nice. Found out my platelets drop dangerously low during pregnancy to where I almost needed a transfusion to stop the bleeding. 2nd kid I couldn't have a epidural due to the chance of becoming paralyzed with low platelets. And I was dusted to 6 so no iv meds could be given. The pain was more than imagined! Getting into a Jacuzzi was the only way to ease the pain and let me rest for a short time. Had back labor which is horrible. He was looking towards my right leg which they are supposed to be facing down and his cord was around his neck twice. So yes it was the worst pain I could have with my kids. But the recovery was SOOO much easier. Me and my husband were tired of being home after he was 4 days old and we went walking around Wal-Mart. So just depends on how well you handle pain and if there isn't any complications expected.

My first was preterm, but I labored on my own with monitors on. I had Fentanyl and pushed for 1.5 hours and delivered my son face-up after an episiotomy.

My second was full term and I labored 100% drug free. I used the labor tub, then delivered in the bed after 10 minutes of pushing.

I labored at home for a couple hours on all fours, taking deep breaths and swaying my hips. My hospital offers tubs for laboring but not birthing. That was the only thing that made the contractions bearable. They also offered free hypnobirthing classes, so I took those which really helped.

I'd recommend searching for doulas in your area!

Oh yeah, just wanted to add swaying on all fours REALLY got me thru.. and lowing like cattle BAHAHAHA ?

That is awesome. I'm pretty sure my insurance wouldn't cover that tho ? and thankfully my hospital is one of the top in the nation for birthing centers. This last time we had an amazing nighttime nurse that was really considerate.

With my first 3 I was in the shower for most of the time before having them. Just had the water flowing over my back to help the pain. Tried the gas with my first but threw up so that was a no go. My fourth I didn't get the chance for a shower to help with the pain, she was born too quick. I would have jumped in the shower again though if I had the chance. I found the pain was lessened also when on all fours instead of being flat on my back like the midwives years ago wanted me to be.

@phoebe My midwives actually cleaned everything up before leaving. They even did laundry.

And it's weird but being here at home just felt really "normal" and everything I needed was here so everything was very relaxed. I felt way more bothered & less rested having nurses, LC's, etc coming in & out after my hospital births. ??‍♀️

I had a natural labor in a hospital but did most of my laboring at home. I was in and out of the bath, swaying on the floor hugging a recliner and crying. Got to the hospital and had my baby 30mins later naturally. BEST EVER. Healing was super fast and I felt awesome after I had her. Did not feel awesome feeling everything but I love that I did. It went by so fast I kinda wish it took longer ??

I love my L&D nurses too. Nothing beats being taken care of when you've had your baby. I don't have the family support for that to labor at home. Nor do I wish to clean up the mess

I planned my first hbac in an apt... and know lots of homebirth mommas that have their babies in their apts, their home. js.

My homebirth with this baby was in our house "home" (still a rental) that is only 900sqft & really everything happened in our bedroom which is only like 8x13. ?

Never had a natural hospital birth, but I did have my vbac at home in a 1 bedroom apartment. What's not suitable about the apt, if I might ask? Nevertheless, if you aren't comfortable with the idea, don't even think about it...positive vibes have to flow wherever you choose ?

See if you can labor in a birthing pool or tub. That helped ease the pain.

Some hospitals have nitrous oxide that's available to laboring women. It's not a pain med, it just helps take the edge off so you can deal with the pain better.