Going natural! Have had two easy fast medicated births. No tears. Just really set on going natural.

My last 2 were unmedicated and amazing!! I would never go back to doing an epidural! I've had a natural hospital birth and a water birth at a birth center. This one will also be at a birth center! I actually look forward to delivery!

@tay can I get added to that unmedicated June group?!

Tmbrant84, yes don't let them bully you into a C section!

I would try also! This is my 4th pregnancy and I've had 2 c-sections and they're saying I have to get another one. I don't want to I want to try and go through labor first! It was 7 yrs ago since my last c-section and I think it would be ok to try. I'm going to tell my doctor not to schedule me for one.

I want to do it unmedicated also kinda stubborn as well so i might just end up having it my way unless something last minute occurs & changes my decision

I want to do unmediated also!!!

I did waterbirth in hospital and it was great! If you made up your mind to do it unmedicated, go ahead!

FTM here, I read a lot of books about childbirth and decided to have a homebirth with a midwife who brings all her equipment (waterbirth tub, emergency kit etc.) as plan a and only if there are any complications such as gestational diabetes or breech position have a hospital birth as plan b.

A major factor for having less pain is to feel relaxed, not rushed, and to be in a secure and familiar place, without strangers present. My midwife also operates a birth centre but with my husband we decided we prefer our house.

To prepare I will re-read the books written by Ina May Gaskin.

I have a Facebook group for unmedicated support for June mommies. You're welcome to add me on Facebook and I'll add you to the group.

I'm planning on and unmedicated water birth at my hospital. Some hospitals offer birthing tubs now .

From the 3 births I had so far no one has ever made me get a epi. They simply ask and that's that.

My first baby I had the epi no problems no side affects. I was induced, I was so hungry and sleepy. I didn't want to feel the pain any more and I was so uncomfortable. I was 6cm.

With my second daughter I got the epi at 7.1/2cm it was great. I couldn't feel any pain at all no pressure or anything at all. After I had my baby I was ok for a few hours then I had a headache but it wasn't a "normal" one it was a spinal headache. I thought I was going to die.

With my 3rd, I said if I have to I will go through the pain of child birth and everything that comes with it. I was not getting the epi because what happened last time. I stayed at home for most of my labor. When I got to the hospital I was 8cm n within 20 mins it was time to push. I pushed her out in a few pushes. I plan to labor at home this go around to.

We can do it just remember to breathe and stay focused on your plan.

Jmerli, I wouldn't know from experience at all since it's my first but I keep hearing the contractions are way worse than actual labor lol. So if you can make it through those you're good go go!

I made this decision recently too! I'm going to talk to my Dr at my next appointment and get his thoughts because I REALLY like him and trust him. But I figure if I can avoid it why put a needle in my spine? The only part I'm really scared for is being able to feel what happens to my poor vagina lol.

At the end of the day, all that matters is our babies get here safely. So I wouldn't be disappointed if things don't go my way, but I will be disappointed if I don't give it a go and let someone else bully me into what I "should" do. I look at it this way, women have been delivering vaginally and unmedicated since the beginning of time. It's the natural process BUT also a lot of women and babies did not make it back then during childbirth when complications arose so I am definitely glad we have the medical intervention we have today. It has its time and place.

MrsFord319, that's good to know! These are questions I never thought to ask but will definitely look into right away now.

CarlyMacFarlane, a doula is basically like a childbirth coach. Someone who is there for you throughout the process assisting.

I'm going with my doctor who delivered my 2 girls and have never once been pressured into anything I didn't want to do. With my previous I chose to get an epidural. This time I think I'll be going without one. With my last one I got it too late and felt it all! So I thought "hey, if I did it then I should be able to do it again, right?"

I think what you want to do is admirable. I felt the same with my first pregnancy but when I got in the process, and got to know my doctor I decided on a medicated birth and I wouldn't change it. I hope that your plan goes exactly as you hope it will.

Yes! I'm definitely going to give unmedicated a go if there are no complications. Also! What are these Doulas that you all talk about!? I'm from England and I've never heard of this before!? X

With my 1st I had an epidural but I was young and had to be induced and just did what I was told. The epidural hurt worse than the contractions and it didn't even work. I still felt everything and had full control over my lower body. So with my next 6 births I had no epidural and I have no regrets. I did find in my area doctors push more for pitocin and have less patience. Once I came to the hospital and was 5cm I went to sleep for like an hour and was 7cm and my doctor ordered pitocin because to her I wasn't moving fast enough. Once getting the pitocin the contractions were so bad but I still went drug free. And after that experience I only used midwives. They have no problem waiting on the baby and encourage as less pushing as possible. The atmosphere is more relaxing and I plan to go medication free again this time.

@Shaina---- A Doula is free for us in the military. It just depends on availability as they are volunteers... book early! You can always hire one as well.... I also want to try without medication as well but open for it if needed.

This will be my 5th natural birth. And 4th home birth x

You can do it! It's definitely all mindset. I had an epidural with my first, then unmedicated with my second. My hospital actually pushes for less intervention and they held off on the epidural a little too long and then it was too late for me to get one haha. Truthfully it wasn't that bad but I had a crazy fast labor so I'll be doing unmedicated again this time.

I'm going natural this time. I will say its a mindset thing. Put your mind to it, do it. With my last I said I would go natural but it changed in labor. I'm preparing mentally and emotionally so you can do it.

Good luck!! I was set on no epidural or any medicine for my birth and I had twins and I was forced into an epidural. I dilated to 10 (didn't feel any contractions) with no pain at all then forced into the epidural after i was already completely dilated.... And the contractions I did feel to me I would confuse with babies moving... the epidural was so painful (for me ) and it didn't even work ... for baby a I was able to have vaginally and it didn't hurt just was hard to push out (they were born at 27wks tho) and then they reached in to try to get baby b and I have to admit that wad the worst pain I had ever... and ultim as tell they had to do an emergency c-section with general anestesia.... I wish I could do a VBAC and have no meds but with another set of twins I'm too high risk of uterine rupture and with either baby trying to come breech is not safe either so onto another c-section because the last hospital messed up by reaching up my vagina to try to get baby b before letting him come down so I could give birth to him vaginally.... so I had to have the emergency c-section. And now that means another c-section which is the worst thing to have to heal from I personally think .... if I could redo everything I would have done completely unmedicated and made them wait to let me push baby b out instead of reaching in right away ... things happen sometimes so it's always good to have a plan b just in case plan a doesn't go as you'd like! Goodluck!

If you're able I would consider it.

Every birth needs to be considered as THE birth, because what happens in this birth can easily effect your next birth.

I went in my first wanted an unmedicated hospital birth & was bullied into an augmentation & cesarean. Where I live, both hospitals have vbac bans. My options are to travel 2+ hours to an out of town hospital or find my MW who travels 2+ hours to me to deliver for our homebirth. We pay almost 4K out of pocket so that I can get evidence based care & be respected in my pregnancy & birth.

Babies really need very little... 3 in & we're pretty minimalistic in regards to gear. Lol.

Just think about it.

My lieutenant just had a home birth recently even though Navy medical and her command at the time gave her a lot of crap about it. She paid out of pocket. I think she said it was about 2000-3000. Which I do have money but babies also cost money so I'm not willing to spend it this time. Maybe next time! The doula would be a worthy investment though I'm sure.

Many doulas are willing to work out payment plans, etc with mommas. And some may be covered by your ins.... I'm not totally for sure.

We pay out of pocket for my care so I totally get it.... that's pretty much our only option for me to get the care I expect. Our maternal care here is poop.

I'm going to schedule a hospital tour soon and hopefully I can find all that out. I'm in the military and there's only one major hospital around for us, and they are very discouraging of going to civilian hospitals unless it is an emergency. So I am a little limited. I haven't heard anything bad about the hospital though. I definitely want to hire a doula if he/she isn't too expensive.

Definitely research your hospital & your doctor. Know their rates....

Cesarean rate

Induction rate

Rate of augmentation

AROM

Unmedicated birth rate

Episiotomy rate

Surgically assisted delivery rate

ALL providers & their practices should have this information for you. If your provider is part of a practice then get the OTHER doctors rates too!

If things look stacked against you, find another doctor. It's never too late to switch!

I would highly recommend finding a doula too to help support both you & your SO during labor.

I had my first in the hospital. Second was a planned homebirth vbac that transferred non-emergent to our vbac ban hospital, vaginal delivery in the HALL as they wheeled me to the OR, and this baby we're planning another homebirth.

Know your provider, hospital, & rights. ?