Unmedicated birth Anyone else planning on attempting an unmedicated vaginal birth? Any tips from someone who has done it…

I think the main thing is to find your zone. You don't want to tighten or clench during painful contractions. You want to be as relaxed as possible during them. The more you tense the longer your body will take to dilate. Everyone is really different with what helps them during it. I love being in water because it takes half the pain away.

Thanks Kat! The hospital I'm delivering at doesn't have any birthing pools :( but I think the doula mentioned maybe getting under a shower there. She also wants me to labor at home as long as I can.

Wow they don't have any tubs with shower head?! Then definitely stay at home as long as possible. I've heard people love being in the shower too. Also having a tennis ball for your husband to use on your low back is really great especially if you have back labor

Breathing, knowing how to breath is number one and knowing when to push ...

I did three unmedicated births...

And i feel like breathing and knowing when to push . also having them not ask u if you want anything let them no when u get there and tell them dont ask you that if you need youll ask .

Also i did the birthing tub and i personally didn't like it for me it made the pain so much worse...

However the ball does help alot .

I guess it just depends on your pain tolerance. I did no meds. And being 100% honest, it hurt more when they tried to sew me up with no meds then actual labor. People will give you horror stories and say it's horrible and don't try to be a hero. But everyone is different. If you really want no meds I believe you can do it! Just go in with the mind thought that it's not as bad as people say.

One tip I would give is to tell the nurses NOT to offer the epidural for you. Don't let them tempt you with it. The only time I doubted myself was when I overheard the doctor ask the nurse if I wanted the epidural soon because they were about to get busy and not have time for me otherwise. If it weren't for my doula and husband I probably would have caved in and got it. But they told me I was almost there. I ended up just crying and committing but 30 minutes later I was pushing. So I'm so happy they pushed me to be strong!

I laboured at home as long as I could , until I pretty much could not walk due to the pain , I was 8cm when I got to the hospital and had my baby 3 hours later. Just focus and you know you are capable of doing it Goodluck !

Breathing and staying upright where huge for me. And trying to keep my body relaxed. My midwife also did the double hip squeeze and that relieved so much pressure! I'm planning my 4th unmedicated birth. It's totally doable.

These are very good advices. Im planning on going unmedicated also

My first child was unmedicated. They just gave me fluids on my ivy bag. The worse pain for me. I was 17 years old tho. So maybe I was too young but I busted a vein in my eye, developed hemorrhoids Bc i didn't know how to push ;( it was the worse Experience for me. Than 10 years ago had a 2nd - still no Epidural but they gave me meds through my ivy bag. I made sure they at least gave me the good stuff. For my 3rd- which he will be do in under 19 days. I want an epidural ? I want to enjoy my last birth. It just depends how well you can manage with pain. Everyone's different and have different tolerance pain.

Really focus on breathing and not freaking out. That only makes it worse. I found what helped me the most was lying in the best position possible. Once it was my side (I've had 4, 3 natural) and I also had my favorite worship music playing. It helped me to focus on something other than the pain. I'm pretty sure I prayed the entire time I was in labor. You'll get thru it, remember your body was made to handle labor and I know you'll be just fine. ?

Thanks for all the advice ladies! I'm really excited to give it a try. I do have a high pain tolerance and I'm stubborn so I hope that gets me through. But I'm also prepared for the chance I would need a C section or if something else goes wrong and meds would help. All that matters in the end is that he gets here safely ❤️

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I've done it five times and about to do it again the only thing I can say is try to relax chew ice and breath i think of other things it works for me i have a high tolerance for pain

Oh yea the ring of fire that's the only hard part the head coming out

I've had two vaginal births, no epidural or meds but I did use gas with them both & found it super helpful for keeping my breathing focussed. I know it's not for everyone & it makes some people feel sick, but for me it was a life saver.

My eldest is my daughter, I was freaking out with the pain a little when in labour with her (and after two days of early labour I was exhausted!) but the gas helped me get my focus and I really felt strong once I was able to focus and breath. I almost said no to the gas because I thought it wouldn't work... I think if I hadn't tried it I would have ended up with an epidural (which I didn't want).

With my son I knew what to expect, I really focussed on my breathing and mediating during contractions... it might sound silly and I hadn't planned it in advance, but I kept visualising a flower opening up and blooming, because that's what I wanted my body to do! It seemed to work & I just kept picturing it over and over during contractions. I laboured much quicker with him, by the time I got to hospital I was almost 8cm and used gas again for about 45 minutes til he was born. He was 4.5kg!!

I think labouring while standing up definitely helps. I found laying down painful and just felt way more comfortable standing; it also means gravity can do it's thing and help you out! If you can shower and get warm/hot water on your lower back that will help with the pain; drink lots of water between contractions. Anything that helps keep you relaxed is useful - candles work for me. Also my hubby rubbing my lower back (not a gentle rub, he took skin off but I just kept insisting he go harder!) also helped a lot. It's hard, it does hurt but it can totally be done... if you're kind to yourself, stay positive, keep an open mind & do things to stay calm as you can, you will be fine. Good luck Mumma x

My best advice is if you can labour in a birthing tub and read up on hypnobirthing both of those things made my labour soooo much easier and enjoyable i was able to relax throughout

That was my plan too and was set on it the entire pregnancy but my body did not cooperate. At 42 weeks, no dilation or action was happening. Baby hadn't even dropped. I was induced for 60 hours then finally had contractions. I had 12 hours of contractions 1 minute apart- the most pain I've ever experienced and at the end of that time, I was still not dilated or effaced. I had to have pitocin, which made it all 10 times more painful. Ended up with an epidural. I still felt the contractions and was aware of every part of pushing. I guess the best advice is what everyone says- be willing to be flexible. I was 100% against pain medication until I experienced contractions for so long. The nurses kept saying most people that work that hard and have that much pain, end up dilated and pushing a baby out. My body could not do it any longer without relief.

Yep did it twice and plan on doing it for a third time. Baby is so alert not the same as my first which was medicated. Breathing and staying calm is key

Calique, I don't blame you. If I was in the same situation I am sure I would do it too. That's why I want to avoid being induced and pitocin unless absolutely necessary! My friend had to be induced at 40w1d because of her gestational diabetes and ended up having back labor and asking for the epidural.

Sarah or anyone else who knows, what does using the gas feel like?

@gface I think it feels different for different people - I know a few women who said they couldn't use it because it made them feel nauseous. For me, I felt more relaxed, a little bit stoned ? But still totally present and in control. You breath it in very deeply during contractions & it helps you focus on the breathing, rather than the pain. Really helped me dig deep & stop freaking out! I'm not sure if that's helpful or answers your question, just my experience x

I delivered my first 2 kids with no pain medication only due to me being allergic to the ones they use. I was induced with Pitocin for both as well and labor was hell. I'm having twins this time and will probably have a c-section. Not sure how I could handle another unmedicated labor when pushing 2 out!

You sound a lot like me! I too, am a first time mom attempting to do natural vaginal (without being crazy about it) for many reasons- still open to anything but will be trying my best.

I took a breathing and relaxation in labor course and I think it will help a ton!!! I feel much more relaxed now and a lot less anxious about it all.