Natural Birth Any moms out there given birth without meds? I have people asking me all the time if I'm going to get the…

I had my twins with no meds. I wanted an epidural but was unable to do to my spinal cavity being to small. So going natural was not by choice. It was a long hard 24 hours but I got through it.

My first I had the gas and the second nothing. My twins I had naturally and drug free, that was painful but I got through it. It's just pushing through, nothing really makes it any easier to be honest.

No meds for my first two and as extremely painful as it was I'm planning ongoing unmedicated again!! Yes it absolutely sucks and is the most painful thing ever but it has sooo many benefits that I am willing to go through it a third time. My first two births were both super quick, all went well, pushed a few minutes with no tearing and I was home sitting on my couch after a couple hours. Just being able to walk out of there within a couple hrs of giving birth is enough for me to no get the epidural! My midwives are amazing for that and come to my house the next day for a follow up!!

I have to add that my first pregnancy I had my husband and mom there and what great support that was. My mom was amazing and soooo helpful! My husband was a little clueless so she definitely told him what to do lol. Second time around and my mom wasn't there, my best friend was suppose to come with my husband but she left to head out of the country the day before and it wasn't as enjoyable not having that second support person there.. having someone on both sides was amazing and helped soooo much!

I'm sorry you're not getting much support! It's so helpful to have a network of support for this. You might consider telling people that you've done your research and made your decision, and you would appreciate words of encouragement and no negativity at this point.

Birthing without meds is important to me as well. I was not 100% med-free in either delivery, but perhaps my stories will help.

In my first pregnancy I took a Bradley Method class but when I went into labor I was not prepared for my fear and my inability to relax. I was afraid because I didn't know how long the pain would last, and I didn't really have support from my birthing team to help me relax, walk around, labor in different positions, etc. My labor stalled after my water broke and my midwife eventually recommended Pitocin. After the dosage increased a few times, I needed an epidural. (Before that I tried Nubain but didn't feel any effect.) I was really fighting the contractions before the Pitocin, and I think it's possible I could have labored through the pain if I had relaxed. I felt defeated!

With #2 I ended up needing Cervadil after failing a non-stress test. I was alone - hubby was with our kid because we thought baby wouldn't arrive for at least 12 hours - and the nurse told me my contractions were normal. In reality, my labor was progressing quickly! I was scared and in a lot of pain and thought it would be that way all night, so I demanded meds and got Fentanyl (which didn't help much). Fortunately the midwife checked me and my hubby and son arrived 20 minutes before my daughter arrived. Labor was quick (3.5 hours from contractions to birth, vs. 21.5 with my first kid) and I really think I could have made it had my husband been there and/or the nurse had recognized my contractions were above and beyond what's expected with Cervadil.

I'm determined to make it without meds this time, and I finally have the confidence to do it. Some things I'm doing to help prep are walking every night for 30 mins (did this with #2 and labor was much easier), eating healthy, pregnancy yoga (bought a session off iTunes), and Rachel Yellin pregnancy meditation. You might consider hiring a doula and taking a hypnobirth class or some sort of natural birthing class. Some other things that can help are prenatal massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments by a provider certified in the Webster technique). Don't be rigid in your birth plan, and if you end up needing medication, be gentle with yourself. :-) Good luck!

And make it very clear to everyone that you do not want an epi.

I had an epi with #1 and natural with #2. I'll be going natural with this one also. Yes, the pain is intense but recovery was so much better. I was so out of it with my 1st, I didn't really know what was going on afterwards. With #2 I was very alert, had no pain afterwards and I was up doing normal activity almost immediately. Natural isn't for everyone but I encourage everyone to try it! You just have to go into with determination that you WILL get through it without drugs :)

With 2 of mine I gave birth with no meds, however it was not by choice but rather the labor progressed too fast.

I don't think I would personally do it without by choice but I know if I really wanted to, it is possible!

If this is the path you are choosing, I am sure you can do it, just think of it as its not even an option. Ask them not to offer it and try not to let it cross your mind. You should be ok.

You can do it! I had a beautiful unmedicated birth my first time around. It was work but also the most empowering thing I've ever done. My little man came out 10lb14oz and I just needed 1 little stitch. It was funny after because the nurse didn't want to let me out of bed because she was so use to epidural births. I was hooked up to an IV because I had GBS and so I asked her to unhook me so I could get up to pee. She tried saying no so I told her I would unhook myself or she could unhook me bit regardless I'm getting out of bed.

If you want to do unmedicated then I highly recommend some type of birthing class that is not the standard hospital class. I did Bradley method but hypnobabies and hypnobirthing are also great options. All option listed teach you great coping mechanisms. Also try to stay as active as possible before labor. Do lots of squats (opens up the pelvis) and sitting cross legged on the ground. Pelvic tilts are also good (like the cat/cow pose in yoga). Stay home as long as possible. The worst part of my labor were the times they wanted me on my back in bed to do fetal monitoring. They were miserable. Luckily I was able to spend the majority of my labor in the bathtub with the shower spraying on my back. Make sure your partner is also trained in the stages of labor and can recognize transition. Just when you think you cant take anymore, you are almost there! Having a friendly face to remind you that you're close makes a world of difference. Good luck and again, you can do it!

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I am going natural as well and the best advice I've gotten is to train for it like you would a marathon. So, read up on techniques to help with the pain, do your kegels, better yet- take a child birthing course! They offer a lot online if you can't go in-person. It'll help get you, and your birth coach (in my case my husband) ready to anticipate the stages of labor and how to cope! From what I've heard, the people who try, and fail, to go natural don't prep themselves ahead of time. Know your rights as a patient and have a birth plan (so no one forces you into doing something you don't want to do). We are made for this! Sometimes medical intervention is necessary, of course, but doctors sometimes push way to hard to "keep control", when in reality your body is in control. I recommend watching the documentary The Business of Being Born- it's available on Netflix! Good luck! You can do this!

This God willing will by my 4th birth with no pain medication. But I have received pitocin with my previous 3 births to get labor going. All my births have been under 8 hours start to finish with less than 10 min of pushing. No one issue with any of them and minimal tearing. My babies were 8.7, 8.9 and 6.14 in weight and all very healthy and ready to nurse right away. After birth I was able to get up and move around with zero issues.

It was painful but I have never regretted my choice to endure it.

Go for it girl! You're stronger than you think! I attempted with my 1st son, i was induced and went to 10cm, almost made it but i was shaking so bad and i felt i wouldnt enjoy the experience of birthing. I ended up having a Epidural so i could relax, i felt a every contraction and a slight pinch. I felt when i had to get sewn up.

Hi! When I was pregnant with DD I said I wasn't going to have any meds and I hated when people told me I was going to need it or that I was crazy. Anywho I did end up getting the epidural. Lol but this time I'm hoping for no meds and to do laboring at home until the last min ??

Thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it!

I went without pain meds last time, and I was on pitocin on top of that. The contractions were absolutely insane, but with the help of my husband I was able to do it the way I'd envisioned.

The more pain I experienced, the more I needed to "zone out." The lights were low, the tv was either really quiet or off, my eyes were closed, I didn't want to be touched except for my husband holding my hand, and I just rolled back and forth on a birth ball for hours. I hated the bed; my never-ending contraction would spike every time I had to get on the bed to be checked.

You won't really know what you'll want for comfort until you're in the situation, so be flexibly prepared. I thought I'd want to be in the bed watching tv; I also thought I'd like company, but when my family came in it broke my concentration, and the pain was much more noticeable.

I almost didn't make it without pain meds. I was walking around just whining and crying soon after they started the pitocin, and my husband had to snap me out of it. He told me that if I didn't get ahold of myself, that I wouldn't make it without an epi. That might make him sound a bit mean, but I'm super hardheaded, and he knew that I needed a reality check. I'm forever grateful that he knows me as well as he does.

I really truly think that if you are dead set on no pain meds, then you can do it, but you need the right support around you. My husband was my voice of reason all day. That being said, don't be upset with yourself if you change your mind. In the end, we all get to hold our babies, and the real work begins.

My first was unmedicated and I wouldn't do it any other way... they tried to give me laughing gas and it didn't do anything for me at all!

I went all natural with my second. I will be honest, it was not by choice...well kind of. I had an epi with my first and was planning to with my second. I dialated too fast and could not receive one with my second. They offered me IV meds and gas but I refused. I didn't want to feel loopy and nauseous. I wanted to make sure I had 100% focus on getting my baby out and being able to push properly. I won't lie, it was the worst pain of my life but it's only temporary...I focused and listened to the doctor and nurses and she came out after about 25 min of pushing. Now with my third I keep going back and forth on if I want to go all natural again. It was an amazing experience and I'm glad I got to experience it. But it was all a blur because I was in so much pain. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons and will pretty much play it by ear. Goodluck in whatever you choose and don't let anyone talk you into anything!

My daughter I had no drugs and a Waterbirth. One of my twins I had drug free as well ( other one was a crash c section.)

You don't have to get the epidural. I don't know why people say that. You can get it if you find yourself struggling to manage the pain, but I found the pain bearable (although intense). I didn't want the epidural because I hate needles. I have a sister-in-law who didn't want the epidural for the same reasons and had 3 kids naturally. Her first labour was hard but that still didn't make her want the epidural! Everyone is different. Everyone's pain tolerance is different. It's important to not let people talk you into doing things you're not comfortable with when it's not necessary. Aim to have the labour YOU want to have while still acknowledging you can always change your mind in the moment.

My second I did without the epidural because I didn't have a choice ? I went to the hospital and I was 8cm. I begged for the epidural but by the time the anesthesiologist came in, I was pushing him out ?

I'm definitely looking to do it naturally this time around because recovery was a million times better than getting the epidural! Plus I tore less I believe because I could feel myself pushing, whereas with the epidural I couldn't feel anything.

I'm fortunate to have a mother who is a doula so I believe that's what lead me to have the baby naturally.

This is baby number 4 and an epidural never crossed my mind. With my first I tried laughing gas and it made me sick. My midwife was a horrible coach, so it was intense, but not unbearable. Second was all natural. The nurse I had was amazing and showed me how to breathe threw the pain. It was my longest labour (6.5 hr) and easiest. Third was induced (picotin). I don't recommend that. I had demerol but it only worked with one contraction, so I wouldn't bother again.

Learn techniques to help with the pain. Breathing worked for me. When active labour starts, it is intense, but just keep reminding yourself that its almost over and you'll be holding your baby really soon! There is no reason you have to get an epidural. It sounds like its very common and encouraged in the states, but so unnecessary. Keep an open mind, but you can do it!

I had a homebirth with my son and it was wonderful. I did a lot if focusing on my breathing and counter pressure. Deep breathing helped me a lot, it seemed to make the surges seem shorter and allowed me to enjoy the time in between. It also helped to be able to move around and I labored a bit in the shower. I don't remember a lot of pain but I do remember the my surges felt like surfing and by the time the surge was at it's peak I could feel it going back down again. My son was 10 lbs when he came out and was very alert. As people mentioned before their is no medal for doing natural but for me there was a bit of self gratification knowing that I stuck to something I wanted to accomplished. I plan to have a labor again without meds and it helps to listen to people who tell you that you can do it rather than the horror stories. Good luck!

I'm going to try, but promised my doc, my Mom, my sister, and my husband that I'd keep an open mind about an epidural cause they worry about my heart issues.

I did both of our daughters drug free!! When I was pregnant and people asked me, I would say I don't want drugs if at all possible and I got comments like "no need to be a hero". It really bothered me! But drug free was amazing!! I was able to get up after and have a shower (as a shower always makes me feel refreshed), I was able to move around with baby, and I have heard that women "heal" faster after delivery if they don't use an epidural (not sure if that point is true).. it felt like a great accomplishment and you get to the point where your body is naturally numb. I am definitely not saying that women who use drugs aren't amazing, because unfortunately this time around I'll probably have to since it's twins and they really push you too incase they have to turn the second baby. But I'm going in hoping I won't need too!! You got this girl!! Don't let other people comments ruin it for you! Just set your mind to it, breathe through the contractions, and look at the prize you get at the end of it all!!! Good luck!

Try to labor at home for a while, don't just jump and go to the hospital when you get your first contraction, but go in When you're uncomfortable enough for a little. When you are in a comfortable place it's easier to obviously be comfortable, ie at home. You arent bound by monitors and IVs and potentially stuck in a bed. Breathing is your friend when you learn to focus on your breathing, like tune everything else out and just breath. Find something to help you Zen out like music, rocking, something to help you zone out from the pain. It's definitely easier to labor without pain meds when your labor isn't taking forever. Just know if you get an epidural it's not the end of the world and no one will knock for for not being able to do it. Good luck.

My first baby I had the Epidural and it was amazing. I had a really enjoyable birth. Second baby I wanted the Epidural but the anestigiologist was in doing a c-section. All I can say is that it was the most horrible experience, there is no comfortable position, you do not have time to relax, I threw up everywhere, I begged for help, breathing doesn't help by the way, I felt like I was going to die, felt like I was being cut open and every bone in my body broken. Finally when she came out the pain was gone but I was so delusional that when they handed me my baby, I couldn't even focus on her. No one gave me a metal for birth without medication ?. I am definitely getting an Epidural for this birth. Fingers crossed I actually get it ?I don't have any tips that make natural child birth tolerable. But if you put your mind to it, you can do it. I lived through it Lol but I choose to have an Epidural. All the best to you for a easy delivery.

I didnt have an epidural and the gas made me super nauseaus. I did have one dose of fentynal, but that only lasts 20min. For me I think I just had an amazing nurse who made me feel like everything was okay and that I was doing great. It probably helped that my labor only lasted 7hrs.