Drug Free Birthing

I had all four of my kids naturally, so I don't have anything to compare it to recovery-wise. I also had my first at 36 weeks but the rest were on time, so I don't know much about any needed drugs for early labors. However, one of the reasons I decided to go natural was because we couldn't afford birth classes at the time and so instead I read a lot of books. The two that come to mind as being particularly helpful are Husband-Coached Childbirth by Bradley and The Birth Book by Sears. One of the best things I did was make my husband read the Bradley book. He's not a reader and he wasn't excited about it, but when we were at the hospital he was able to be my advocate and let them know what I did and didn't want. When you're in the middle of labor, it's hard to overcome what doctors want to do, so it's essential you and your husband are on the same page with it.

Natural childbirth really isn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be--you can do it! Good luck!

B.,

I went natural with my son who is my first. I had a great experience and I would not have done it any other way. It is all about the support team that you have around you. I recommend if you are thinking about natural child birth seek out the assistance of a doula, I had one and I know that I could not have gone natural with out the help of lots of Prayer and her.

I also think that if you are high risk really seek out a lot of information before making your decision.
good luck!

My first son was born by c-section and so I am cosidered higher risk if I have a vaginal birth. My second son I was able to have him all natural. Of course I could not deliver in a birthing center and only some hospitals would even allow me to deliver at their location. The pain hurt of course but I am very glad that my son was born without any medications in his little body. I am due July 12th and plan for this delivery to be all natural as well. My mom had five children all natural. You can do it!
A really good book is: Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn by Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley and Ann Keppler. I have also borrowed videos from the library. Some are outdated but are highly supportive of the least amount of interventions as possible.

B.,
I can help with this. Natural birth came to me by accident!

When I had my first son, I got the epidural, but he was impatient. He came out before the drugs had a chance to work. It was amazing! To feel that child being born!

My second son was 3 months premature. The doctors would't give me anything for fear of hurting the baby. He was too small to need drugs. My easiest birth.

My daughter, however, I did have the epidural and it had time to work. I was only in labor for 16 hrs and she finally graced us with her presence.

When someone tells you that you won't remember the pain, it's true and false. True, because because the biggest thing you remember is that beautiful creature. But false, because you don't forget it hurt. You can't forget the pain of a tramatic injury. And that's what birth is to your body, a tramatic injury that it has to heal from.

It's definatly worth experiencing at least once. It's healthier for the baby, not having the drugs enter their blood.

Good luck! And congrats!

Let me make a reccomendation. Look on Mama source under doulas and find Tonya Gervacio, the softer side of hard labor. She is an amazing doula who works together with Patti Ramos, a wonderful childbirth educator.
Learn everything you can to make sure you have the birth you want. I went from a hospital birth w/ all the bells and whistles to two natural home births, and I could not be happier. Feel free to contact me and I can tell you lots more! :)

I'm also hoping for a natural childbirth (my 1st) and a book that has been very helpful in understanding and calming my nerves is Ina May's Guide to Natural Childbirth. Good luck!