going drug-free during birth

if you did not get an epidural during labor, or any other drugs, and you posted your birth story, can you FM me? i will do a search as well, but i want to psych myself up for this by reading other people's experiences. TIA!!

Re: going drug-free during birth

I did - you can click on it in my profile. I had hoped to have a drug-free birth but certainly wasn't opposed to drugs - it just worked out that I didn't need any.

Re: going drug-free during birth

I did too. If you have a relatively high tolerance for pain and have the ability to really focus you can do it.

Educate yourself as much as you can, but this is a decision you don't really make until you're in the moment. But I will tell you from my experience (and also according to my girlfriend whose done it 4 times w/o an epidural), the contractions are worse than the pushing, so if you can handle your contractions you can handle the rest.

Re: going drug-free during birth

thanks ladies!

Re: going drug-free during birth

I had hoped to have a drug free, natural birth, and I hung in there for about 12 hours without any drugs. But, unfortunately, Alex was sunnyside up and there was no way she was coming out without a c-section, which changed everything.

I was scared to death when they wheeled me in for my c-section because I had never planned for it, so no matter WHAT you plan for, make sure you do some reading and research about the alternatives, so you aren't caught like a deer in the headlights, like I was!

Message edited 8/4/2008 11:17:35 AM.

Re: going drug-free during birth

Ive had them all drug free...even the set of twins.

The link to Caden's birth story is in my profile...

Re: going drug-free during birth

click on my profile to see mine!

Re: going drug-free during birth

I actually never got to post a birth story and my DS is 11 mos

I never wanted to get an epidural and had hoped to go drug-free (for my own personal reasons - I was actually more afraid of the epidural itself) BUT, I had a very open mind knowing that I had never gone through it before and if I needed it - I would get it. My OB was amazing and basically said he would work with me whatever I wanted to do but, I needed to trust him if he thought I needed any kind of drugs or a c-section.

Well, I have to say, my prayers were really answered b/c my son's birth went exactly as I had hoped and I was able to do it with no drugs at all. Just a few things I will say - my ob told me that if this was my plan to stay home as long as possible b/f going to the hospital b/c he felt that would be easier on me with no epidural and he was right iMO - I got to the hospital and I was almost 9cm dilated - my DS was born less than 1.5hrs later. The other thing I will say is that it hurt FARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR more than I thought it would BUT, that said, its almost like at a certain point the pain itself IS a drug - if that makes sense, its hard to explain unless you've been there but, I am normally such a nervous and anxious person in situations like this where a lot can go wrong and thought i would be a mess during delivery BUT, i wasn't at ALL - it hurt so much that all i could focus on was getting through and i had nothing left for worry - if that makes sense.

Anyway, all in, I am praying that my next child's birth will be exactly the same - not sure if you are catholic but i always prayed to st. gerard (patron saint of expectant mothers) and i believe that helped us so much!

Good luck

Re: going drug-free during birth

I didn't, but prolly could have....
By the time I was given my epidural, unbeknownst to me and my doctor!, I was almost 9 cm!!!!!

It would have also helped me deliver at an even more lightning speed as I couldn't feel a thing while pushing!!!

Re: going drug-free during birth

I was all for drugs...but went so quickly there was no time, so I went drug-free but under protest

Re: going drug-free during birth

you girls are the best, thanks

Re: going drug-free during birth

Posted by luvsun27

I was all for drugs...but went so quickly there was no time, so I went drug-free but under protest

Re: going drug-free during birth

I went drug-free (unless you count an antibiotic), both times.

I'm not sure if I posted the birth story but have posted advice on it on Pregnancy & Parenting. I'll try to find them for you.

Found it: http://www.lifamilies.com/chat/topic.aspx?P=1&ID=54227 - scroll down for my name.

Message edited 8/4/2008 11:53:22 AM.

Re: going drug-free during birth

Re: going drug-free during birth

Re: going drug-free during birth

You can click on the link to mine in my profile. It's pretty long and detailed but was the best experience of my life.

Re: going drug-free during birth

I went pretty close to be drug free. I only had the epidural in for about less than an hour. I took hypnobirthing and highly recommend it!

Re: going drug-free during birth

You can click on my profile for my birth story.

Going natural wasn't easy, but it was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

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Re: going drug-free during birth

I just wanted to say, plan to go drug free, but learn about epidurals and other drug options beforehand just in case you change your mind.

I was dedicated to going drug free, but after being in labor 8 hrs. overnight and only reaching 4 cm. via induction, I was exhausted and needed something to dull the pain so I could sleep.

You may not do this, but I'm just saying, go in educated about the other options just in case.

Re: going drug-free during birth