In another thread, MamaC (an L&D nurse) mentioned that I may be inspired to have a natural birth. So, this is for MamaC and anyone else who wants to chime in:

When you say natural birth, do you mean without the epidural? What about other pain meds? And what are the pros of having birth without medication? I remember that you have two little ones. Did you choose to do natural births?

Yes, I mean no epidural. No I did not experience natural birth. My first my water broke for 12 hours and I was still 1cm. So I had to have pitocin and that is not natural. My second, I was exhausted from being up the night before and I got an epidural around 4cm, right after I was 8cm, had a baby in an hour. It was wonderful. In hindsight I feel like I gave up the second time around. Maybe if there ever is a third I'll try and make it without. I did however love my epidurals. They worked just like they were suppose to. I guess I feel like I need to prove it to myself that I could do it. That may seem silly.

I have had 2 natural, out of the hospital births and been at 4 other natural births, and yes, when someone says natural, it typically means without meds of any type and with free movement.

On a second note, I found out this morning that I am finally (after more than a year of trying) pregnant again. I have already been emailing a midwife at the Midwives Cooperative and am planning on a homebirth for this one, which is as natural as it can get. I am so excited. It's my first PLANNED baby.

Carrie

MamaC...it doesn't sound silly. I felt the same way when I gave birth to my daughter. However I am a high risk pregnancy so I had to be that much more determined. It was easy, but even though I have to give birth in a hospital, I had success with having an all natural birth, no pain meds, no needles, nothing!!!

Tammy,

I have so much respect for a woman who can go into the hospital and do what you did. I know in my past 2 deliveries, there were moments that, had the option been available, I probably would have given in. I think knowing the option is there would make it much more tempting. It takes a very strong and determined woman to do that. Awesome.

Carrie

Carrie,
I echo your sentiment. I have so much respect for a woman who can give birth naturally. That has got to be one of the hardest things in the world, and one of the most painful. Believe me, I remember. I had an epidural that didn't work with my second. So, essentially, I got none of the medication. I ended up with a spinal headache and was back in the hospital a few days later for that.

Suzy, Actually I think that the natural birth was much easier than my son's. The worst part of natural birth isn't the birth itself, but the fear of being able to handle it. Once you set the fear aside and realize that the pain is more perceived than what is actually is, it isn't really as bad as people think it is.

Thanks Carrie, most of my fight was with hospital policies, not so much with the dr's and nurses. One of the ways I go around no needles at all was not arriving at the hospital till I was 8.5 centimeters dilated and my daughter was coming fast. They didn't have time to do anything else but catch! LOL That is how I would do it all over again if I get the opportunity to be able to give birth again.

Tammy,
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), that would never have worked for me. With my first labor, I went from 4 cm to 10 in 10 minutes. The midwife had even let the student leave to run errands because she thought it would be hours more. Well...surprise. With my son, it wasn't much different, but I got to 5 before the rapid increase. Both labors were only 6.5 hours first contraction to birth.

Anyway, I still think you're awesome for being able to be that committed in a hospital setting or even knowing you are going to a hospital.

And about the rest of it, if you let it (setting aside the fear and knowing that you can do it), labor can be a empowering experience. I think the most beautiful pictures that have ever been taken of me are immediately following delivery. I was looking for one on my computer, but apparently, they were just on a CD. I will try to find one tomorrow. I am so excited that I get to do it again.