am i being naive to think i can have a natural birth?

[castle]

Gracie,
This has been a really great thread. I wanted to add one more thing. Whilst I never took pethedine and never even thought about it, I can tell you that based only on what others have said, OFTEN IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THE PAIN!! Many women say that all it did was make them, and the baby, very sleepy and unable to focus.

Natural endorphins will kick in during labour. During my 2nd VBAC, because my ds had his elbow up by his head, I felt a lot of pain during contractions. Between contractions, I actually slept--even though it was daytime and I had no lack of sleep. I felt silly for constantly nodding off, but the midwife assured me that it was endorphins at work. Had I had pethidine on top of that, I think I would have been comatose.
Also, the good thing about your natural endorphins is that they are produced just as you need them. They don't have to be topped up and they taper off when no longer required. Once my son pulled his elbow down, everything was much more manageable and I was immediately far less sleepy. I was then wide awake and feeling fabulous during stage II, which was very exciting.

[Possum]

Hi Everyone!
Gracie - my baby is due on the 29th of September - it seems that the 3rd trimester is passing more quickly than the first two - probably because I am just not organised! We are madly finishing off a renovation, and we still don't have any baby furniture! Aggh!

Cheers, Kerry

[totalfrog]

Hey Gracie, just thought i would drop in to let you know that I just gave birth to a little girl weighing in at nearly 10lb with NO drugs. Sure there was a bit of yelling and swearing but it is ENTIRELY POSSIBLE!!!!!! Good luck

[Ginger]

that's awesome news totalfrog!! thanks for letting me know. how long was the labour?? 10lbs is huge! well done

[doulacara]

I tend to think that a lot of people who roll their eyes at you for wanting a drug-free birth are feeling in some way ashamed at their own willingness to accept pain-relief. I don't think it is conscious, but it would make them feel better about their decisions if you had drugs too.

I know after the drug crazed birth of my DD, I felt like a complete failure, especially when I spoke to people who had used nothing or a bit of gas. I felt like I was somehow inferior to them because I hadn't been able to do it.

Well I have done it, twice now, and the natural way is HEAPS better and strangely addictive!

[Ginger]

i went into a shop today to buy a new dress and the lady working there told me all about her first birth and epidural and how it was awful, slowed down the birth etc. she then told me about her second natural birth and how fantastic it was and how it was the best day of her life. it was interesting to hear it from a complete stranger.

[christyb]

Hi Gracie. Good on you! I had a nearly natural birth, just a bit of gas at the end but I'm pretty proud of myself as my daughter was posterior.. I think it was the back pain BETWEEN the contractions that led me to me trying the gas not the actual contractions themselves lol! After the research I did I don't think anything could have induced me to try pethedine or an epidural. You can do it too! Trust your body and it's ability to do what it's designed to do... yes it hurts but it's such a brief period of time in the big scheme of things and you really do forget so quickly afterwards.. We didn't find out the sex either (one of the few truly big and wonderful surprises left these days!) and that was like an added motivation. You are lucky to have a DH that will support you, it made a huge amount of difference for me I think. Good luck, have fun and enjoy the ride !!

[*LovemyKids*]

Hi this might be a little too late but i just read your stories and though that i would add mine.

I went into labour with my first son with all intentions of having a natural birth. My blood pressure shot up and my labour was going no where. I was in a lot of pain and dissapointed 12 hours later as i was only 3 cm dialated. I had a epidural and he was born 2 hours later. This was the best decision for my situation.

With my second son i went into labour with all intentions of having an epidural as i did not want that long dissapointing labour again. I was in labour for two hours and the pain was getting too much so i asked for an epidural i was 7 cm dialated the mid wife said thats fine. She went out of the room to organise it, she had to come running back as my baby started to crown with out any pushing abourt 4 minutes later. I had our second son drug free. It can be done and i want to try again.

I think the story is go with the flow and if i can do it then any one can. Just keep in mind that everything happens for a reason and don't be dissapointed if you can't do it first time round try and try again.

sorry if it is long

Nikki

[BellyBelly]

First experiences put many people off. First births are typically long, exhausting and often ending up with pain relief or a c/s - so second time around many women want to cut to the chase and want the epi or c/s instead of that long, exhausting labour. Most don't realise that second births are generally shorter and easier - not in all cases of course, things can still go awol, but if women could have a great experience and support first time around, I think we'd have lots more positive experiences and less c/s and epidurals. That first experience is so pivitol, and I am pleased that more first time mums are looking into doulas as opposed to second time mums or more (who I get alot of) who know and realise how valuable and beneficial that support can be.

[becmc]

Kelly, do you think that whole long first birth thing would have applied to my vbac?? Technically it was a first birth.
It was really really long (32 hours, she was posterior) and while I am wrapped to have had a vaginal birth and definately want more kids it is a bit scary thinking the next labour might be that long!! I am hoping for a bit shorter!

[BellyBelly]

Yeah, i'm sure next time will be shorter Second births are shorter, third births in my experience are like bulls at a gate I've been to a few and all over red rover really quick Even an induction I attended one morning last week (waters broken to start labour) was all over by 2pm.

[Nelle]

That's a good point Kelly, River's birth was fantastic, so I'm very confident about birthing this next one, but I wonder how apprehensive I'd be if my first experience was difficult - I think I'd be working much harder to be reassured and confident!
It is great that first time mums are arming themselves with knowledge and support. I know that my knowledge, atmosphere (birth centre) and support partners (dh, student midwife/support partner and rostered midwife) made all the difference for me.

ETA: Ooh, Gracie's due today-ish! All the best whenever it happens Gracie, would love to hear how things end up going!

[Ginger]

hi nelle- i'm still here. still pregnant!! will keep you posted!!

[Nelle]

Lol Gracie, no rush!

[Junglemum]

Gracie- Great thread, thanks for posting it! i would be very interested to hear how you go love. I am in the same boat as you, i would really love a natural physiological birth, and am booked into a private hosp in melb. I am due on the 5th of Oct.
Good luck, hope it all goes well, look foward to hearing how it goes.

[Ginger]

hi Ange- i'm really hoping that my baby will come naturally in the next couple of days cos if not, then i will be induced next thursday. i've heard that this can make it a lot harder for you to go naturally. hope everything goes well for you. keep me posted!!

[BellyBelly]

A baby is not technically overdue until 42 weeks, before then is regarded as full term. I wouldn't risk an induction until then as the last thing I would want is a caesar, but thats just me

[Junglemum]

Will keep you posted! How many days over your EDD will you be next Thurs? As much as i am OVER being preg, i am trying to avoid an induction for the reasons you said. I have spoken to OB and he is happy to let me go to 42 weeks and then re-asses. Although i must admit today i can't remember feeling bub move and it makes me nervous! How will i be by 42 weeks?!
Sending you all the labour vibes i can muster up!