I expected to have to really be resisting drugs, I was pretty sure I didn't want any, but thought they would be really tempting - it never occurred to me once to ask for drugs. I just went into this 'zone', but hormones kicked in, I was unaware of what was happening around me, I was in the bath and then I had a baby! It hurt, but I just breathed through the pain, the water relaxed me and I told myself it would be over soon.
With my second, I wished I had drugs for a moment, but no chance of that cos I was at home, and in hindsight I was in the transition stage of a very short intense labour, and I had my baby not long after that! With the same focus and breathing and a shower on my back.
So it definitely can be done! Work on your breathing and read about what others say contractions feel like so you have a rough idea of what to expect. It's not like normal pain though, it's not like stubbing your toe or having a headache - your body is filled with hormones to help you birth and focus, and you know the pain is productive.
(I highly recommend warm water as great pain relief though)
My labour was 17 hours. I laboured at home till about the last 4 hours at the birth centre. I just kept active and moved how my body told me too- for me that was standing, swaying my hips and squatting through contractions. I spent a lot of time in a hot shower which felt great on my back. I was aware of the drugs and did think about them during labour but I was well informed of their effects and didn't actually want them- I was happier with the pain which was natural than to add an unnatural sensation. It's an awsome experience and you can do it!
Thank you all you gorgeous girls for those lovely stories Wow! you girls are really brave. I hope I can be at least a fraction of that
My ob is really supportive of natural birth so am looking forward to a special experience. I asked him if he had a problem with DH "catching" the baby and he said "I actually get the mothers to deliver their own babies, so you'll be doing the catching"! I have partial placenta praevia though, so am keeping my fingers crossed that it moves and I don't have to get a c-section. Please pray for me girls.
I had a semi drug free birth. Why semi? Well I had to be induced so there was some drugs and about 3pm the ob said i could have a peth shot now or it would be too late (7cm). Thinking it had to get worse i took the shot. Bad idea. The only thing it did was distract me cause i was throwing up so much! After the throwing up i did manage to rest a little but i am not sure if the peth actually helped with that.
Baby came out about 5:10pm with no further drugs or even trying the gas. Despite the induction medication i didn't find the pain too bad. Though the ob didn't give me a local anisthetic for my two stiches and they absolutely killed! I think he did give me suppostries as well but who knows. In the morning they gave me more suppostries and then the next day they tracked me down and made me take some painkillers (my prem dd was in the nursery by this stage so i was never in my room for them to moniter me). So while everyone consentrates on drugs during labour not too many people mention drugs after labour. I know my after labour drugs were on the light side as i wasn't even happy about the painkillers but was told i had to take them. After that i just refused any offer of drugs since i had my own panadol i took if required and they gave up asking. That was the best thing about a relatevely natural birth the recovery was so easy for me which i really appreciated since i had other things to worry about.
I hope it works out for you. I want a completely natural birth this time, not that i am against drugs and i am usually quite happy to take them. What i really don't want is to be induced again.
I had two drug free births and apologise if someone else has mentioned it, but I did a CAlmbirth course for the last one and it was brilliant. It's all about teaching techniques for birth and the idea is to take the FEAR out of birth. It doesn't gaurantee drug free, but I can honestly say, it has helped me before, during and after the birth. This last time I was induced but it didn't even cross my mind to ask for drugs.
I also learnt more about my body doing calmbirth course than I ever did with previous two labours or biology at school!
If you google Im sure you'll find somewhere near you that run the course xoxo
I had a drug free birth. I found that the key was having an amazing midwife to coach me through it, my wonderful supportive husband and just concentrating on the end result. The whole time I was thinking "I get to meet my baby soon!" even after 8.5 hours of established labour and half of that breathing through the pushing (my daughter was also posterior). I can't wait to do it again (any day now!) so I promise you it's not as bad as those videos make it out to be. Plus the sound makes it so much worse on those videos. Your body can do it. I just believed that and like someone else said, you go into a zone that just allows you to get through it. Good luck!!!
PS my placenta was low and now is nowhere near the cervix. Good luck with that too. I'm sure it will all be fine x
Belle, I highly recommend having an independent midwife or doula! I'm not sure how I would have gone without my support people. Also, your best bet to avoid drugs is to have a home birth!
There were a few factors that helped me achieve a drug-free natural birth. Firstly I had an independent midwife whose presence and reassurance really helped me. Secondly, I had DS at a birth centre and I was determined to stay there and not be transfered to the maternity ward, so drugs were not an option! I didn't even think about using the gas, I was too preoccupied. The BC midwife was fantastic and really respectful. She asked me what I wanted, did no assuming or pressuring and was just so lovely and reassuring. Thirdly, I guess the fact that the entire labour and birth was only 2 and a half hours meant that I really had no time for drugs. I was 7cm dialated leaving home, so by the time I got to the BC it was almost time to push. DS was born an hour after arriving
You really can do this. Oh and I found squatting was the best position when pushing!
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Wow! you girls are really brave. I hope I can be at least a fraction of that 
I have partial placenta praevia though, so am keeping my fingers crossed that it moves and I don't have to get a c-section. Please pray for me girls.
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