Labour with no drugs?

[fionas]

I was in labour for three days so it wasn't the pain that was the main problem for me, it was not knowing when it was going to end!

I think read about some natural pain relief methods - Juju Sundin's Birth Skills book is highly recommended and takes a common sense approach. This doesn't have to be an either/or situation. You can see how far you get with the pain management techniques she explains, but if you end up wanting drugs you will do so knowing you've done your best.

I ended up having an epidural AND forceps but I couldn't be prouder of the way I handled my birth.

It is my firm belief that all labours have different levels of pain and all people's pain thresholds are different. So there is really very little point in comparing ourselves with each other and passing judgement on whether natural or drugs are the go.

But I also very much agree with Kelly that you are much more likely to have a natural labour if you have good support people and you do your research. There is absolutely no point in going into this saying "oh, I'll just see what happens and do a bit of deep breathing." That's probably not going to cut it.

[BellyBelly]

Yup so many people bag birth plans and say it all goes skew wiff anyway, but the thing is you can't just have a plan and it all just works. So you have a plan - what have you done to give yourself the best chance of it happening? Where are you giving birth? What support do you have? What reading have you done (not up the duff and what to expect like every other person LOL!) and what education? What is your and your partner's philosophy of birth and labour pain? So many things couples need to do if they are serious about their birth plan. I think this is why so many doctors and midwives laugh at birth plans because people walk in with them like they would an order at mcdonalds.... LOL

[Lucy]

I won't bleat on about this, as I appreciate everyone has different experiences, and I may have been "lucky" but I have had 3 vaginal births, and I loved every second of all them.

For my first, I had NFI to be honest....a vague plan, which went awry, but I ended up having a totally natural drug free labour and birth, despite shoulder distocia.

Birth number two was (unnecessarily!) induced, and aside the induction drug, no other pain relief or drugs or intervention at all.

Birth number three was FAST. I had done some birth hypnotherapy, and I honestly did not feel any pain: it was AMAZING.

I am likely the extreme, but it is totally possible to do it without drugs.

Very best of luck!

[Pretty Butterfly]

I have had 5 great births, one with an episiotomy and forceps, all with no pain relief at all. There are so many ways to cope with the pain if you prepare yourself. But remember, needing something isn't failing!! I SCREAMED for an epidural with my 3rd (posterior, and turned sideways while pushing!) but it was too late!! I kept telling myself through each really bad contraction that it will stop in a minute, and it did help. If you go in ready to cope with each contraction as it comes , rather than the "whole" labour, you will.

Good luck, and if you need something, then you do!!

[fionas]

Sorry to double-post but to give an example:

If I hadn't read about natural pain relief methods, I would have begged for an epidural at about 3cm I reckon. As it was I refused an epidural when it was offered and kept going till I was 7cm. By this time I had been in labour for three days and had had 7 hours sleep in total in those three days and my DD was posterior! If I'd had a support person, I reckon they could have motivated me to keep going or at least gone for gas first instead of straight to the epidural. So what I'm saying is that pain is just one part of the overall jigsaw puzzle and it's how you put those pieces together that will determine the overall result. I should also say that your ob's attitude will also come into play especially if you go private. The midwives told me that had I been under a different obs' care, he would have whisked me off for a caesar instead of just taking a wait and see approach as mine did.

[Schmickers]

DW has had two natural births, both in water, no drugs or pain relief. It's all about mindset, I think - if you can honestly believe and trust in your own body (and it's obviously served you well so far) and have a supportive partner with you that you can trust in, it will see you through.

[Ozziehoffy]

I did hypnobirthing (also known as calm birthing) and like Lucy said... AMAZING! It was my first experience of labour as my first was a c/s .. and I LOVED it and actually didn't feel pain, felt some discomfort but not pain. 3 1/2 hours and he was born. I don't have anything bad to say about it at all. My advice though, which has been said by a few already... is yes have your plan but be open minded about it. I went in wanting drug free and got it, but I was also open to things changing if need be. All the best!!!

[alioops]

I have had 2 waterbirths, 1 i was asking for an epidural (posterior bub) but i had gone from 10 cm back to 5 cm and when they broke my waters she was born within 5 minutes. I found Gas useless as the water gave the same amount of relief and sped up my labours, my longest was only 5 hours from established labour. it can be done and i believe visualisation was very helpful for me. this may sound strange, but my DH has big ears. i was imagining that the girls both had big ears and once i got the ears out it would be easy rofl! but seriously it helped!

[Kazmar]

hey there! I had a natual birth with no drugs and ended up with no tears or cuts!
Im the biggest sook and HATE pain. But 4 some reason when ur in labour that all goes out the window. I think coz we're built 4 it!
I didn't hate giving birth, i was one of the lucky ones though, many could tell horror stories, but ones like mine do exsist.
I think the mummy's can do there best but in the end it's all up 2 bubs and how they want 2 make it on mummy!
Good luck with it all, it's a beautiful amazing experience and just think when ur in pain
"It's not going 2 last 4 ever, and at the end i meet my lil wonder thats been growing inside me."

[cari28]

You are doing well to start looking into pain control before going to the hospital. I am a labor and delivery nurse and I'm not going to lie...birthing babies is a painful experience. Where I work, the majority of women have epidurals and love them, some opt for iv pain medication such as stadol, demerol, or morphine, and a few others go all natural. But most women at the end want something for the pain, however when you get nearly all the way dilated pain medication cannot be administered because there is not enough time for it to wear off of the baby. If pain medication is given to close to delivery the baby usually recieves a Narcan shot to reverse the effects of the medication received during labor.
My suggestion look into your options and discuss your plans and thoughts with your physician or midwife.

Good luck!

[teachmum]

Labour hurts! I focused on the fact that with that pain my baby was moving closer to being born. With my first I had pethidine which didn't really help except I was stoned afterwards. My second birth was quick but just as painful and I didn't have any pain relief. I loved the shower. I must say I recovered much faster from my second birth.

If you think you need pain relief ask for it. If you would like a birth without pain relief makes sure everybody knows it. Everyone is different and you shouldn't feel pressured to have the 'perfect birth'. What you want now as a pain free person many change once you have established labour!

My only advice is don't be afraid of labour because you will do it!

[BellyBelly]

Like my article, I believe you are more likely to have a low intervention birth if you know why you don't want it and understand the pro's and con's of everything. If you go in there with the idea you want a natural birth, what's gonna hold you to that? Whereas if you know that (for example) pethidine is one of the top 2 drugs that the leading expert on drugs and breastfeeding says is contraindicated and says avoid it at all costs because of it's effects on breastfeeding establishment, it has a long half life in your baby's system (24hrs?) etc... then of course you will be more determined not to have it. Research, have a plan but plan for all situtations so you are taken seriously and respected. Plans include how you would like c/s to go, inductions that are medically necessary etc.

No you don't get awards for not having drugs - like Bec said you certainly feel like you have one afterwards because of the massive high - but the best thing is knowing that your baby and yourself are both unaffected from side affects and have less risk of complications. Thats gotta be worth something.

[New Dawn]

With all 3 of my babies I have had no drugs and yes it did hurt!!! but you go with what you feel you can cope with if you are at the point where you can take it anymore then take the drugs... I know for me I have very short labor the longest was 4hrs so by the time I am screaming for the drug ( and yes do I scream I think the whole hospital can hear me.) its too late so my advice would be go in there with no expectations and just see how you go, but if you feel you want the drugs try not to leave it to late...In the end its up to you if you have them or not and its up to you who you tell that you had them..