Delivering without the help of any pain medication is like a badge of honor for some moms.
Any woman who has been through drug-free labor knows that it’s no easy feat and takes serious commitment.
(Not that labor with pain-reducing drugs is any less ofan amazing accomplishment.)
Ryo Ohwada / Getty Images
But not every mom-to-be who has a natural birth chose to go that route.
“It was important for me to feel fully in control.”
The overall experience was quite wonderful.
I was lucky enough to have a relatively short first birth of 10 hours from first contraction to birth.
My midwife was impressed.
I was very focused on doing things that would help me during labor.
My midwife thinks that my practicing yoga for 15 years really helped a lot.
During labor, I meditated on the image of myself floating in the ocean.
I also did some hypnotherapy.
I can’t think of any downsides to a natural childbirth.
“Nikki M., 35
“I felt like a badass.
Like I could do anything.”
and ‘There are no medals for going without drugs’ and ‘Youre crazy.’
I didnt want the epidural, and when I said so I got some side eye and attitude.
I was actually doing fine until they broke my water, which they did without asking.
Once they broke my water the contractions became much more painful and my dilation progression stalled, ironically.
The whole experience was like thatI didnt feel I had any control or voice in my own birth.
I quit my doctor right after that and went to see the midwives at Pennsylvania Hospital.
My second birth was completely different.
I was able to listen to my body.
The midwives were very hands off and confident in the childbirth process.
My body did all the work.
They didnt touch my water and only broke it when I was ready to push.
I felt completely free and in control the entire time.
No one rushed me, and it took about 11 hours.
My last contraction before I was ready to push was one of the worst.
I could tell, though, that I was close because I had an overwhelming urge to push.
He called the midwives in, and I was ready.
I pushed out my son in two minutes, so it didnt last long.
After it was over, I felt like a badass.
Like I could do anything.
I was on a high for days.
“Jenny R., 46
“I felt completely at the mercy of nature.”
“My natural birth was a beautiful end to a very difficult pregnancy.
“Maggie G., 34
“There was much less damage to my body.”
“I have three children.
I also ended up with a third degree tear, which took over a month to heal.
Luckily, it was very quick, but it was definitely more painful.
I did, and my second was born and there was much less damage to my body.
I barely had a second-degree tear and my recovery was mere days versus weeks with my first.
The baby was born about three minutes later!
I told her I was about to find out.
The pain was unlike anything I can describe.
The pain subsided almost immediately, and I was up and about with ease compared to my other births.
I also appreciated the experience of having done it both ways for my own personal knowledge and growth.
When you face that throw in of pain you have to be exceptionally committed to a natural birth.
In my case, I didn’t have a choice because I missed the epidural window.
“Tracy E., 46
“It didn’t go as planned.”
The funny thing about my birth story is, like most others, it didn’t go as planned.
I did not intend on a natural birth.
I figured I’d have a long labor and would need the epidural.
My labor from start to finish turned out to be seven hours.
My main concern was that I did not want to go to the hospital too early.
I used yoga techniques and massage (thanks to my husband) to labor through each contraction.
I rocked side to side through each contraction.
They got me in a room and out of being nervous, I asked for an epidural.
They looked at me and asked, ‘Can you sit still for 10 minutes?
‘No waywas the answer.
So we were doing it, without pain medicine.
Three pushes and my daughter was out!
If I were ever to do it again, I’d try for natural.
That being said, I don’t know if I could manage a 30+ hour labor like some friends.
But my overall experience was great.
I felt wonderful afterwards.
My daughter was super-alert and nursed immediately.
Once my contractions started, of course, they were so intense I was begging for an epidural.
My second baby slid out in 45 minutes and I did not tear at all.
“I knew I wanted a natural birth since the moment I became pregnant.
I’m a very holistic, healthy individual.
For me, it only made sense to continue my philosophy during the birth of my daughter.
It was an amazing, beautiful experience.
“Jordan R., 41
“I have always been against any form of medication.”
“I have always been against any form of medication if I had a choice.
I was in labor for eight hours with my first daughter and about three hours with my second.
Thus, my labor was shorter than most people and the pain was a lot more intense.
I would definitely not change anything if I were to go through labor again.
After it was ‘fixed,’ I still had pain and ended up with a totally numb right leg.
I think I was too distracted from the pain to really focus on the baby.
But overall, I’m glad I did it.
I was planning on going drug-free with baby number three.
It was sort of the perfect compromise!
I wanted to be normal and together once I had a baby in my arms.
I was very proud and good about it.
With my second child, I had another quick deliverythis time within an hour of arriving at the hospital.
But I had no chance to get on top of it.
I went from four centimeters to dilated so quickly I couldn’t stand the pain.
I was that crazy person yelling, ‘I can’t do this!’
But the good news is I could handle it because it was so quick.
It was hard, but overall, I’m glad I did it both times.
It was amazing to be so present.
I honestly believe you have to go with your experience.
I will say that I was shocked when labor started the second time.
I really had forgotten how much it hurt.
We are awesome, we women.
“Sharlene B, 52
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