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I think its awesome that you're considering going natural. I'm 34 weeks with my first. People say I'm crazy for wanting to do it natural. I view it like a marathon or event. Its mentally and physically difficult but when you cross the finishline its pure acheivement and elation mixed with sheer exhaustion. I told my support group not to be afraid when they see me in pain. I asked them to give me encouragement and tell me things like, "You can do it. Don't give up and we're here for you!" I want the freedom to squat, kneel or move around in what ever way my body deems right for the moment. Don't be fearful because the majority of women tell you to be. It is your experience and yours alone. Make it how you want it. I believe it is a process that shouldn't be so horrible in one's mind. Pain in its various forms usually has a purpose but doesn't always denote inferiority. If you go natural have faith in yourself like the woman have for centuries. I wish you the best.

Jlips I posted very early in this post. You can read up and see if story if you wish. You are very close to delivery and if you don't mind I would like to tell that your att_tude is terrific for wanting a natural birth. When people are wishy washy about meds and natural most opt out for meds. Because natural is painful you have to act as there is noooooo other choice (unless an emergency happens). But be very prepared. See there is a book called Rediscovering Birth by Sheila Kitzinger. It is about the history of how women once and now give birth from women all over the world. Sounds a little boring but reading it makes a lot of sense why people view natural birth as soo hard. You know if your foot is broken it isn't supposed to be like that it becomes a medical condition. ANything abnormal becomes medical. Over the course of some years very close minded men began to think that pregnancy and birth was something unnatural and when doctors took over a lot of women began dieing from childbirth however medicine has come a long way in our country but in others it hasn't and women still die regularly. Chidbirth is something very nomal and personally I believe ANY and all women could do it naturally with the right amount of support. I strongly believe doulas are a very wonderful thing to have and for my next birth for number 5 I will use a doula. So keep foccussed and you can do it!

Jlips i think similar to yourself. I too am 34 weeks with my first and want to have a go at it naturally. the problem is that its all too easy for women to tell other women of their 'horrific' birth stories, so it instills fear and dread in a woman before she gives birth. you hear much more about the negatives of birth than the positives and as a result it has a bad affect on new mothers waiting to give birth! everybody knows its painful and its not easy but i'd personally rather go into it with a positive att_tude rather than a negative one. the amount of times ive heard women say 'are you scared of the birth' - i honestly don't know what answer they want to hear!! at the end of the day a baby has to come out one way or the other, and if it was so incredibly painful then the human race would no longer be in existence. at the moment the UK is more overpopulated than it has ever been!!

Hi ladies. Let me give you my advice. I am an OB nurse specializing in Labor & Delivery. I get these questions everyday. I can honestly say I have seen women go through L & D and be as cool as a cuc_mber throughout the whole thing and I have seen women jump on the bed and scream "Get this thing out of me". Every birth experience is different, including my own. I did the first one natural and had an epidural with the second one. Natural childbirth is very difficult and you have to be in complete control to handle it. The cervix is a muscle, when you get a contraction you have to be able to relax to allow the cervix to dilate. If you tense up your body, your cervix gets tense as well and does not dilate. The amount of pain a person can handle depends on quite a few things. The person, the position of the baby, the size of the baby, the size of your pelvis, whether it is spontaneous labor or induced labor with pitocin. Also, the length of your labor, you need to understand for every hour you are in labor it is tough on your body. For example if you are in labor for 12 hours it is as if you have been working out at the gym for the past 12 hours, labor is hard work. Just keep an open mind and be open to all of your options. Just know that if you do not go the natural route it does not make you a failure. Childbirth hurts like h*#l, and anyone who does it with or without pain meds is a hero and in the end you all get the same outcome, a beautiful baby to call your own. Best of luck to all of you.

Thanks OBNurse...well said! Do you know of or have seen women with their 2nd labor have an eaier time? My first was very fast and furious but as easy as I think it could really get. I'm praying for the same. Did it without an epi and would like to do it again. Are the contractions the same, easier or more difficult typically with your second?

Hi alirenee86, Yes I have seen a second labor go quick but I have also experienced it taking longer first hand. My first L&D was 3.5 hours with no epi., my second L&D was 10.5 hours. After 8 hours of labor I got the epidural and glad I did. Every L&D is different. Best of luck to you. Just remember to keep an open mind.

Mama4andmore & Cat 24, it was nice to hear your thoughts. It is so interesting to see the differences in cultural beliefs affect child birthing. I don't necessarily agree with western medical's view of L & B. For example, episiotomies are one of the most common procedures done in the US. Many times such procedures are done for convience for the medical staff-which I don't appreciate it. Research suggests that if you have your baby during busy hospital hours, there are increased chances of undergoing obstetric Intervention-how sad. Anyways, I'm excited to have a water birth in a birthing center. Oddly enough Im looking forward to birthing even the pain. I suppose being a very mindful person, the implications and meaning of being the vessel that gives life to another is...powerful and humbling.

Have you ever heard about Acupressure? I was reading this site maternity-acupressure dot com but I am not sure about it but maybe helps as it really says to induce labor naturally.

I have seen people use acupuncture twice to try and induce labor without result. But that is not to say that it doesn't work, just keep your chin up.

Hi bab18 I used acupressure to try bring on ds & found it caused alot of braxton hicks but didn't cause me to go into labour. I think it is like any other natural method of trying to induce, it will only work if your body is ready for labour anyway. It doesn't hurt to try but don't be too disappointed if it doesn't work. Goodluck.

I got an epidural with my first. As soon as he did it I knew something was wrong, I started feeling numb in my hands, my neck...then I just pa__sed out. The next thing I remember is someone yelling "Elena, breathe!!" and a bunch of doctors in the room, my dh crying...then I pa__sed out again. Turned out that he messed up my epidural, so my whole body got affected by it instead of just the bottom half, my blood pressure dropped (which affects the baby). If you notice, you hear a lot about the epidural making your blood pressure drop. I woke up from it when it wore off - I was under it for about an hour. After that I had to go without it, I was about 6 cm dilated at that point. I had to be on oxygen, blood pressure meds and they also put a catheter in to collect your urine (from which you might later on get urinary tract infections). So from then on I went without any pain relief, and yes, it does hurt like hell. The transition hurts, the pushing stage hurts (the pushing relieves the pain of contractions), it all hurts, lol. I'm 36 weeks prego with #2 and am going to try my best NOT to request an epidural, but keeping my options open.

Sasha - I had an epidural with my first and it had a similar effect on me - I kept losing consciousness, my blood pressure dropped a lot and then the emergency doctors had to be called out. With my second I knew I didn't want an epidural even though the contractions hurt so much so I went for a water birth. I'd recommend that, contractions still hurt loads but its much nicer though I think you are right to keep your options open. You can have gas and air with water birth but thats it and have to be 5cm dilated before you go in the water. Good luck!