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Plus, there's a part of me that wonders if I could really do it. I know labor shouldn't be considered a badge of honor. I just wonder if I could get through it mentally.

Hi :) I gave birth to my daughter naturally. She was my first baby, induced at 37 weeks so that I could have gallbladder surgery. I did a home study sel hypnosis thing which I did not finish because I had to be induced early. What I did learn helped to keep me relaxed though. My mom said it was scary to see me just laying there looking like I was sleeping during the contractions. I mean don't get me wrong, they hurt like hell!!! but until transition I really didn't feel as though I needed any pain meds and by that time it was too late, time to push. I pushed for 20 minutes and she was out, 7 lbs 5 oz. 19 inches. I really wouldn't have it any other way and I plan on going natrual with any more that I have. Oh, but labor was only like 4 hours long for me...

I gave birth to my last naturally and I was on pitocin which is suppose to make contractions more intense. I laughed basically the whole way through my labor and birth. As i was pushing I told dh I wanted to start trying for another one 6 months later. Sure enough im here 34.5 weeks pregnant again. For me I find the BH almost more intense then the actual labor contractions. Im a pretty big baby too when it comes to getting hurt.lol

I have to say that I admire any woman who is able to go through labor and delivery naturally, especially going natural by choice ... I had an epidural with my first child and had my second without any pain meds, but only because I got to the hospital too late and there was no time for an epidural ... I delivered 30 minutes after arriving. I don't think that I could have done it naturally if given the choice.

I had both mine naturally, dont no why, just didnt think about it at the time.My first was 18 hours, and found that alot better then my second which was only 4 hours, i got used to the pain with my first, but my second was so fast and really intence! alot of my friends have gone in saying they wont have any pain meds, but end up having an epidural. The good thing about having it naturally, is that there is no side affects and once you have had the baby you are back to your normal self and you can walk back to your room, and baby wont get any of the affects of whateva pain meds you get to.

cindernar, don't feel crazy, I am thinking of doing the same thing. I had an epidural with my son and am thinking I really want to try natural with this one. I was induced with my son and the contractions were really intense once they broke my water...actually, I didn't get a break inbetween them, maybe like 10 seconds before I would have another one....so this time around I am going to try my best to go natural or do the walking epidural that I have heard about.. We just have to tell ourselves that we can do it and we are capable of doing it... We have to remember that labour will get to a point where the pain isn't going to get any worse, and if we can make it to that point, we can make it through the whole process.

Women gave birth naturally for hundreds of years...you can too. I had an epidural with my first child. It felt good having no pain, but boy did I feel like c___p afterwards when it wore off and then the pain came. With my second, I went natural. My labor progressed so quickly that they didn't have time to hook me up. But as painful as I thought that it would be, I was surprised to find it not so bad. The most awesome part was that an hour after giving birth, I was up walking around. I got to go to the bathroom on my own...no catheter! The pain afterwards wasn't as bad, because compared to pushing, it wasn't anything. I also felt that the recovery was better too. My husband and I went in the elevator down to the cafeteria and a lady asked me if I was here visiting. I told her that I had had a baby the day before and she wouldn't believe me, so I had to show her a picture. I felt great. It was a great experience feeling everything. I also think that giving birth is a badge of honor. A very important "rite of pa__sage" for a woman. Don't worry. You will decide what is right for you. However you do it, you are a hero for bringing a life into this world. Good luck to you!!

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'm wondering if there are any real techniques that help keep you sort of calm through the pain. I don't think there's any kind of breathing that will make the pain go away. (I understand physics.) But if there's a way to do it naturally without tons of stress and screaming and freaking out, I would love to be able to do that. Maybe I'll get to the hospital too late and the decision will be made for me. I know that I want to do this, but I also know that I'm likely to wuss out.

Cindernar, you sound exactly like me! I would love to do it naturally but I feel really uninformed and unprepared. I would love some resources to educate myself on techniques...any suggestions?

Cindernar, how far along are you? If you have time, I highly recommend you take a child birthing cla__s. I've learned so much about pain management techniques through that cla__s. Also, look into hiring a doula-a woman who is there for you and your partner during the birth to help you cope. Research shows woman have lower c-section rates and higher instances of pleasant birth experiences with a doula. Check out the website dona.org (Doulas of North Amercia). Also there's a really good book by Penny Simpkin called "Pregnany, childbirth, and the Newborn: or something like that. My childbirth education teacher referenced it frequently and I've read it almost all the way through. As you can see, I'm planning a birth without medical interventions mainly because I hate the way meds make me feel and I tend to get nauseous easily. I know that the big thing is if you can start out your labor relaxed and calm, you'll do well. I'm 37 weeks and am really looking forward to using my "bag of tricks" I learned from the cla__s. Good luck to all of us!

I'm 27 weeks along. I probably should do that. I didn't do it with my other son because I knew that I wanted an epidural.

Plus, it doesn't help that my mom thinks people who decide to do it without meds are crazy. She also wasn't very supportive of me deciding to try b___stfeeding, so I shouldn't be surprised. It just would be nice to have a support system. I can see my mom making snide comments about my decision. My family is very a___lytical/science-oriented about things, and I tend to be more, well, into doing things naturally if possible. Of course, I'm into not being in pain as well, so.... I guess I'm just rambling now and not making any sense.

i had both mine natural, and breathing helped alot, i went to a birth cla__s while preg with my first and they taught me how to breath through the pain and it worked great. i due on feb 14th with my 3rd and am planing to go natural with this one to. good luck ladies: )

Well, I cant say I fully did it "naturally" since I eventually had to have a c-section. I was in labor for 15 hours and about 12 hours was natural. The darn anesthesiologist was in surgery and couldnt give me my epidural, so I was at a 9.5 and finaly they gave me one. (not sure why, because they usually wont give you one that far along) But anyway --I was at the worst, before the pushing comes, and I think I could have done it. When it feels like you cant handle it if it gets any worse, you're at the worst. I think any woman could do it if they put there mind to it. I say go for it!

I never used any breathing techniques or anything with both my labors. I just found talking and joking around kept me very relaxed. I dont think I made much noise at all until the baby crowned that was the only part that really hurt for me but it was over really quickly.

I agree with both wennyk and dedaa - relaxtion and breathing helped me go med free through 3 deliveries....I found you have to breath through your contractions and not tense up - don't dread the next contraction - cos that will make you tighten up and intensify the pain of it...And I love having my dh there - he personally hates it - but I honestly couldn't manage it without him there to distract me - he chats lightly to me but through his anxiousness he chatters aimlessly about a whole load of nonsense to the m/wife delivering me...It so keeps me occupied and takes my mind off what is happening....And always thinking that this is the going to be as bad as it gets with each contraction by the time you REALLY think 'thats it, I want some pain relief' it really is too late....Y