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also, it really is all mental as well, the mind is so powerful, I know youc an get through it mentally. Just keep yourself positive and only let those you KNOW will support in on it. The last two labours of mine were really to a point, quite scary and frightening for me, I felt I had no control (to a certainpoint anyway, you know...) and I KNOW if I went back in time and went through it again, I could change how it all went. The moment the first contraction hits, you must calm yourself and really think and concentrate - you'll be great.! :-)

Thanks for all your advice. Honestly, I flip flop every single day between wanting to try natural childbirth and getting an epidural. Up until yesterday, the baby was breech, so I thought the decision might be made for me anyway, but it appears that he has turned head down. I probably won't truly decide until I go into labor!

Hi Cindernar. My tolerance for pain is kinda pathetic too! I didn't have a completely drug free labour. I used Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) instead of an epidural. It provides anxiety relief as well as "some" pain relief.

I gave birth with just gas & air (equinox), and it was fine. I was in labour for nearly 2 days at home (I took parecetamol in the second day), and then was admitted to hospital at 4am, and had DS at 8.16. I was pushing for nearly 2 hours, and yes, it hurt, but you'll probably find you surprise yourself with how much you can take. I didn't make a consious decision to do it naturally - I was planning to take it as it came, which I did - and found that I could cope just fine. I think if you have your mind set on any specific type of delivery you'll just be dissappointed if it doesn't go to plan. I would suggest telling your doc that you don't plan to have an epidural, but you may change your mind!

My son is 8 months old, and i have epilepsy. i was totally against an epidural because of my seizure disorder, so i just opted for the pain med. (they gave me demerol). after like 3 hours , i was begging for an epidural...my son was born 6 hours after that....im pregnant right now (12 weeks) and i am not going to wait for the epidural this time!!!!

My son was sunny side up so he was hitting my bone when a contraction hit and I was hovering over the bed (my hubby says the back of my head and my toes were all that touched) I then screamed for my epidural (I got it at 6cm) and as soon as I did my labor was practically over.. I will get one again this time if I can (I make it in time) and request it early. Luckily he didn't break my bones it just felt like it was going to...I say do what's best for you period.

I've had two babies and am about to have a third, I can say that I did not have the option to have an epidural at all. With my daughter, I didn't have any kind of painkiller at all untill I had to get st_tches, then I got a shot of demeral. With my son, I was induced and was givena mild painkiller as soon as I started pushing. (I have to say that I am a wuss, and I cannot deal with pain very well.) I have to say though, there is definatly no other feeling like delivering your baby. I felt every push, every movement, I felt the head come out, then shoulders and so on. And let me tell you, there is no bigger relief and sense of overwhelming joy with that final push and you know you've done it. I wouldn't trade all that for the world. I know it hurt like nothing else at the time, but now all I remember is what I described, I don't remember the pain.) Whatever you decide, you will remember the day your baby was born and it will be awsome!!! Good Luck and Take care!!!!

Do it its soo worth it. and you'll be able to tell your shild that you unselfishly went through all that pain because they were worth it!

I didn't read all the other posts but, I've done it both ways. #1 was with an epidural, and #2 drug free. I would definately do it naturally again! It was sooo much better. My advice to you would be, get two books and immerse yourself into them. The Birth Book by Dr. Sears, and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. They both helped so much. They teach you how to breath and how to stay focused and relaxed. (yes, you can do both during labor LOL!) Plus, your best friend will be the tub! Oh how it helps! You can do it. Arm yourself with knowledge, and surround your self with supportive people! Good Luck!

I had all my children naturally with little pain medication with two (gas and air) and with one absolutly nothing. I really didn't want an epidural as I couldn't stand the thought of not moving around. I found staying as up-right as possible to be the best thing for controling the pain. Once I lay down it was agony but each time I decided to get into the bed I was between 7-9cm which is apparently usual for women in labour who are mobile. Good luck. Make yourself aware of all the medications available to you other than an epi and do what you can without them. You will find you could get through nearlly the whole labour before requiring medication of any kind. Good luck!

bump

no one thought i could do it cause i tell anyone about any tiny bit of discomfort i ever feel haha but i thought of labor pains differernt, as telling me how to move ect to help baby i did not want to lie around numb. i did hurt but it was the best thing i ever did and i want all my births to be drug free. and yes, THE TUB IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

I had a 8.8lbs little girl and I did it natural. I didn't want to at the time, but I didn't have time for drugs. In the end I was glad I had a natural birth and would like to do it again

My firstborn came after 14 hrs of excruciating back labor. She was posterior and therefore, pushing, rather than feeling better....felt WORSE. I screamed through almost all of it....not to mention that I was forced to deliver her while lying flat on my back. No pain meds.... 9lbs. I was 19 years old. Now? Dude I'm goin for the pain meds and NOT feeling guilty about it. I have a somewhat android pelvis anyway and it is my belief that babies don't just pop out of me very easily. Rate this pregnancy is going I'm gonna end up with a c section anyway.

I had my first ds naturally and plan to do it the next time I give birth. It wasn't as bad as I imagined. It hurt, but not like I thought it would. I used gas and air to get me through and a small amount of fentanyl in my IV but for the most part, au natural. I was lucky that I had a short labor. Epidurals scare me to death. I would never get one.

also, i tore in labor, it was second degree so better than an episiotomy at least but it felt no worse than a hand nail and for a quick second. i got scared though beecause i heard aweful things before hand but as soon as i said its starting to sting it stopped completly. also i didn't tear "gently" the nurses hand ripped me all at once cause she had to free the cord from his neck. you'll be fine your body makes its own wonderful drugs!