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I don't have any experiences with labor, as this is my first child, but I want to go natural too. If you look at all the benefits...I think you'll agree. Epidurals slow down your contractions, make for a longer recovery time, and can cause severe headaches and backpain. And all the women that had epidurals and natural births, say to "go with the natural" its not that bad. Plus, how cool would it be to say that you did it the way God intended? I just wanna rub it in my husbands face that I really AM superwoman! =) hehe

I WENT NATURAL AND I AM VERY GLAD I DID AFTER SEEING ALL MY FRIENDS KIDS COME OUT LOOKING LIKE THEY WERE HIGH ON DRUGS IT WAS SO NICE BECAUSE I WASNT SLEEPY OR NUMB AFTERWORDS LIKE THE OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE SEEN GO THROUGH IT WITH DRUGS. AND MY SONS SCORES WERE HIGHER THEN THE OTHER BABYS. BUT I DONT KNOW DO WHAT YOU FEEL YOU NEED I AM ON MY SECOND PREGNANCY AND I PLAN ON GOING WITH OUT DRUGS AGAIN OH YEA ALSO YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL YOUR BABY COME OUT WHERE AS I HEARD WHEN YOU HAVE DRUGS YOUR TOTALLY NUMB AND CAN'T EVEN PUSH BY YOURSELF AND OR KNOW WHEN TO PUSH. HAVE A GOOD DAY OH YEA ONE MORE THING MY LABOUR WAS FROM 1:30 A.M TO 4:57 A.M SO IT WAS NICE AND SHORT

I have done natural twice. It was extraordinarily painful, but I will do it with this one, too (34 weeks). I remember feeling as though huge clamps were pulling my pelvic bones apart and feeling a tremendous urge to hang from something and squat (which I was allowed to do, even for the delivery -- no table for me!). But I was up and in the shower within the hour of giving birth and felt energetic and healthy afterward, not exhausted. I have always been a little curious about "not feeling" the labor and delivery. It seems so odd, but most people I know do it that way and don't seem to be any less womanly for having had the relief of meds. I think it has a lot to do with how you respond to doctors, hospitals and IVs. They make me nervous.

with my second baby i tried to get the epidural but it didn't work and i ended up delivering her natural. her delivery was MUCH shorter and easier. it was pretty d__n painful but compaired to my first baby (16 hour labor, complications from pitocin, every drug under the sun.) it was a piece of cake. with this baby i'm trying natural from the start.

Yes, here is my experiance with going "natural" all three babies came out of the v____a. THAT is a natural birth. Drugs or not, baby coming out of the v____a IS A NATURAL BIRTH. Anyone who tells you different is uneducated and naive. BTW maddie, I had all three the way "God intended" Some of us HAVE to have medication so we don't DIE during labor, and some woman have c-sections for that reason as well. I say any woman having a baby regardless of natural (coming from v____a) or c-section is SUPERWOMAN.

I don't think anyone is insulting women who decide to have some help during labor. Just expressing different views. I don't understand why you're so upset about the definition of "natural". Clearly, you prefer pain medication for birth- why don't you just say that. Everyone supports your desire to do it as you wish. It has always been my understanding that natural means without medical interference, and I think that is what were interested in finding more info about. So you were satisfied with your pain meds? What did you have? Tell us about your experience.

I had an epidural with my daughter 11 years ago. The line broke, I didn't get much of any relief, so this time I am going without. If you are unable to push on your own they gave you too much. I am so much more tired this time and I am sooooo ready to have this baby. I hurt so bad, I cannot complete my daily activities. I can barely walk at times. I am 37 weeks, 3 cm and 50% effaced. I hope when I go to my appointment tomorrow, I will be even more dialated.

I had my daughter "naturally". It sucked, but I am glad I did it and plan to do it again. The first time, I delivered at a different hospital and it wasn't an option. We took the epidural cla__s this time, just in case I have a difficult labor, or something. After the cla__s, I am sure I do not want the epidural unless something really horrible is happening. It seems like it just slows down or alters the natural process and can have all kinds of side effects. Also, with what I learned in the cla__s, I don't think I would have been able to have it last time, anyway (length of labor, problems with IV and dehydration, etc.). I would describe the labor pains as horrible menstrual cramps (originating in the same area) that kind of take over your entire body, somehow. I certainly wouldn't have minded something to help me through that part of the experience. During the pushing phase, though, I was able to get into a "zone" and push with the contractions. I actually found that to involve very little pain. It was wonderful to be able to literally push away the pain of the contactions. I was numbed for an episiotomy, although I never had one, so that might explain the lessened pain in that area? It burned and I felt stretched, but it wasn't unbearable. Afterward, I felt great and baby was alert. I am not a matyr by any means, but hope I don't "need" to use the epidural this time either.

Well, I had my daughter, who is now 9 days old, naturally...with no medications. The early contractions for me felt like someone had punched me in the back super hard and so there was pain in my lower back and at the same time it felt like I was having a menstrual cramp...After being 5cm dilated, it was not painful to me...it felt like I had menstrual cramps and a very full bladder at the same time. The birthing ball helped me out a lot, because I was having back labor. I spread my legs, sat on the ball, and rocked back and forth. I believe this speeded up my labor, because when I was admitted into the hospital I was only 4cm dilated and 20% effaced. When my water broke, it felt like someone took a hook and bursted a water balloon...I could both hear and feel a lot of water rushing out. Immediately after my water broke I had the urge to push. It feels like major constipation! The pushing feels good, because you're going with the contraction. As the baby's head crowns, you will feel like a stinging/burning in your perineum and also in the c___toris area...Although it burns, you're so close to giving birth that you don't care...and then finally, your baby is born! All pain is gone...you're just so excited that you did it!!!! They immediately put your baby on your tummy...and that is the best moment of your life. My placenta delivered like 15 minutes later. If you have tears they usually st_tch them up then...They do a local anesthetic for this. Then, off to the nursery your baby goes and everyone forgets about you...including your husband. lol!!! I believe what helped me through the natural birth was meditation and rocking back and forth...whether it was on the birthing ball or leaning on a chair! Do NOT stay in that hospital bed.

Toya, what great info! I am wondering...did you take any birthing cla__ses? I don't know what to do. I missed the sign up date for birthing cla__ses, I'm 36 weeks, and I want to go natural too. Should I still do it? When you say the birthing ball helped...did the hospital provide it for you or did you do it at home? Did you bounce on it, or rock back and forth? Also, when you were in labor...you walked around and stuff right? In the hospital room? And what position were you in when you gave birth? Sorry for all the questions...I'm just trying to get an understanding for it all. Also, any numbing drugs at all when they st_tched you? Thanks girl...congratulations!

You can get all of the different birthing techniques on video & in book form So it's not too late to at least "preview" some birthing techniques!

I took a cla__s and I didn't really learn much since I've done some much research on my own. However I think it was helpful for my husband - we'll see how good of a coach he is. Anyhow, don't worry that you haven't taken the cla__s there is so much you can find out on your own via online, magazine, and try the library they might have some videos you can check out. As far as the birthing ball goes - It is great!! I haven't used it for labor yet (due May 31st) but it really helps when I have backache or a painful contraction (which happens every now and again) also my doc said it helps get the baby in posistion even before labor. I sit on mine while watching tv and slowly rock back and forth. When my lower back hurts I sit on it or kneel in front of it and lay my upper body on it - it really helps ease the pain. I look forward to using it during real labor and think it will be a great tool. I got my "excersize ball" from target as a kit, it came with a work out video which I figure will be great to tone after the baby - goodness I've gained so much!!!

Because of your att_tude, you are going to do well during childbirth!!! It's great that you want to learn so much. I went to four childbirth cla__ses...the only thing I learned from them was how to breathe...the other stuff was common sense. With the birthing ball, I sat on it with my hips and legs spread as wide as it felt comfortable for me and I rocked back and forth from side to side and around in a circular motion. I believe all the rocking stopped the bad back labor I was having and it caused the baby to descend...When I went into the hospital the baby was still floating...She was born 4 1/2 hours later however!!!! Maddie, I also quoted the 23rd Psalm, Phil 4:13, and the verse, "The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid." After 3 minutes of quoting those, my water broke and the baby was born 15-20 minutes later! Maddie, whatever you do...breathe during your contractions and remember that the pain is for the delivering of your baby and that it is not an illness. You will do great!!! Yes, they give you a shot in the v____a, and the perineum when they st_tch you up. Thank God! :)

Oopss!!! I meant to type Toya in the name blank of the last post...NOT Maddie.

Thanks so much you guys. I really love this website as all the feedback is incredibly helpful. I get more info from you girls than I do my own midwife!! I'm excited to get the birthing ball. I'm having really bad back pains...in my lower left side. They come and go though, I go tomorrow to my 36 week check-up, hopefully she'll check for dilation and schedule my last ultrasound! I'm anxious to see just how big this baby boy is! Toya....did you use your birthing ball in the hospital? Thanks everyone...good luck!

I was at the hospital with the birthing ball..it belonged to the hospital.