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i had a natural birth 1 month ago, so its relatively fresh. i'd do it again in a heartbeat. i want to think anyone can handle it (barring medical circ_mstances) if they really really want to, are determined/stubborn enough and prepare themselves. i read somewhere that women who expect the worst and prepare do better anyway - but isn't that true of life? but on the other hand, labor is different for every woman. some are harder than others. so perhaps i should say that i think every woman could tolerate *my* labor/delivery, haha, which doesn't help you at all. going in, i wasn't sure i could do it, but was determined to at least try my best, and try not to feel bad if i decided to take the drugs. i hate needles btw, but otherwise i have a high pain tolerance. i won't lie - i screamed. but only at the very end, a few minutes' long, not hours of it or anything. i also had a short labor and my baby was born alert and ready to nurse. for me it was only rough at the very end - an hour's worth. before that - at home, the contractions hurt, i couldn't sleep and at one point was biting down on a towel rack - but it wasn't enough to make me take that needle. and when it *was* rough enough, it probably wouldn't have been safe bc i prob couldn't stay still enough at that point. anyway, overall the experience for me was like having someone slowly increase the volume on your stereo. i was at the hospital for four hours. when i arrived at the hospital, i walked to registration and triage, and was feeling well enough to make jokes with the security guard. towards the end i couldn't hear too well bc of trying to focus on the pain. at one point i had images flickering in my head like a projector - silent film of course. to lower your pain, do your research. the lamaze book helped me both mentally and physically. i wish i'd taken a lamaze cla__s. know WHY you want a natural birth, which helps willpower. remind yourself of the HUGE epidural needle and the risks involved, esp spinal injury (low but still present), to help you hold out. the book 'birth partner' also has sample positions to try. labor at home as long as possible, and consider a birth center over a hospital. once i went to the hospital, i was forced to lay down - which increases pain and prolongs labor. i fought w/the nurses to be allowed to get up and move around, and in 30-40 min of moving around and working thru contractions, i dilated 3 cm. exercise during pregnancy helps with labor also, altho i didn't much. and remember, labor is different for every woman, every pregnancy. at the end, if your baby is good and you're good, you did good. hope all that helps. good luck!

I had a natural birth with my first and am planning a natural birth with my 2nd (in just a few weeks!). My pain thresh hold is not high either, but I am more terrified of needles than almost any amount of pain! I agree with gummibear that you can handle it if you decide to. It is not easy! Be open to getting into whatever position you need to in order to be most comfortable and make sure that your doc is comfortable with that in advance - lying on your back is not the most comfortable or effective way to labor! The bathtub helps as it helps your body to relax and do its job. Make sure your partner knows what you want and will hold you accountable when you're feeling weak. A few times I said to my husband "I don't think I can do this!" And he just calmly a__sured me that I could and that we had decided to do this naturally. Some women would kill their husbands for that, but I needed him to be strong for me and I was really grateful that he held me to going through with what I wanted in the end!

Just last Sunday I had my 2nd home birth, so the only way to go at home is el natural.....I would recommend that you read up on what your body goes through during labor. The more you understand the easier it is to comprehend the purpose of the "pain." Fear makes pain so much worse. Of course you can do it, billions of women did it. We were designed perfectly to give birth. And the up side--and I can say this because my 1st DD was a medicated hospital birth--you feel 100% better after a natural birth, a true adrenalin high, the BEST high you will ever feel!! Good luck!

Every person is different, but I do believe you can do it if your committed. I've done it both ways, and I can tell you that if you prepare for it, it is better overall to go natural. Once the baby is born you will be glad you did! One thing that help me a lot was labor prep birth affirmations. They help prepare your mind and body for the big day. Anyone can do them, and it really did help me. You can get your own CD online at maternitypregnancyessentials.com Good luck