Comments on: Thoughts on natural childbirth

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 02:02:44 +0000

I had four unmedicated, midwife-attended births! And my boys weighed 9 pounds and 9.11 pounds, respectively. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Congratulations! It’s a BIG accomplishment and one you should be very proud of—for you and your baby! I, too, considered an epidural every single time but am so glad that I was able to get through without one.

Good for you–for having a plan and sticking to it! Enjoy that sweet baby!

Jens last blog post..Make Wise Choices……..

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:33:36 +0000

We are going with a home birth this time, because, for us, it’s a day and night difference. The hospital sucks here. They don’t employ midwives at all, and actually speak out against them quite rudely. As I was reading through your birth story, I couldn’t help thinking how wonderful your birth team was, because at the hospital here you would’ve had a c-section sooo fast. There is one doctor in particular who plays on women’s insecurities and talks many of them into c-sections just because “your baby will be too big for you to push out” or some junk like that. The sad thing? That OB is a woman and a mom. You never know who will be on call when you go into labor, and if she’d been on call the night I had my daughter there is no doubt in my mind I would’ve been sectioned. So nope, I can’t go there.

I am about to leave for an appointment with my midwives, and I am going to ask them about the pre-eclampsia. I know they keep a check on the baby with a doppler (which is waterproof if you’re in a tub), and I guess they would take your blood pressure too if they suspected anything. One of the most interesting birth stories I’ve heard was of a woman who went to a birth center and started seizing, and then was taken to the hospital and had a C-section and a healthy baby.

But I can totally understand why you would go back to the hospital, having had such a great team. If the OB’s here were like that, I would too.

Jennys last blog post..Now that’s what I call a responsible dog owner

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:35:02 +0000

Your very right about the epidural. With my first child, I gave up trying to go without. As soon as the epidural was in place both my daughter and I’s heart rates dropped and did not come back. We were put in for an emergency c-section. Recovering was not easy the first time. With our second daughter, we had to have a scheduled c-section and had one even though we were 3 weeks early. Ever since my second c-section and epidural I have had problems with my spine since. However recovery the second time was easier, probably because I knew what to expect.

If I could go back and change things, I would of never opted for the epidural with our first delivery, a lot of the problems I have now probably wouldn’t exist. If only I knew then what I know now.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:57:40 +0000

Interesting thoughts. Taking the classes and reading up on natural childbirth really helped me.
It surprised me how nervous I felt at home laboring and then how at ease I was at the hospital. I’m not sure if I would want a homebirth after that but a birthing center is a definite option. I was also surprised how effective the shower was for me, I would love to have the option of a tub next time.
Good post!!

Stacys last blog post..The Birth Story of Liberty Ann

By: JM

JM — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:58:52 +0000

A midwife can tell if you’re pre-eclamptic and get you to the hospital in plenty of time.

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:20:21 +0000

Congrats on your new baby! Your birth story was fun to read! I have three babies…first one was delivered vaginally, though I did have an epidural. I, too, developed pre-e…also VERY quickly…I was not in labor in any way, had a later dr appt (5is) and was being induced by 7pm! I also started to get another problem called HELPP syndrome, which is scarier than pre-e. Anyway, I was on the mag-sulf as well – ick! And didn’t really have a choice about the epi, since my body was under so much stress. My second two babies were both c-sec. Baby 2 was footling breach and she was not coming out naturally! Baby 3 was less then 2 years after #2, and it was no recommended to try a v-bac due to the possibility of my uterus not being fully healed from the previous birth.

Anyway…one thing you should check in to regarding pre-e is that in a lot of cases, it doesn’t re-occur in later pregnancies! I didn’t have any symptoms with my later two pregnancies.

Heather

By: Vanderbilt Wife

Vanderbilt Wife — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:58:03 +0000

I would highly recommend Dr. Sears’ The Birth Book to anyone, but especially if you are considering unmedicated.

I am one who wanted to go natural, but did have an extremely long labor and I was worried that I would not have the strength to push if I didn’t rest some. I got an epi at 7 cm. I do think it slowed my labor down. They did give me pitocin (without even telling me), which I found aggravating and I might have resisted if they had told me what they were doing.

I think taking control of your labor and making your own decisions in the most important thing in having a fulfilling birth experience, no matter what those decisions are.

Jessie

Vanderbilt Wifes last blog post..Souvenirs