So I have been thinking lately, really just the past day or so, about doing something crazy and completely insane. Like I said, it is a new idea so I haven't had enough time to let the reality of the thought sink in so I could VERY easily change my mind. But at the moment I am toying with the idea of having this baby o'natural. I know, it is nuts! I have watched many Baby Stories on TLC and every time they have the baby without an epidural I say, out loud to the TV, "you are so crazy, why are you doing that to yourself?" However, yesterday I had a different look at it. It hit me how much I would absolutely need Jared to make it through if I had no medication. That it would be an experience that WE had together rather than I had and he was there. As a side note, he will be WAY more involved with this birth than he was with Cade simply because he will be THERE in the same state, in the same hospital, in the same room. However, with that said I just feel as if it would be different without the epidural, a process that we will both have to prepare for together, that I would have to rely completely and wholly on him to help me keep my mind and body in check. Having a baby is an emotional, spiritual, and amazing experience no matter the medications and other factors involved but I am toying with the idea.
I think that when reality really steps in is when I realize that with Cade I reached the hospital at 9pm and felt like I wanted to die, only to have 10 more hours until he actually made his debut. I did not have to push too long but none the less would have been in a great deal of pain if I did not have a wondrous epidural. I am also worried about ruining the birthing experience for myself. I LOVED giving birth with Cade, it was amazing. and I can honestly say that I would have done it again the next day and so if this whole no epidural thing backfires, I just don't want to be afraid to have another baby because it was a horrendous experience. And finally I just don't know if I could do it. I like to think that I am tough but is this an unnecessary time to be tough? Is this just nuts? Am I capable of doing this? I don't know and am glad that I do not have to decide now, that I have 4 months to make my decision. Any thoughts from those of you out there? Any experiences had? Anything learned? Anything I can do to prepare? I will keep you posted with my craziness and fill you in on any new insane ideas.
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I only think that you sound slightly nuts :). Okay, one of my friends used hypnobirthing to go all natural...and she LOVES it, swears by it, and so does her husband. If you haven't looked in to this technique I would suggest it. Good luck!
I actually thought about it a little too before Chloe but chickened out,maybe next time. I dont know if they were in the ward before you moved but Julie Blodgett from Pleasant Springs just had her baby naturally and she had some REALLY good thoughts on her blog about it. Just thought I would share....
http://julieblodgett.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-thoughts-on-natural-childbirth.html
the website didnt show up completely... its all the first stuff then, my-thoughts-on-natural-childbirth.html
I think it's great that woman give birth naturally. I have been hearing about more women doing the natural way than have drugs. Either way, giving birth is an amazing thing, drugs or not, but I have heard from many women that have had drugs for previous births and they say that recovery is much better without. Not like I know though...I don't have any kids!
Hi Lacey,
This is Maggie Brooks. I am not for sure if you remember me from Pl. Springs or not. I am Kayla and Vanessa Steggell's mom. I read your blog that you posted today, and I have to personally tell you that I think the natural way is the best way that there is. I have had nine deliveries.The first two I was pretty doped up to remember much. Than with my third, fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth delivery I had all natural. I was so afraid with the first natural birth that I did.But I had a midwife that would not allow me to have any drugs, she wanted me to experience the natural way. And I tell you if I could do it all over again I would. I had two C Sections, one that I was knocked out for and the other I had the epideral and I was not too impressed with it. I just wanted to share that with you. I hope it will help.
Umm... okay, I have to be the first to say it, but YES I think you are completely nuts. I saw on a TV show one time someone said "you wouldn't have the dentist pull a tooth without Novocain, and a tooth is THIS big! :-) I have had two fantastic labors, and I plan to have at least one or two more the same way. But hey, just my two cents. You are FAR braver than I for even considering it!
I think it is a great idea. Although, I have never given birth I have witnessed several. The absolute best were the natural. Many of my in-laws have done all natural births, they swear by them. One of my sister-in-laws had two with drugs and the last with out. She loved the natural. She recovered very quickly from it! She has a really difficult time after she gives birth but this time she didn't have any problems. Same with another friend. She didn't have time for drugs by the time she got to the hospital for her second and she recovered really quickly as well. But I do know that in some situations and with some women that going natural isn't worth it. I think you can do it! Billions of women have been doing it for thousands of years.
If you want to you can do it! And remember it is your choice no one else's! Whether they say go for it or your crazy!
Well, I wanted to but didn't. So if you make up your mind to do it, then more power to you sister! *B
Oh dear Lacey! If this is what you choose, then good luck. When I had Brody, I got the epidural but it didn't work, so I basically did have a natural birth and it was the most awful experience of my life (but still amazing of course! Kinda bitter-sweet). Granted I wasn't really in the mindset of being able to handle this, but still... I pushed for 2 hours then had forceps for another 45 mintues and felt it all, and it wasn't pleasant by any means. I suppose if you were planning on this and were better able to prepare yourself, and if Cade was a pretty easy delivery, you would probably do very well. You just never know how it's going to go in the end, and I would personally rather be prepared for the worst. I'm actually considering just having c-sections from now on to guarantee the numbness! Perhaps I'm a baby, but it really was painful.
I also had a wonderful birth with Livee. Epidural was great and it was the best experience of my life and I thought the same thing as you...that i could do it all over again the next day if it was that easy. Then came Krew. My epidural didn't work and I just wanted it to be over. I was wailing and swearing (no lie) you can go back and read about my birth story in August 2007 archives. Having said all of that I think I could do it again the Krew way IF I was prepared. I KNOW the reason it was so hard was because I went in there thinking it was going to be exactly like Livee's and was in NO WAY prepared to handle the pain. There are ways to handle it and I just had no idea how. I would just suggest being prepared and taking either Lamaze or the hypnobirthing method. I also had a friend that swears by it. Good luck and keep us posted!
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS...WHAT EVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT!!! YOU ARE ONE BRAVE CHICKY TO EVEN TOY WITH THAT OPTION!
Lacey, all I have to say is I KNOW you can do anything you put your mind to. I think it is a personal choice and what works for one may not work for another. There are always going to be horror stories any way you do it.
I too have had two friends who loved the hypno-birthing. They both said separately that if you can stay calm, it really works and isn't very painful. One of them said it worked wonderfully for her first but because her second came way earlier than expected she was caught off guard and couldn't calm herself down. Needless to say it didn't work too hot that time, but she says she will for sure do it again! If you want to do something that would draw you and Jared closer together, you have to take the classes and practice a ton at home before the birth. It would be an adventure that’s for sure.
Whatever you end up doing, the result will be a beautiful baby boy who will melt your heart!
First off I looked at the date today and I remembered it was your birthday - how 'bout that - I remembered that's pretty good! HaPpY bIrThDaY!! Also, I have a lot to say on this subject of giving birth naturally! Keep in mind that when I had Andie I wanted an epidural! Well my contractions skipped from six minutes apart to 3 minutes apart in like one second flat and also got extremely strong and painful very very quickly. the hospital was like 4 minutes away and while we were driving there I had like 3-4 contractions so I knew they were getting so close. Then walking into the hospital I had like 5 - and they were so painful at this time - so anyway to rid you of a very boring and long story I got to the hospital at 8:30pm and Andie was born at 9:15pm (that's right 45 mins later). So obviously no time for an epidural and no time for any pain or numbing medication AT ALL!! I was so scared and it was the most painful thing that I have ever felt. However, I only had that pain for a short while because when your pushing you don't even realize the pain seriously - pushing is like a natural numbing medication. You're so focused on getting that child out and pushing so hard that you don't think about the pain. Anyways after I was so glad I did it that way - I literally was up and walking around and doing everything on my own in like 15 minutes after giving birth and my recovery was awesome. I did have a very fast delivery and was very lucky with that - but I do consider myself to have a high tolerance for pain also. I didn't go to the hospital as early as I should have and I waited too long but I didn't know any better cause she was my first! Anyway I'm glad that I experienced it once - it was awesome and like I siad I had an amazing recovery and Andie looked absolutely beautiful with now weird head shape and no blotchy skin and the doctor said this was all due to having her natural and her coming so fast! Well anyway like I said I'm so glad I did it once - but honestly I'll probably never do it again. Hope that didn't throw you a curve ball! If you want to try it once - go for it, more power to ya, you're a strong girl that's one thing I know to be true. If you have any questions let me know. Have a happy birthday!
Being a bit of a sissy, I still always knew I wanted to do it natural just because this is what women are meant to do! So I was very mentally prepared for it. I also practiced a lot of relaxation and calming breathing the whole pregnancy so that I would be able to stay relatively calm. My water broke at 38 weeks and within 4 very hard hours we had a Lily. At one point I even did get to where I was asking for some drugs to help....the doctor then told me I was 10 cm and ready and would have my baby within 15-20 minutes. And yes, after that you are so focused and able to use your pain to push that it's just fine and good and wonderful. I had a small small tear since she came so fast...and I remember that. But it was so quick, you can't really compare it to labor pain either. Immediately after giving birth, I said that I would do that day all over again long before I'd do the pregnancy part again. So while I was totally happy with it and very proud of what I'd accomplished, I have full respect for any way a girl wants to do things. We can't all tell what it feels like to someone else, you know? If you are going to do this I think you need to make sure that you are 100% as sure as you can be that you can do it. Because as soon as it's hard, you will have doubts. And worry. And then you can't be calm. And then the pain will seem more intense because your muscles are already tense. Try holding a tight fist for a long time...it is going to hurt! You have to be able to relax every muscle you can control so that your uterus can do its' thing. No need to make it harder than it is. That's my story. And happy birthday :)
Happy birthday cutie. It was so much fun having you guys stay with us. I always love it when family stays over. Girl, I hope that your day has been filled with excitment and some spoiling. You deserve the best. Happy Birthday, you are still so young and you will never beat me in age- lucky duck. We love you so much and have a wonderful evening. Happy BIrthday to you!!!
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