Maybe you live in the wrong town? I had my first babe in San Francisco where no one blinked that I had a doula and wanted to have an epidural-free birth if possible. I was even induced (doc's orders) with my first and anyone who has even been on pitocin will tell you there is no break between those hard contractions. I credit my doula with getting me through it. My husband was supportive but didn't quite know what he was doing either.

My second was born in Portland and when I told people I was using a midwife + that I wanted a second epidural-free birth people were all, "Tell me something I haven't heard before." My wish was so normal for that community that no one batted an eyelash. ...but I was asked why I wasn't having a baby at home in a tub.

(If I ever had a third I would totally do it at home in a tub, FTR.)

Why I chose to go the "natural" route: I wanted control over my body. I have a freaklishly high-tolerance for pain (yoga helped prepare me A LOT.) I wanted a quick birth if I could possibly help it, and quick both births were. (#1 6 hr labor, baby born in 2 pushes; #2 5hr labor, baby born in 1 loooong push.) I also wanted a quick recovery where I wasn't totally out of it.

I think a lot depends on where you live and what is deemed "normal" for that community, and THAT depends on how readily alternative resources area available. Are there birthing centers and hynobirthing centers and midwives and doulas supporting the community? If yes, then I bet women are a lot more educated about their options.

Good luck, Morra! And if you have any questions, just holla!

Stefania Pomponi Butler

Okay, I stumbled across this via another mom's blog, and I have to be honest - It kind of freaked me out. Google "orgasmic birth." It sounds weird, but it's basically a pro-natural-childbirth website. It's an interesting perspective on the experience. 

I had my son via c-section (he was a week late, I was induced, and he still didn't budge), but I had dreamed of going the natural route. I just couldn't do it, but I still have that dream... 

My epidural came UNDONE during my hours of labor (also in SF, by the way, where I did feel like a freak among my women friends for wanting an epidural), and nobody noticed... my husband thought my back was drenched from sweat. We found out later it was pretty much leaking the whole time. Finding myself in deep-lung-screaming mode might not have happened if I had "trained" and been prepared mentally for natural childbirth! Yow. It just wasn't in the plan.

I ended up with a c-section, as my son pounded his little head on my pelvic bone for hours, and his heart rate started dropping... Is it possible that there are more c-sections these days that simply result in the saving of more babies?

KeegsMom blogs at:

KIDSFLIX

 My first two were free of all medication, natural, etc.  Well, not all medication. Number 2 son was a little reluctant to come into the world, so they did have to administer pitocin, which I never, ever recommend to anyone. But no painkillers, no epidural, none of that.

 Last kid I did have an epidural and I have to say, I didn't regret it. The birth was rapid and easy, I didn't fight her like I did the others, and she was the most relaxed of the three kids as a baby.

 Of course, this is completely anecdotal. I will not forget the exhilaration or the pain involved with the first two, nor do I regret choosing to be drug-free. By the time I got to the third, I was really just interested in not hurting as much...I was tired :)

Best of luck to you. You ARE in control of your body and your birth experience. Don't let the docs try to talk you out of it because it might inconvenience them.

karoli

odd time signatures (life)
bang the drum (politics)

Mine was completely natural (I hate the fact that just because you use painkillers, it's considered "not natural"), but I had an epidural for the pain and I'm very glad I did. I had the experience, I felt the contractions, I was more than 8cm by the time I got to the hospital. I think it's great if you want to do it without painkillers.

I wanted to go for as long as I felt comfortable without them. It did not diminish my experience in the slightest to have the pain relief. I think the most important thing is for your family, friends and most especially medical caregivers to respect your decision.

Michelle writes at Michelle's Blog

We used the Bradley method; the classes, book and "practicing" our relaxation techniques were very helpful. We also had a doula, who helped with things like an exercise for getting the baby in the right position for birth.

No question, the hardest thing I've ever done, but I definitely want to go that route next time too. Others were amazed at how alert/normal I seemed after the birth (no drugs to recover from!) At the same time, if it turns out that you aren't able to go sans drugs, don't beat yourself up over it. Even our Bradley instructor said that there are appropriate times to get some pain relief. Just remember to ask questions when drugs/other interventions are suggested- what are the side effects of this (good and bad), what are the alternatives? An epidural isn't a cure-all.

Good luck! You can do it!!

Kara

Kara@MagnetStreet.com

www.NotesFromTheNest.com

A Cup of Tea with Beauty Secrest Spirit Soul &  Body (Duong)

Hi,

Yes, I promote natural birth. I had all three of my babies natural, no drugs, no iv's, had to really fight w/nurses who kept offering me drugs w/my second. I took a course called "The Bradley Method" It was amazing and really prepares you to have natural birth. My instructor was w/me for my first baby even. My 3rd baby, we didn't make to the hospital and actually pulled into the fire station near on our way to hospital. While by hubby went to get for help, my baby's head came out, and parademics got their in time to deliver the rest of him! I should have had the last baby home birth. He's 11 now, but if there was a next time--I would for sure have a home birth!'

PS-- just want to comment also that natural birth doesn't  mean having at home birth and also that each woman has her own level of pain and how to cope w/manage pain. There is no condemnation to anyone using drugs. My reasons are my own and I'm here to share and support the blogger who is interested in this route. Knowlege will help us make decisions right for us...hence after varying opinions, I'd suggest taking the route that is most comfortable for you that you most feel convicted about. 

When I took my Hypnobirthing classes over 4 years ago, my instructor handed out buttons that said, "Only positive birth stories please, my baby is listening." I loved that pin. :) Sounds like you need to track one down. 

Btw, two births w/o epidurals here. The first one was not med-free, but was epidural-free. The second was a home birth completely med-free.

The "high," if you will, you get after having a baby med-free is unlike anything else I've ever experienced. I was on cloud 9 for days and felt like I could take on the world. :) 

Go you!

Amy
Crunchy Domestic Goddess
BlogHers Act contributing editor

I had two natural births, and what you need is support!  Without my husband being very hands-on I'm not sure I could have done it.  It wasn't anything fancy - just getting me water, rubbing my back, helping to change position, that sort of thing.  My friends who had doulas rave about them, and the statistics are that those who have doulas have lower rates of complications, interventions, and drug use, so that's also an option for you.

Good luck, and I hope you have a great birth!

 ~ Amber

www.strocel.com

 I've given birth to 5 children and each birth was different. The best by far were the ones that were natural. The absolute best was the unassisted birth at home but I realize that isn't for everyone. 

You want to know something I've observed? Most of the people who push the drugs have never evenattempted to have a natural, drug-free birth. They've let the fear take over from the get go. Now, me...I've had highly medicalized and drugged childbirths and I've had totally natural and instinctual births where my body was the only one in charge. I have something to compare. Do the drug-free :)

Oh...and as far as celeb natural birthers? Pamela Anderson is a natural childbirthing mom. Waterbirthing,I believe, at home. An unlikely role model for som, I know but I think it counts for something!

Jupiter's Blog

... reluctant babies that that need help?

If I had been on my own, I don't know that my son would have made it... there was no way he was coming out... and between him being ..."stuck" and me having killer Pitocin contractions (he was almost two weeks late, we waited and waited!) the pain was really unbearable. I thought *I* wouldn't make it!

I hear all these wonderful stories of drug-free birthing and wonder why they didn't seem to have the same level of completely insane pain I did... and those births usually seem uncomplicated, e.g., they didn't need a doctor to get involved. Hm. Luck?

I only had the one. That was enough for me (puking every a.m. for 8 months was no fun, either!).

But I'd go through it all again for my wonderful son! And Morra, you should be able to find tons of support for your own natural birth decision! Just make sure you're not far from help if you need it (my unsolicited advice).

KeegsMom blogs at:
KIDSFLIX

 that it is the beginning of what we pray will be a long and wonderful life with your child.  It is not a test.  It is not a predictor of your relationship with your body.  It is certainly not something that anyone but you (and Nicco) has a right to determine.  I once read a book that said "childbirth is just a doorway, not the room."   I'ts really important to remember this.

There is no success/failure if you require a CSection (if you trust your Dr. so that you don't feel pushed into it) nor is there success/failure if you choose medication.  I was in very intense labor with my first son and at the end had a shot of Demerol.  I just couldn't manage it.  I however loved being in labor - both times.  Why?  Because I learned what my body was capable of, how powerful was the birth force within each of us. 

When we talk about "having control" over our bodies, I assume it means pushing and bringing your child into the world, not controlling when you will have a contraction or how intense it will be.  Sure you can control, through breating etc, your reaction but those contractions will come when they come and your body will astonish you.  To this day it is one of the most profound experiences of my life - because I felt the power within each of our bodies.  We are Amazons.

SO.  Do NOT let anyone set you up to "succeed" or "fail."  The arrival of this new person is the success.  The amazing journey you'll set out upon with him/her is the success.  You will do the best you can.  You will use the method you've chosen and be flexible if it isn't working the way you want it to.  You will spent at least part of your labor being pissed at how much it hurts and the rest just in awe of the whole thing.  This is not your mother-in-law's birth, or your mother's birth, or the epidural brigade's birth.  It's yours and Nicco's and the baby's.  Everybody else should shut up.

Cynthia Samuels, Partner
Cobblestone Associates, LLP
Blog and Media Strategies and Content Development Online and on Television   

Don’t
Gel Too Soon

I'm not a mum or pregnant yet, but it is starting to be on my radar and as my partner is American I will most likely have babies in the States. In my country (NZ) we have wonderful maternity care, mostly done by midwives but you can choose doctors (for free, all covered by government) and we have a great approach to birthing I think. The midwife stays with you in the months leading up to the birth, does the birth and then does home visits after. People treat them almost like a member of the family!

Our cesearean rate is pretty low still and I believe it's mostly for people who need it (I don't think you can really just "opt" for one without a good reason) and there is a philosophy of not interferring too much with a natural process. Epidurals can prolong labour I believe and make ceasarean much more likely, for example.

I'm pretty scared that I"ll be treated like a weirdo hippy in the States when I'm pregnant actually so I was happy to read your post and realise I might not be the only one.

Like a couple of other folks here, I used the Bradley Method when I gave birth to my daughter almost two years ago. I was proud of my choice and told everyone who cared to listen that I was going to try to give birth with no interventions. Like you, I was utterly astounded at the attitudes of most people when I told them. It got to the point that I stopped telling people because I didn't want to deal with the shocked looks or knowing pats on the head. I even got into a fight with my mother once when she questioned why I wanted to do it. She couldn't understand that I didn't want to try and calm other people's anxiety about what I was going to do when I had my own anxiety to contend with. I just wanted someone to say "You can do it!!".

In the end I did do it, even though I was fully prepared to have to give up on my birth plan at any point, especially if my daughter was in danger. I understand that natural or intervention free childbirth is not the right choice for everyone, but it was for me.

One thing I couldn't get enough of when I was pregnant was stories of other people who had done it free of interventions. And once it was over, I couldn't get enough of telling my story. In case you are interested at all, my birth story is here. And I love talking about it, so feel free to drop me a line!

I am pregnant with my second now, due in April, and am looking forward to another intervention free birth, although I think this time I won't share my birth plan with as many people, and if I do, at least I can say - Yeah, I did it last time, so step OFF.

Oh, and Morra - You can do it!!!!

Jennifer Powers

http://justpowers.com

I recommend you have your birthplan in writing and you share it with your doctor and all doctors who may attend if your doctor isn't there.  Share it with all of the nurses in the birth center as well.  Let them know you understand complications can happen, write in how you want those situations handled and let thme know that they are not to suggest drugs to you.  If you want them you can ask.  That can be the beginning of a downward spiral.  My first child I intended to be natural, but being in the hospital increased my adrenalin and slowed my progress.  They immediatly started threatening me with a c-section.  I took some medications, which I regret and narrowlly evaded an epidural.  I felt like someone beat the crap out of me the next day.  My second was totally natural.  I stayed home until the last minute, and the nurses were unable to intervene.  They had to let the process run naturally.  I had a wonderful experience, and was out of the hospital in 4 hours.  I didn't even feel like a had given birth the next day.  Know your patient bill of rights so the personnel can't use your ignorance against you to medically intervene too soon, and surround yourself with good supportive people who know what you want and can advocate for you. Throroughly educate yourself on your options, and keep in mind what the hospital birth classes teach you is hospital procedures, not natural birth.

Good luck, you'll do fine. 

http://omnivoresdelight.blogspot.com

I think you should do what you feel comfortable with...after all, women gave birth without painkillers for thousands of years before epidurals were invented.

And maybe it is the area of the country.  I live in Chicago and was regarded as a freak that I already knew I wanted drugs well ahead of my due date.  I've already battled chronic illness for a few decades and, well, it was my choice to want an epidural.  But I could have CARED LESS if anyone else had drugs or went natural.  Everyone is different.

However, having total strangers ask me my birthing plans while I was on the bus or in line at a store was pretty common and, frankly, pretty disturbing.  Here's an example, I was buying a couple of books in a bookstore when I was 7 months along. The cashier asked me when I was due and I told her.  Then she said, "But of course, you're having a drug free birth."  It wasn't a question.  It was a statement.  A command.

I froze.  I WANTED to say, "Um, excuse me.  What is your name, Ms Cashier?  You don't even know me."  Instead, I smiled weakly and turned away.  Why should I have been made to feel shame over such a personal choice?

Ditto for you.  This is your choice.  Those who want to judge need to mind their own damn business. Go drug free and be confident in your choice as I was confident in mine.

Childbirth is scary and in our isolated and isolating society it's gotten out of control how much (mostly negative) hype surrounds the process.  And of course, it doesn't help when advocates for some practices are not just vocal but make others and their decisions feel invalidated.

 For me, all I have to say is that I've slowly learned that what worked for me once (a drug-free, intervention-free, scalpel-free childbirth) may not work for me again (though I hope so) or for anyone else.  I had a supportive husband and a supportive birth environment and I'd made up my mind firmly as to my wants and desires; others may not have the same factors helping them going into labor.

I wish you the best in your childbirthing experience, and I would love to read your birth story if you decide to share it.

 Maria (http://www.madamemeow.com)

I'm going for drug-free next time. It was my goal last time too. I was doing great on my own until the doctor decided I needed Pitocin. My breathing suddenly couldn't keep up with the painful, fast contractions and an epidural was the only way to get back some semblance of a normal pace. The downside was that I was stuck on my back, fighting gravity, for the rest of the delivery.

I'm making some demands next time:

-- Fewer people in the room. Who the heck were all of those random nurses and doctors who kept marching in and out while I was in labor? And was it my imagination or was there a group of students staring down my birth canal at some point?

-- I'm wearing my own clothes. I don't care if I have to find a Butterick pattern for a hospital gown and make my own in a good color that's the right size. Maybe some cute darts in the bustline or something... or a train.

-- I'm holding my baby after he's born. I don't care if his head is on backwards, I'm going to touch him before he's whisked away. No more of this "see him in five hours" thing that happened last time.

-- No drugs just because the doctor's shift is ending and he wants to get to dinner. I'm not naming names or anything, but we overheard a nurse say something about the OB's dinner plans right before I was given Pitocin. Last time, we were young, we did what we were told. Next time, when I hear "Pitocin," my first question will be: "Have reservations somewhere?"

-- Turn off the tv. Someone put on the television and I didn't think to ask them to turn it off. My entire team of "professionals" was busy watching Wild on Mardi Gras (no joke) as I was pushing. Talk about feeling ignored.

Every birth show on tv has women being given Pitocin even though  they are not over due.

That IS scary.

That said....women need to just take ownership of birth..whatever way you do it.

Research, talk to doctors....be ready FOR ANYTHING! 

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com

I read Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth before my son was born (in 2005).  I felt very well informed and resilient about what medical interventions I would and would not agree to during my labor/delivery.  I hired a doula.  My husband is much more trusting of "conventional" medicine than I and wasn't too keen to my natural plans.  I had a "traditional" ob and hospital birth planned, in spite of my resolve for as little medical intervention as possible. 

I am certainly not going to post my entire birth story here, but to make a long story short, I ended up having a c-section after being induced... the farthest thing from what I had written in my birth plan.  I ended up scheduling a c-section for my second because I didn't want to go there again and be that disappointed, feel that guilty over the failure of how I really wanted my children brought into this world.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone.  I know there are many things I could have done to strenghten my resolve and have a different outcome.  (Definately finding more support for natural childbirth in society at large would've helped, which I think was the point of your post.)  I also know many people who had successful natural births.  Just be prepared for anything to happen.  Because getting over that guilt of things not turning out the way I had planned was worse than the physical healing.  And I still got two healthy, beautiful children out of the deal! 

Becky W.

I blog about my family and life in general at http://nooniebug.blogspot.com