Tips for a Drug-Free Delivery

on March 31, 2009 at 7:05 AM

Husband-Coached Childbirth,

I wasn't too focused on a particular vision of childbirth. I hoped initially to deliver in a birthing center, but knew I wouldn't be disappointed if things went another way. And I'm glad, because they did. I had to be induced when I was two weeks late, which meant the birthing center wasn't an option.

Some moms do have specific ideas about what they want, though, assuming the baby and circumstances cooperate. cafemama shared her plans for a home birth last week, and I know many other moms who hope to deliver without pain medications, too, regardless of the setting.

I came across a post from bulldogb in the Pregnancy group asking moms for tips on a "natural," or drug-free birth. She's already prepping -- she's read HypnoBirthing, Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth, and Supernatural Childbirth -- but she wanted to hear what helped other moms, too. Here's what some CafeMoms had to say.

Have NO FEAR! That's really the best method. Know that childbirth is a natural process and if you allow your body to work in the way it should, it will produce the "chemicals' you need to get you through it. -- livewell

If you feel fear, your body goes into a fight or flight response and blood rushes away from your uterus, causing labor not to flow as quickly or easily. -- lily0163E

I held this in my thoughts: "I'm doing this for my baby and my family." Honestly, it's not that bad! It does hurt, but once the baby is out, the pain stops. And it doesn't take that long for the baby to come out, either. Do your Kegel exercises to help strengthen your muscles for when it's time to push. -- TigerBaby69

Make sure your doctor knows your preferences -- that you don't want any meds at all. And make sure they stick to it. A warm shower or sitting in a tub until it's time to push helps a lot! -- babybluemama22

Deliver with a midwife and a doula. Watch "The Business of Being Born" and read Born in the USA. If you're delivering with a doctor in a hospital, find out his rates for C-sections, inductions, and episiotomies. -- cali4niachef

Doula, doula, doula. Make sure you have good support. And don't be afraid to question things and say no. -- MegHPand3

To connect with other moms who are planning a drug-free birth or who have had one, check out these groups (some are private):

Birth Is Normal

Moms Who Birthed Naturally

Natural Childbirth Moms

HypnoBirthing

Are you hoping for a drug-free delivery? How are you preparing for it and what strategies will you use to deal with the pain?

Did you deliver without drugs? What helped you get through it?

Filed Under: 3rd trimester, fathers, labor & delivery, pain management

Comments (18)

umchickie

on Mar 31, 2009 at 8:04 AM

I had planned on a natural birth with my daughter, and as it turned out, my labor progressed so quickly that an epi was not an option anyway. It sounds like a small thing, but focusing on my breathing through the contractions really did help with the pain. It wasn't easy, but being clear-headed and able to walk around and shower right after the birth was worth it.

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celticreverie

on Mar 31, 2009 at 8:27 AM

I am having a home birth.. so drugs are not an option there anyways (not like I would want them.. the risks are too high).

Mindset and birth setting plays a HUGE role in being able to birth naturally. (no interventions). Hospitals rarely see a natural birth, and every thing is viewed as an emergency, when it really isn't so trying to obtain a natural birth there is very hard. It can be done, but it is rare.

I say birth where you are comfy: and I am comfy at home. I will be able to labor as I please. Listen to music as loud as I want. Get in the tub, play outside with my daughter, and EAT and DRINK whenever/whatever I want. (two biggies that hospitals SHOULD not force women not to do!)

Birthing From Within is a great book! So is Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. There are so many methods you can use from Bradley, to Lamaze, to Hypnobirthing, to using Focal points, or just going with the flow. Many women don't view contractions as contractions, but waves or rushes. Having this mindset allows a women to just ride those contractions, instead of thinking about the pain or how long they are etc. They allow their body to just go with it!

Everyone is capable of a natural birth, but if you go into the delivery room knowing that drugs are an option and you will only *try* then chances are you will fail.

seposte

on Mar 31, 2009 at 9:15 AM

Think of the contractions as waves, ride them don't try to swim against them. Each one brings you that much closer to meeting your new baby. Once you think you can't take any more, you are almost there!

Rachelou

on Mar 31, 2009 at 9:30 AM

Stay home!! Drugs are not an option if you're not in a hospital.

littleredpony

on Mar 31, 2009 at 9:47 AM

Home birth is not an option for me. I am a high risk momma. With my last two births I had really bad reactions to the epi so with this one I am really trying to learn more about natural birth and other pain management options. I tend to have slow labors but some have said that if I do without the epi my labor may actually go faster. I have to have heart monitors on the baby and myself most of the time so a lot of the walking, showers and baths are not something my doc will let me do. Maybe I can find someone to do accupunture on me!

llansky

on Mar 31, 2009 at 10:39 AM

stay home as long as possible before heading to the hospital. get a doula.

as for the monitors, many hospitals have ones that are wireless, and some are even waterproof, so you aren't strapped to the bed and you have more options

on Mar 31, 2009 at 10:40 AM

oh, and distraction! go about your day as usual. maybe bake the baby a birthday cake!

trekcass

on Mar 31, 2009 at 11:25 AM

I had one epi and one natural. Both were good experiences and for the natural birth- what helped was focus and clarity. I also tried not to panic and sat upright leaning onto a yoga ball the entire time.

OneLilMommie

on Mar 31, 2009 at 12:12 PM

i had a homebirth with my first baby

thats the first thing i recommend is being in a birth center or at home where you arent being pressured

really i dont have much advice bc i didnt listen to the advice i was given lol, my doula told me to open my hips (stand w/ my legs apart) that was hard to do but it DID help and also just blowing out during contractions or just doing whatever felt comfortable really. those things helped. other than that i tensed up a lot which is something you should NOT do but it went well anyway...

Mamafive

on Mar 31, 2009 at 12:43 PM

I had epidurals with my first two (I have five and one due any day now). The last three I had nothing and I honestly felt so much better. There was a moment right before pushing that was pretty intense but then I was able to push the baby out and feel the joy of giving birth. Afterwards, I felt great! I actually couldn't believe how great I felt compared to after the other two.

This time around we are having a home birth and I'm looking forward to being able to completly relax in my own home!

With the three natural I made a CD of music I liked that helped me to relax, getting in the tub or shower helped a lot as well. Trying to stay relaxed is a big key!