So . . . I didn't want to start a new post because I am having such fun reading everyone's comments on the last post . . . so don't stop . . .
. . . but I would love to hear your labor "pain management" tips--from those of you who have gone sans-medication.
What worked for you to get through the pain? I know there is a point at which every woman wants to cave (and on pitocin the pain is so much more unbearable so much earlier--believe me, I had 2 without pit and 3 with and the pain I felt at 9-10 cm without pitocin is what I felt WITH pitocin at 3-4 cm!) but what got you PAST that point? Determination? Sheer will power? Someone taping your mouth shut so you couldn't beg for drugs?
And . . . was it worth it?
Please share your unmedicated experiences with me! Motivate me! Convince me! I need some encouragement, inspiration and role models.
In Christ, Laura
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
26 comments:
Bath tub!! It's called the "midwives epidural" :-) The water lifts the weight of the baby off your cervix and relaxes you. And there is hardly any "ring of fire" at the end. I had 3 of our 4births underwater.
Blessings! I can't wait until I'm where you are!!
I am sure Cameron will be there to support you. That was my biggest support was DH being there.
We turned down the lights, off the TV and shut the curtains. Of course all three of mine were pit babies and it does come on hard and fast.
Back rubs (with a tennis ball) helped a lot but the most efficient pain relief was an injection they gave me to numb for an epidural. Didn't need the epidural and was able to get up and walk. Things really moved after that.
One thing that DID NOT work was DH saying, "That is one less contraction you will have before this baby." Not good at all when you are in the midst of labor.
And of course, prayer. I will be praying for you over the next few days. It will be soon. :)
All 10 babies ... medication free. No meds even with my 6 Pitocin babies.
You can DO IT!
I NEVER regretted taking the no meds route.
Prayer ... is always the answer. Maybe your favorite music playing in the background, also.
Praying for you today!
Laurel
mama of 13
Laura,
With my daughter I went in at 8:00pm to be induced. I was given Cervadil at 9:00pm in prep for Pit the following morning. By 11:00pm, a quick 2 hours later, I was in full blown labor. I was given Stadol (sp.) and I would not recommend it to anyone. Was unable to get any drugs due to the anestesiologist in the O.R. and started pushing at 3:00am. Pushed for an hour and a half...still no drugs and needed and emergency C-Section at 5:15am. My husband was the only thing that got me through the pain and knowing that God had brought us to this point together and staying focused on Him. Tried VBAC with my son. Was induced with Pit after week of bedrest. Did get epidural, but it didn't help much. Got to 10cm and ready to push, but never got the chance, had to have an emergency c-section again. Could I do it without medication, probably. Would I choose to have it again, yes! My biggest advice would be DON'T get induced unless medically necessary. God will bring your baby when the time is right and I believe when the baby is ready, it makes the labor easier and possibly not need the meds!
Praying for you and your family! God bless!
Stacy
I was determined to go all natural and not have any meds. My labor started at 2 am, my water broke at about 9:55 and after about 5 sets of pushes Sydney was born at 10:12 am. For me I had to walk the halls to deal with the pain. When I was in the bed the pain was uncomfortable, never unbearable. I expected the pain to get worse so I really thought it would be several more hours and I sent my husband to get breakfast for himself downstairs. The nurse had to run down and get him and he about missed out on all the action. I am convinced that we were created to have babies and we are capable of anything we set our minds to accomplish. I do think I have a high pain tolerance but my body also took over and really helped deliver Sydney. You can do it!!!
Could you not post my last one? I sent it before I finished it. Sorry!!
For my last three births I took the gas. I don't know what it is called !!I am sure your your husband would know.
It doesn't effect the baby as soon as you stop breathing it in or to be honest sucking it in at an alarmingly fast pace. The effects go away within 30 seconds.
I thought it was wonderful!You can take it pretty early in birthing and you can keep using it until you are ready to push.
You are aware of the pain but you are happily distanced from it. I remember with my last praying quietly through it thank you Jesus and praising Him for this gift of gas!!LOL
With my first I was given the epidural and if I had to do it over I wouldn't. The meds had just started to kick in when my body started pushing on it's own. I was ready to go.
That's my experience.
Hugs,
Jacqueline
Laura,
I just experienced my first unmedicated birth last week, and I was asking for drugs from about 7 centimeters, but fortunately I had a nurse and midwife who were as committed to my doing it naturally as I had been prior to all the pain. :) So maybe the trick is telling everyone before-hand, "No matter what I say..."
I wish you the best!
Ohhhh, the possibility that I might be able to inspire "The Laura Mouro" -yes, you have quite a reputation around here thanks to your wonderful cookbook--hooray for Pesto Pizza (that's my latest one I've tried). I digress...
I'm a nurse and had a nursing assistant tell me a week b/f I delivered my first, "you can do it...you don't need drugs, just keep telling yourself that during delivery" Though I wanted to turn back and get the epidural or at least something to take the edge off, I kept telling myself this would all be over and it would feel great to do it "drug free". I quickly found out the key was MOVEMENT. I danced, I sat in the tub, I walked, whatever it took to keep my mind focused on something other than pain. I had pit w/ the third baby and they practically tied me to the bed. I begged to get up and MOVE. Finally, I pulled a fast one and went to the bathroom minus the nurse (she had stepped out) and voila--baby came quickly after. I know everyone is different, but for me it was movement and determination. I bounced back w/in a few minutes each time--so yes, I think it's worth it. :) We're all praying for you!
The birthing ball!!! It gets you off your back and lets you move, but isn't exhausting like I would imagine walking around would be!
It was the only way I could have made it without medicine!
Walking(for hours) usually got labor going in 24 hours. Or you just wait. My last one was 12 overdue, just horrible. I have had a pitocin delivery (with number 2 baby) and literally thought I was dying at 9-10cm. I did not use any pain meds though. I am expecting baby 10 in Sept. I have had the last two at home, and plan the same for this one. Basically, you are in control to make the choice to let your body do what it needs to do. People say you have to surrender control so your body can do it job. But that surrender is still a choice. For pain management, I stand as long as possible, and walk in place. I also focus on deep, low moaning as this helps open you up. Samia
Alright, you girls got me "all fired up!" and inspired to go au-naturelle. I keep reading your comments and thinking, "Okay, she did it and lived to tell about it, AND would do it again, I can do it!" I think that one thing that is difficult is the nurses and doctors asking if you want something to help with the pain--of course you do! It doesn't help when a nurse says, "It is only going to get worse." I KNOW I can do it if I am NOT induced because I made it to 10 cm and pushing with baby #1 (Anna) and was only in labor with her for an hour and a half. (then I begged for something!). And with Jonas, I felt very little pain until about 9 cm and then wanted something. Both times, I totally could have done it. With pitocin . . . hats off to those of you who did it drug-free with pit! I don't think I can do it! I think I would rather be OVERDUE than be induced!
I am still here . . . waiting . . .
In Christ, Laura
I definitely do not have a high pain tolerance but this is something that was very important to me. Especially when considering the risks of the medication. I had to have an epidural with my first because of pitocin and a very long labor and having the next three without it was so completely different. The rush you get right after the baby is born is so amazing! The hormones that are released leave you feeling so euphoric and exhilarated!
I keep focused on the end and how the pain will instantly cease when the baby is out. I think about the baby and how he/she can hear everything and how I want to give him/her a peaceful welcome (ok maybe just one "gentle" scream at the end). HA! I talk to the baby and call him/her out. I think about all the women who have gone before and the fact that God has perfectly designed my body for this job. I also keep say "I CAN do it". Under no circumstances will I say I "can't".
I agree with the people who mentioned home birth. It is much easier when you don't have people asking you all the time if you want meds. Keep in mind that they are only doing this because then you are easier to handle for them. They just want you quiet. They are not used to women going drug free. Do you have a birth plan? Can you put a sign on your door or end of your bed that says you do not want to be offered meds?
I pushed all 9lbs. 5oz. of Jacob out without a drop of drugs! Love you...praying every day for our new little grandbaby:)
Is water birth an option at your hospital? I was talking to my sister on the phone a couple of weeks ago when she was at 7 cm sitting in a birthing pool. She barely paused with her contractions. So that is the way I am going next time, because truly you can't beat the recovery from a natural birth. It is so much easier. I have felt great after each birth and it really is nice to be able to stand up and walk to the bathroom afterwards in my opinion. I know you could handle a natural birth.
Oh and to get labor started-about a dozen evening primrose oil capsules, and I don't mean orally...you want them near your cervix :)
definitely water.... my tub birth was SO easy.
Prayer.... lots and lots of prayer.
Laura,
Well, I was going to have an epidural but by the time the doctor came, I was at 7 and it was too late (or so he said!). . . he did give me some Stadol via the IV which was supposed to take the edge off. It didn't help at all but it did drop Mr. Z's heart rate!
What did help though was to just lay on my side, close my eyes and breathe steadily and pray AND I had Jeff squeeze my arm really hard through each contraction (really hard!). . . it really helped to feel "pain" somewhere else (in my arm) at the same time. . . it sort of offset the pains of the contractions! LOL!
Hope you have a wonderful birthing experience. . . we can't wait to meet your new little one!
I guess I'm in the minority- I have had epidurals, and have also gone natural, and I am a big fan of the epidural! My birth experiences were actually better with the epidural, and I felt great after delivery. Every birth is different, and my natural birthing was much more painful than the pitocin I had with my first (I labored for several hours w/o the epidural). In fact, I kept asking them, are you sure you didn't give me pitocin? Surely my body can't be making me feel this bad! :)
So I guess there are always exceptions to everything and I really think each labor has its own intensity. The Lord gets us through each time!
I do think that if we are blessed with more children, I will try the epidural again- such a pleasant birth experience for me, and my husband! God bless you, Laura!
See, that is what I kind of think, too, Tami. My worst labor and delivery experiences were when the epidural wore off and I felt everything--like a broken tail bone with Haven! I actually went into shock after I had her due to the pain. It was awful! I am terrified of that experience again. My best experience was with Elyse--I had pitocin, a few hours later got my epidural and had her maybe 1-2 hours later very easily and felt absolutely great after having her.
Who knows?
I really really would like to do it drug-free this time, though. With God's grace I will be able to!
(Oh! By the way, yes, I am STILL here!)
In Christ, Laura
I am going to look into the tub thing. I don't know if I will like it though. It sounds kind of vulnerable to me . . . not that giving birth isn't vulnerable as you are pushing a baby out, but being in a tub kind of makes me nervous for some reason. I know I can keep a shirt on, of course, but I would feel even more exposed somehow--not if I was at home, but in the hospital. I guess when you are in that much pain though you just don't care! LOL
Laura
YOU CAN DO IT! I've had a c-section, a non-medicated VBAC and a medicated VBAC. My non-medicated VBAC delivery was the most enjoyable. I have not had pitocin, but I would bet sunny-side up labor pains are similar and extremely difficult to handle. So, scrub that floor on your hands and knees until your little lady decides to arrive and hopefully she'll just slide on out. My DH was my number one support for all three births. Just remember to sign all of the papers right away, so that you can have meds if you want them and keep thinking about just getting through "this" contraction. Of course the end goal is a healthy baby and mama. Can't wait to hear your story!
Just read your follow up comments, Laura, and I want you to know I'll be praying for you- that you'll have peace as you think about your upcoming labor and delivery. I know when it gets to be about time, those thoughts can be quiet consuming and fear is not far off, esp if you have had a difficult time previously.
May God's peace and comfort guard your heart and mind, and may he guard your heart against fear and anxiety.
Blessings to you!
Tami
Well, if I tell you what put me into labor, I'll have to kill you afterwards! LOL
But, I LOVE how I feel without meds. I took meds with my first child.I guess I did it out of ignorance and fear of the pain. My legs were numb from the med and everything. I hated the feeling. But, my second child gave me no choice because she was coming SO FAST! LOL
After I had her I felt SOOO GOOD! I was, I really was. So, I decided from her and then on no more meds because I felt back to normal once they were out. Then with #4 I was induced and almost caved in but when I found out I was getting close I just got a little something to knock the pain a little and that was it.
Nice topic, Sis.
Zinnada<><
So what works for me-
-trusting God that He will not give me more (pain) than I can handle and what ever happens to me or the baby is his perfect will. And praying through the whole labor and delivery. And knowing that he designed my body to deliver a baby.
-having my husband by my side encouraging me
-going to a birth center (Womens Birth and Wellness Center) where my midwife and nurse are there with me massaging me, encouraging me, and helping me be as comfortable as possible the whole time I am laboring.
-knowing that the "pain" I am feeling is just my uterus contracting- exactly what I want it to be doing to get the baby out , so welcome it, work with your body not against it. When you have a contraction that is really hard- relax every muscle in your body so that all you energy is going to your uterus. I lay in bed on my SIDE and look like I am sleeping and breath normally. If you tense up, scream, hold your breath, etc. you are working against your body and making things hurt worse and take longer. And when you think you cant do it anymore, just keep making it through ONE more contraction, you or your doctor never really know for sure how much longer it will be. ANd, of course, tell your nurse and doctor and Cameron NOT to offer you drugs, bc at some point you will want them- just be resolved not to get them. Cameron has to be on board here- you will need him to encourage you when it gets tough. You CAN do it!!!! GOD will help you do it if you ask him too.
YES it is so worth it! Its worth it for your baby first of all. Just think you go nine months being as healthy as possible, limiting your caffine, eating healthy, trying not to even take Tylenol unless you have to, dont drug them right before they come out. Endure, so your baby can have the safest delivery and first moments/days. They are so alert and you can spend those first moments bonding and nursing. And you feel like a champ afterwards. (Other than the after-birth pains! Why does that have get worse with each child? =) )
I love you Laura! You CAN do it if you really want to! I enjoyed reading everyone's comment too! This is getting me pumped up for October!
Laura, I have done some 2 with epi. and 2 natural. And honestly, I know that God is sovereign over it all.
The first time I did it unmedicated was also the one that was induced. And that was my 11 lb. 2 oz. Elliot. I felt great afterward, and he was as alert as could be! #3 was also natural, and I think what got me through was knowing that for me personally labor happens so much faster without medication.
However, I do have to say that I was SOO thankful to have been medicated when I had the twins. I know I could have pushed them out without a problem, but (sorry if I get too graphic) having a Dr. chase that baby down in my uterus and pull him out by the foot made me ever so grateful that I was medicated. Can I overstate that? I WAS GRATEFUL!!!!! I did consider going natural, but thankfully God led otherwise.
We make our plans, but God directs our ways, right?
I was on pit with all 5 of mine and I have to say that I didn't force myself to go beyond "that point" without help. I had staidol and for me it is SOOOO worth it because it makes me dilate a lot faster and get that baby out! After staidol I go from about 5cm to 10cm in 15-30 minutes.
My first 2 were with epidural and last 4 without (2 of the 4 with pitocin). The very best thing for me was sqatting/sitting on a ball in the shower with my husband spraying burning hot water on my back or wherever the labor pains are. I usually do that around 7 cm - but it changes me to a 10 in about 5-10 minutes - so watch out! :) I also love the tennis ball pushed into my back at the point of the pain. When hooked to pitocin it is terrible because you can't walk much and they want you in bed a lot to be monitored and the contractions don't go up and down, they just come on full force. It is so amazing to do it w/out drugs - it is a rush of adrenalin and you can get right up after nursing the baby and take a shower and feel like you just ran a marathon. It is so awesome just to trust in the Lord to get you through it. In our comfortable America, there are not too many things that are completely out of our control that we truly have to lean on Him 100%, but natural birth you get a taste of that and it is also such an intimate time with your husband because he has to help you a lot more during the birth. Any way it will be a miracle!
Post a Comment