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I agree that it was a lot worse than I thought it would be! But I was also induced... and I know that makes it tougher. but I had my heart set on a water birth at the birth center, and if I decided to have another child - I would love to try that again, if I could medically (I couldn't for medical reasons with #1).

I also had a rough first labor. 45 hours - started with my water breaking, a few stalls, pitocin, 4 hours of pushing, a minor tear... and I had a massive pp bleed because my uterus was so tired after my labor that it just didn't want to contract once the baby was out. I ended up retaining placenta (for the same reason) and had to have a D&C a few months later...

That said, I saw a hospital-based MW for much the same reasons you mentioned... in addition, I was terrified of an epidural. During my labor, I never wanted to drugs and never asked for them. I wanted it to be over (I was exhausted), but I never regreted my decision.

In the end, I look back on my birth experience and wonder *why* exactly I was so deadset on having a med-free birth. I didn't get that amazing high people talk about. I am glad I was so with it and could move however I wanted, but I hear all the time about wonderful epi experiences and I am just not sure why I cared so much.

But I will go back to the same pratice for my next pregnancy. While I no longer think having a med-free birth is the greatest thing ever, I *do* think that having a MW-attended pregnancy (prenatal care) *is*. I absolutely want that again... and I'll prepare for another med-free birth (the only option in my practice) by telling myself that it can't possibly be as bad the second time...

I totally understand your fears. My birth with my son ended in a nightmare where I pushed for four hours and needed a vacuum to get him out. The pain toward the end was more painful than I expected too as well as the loss of control of my body, I wanted to sit stand sit stand and never felt right. I was scared the second time around and almost caved asking for an epi and the pain came on quicker and faster than the first time but it was over quicker too and the pushing went faster too. I want one more and sometimes I wonder if I can do it natural one more time and I do get nervous thinking about it again so I totally understand how you feel

Well I didn't exactly go med free with my son but I laboured for ~10 hrs, got to 10cms and pushed for an hour before getting an epidural and a foreceps delivery (after pushing an additional 2 hrs with the epi in place), so I came pretty close. And my answer to your question is a resounding NO!!! Next time (if there is a next time) I will request the epidural the minute I get to the hospital. I can't believe I went through all that pain once I had the relief of the epi. #neveragain!

I definitely hope to. It was a mental thing for me, but I did it and hope to be with either the same midwife practice or a practice with similar beliefs next time.

I have no idea. I never wanted a natural birth to begin with - I wanted an epidural and was always banking on getting one. But the day off, my platelets were too low, so I couldn't get one. I was so NOT prepared for how hard and painful labor would be! My fault - I never even took a birthing class. I'm so smart. Immediately after Xander was born, I told my husband I never wanted to go through that again and that I would do whatever it takes to be able to get an epidural the next time around.

BUT now it's been almost 14 months and I'll admit that my memory of the pain is foggy! I'm starting to wonder if maybe I should just try for natural again since I was able to do it the first time around! I think I'm crazy!

Yes it wasn't bad to me at all just got tired and hungry but it was great and the pain for me was a mind thing but I'm also a pain freak just a little and I only pushed for 20 minutes and had 2 small 2nd degree tears

I feel the same as @Adira:. If you has asked me after the birth the answer would of been no way!! The idea of even having another baby EVER was terrifying. But a year later it has faded. If I could do it once I can do it again and my reasons for wanting to do it in the first place still stand. This time though I will be more proactive, maybe take a class and I will make sure the baby is not posterior. And if I get scared as we get closer I will allow myself to chicken out ;). It would be nice to get that water birth.

I have had two babies - one with an epi and one without. I don't plan on having any more BUT if I did, I don't know what I would do. Probably get the epidural I was happy with my natural birth but it wasn't the be-all end-all experience I had been hoping for.

Bumping as I start TTC#2. I had an unmedicated labor with my first for no great reason. My labor went *very* fast, but I did have time to get an epidural. I never had my heart set on any kind of birth. I read all of the medical journals disproving the cascade effect. I wasn't afraid of the needle. I was, however, curious. I wanted to know how the billions of women before me had felt during this supposedly magical experience. Let me tell you--for me it felt like my insides were ripped out and cast to the four corners of the earth. And I felt more like I had PTSD from the pain rather than some magical glow. So now that my curiosity is satisfied, why would I want to do it again. If you would have asked me right after the birth, I would have said no way I am doing this again without an epidural. But it's been a year, and the memory of the pain has definitely receded. So I'm thinking might as well go for it...so irrational, I know.

I'm still deciding for #2 due in June.

I had a rough labor, 51 hours that started at night so 60+ hours from my last sleep to delivery. I think I can do the pain again but I REALLY hated feeling like I was fighting the hospital staff. I had a doula last time and I think just her presence irritated the staff.

I didn't really get what I wanted from a natural labor. I wasn't allowed to move around once things got started, I had an IV and monitoring, I wasn't allowed to change positions and had to push laying on my side at a 45 degree angle. I still had that moment where they say you need an emergency C-section (they later changed their minds). There was no high and I felt no immediate bond with baby.

I'm hoping my second birth is all around easier. I don't think I would refuse an epidural or drugs to sleep if I thought it would help speed things up. I don't plan to use them just to avoid pain.

@Mrs. Deer: Thank you so much for this. I just read it. I too had a terrible time with pushing the first time. My mom says that part is easier the second time around and your story gives me hope!

My labor was thankfully without complications, but it was rough. Also, it wasn't natural: I was induced because of meconium, and I had a failed epi. I felt all of it and literally thought my heart would give out. I was sick at the time and had zero sleep and energy, so I'm sure it could have been easier, but man, I do not want to experience that much pain again. I also had a uterine infection afterwards, tears and I still experience minor bladder problems from time to time! If I could, I would sign up for a section (if we end up having another).