https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:29:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth/page/2#post-2563694 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 09:50:55 +0000 catlady 2563694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caterw: I think you should prepare for natural birth if that's what you would prefer, but I just wanted to say that it sounds like your experience may have been different from a normal birth with an epidural. Mine was really great, I was totally aware the whole time and have fond memories of just hanging out with DH and calmly waiting for the time to arrive to push. I know some of the women here say that pain is mental (and those women are absolute heroes) but honestly, I was having so much trouble dealing with it that I was crying and anxious and freaking out. I kept thinking I would rather die than go through one more minute of that pain and that I would never have another child again. After the epidural, I was able to relax and rest before having to push. And actually, I was not progressing quickly before the epi but after I got it, I went from 4 to 10 in an hour. I think my body needed to relax a little before getting ready. </p> <p>Again, I think natural childbirth is amazing, and I may prepare for it again this time, but just wanted to say that some women have great epi experiences, too. I'm really sorry you had a bad experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth/page/2#post-2563661 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 09:02:20 +0000 Rescuemom10 2563661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, with my first I planned unmedicated. That lasted about 24hrs. We ran into complications, ended up getting pitocin (Wasn't progressing but was contracting like a champ) in which I then said I would take the epidural. Didn't seem to help me. Later realized epi didn't work. Discovered this when prepping for C section. Had complications with the block for C section. At the end I had so many drugs (plus they had to completley knock me out nothing was working) I don't remember a thing. So yeah. Although the first 24 were rough, I do remember that. I know I didnt get to the end and actually deliver when the pain gets intense. I still wish I had that. I would take the pain over no memories at all. I know mine is a different case and you never know what may happen. But even before they had to completely knock me out. I didn't like how foggy and out of it I felt on drugs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth/page/2#post-2563655 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 08:48:07 +0000 nana87 2563655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not exactly sure what I'll do this time around, but I think I will try to go unmedicated as long as I can. With lo, I had wanted an unmedicated birth but I was induced at 37 weeks due to low fluid. it was a LONG labor (36 hours) because she just was really not ready to come out. I resisted getting an epidural until I'd already been on cervidil overnight plus pitocin for 12 hours and was still only at 4cm, and the pit contractions were becoming unbearable. plus, at that point, I was already on an IV and didn't want to move around anymore either, which were some of the big reasons I'd wanted to go unmedicated. The epi was amazing! I took a nap, and fully dilated very quickly. I could feel enough to be able to tell when to push, and only pushed for like 20 mins. So, long story short--I think I'll have the same approach: try to go unmedicated if I can but embrace the epi if I need it! If I get induced again, I'll probably ask for the epi sooner. No need to be a "hero" and try to handle pitocin without it again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth/page/2#post-2563638 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 08:35:19 +0000 bushelandapeck 2563638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two unmedicated births, by choice. I did have a small dose of Pitocin with my first, due to PROM, but was able to hold off on an epidural. Both labors were on the short side though, 6 hours and less than 3 hours, so I imagine that helped some :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth/page/2#post-2563606 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 07:44:25 +0000 cascademom 2563606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two medicated births. First time, I had a longer labor so the epidural actually helped quite a bit. For my second kid, I got an epidural hours after being in labor and at the hospital. They had to run blood work before getting it, so I labored unmedicated for some time. By the time I got the epidural, it didn't do much. I wasn't in too much pain with it, but LO #2 put a lot of pressure on me working himself down and breaking his own water bag. The epidural was really only effective for like an hour or two while they waited for the antibiotics to kick in. So, second time, it wasn't as satisfying. Those who go med free have my high five. It was tough for those hours without an epi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth/page/2#post-2563597 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 07:38:43 +0000 KayKay 2563597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first labor was super-long (60+ hours; the beginning was clearly prodromal but contractions were every 5-7 minutes and uncomfortable enough to keep me awake for 2 nights straight!) and the deciding factor for getting the epidural was that I wanted to be able to sleep overnight while I progressed. By the time I actually pushed her out, the epidural took the edge off but I wouldn't exactly call it pain-free. Plus I was just so. so. tired.</p> <p>Going into the 2nd labor, I assumed I would get the epidural, but labor was 2.5hrs from first contraction til baby in arms, so there was zero time for an IV, let alone any drugs. It actually didn't seem any more painful than labor the first time, but the total duration was SO much shorter, that it was probably something like: more intense + less time &lt; slightly less intense + SO LONG</p> <p>Currently pregnant with 3rd and planning to go med-free unless it looks like labor will be loooong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563591 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 07:13:33 +0000 caterw 2563591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well ladies... all of your stories make me feel like I could try to go med-free! I brought it up to DH and he thinks I am nuts, but he said he would take a class/ read a book with me and try to be supportive. I think he will come around once I explain how terrible I felt being trapped in bed hooked up to monitors and how I feel like I missed the birth of DD because I was so drugged. Now.... to bring it up to my doctor and see how he feels about it. I love this OB and would hate to switch halfway through, but if he is super resistant than we shall see.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563570 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 04:02:11 +0000 Pumuckl 2563570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two unmedicated births and the hormons made me forget the pain. I felt great afterwards although I did tear pretty badly with LO1. After my second I actually understood why some people leave the hospital after only a couple of hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563569 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 04:01:14 +0000 Cherrybee 2563569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an unmedicated birth nearly 9 weeks ago and it was amazing! I loved every second, and recovery was a breeze. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563562 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 00:19:00 +0000 sarac 2563562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like you, I was induced due to low fluid the first time. My labor was long and hard. The second time I had an unmedicated water birth. It was, honestly, far harder than the induction. But I'd still take it again if I had to choose. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563555 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 23:05:11 +0000 MrsB2012 2563555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a shot ( I think it was put in an IV actually ) of fentanyl for both. It didn't do anything to help the pain as it was a low dose, but it did help me relax between contractions. I would consider having nothing next time, but would just play it by ear again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563552 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 22:54:30 +0000 Aandmklover 2563552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was completely pain med free with my first and I had an iv pain med with my second called Talwin during transition. I was on Pitocin with both deliveries though. </p> <p>I felt wonderful after both deliveries and loved being able to shower right after. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563550 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 22:52:45 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2563550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: Ah! You did? Congratulations! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563542 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 22:24:39 +0000 pastemoo 2563542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caterw: I had a med free birth today and it was amazing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563540 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 22:20:17 +0000 misolee 2563540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in a different camp. I was on Team Epidural and still am. For my first, I was induced at 41+1 with pitocin and eventually asked for an epidural bc the contractions were super super intense at 5cm. Labor stalled after 24 hours and ended up with a csection. My recovery was actually easy and I wouldn't have minded another csection. </p> <p>but LO2 came two weeks early and super fast. About 3 hours from thinking I felt something to baby arriving. I begged and cried for an epidural but it was too late and they wouldn't give it to me. I still feel robbed bc that was the only thing I wanted for this birth. I only survived because of the super fast labor part. I only had minimal tears but recovery was painful.</p> <p>If (and thats a big if) I give birth again, I would ask for an epidural. Unless birth goes even faster...then, I would probably have the baby on the side of the road :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563522 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 21:24:34 +0000 peaches1038 2563522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a medfree birth 7 months ago tomorrow :happy: I will definitely plan on it again. </p> <p>I honestly did not prepare that much other than watching a ton of natural births on YouTube and reading The Birth Partner with DH. We didn't go to a birthing class. I gave birth with a midwife in a very supportive hospital. </p> <p>I agree that it's all mental, but also that I was lucky that everything aligned to allow me to achieve the birth I wanted. I labored for 12 hours start to finish and neither I or the baby had any complications. I will say that the 2.5 hours of pushing was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life but the rest of it was really not that bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563511 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 21:08:19 +0000 matador84 2563511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two unmedicated births. Honestly, the pain is all mental in my opinion. It's not whether you have a high pain tolerance or not, it is just a mental game about can you overcome the pain without the option of medication to make it more manageable.</p> <p>My first birth was really hard. My cervix nearly ruptured and I had to have an episiotomy and vacuum delivery, so recovery was super painful. My second birth was crazy (didn't make it to hospital), but recovery was much better and I didn't tear as bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563510 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 21:07:42 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2563510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I consider my first "med-free" in that I didn't have an epidural. I was induced with pitocin &amp; got only some oxygen &amp; a dose of fentanyl (it was 12 hrs total, with 4 hours of pushing &amp; a vaccum assist).<br /> I was very happy with that experience &amp; recovery, so I planned to try for med-free with my 2nd. It was only 6 hours total &amp; only about an hour from 5cm to birth. There wasn't time for drugs even if I wanted them. Recovery was even easier that time.<br /> I loved both my births, I think because I hadn't tied my satisfaction to *having* to be med-free. I don't think you're crazy to set it out there as an option for yourself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563504 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 20:59:58 +0000 PawPrints 2563504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, mine was unmedicated except for Group B strep antibiotics. We did a LOT of preparation, which I strongly recommend if you want to do this. The relaxation techniques that I learned via the Bradley course we took were invaluable for getting me through contractions and transition pain. I was so quiet and in-the-zone that the nurses and midwife didn't even realize how quickly I was progressing until it was time to push. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563497 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 20:28:23 +0000 Anagram 2563497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have had both. First baby, had an epidural; second time no time for anything.</p> <p>I felt more calm and in control with the epidural. My recovery was almost the exact same. My labor the second time was much shorter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563491 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 20:10:06 +0000 mfa_lady 2563491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: My experience was very similar! I can only hope my second labor will be almost identical. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563489 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 20:06:53 +0000 Cole 2563489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an unmedicated birth and I'm actually looking forward to getting to do it again. It was a great experience. That being said, my husband was super supportive, I have birth at a birth center (attached to a hospital) and they were super supportive, I spent a lot of time mentally preparing AND my labor was only 6.5 hours from first contraction to baby on my chest (and I had no clue it was going fast so I was trying to tough it out at home so I didn't even have a choice since I arrived ready to push.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563482 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:47:42 +0000 catlady 2563482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I planned to and did a Hypnobabies home course and also took a natural childbirth class in preparation. As it turned out, my water broke on its own, contractions basically started at 2 min apart, and I got stuck in triage for over 4 hours (strapped to the bed and unable to do my hypnobabies exercises). I ended up with the epidural and have no regrets. I may prepare for a natural childbirth again next time but I'll go into it knowing that anything can happen! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563474 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:30:17 +0000 maddyz 2563474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had LO1 at home with amazing midwives and didn't wish for a minute for anything else. I pushed for 3 hours and it was the hardest thing I've done, and really intense but was never scary the way I think of pain except for when I tore.</p> <p>I am hoping for something along those lines this time. But am preparing myself for it to possibly happen faster. My labour with LO1 was 24 hours from water breaking to baby and that felt just about like the pace I could handle the first time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563462 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:10:01 +0000 Mrs. J 2563462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No meds for both boys and I will do it again for a third. First time was three days of labor and 45 min of pushing. The second time I labored in a tub and used a birthing stool—I will do that again. I only pushed for 4 minutes the second time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563460 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:09:57 +0000 avivoca 2563460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an unmedicated vaginal birth last time. It was 15 hours from my first contraction until baby. I am planning to go unmedicated again in October. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563453 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:05:46 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2563453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did 46 hours unmedicated and that's enough for me. It was still eleven more hours before they called for a c-section.<br /> My next two were also c-sections. I'm very grateful for the drugs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563451 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:03:33 +0000 Miss Ariel 2563451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have an epidural although did have narcotics, but voted med free since it's still pretty much considered that. A lot of it is fuzzy, but I think that's more due to the fact I was half asleep through it. I got to the hospital at 1am, then had dd around 8am.</p> <p>Looking back what stands out as the worst was being at home thinking if it already hurts this much how is it going to feel. So it isn't necessarily the pain I remember being bad but he fear of what was to come.</p> <p>My mom actually delivered both my brother and I naturally and had a really positive experience. I grew up knowing how happy she was with her births and really wanted that for myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563450 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 18:53:36 +0000 ModernDayJibarita 2563450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Had an unmedicated birth 2.5 weeks ago. Labor was 12 hrs from first contraction to birth (last 2 hrs was pushing). Transition was a bitch, pushing was awesome and the rest manageable. I took hypobirthing classes and it really helped relax me during labor. Going med-free made me feel like a superhero!</p> <p>Although I'm super proud for not giving in to the sweet call of the epidural I'm aware I ended up going med-free because circumstances aligned for me to achieve it. I went into labor already pretty dilated (got to the hospital at 5cm), labor progressed gradually (I was at 7cm 3 hrs after I was admitted and at 9cm 3 hrs later), great length (10 hrs), ideal fetal positioning and a baby that tolerated it all like a champ.</p> <p>That said, I tore and recovery has sucked! I assumed I would be up and walking immediately. It was more than a week before I could walk without doing a weird squat crab shuffle and I'm still taking Advil every 8 hrs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-had-a-med-free-birth#post-2563445 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 18:47:17 +0000 catomd00 2563445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: I have basically the same experience. I did get a spinal for the 3 pushes it took to get her out, and I never would have attempted without even if I had know it would be over 5 minutes after I got the spinal! It was really terrifying realizing I was going to have to go without meds when they finally figured out the epidural was misplaced and it was time to push. The anesthesiologist saying there was nothing they could do seriously threw me into hysterics and my OB told her to give me a spinal! However, the recovery was so much easier and almost worth trying for med free next time. I might actually try to prepare for it next time just in case!!</p> <p>ETA - my second was 4 hours from start of pitocin to delivery. By the time contractions felt unbearable, I was also feeling baby coming down on her own, which was about 30 minutes from that first unbearable contraction to delivery. </p>