https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:36:55 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324373 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 08:42:10 +0000 bpcmarj 1324373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still can't believe how much of it I really don't remember and how fast time went. I was induced with pitocin but did not have any pain meds. I was in the tub from about 2-6cm and to me it only felt like a half an hour. DH had to tell me after "No honey, you were in there for over 3 hours". Also, the urge to push. I had heard of it, and knew it would happen, but when it did in the middle of transition when I was about to give up was sort of awesome. I was 8cm and my midwife told me to push if I wanted to and 1 push got me to 10cm.</p> <p>But, I do feel a little let down that I specifically wanted to be present and unmedicated, but in the end I don't remember much of anything from her being born. I was just in a state of pure exhaustion and passed out in the bathroom about 1.5 hours after giving birth. I was pushing every other contraction and getting oxygen on the non pushing contraction. It was a wonderful experience, but I hope I will remember it more with the next one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324312 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 07:39:34 +0000 mjane 1324312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dagny: Yes, I was also surprised by how much I was just in a completely different place. My husband said I was unreachable.</p> <p>Also, by how immobilizing the pain was. All I'd heard was how awful it is to labor lying down and how moving around helps, etc. No one could have paid me ANY SUM to get up off that bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324306 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 07:29:19 +0000 Andrea 1324306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The pain was bad, but easily forgotten. I would go med free again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324305 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 07:29:16 +0000 Cherrybee 1324305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I survived syntocin contractions using only gas-and-air and I was genuinely traumatized for a few weeks afterwards. I honestly thought I was going to die. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324303 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 07:18:25 +0000 looch 1324303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went in with the attitude that there were no issues so we would let my body decide the course. I was fully prepared to hand the situation over to the professionals if the need arose, but it didn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324298 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 07:14:28 +0000 lamariniere 1324298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epi with my first. </p> <p>With my second, the plan was to have another epi. I ended up laboring so fast that it wasn't possible. I went from 5cm to 10cm in 15 minutes. The pain was utterly excruciating and I was definitely screaming out in pain the whole time. Luckily (?) my entire labor and birth process only lasted 45 minutes. I have no idea how ladies do multiple hours of labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324215 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 02:09:23 +0000 Ree723 1324215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, this thread has just reaffirmed my belief 100% that no way, no how, do I ever want to go through labour without an epidural. I loved it last time and I am fully committed to it again for this next baby. That being said though, I have enjoyed reading others' experiences but know it is most definitely not for me. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324175 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 00:31:04 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 1324175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The pushing. Oh my god. The pushing. SO horrendously painful. Transition was nothing compared to the pushing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324132 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 23:47:08 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1324132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: It can be hard to face it again when you're pregnant and tired and running after your first child. With this last pregnancy, I was so tired and run down and emotionally depleted and probably a little depressed and I was just like, "No, I don't want to do it, I don't have the energy to deal with another life-changing experience right now, dammit!" It was just a victory I did not feel like achieving. But I was so tired I didn't want to do it with drugs (just felt like too much hassle) or a c-section either (didn't want to deal with the recovery, it wasn't like I could just walk into the hospital and demand one anyways, lol), so that left me just one option. And once I was 11 days past my EDD you better believe that I was more than ready to go through it again! In fact, for as long as I could into labor, I said, "Thank you, Jesus!" with every contraction because I was just so happy that it was finally happening! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324125 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 23:40:06 +0000 mrskc 1324125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FarmWifeGina: lol. Yes makes perfect sense! One contraction at a time. That's what I did for my first, so I need to keep that in my mind for #2. Eta: thanks for the book rec. I'll look into it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324119 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 23:36:19 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1324119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: Lol, I don't know, is that the impression I gave? I would say to remind yourself that you did it once and, taking one contraction at a time, you can do it again. That's all you have to do is one contraction at a time. Don't get ahead of yourself and worry about what's to come and how much harder it *might* get. Does that make sense? It made a world of difference for me with my last labor.<br /> I would also recommend the book 'Birthing From Within' by Pam England. It's really beautifully written and deals with the mental and emotional side of childbirth. I didn't get a chance to do any of the cool birth art she recommends, but it was still really helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324114 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 23:29:05 +0000 mrskc 1324114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FarmWifeGina: so I should try to prepare that it will be just as painful if not more painful. I think that's what I'm scared of! I thought I was supposed to forget the pain? I don't remember exactly but I remember it hurt like hell and I didn't think I was going to make it thru it. Thank goodness for my doula coaching me thru. I'm honestly scared of epi side effects so I will probably do it again. I also think a difference between the first and second is that I had no clue what to expect for #1. I did nothing to prepare for the birth and trusted my doula to help me thru. Now that I know, it makes me scared to give birth again. I hope I can find some peace as my pregnancy progresses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324109 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 23:27:00 +0000 mamawarrior 1324109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a med-free birth for my first one. Every woman has a different experience. It was more the amount of pressure than the pain during transition that caught me off guard. And that ring of fire is appropriately named for sure. However, it was such a bonding moment between my husband and I. I remember my labor clearly but it still seemed like such an out of body experience. I'm about to do it all over again and I am terrified!!! It's like I never did it before. Well this baby has to come out one way or another haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict/page/2#post-1324094 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 23:13:45 +0000 PurplePeony 1324094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted to go med-free and feel very lucky that everything worked out just as I hoped. It didn't hurt that my labor was pretty short -- 7 hours from water breaking to baby on my chest. I was surprised that the contractions were less painful than I'd imagined they would be, and about the time I started thinking "holy crap, this is no joke," I was fully dilated and ready to push. But pushing was a lot harder than I had prepped myself for, not in the sense of being more painful but just the sheer physical exertion. There was a point where I felt like I was completely drained of all my energy and I resigned myself to spending the rest of my life with a baby half in, half out of my body (kidding...kinda) and I was really amazed that I was able to power through.</p> <p>I don't think I really ever got the "high." I was shaking so badly afterward and was just kind of overwhelmed, exhausted, and sort of dazed. I do feel awesome that my body and my baby worked together to do exactly what they were supposed to do, but as a PP mentioned, it does make me scared about a second child -- what if I go into it with confidence due to this birth and it's the total opposite? I don't think I could last without meds through a 12+ hour labor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1324051 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:51:39 +0000 AprilFool 1324051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Afterwards I felt like wonder woman but now I am just terrified of doing it again and we are not even close to TTC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1324048 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:49:27 +0000 snickers 1324048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At the time it was the worst pain I had ever been in but I am so glad I did it medication free. For me the worst part was the pushing stage, at one point I said I wanted to go home! I think I was just scared at first as in between pushes I knew what was coming again.</p> <p>My labour ended up being quite fast (was 7cm when we got to the hospital &amp; 8cm a few minutes later after first check. I thought I was 1 or 2 and would be turned away). The only regret I have is that I gave birth lying down on the hospital bed on my back, next time I definitely want to either be up on all fours or sitting on one of those birth chair things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1324046 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:47:38 +0000 Arden 1324046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a doula. I had attended tons of unmedicated (and medicated) births. I thought I understood. Ha. I had no idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1324035 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:42:40 +0000 Zbug 1324035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think maybe I told myself I could do it so many times that it wasn't as much of a accomplishment when I did. I think my mantras of your body was built for this, millions of women have birthed without meds, etc worked too well - I didn't feel like it was such a feat when it happened!</p> <p>It's really interesting to read everyone's experiences with this. As for the women who orgasm during labor, power to you but HOW? I was just trying not to completely lose my shit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1324007 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:32:55 +0000 Foodnerd81 1324007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went in really hoping to go med free but not dead set on it since you never know how it will be. I will echo those who are just amazed at what the body can do. I knew it would hurt but at one point while laboring at home I just looked at Dh and said, "This is going to really fcking hurt." (Classy right?) It did hurt a lot (duh) but I never get to a point where I felt like I couldn't do it. At the end I was thinking I'm fine now but I can't do this for a few more hours, so I asked about pain meds, they checked me and I was in transition, which is what I needed to hear to power through. </p> <p>I did have such a high when it was over (everyone said Dh looked so much more tired than me). And I kept reliving it and wantif to talk about it. It was intense! I'm super proud that I did it but I'm still open to drugs for the second, depending how things go. </p> <p>@Dagny: I had a similar experience- I wouldn't say I lost consciousness but I relaxed so deeply in between contractions at the end. And during pushing it just felt so natural (but painful). Too bad I couldn't fall asleep after she was born- that's when I needed it.</p> <p>Eta: I think it's worth adding that my baby was positioned well and my labor picked up really gradually which I think really helped me deal with the pain. Water didn't break until less than three hours before she was born and things got way more intense after that. I think if it started out that intense I'd have gotten the epi for sure and been fine with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1324001 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:30:54 +0000 Boheme 1324001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: @FarmWifeGina: I agree that Bradley is a lying liar that lies! I wasn't hopping around with glee sipping a glass of OJ right after my babe was born... More like a sobbing, bleeding walrus lol</p> <p>I was NOT prepared for the level of pain, despite 4 months of classes, reading about 20 books, and involving a doula - but my baby was in a weird position, and I'm hopeful that next time it will be smoother! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1324000 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:30:50 +0000 Greentea 1324000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: the doc said it was a marathon for me and the baby... now I realize she meant motherhood! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1323998 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:28:46 +0000 Greentea 1323998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: I feel the same way... not so thrilled about medfree again... but hopefully it will be a shorter labor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1323992 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:23:33 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1323992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: @Zbug: @Corduroy: I wouldn't say I necessarily felt a high right afterwards, more of an intense relief and disbelief that it was over and I had actually survived again, lol. My high didn't really come until the next day and I was like, OMG, yes, I did just do THAT! But my last birth suuuuucked directly afterwards. Thank you PP contractions that get worse with each birth, to the point where they're every bit as painful as labor contractions- this at a time when there's a baby in your arms and you just want to rest in the afterglow. That's when I take Motrin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1323981 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:18:30 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1323981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry, @Vegmama: I'm hijacking your thread. I think I'm still on a birth junkie high from my last birth. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1323977 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:17:28 +0000 Zbug 1323977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: agreed. I was expecting to feel this huge high and it just didn't happen. I was obviously so excited to meet DD, but I otherwise felt like crap. I tore and was just sore and really shaky. Like I said, I plan on going drug free with #2, but my expectations have definitely changed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1323976 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:17:27 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1323976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: I was exactly like you. I did it once, I was in awe, and then didn't really get the chance to talk about it because I felt like I was bragging. And then I had high hopes that it would be less painful the second time around and it wasn't and I still went unmedicated. And then I really dreaded my third birth. But I admitted all of my fears and no matter how freaked out about it I was, it still didn't seem worth getting drugs, so when it came down to it, I was just honest about how hard it could get, but I faced it and my third birth was easier. It was easier physically, but it was also easier mentally, I think due to being up front with myself and resolving to stay in the moment and take things as they came, instead of worrying about how much harder it was going to get. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1323975 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:17:27 +0000 jedeve 1323975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My epi never took! After two hours of still feeling contractions, my anesthesiologist told me epidurals didn't work for back labor and wouldn't give me anymore medicine. It made me numb so I had trouble moving but I could still feel every.single.contraction and push. </p> <p>I was surprised by the intensity. My contractions were just minutes apart as soon as they started. And with back labor there is no break between. It all felt very inescapable, which was distressing to me. </p> <p>My midwife kept insisting my epidural was working. I was like, "I can feel your hands on my legs. I can feel the contractions. I can feel the baby coming out. I can feel the stitches." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1323970 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:15:02 +0000 Dagny 1323970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I was most affected by how your body naturally handles such intense pain. I was in the shower a lot until about 7 cm and once I hit transition my body literally pulled me in and out of consciousness through contractions. I remember laying in the bed and 'waking' up the second a contraction hit, staring at my husband as I focused through the contraction (while screaming - i was not a quiet laborer) and as soon as it was over, I closed my eyes and went 'unconscious' until the next arrived. Hubby said this went on for close to an hour. That experience surprised me the most - that your body literally 'drugs' you naturally so that you can get through the brutal pain. SO awesome! 9 months later, I really can't recall the pain to consider it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1323962 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:09:43 +0000 mrskc 1323962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I felt really amazing afterwards and that high lasted awhile for me! I was so proud of myself that I set a goal to go med free and I did it. I wanted to tell everyone about (but no one really cared so I didn't get to really talk about it, no one really asked how the birth was). </p> <p>Now that time has passed, I'm actually afraid to go med free again. I just now know how fing painful it was and transition sucked sooooo bad. I don't know if I want to go through with all that again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-birthed-without-pain-medication-whats-the-verdict#post-1323939 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 21:59:13 +0000 Corduroy 1323939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: They say labor is like running a marathon. Labor is like running a marathon (for 51 hours) and then having your whole family run up and congratulate the guy behind you. Ain't no medal at the end of that ish. </p> <p>I was mainly blown away by how clearly my body told me what to do and how wrong it felt to do things the way the hospital insisted. Pushing was intense but not pushing once I started pushing too every ounce of concentration and strength in my body. </p>