https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:51:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-2045358 Thu, 29 Jan 2015 12:07:31 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2045358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-2045276 Thu, 29 Jan 2015 11:32:48 +0000 jetsa 2045276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: yes to the shorter than normal labor. Mine was 14 hours start to finish.</p> <p>I was induced and I asked for an epi twice, the first time my pitocin was too high and I was literally not getting a break between contractions, the second time I was in transition. I will definitely do it again because I had a quick and easy recovery and I contribute that to not having the epi. I was literally walking around a bbq cookoff at 5 days postpartum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-2045275 Thu, 29 Jan 2015 11:31:59 +0000 raintreebee 2045275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-2045239 Thu, 29 Jan 2015 11:11:54 +0000 Mrs. Deer 2045239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@raintreebee: @Corduroy: I don't know if you ladies saw my birth blog post, but I ended up going natural for baby #2 too and it ended up being a lot easier overall and a MUCH more positive experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-2045215 Thu, 29 Jan 2015 10:59:00 +0000 Corduroy 2045215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm still deciding for #2 due in June.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-2045162 Thu, 29 Jan 2015 10:36:53 +0000 avivoca 2045162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I looked at my past response on this thread, and it's still the same. Yes, I would do it again. With 15 months more perspective, one of the things I remember helping me in the moment was the knowledge that the pain was going to end and remembering in the back of my mind that there is a peak before it ramps down. Just keep swimming, and all that. My labor was shorter than average (15 hours), so that colors my perspective too. If I tried for 50 hours, I don't know how I would feel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-2045143 Thu, 29 Jan 2015 10:24:41 +0000 raintreebee 2045143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1582531 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:21:56 +0000 Cherrybee 1582531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine was hardly a "natural" birth - I was induced with syntocin - but I did it without pain relief. It was horrifically brutal and at the time I thought I was going to die!!! But I think, maybe, for #2 I'm going to try to go without the epi again..... This time, I would like to experience going into labour myself, feel what regular contractions feel like. I keet thinking that if I can manage induced contractions, I can do it again with real ones, right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1582487 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:12:23 +0000 mamimami 1582487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1582406 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 07:31:19 +0000 Pumuckl 1582406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a natural birth the first time around although I went into it thinking that I'd be open to anything. In the first few weeks after birth I was like "how do you ever forget any of that insane pain" but I totally did. This forgetting is what makes me think that I could totally do it again. My mindset will probably be the same though as it was with #1 - if I need relief I'll not be to proud to ask for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1582351 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 06:43:46 +0000 AprilFool 1582351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1582255 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 00:39:35 +0000 BoogieBea 1582255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had 2 pain med free births though with the first, I was I induced. I approached both labors with the same plan - if it got too unbearable, I'd opt for the meds. I did throw in the towel with my first labor but by the time the anesthesiologist arrived, I was already ready to push. Since I didn't get the epi with my first, getting an epidural would have been the unknown for me the second time around. So I actually was more comfortable going med free again. Both times, I labored about the same time and pushed for maybe half an hour. So both labors were relatively easy which definitely helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1582249 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 00:09:14 +0000 Honeygold89 1582249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1582238 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 23:49:22 +0000 birdofafeather 1582238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i will try to do it med-free for subsequent births as well. i had a quick labor with my first and only had one point where i thought i couldn't do it anymore and then my doula was right there telling me that i could. i felt great after and was ready to go home the next day (although we had to stay another night bc DD had jaundice).</p> <p>since i did it once, i would prefer not to introduce an unknown (epidural). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581474 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:09:31 +0000 Adira 1581474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.</p> <p>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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581425 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:41:21 +0000 Dandelion 1581425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went natural for #1, tried again for #2 (my loss) and planned a c section for #3 cause I wanted nothing to do with labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581417 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:37:02 +0000 avivoca 1581417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581393 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:24:29 +0000 bushelandapeck 1581393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hope to. I ended up needing pitocin to start my labor but managed to avoid an epidural and have a relatively short labor (6hrs) once things got started. I'm much more open to the idea of pain meds though and will ask if I feel I need them, but probably not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581370 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:11:30 +0000 ScarletBegonia 1581370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581366 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:07:23 +0000 Arden 1581366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The main thing I would want to change is the part after the birth. Pushing through the pain during labor and pushing was one thing - it was for my baby - but after?<br /> I had two third degree tears, all the way into my urethra and rectum. Because my body does not react well to lidocaine, the doctor chose to use nothing at all (against my wishes/begging/crying/screaming). Frankly, I would have taken an epidural at THAT point, just to get through the pain of those repairs. It took almost an hour and it was horrific pain. </p> <p>Next time, I will literally kick the doctor in the face if they refuse me pain killers for a repair job like that (but here's hoping I won't tear so badly next time). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581361 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:02:20 +0000 Mrs. Deer 1581361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I would love a water birth at a BC! I only got to be in the tub for 30 mins before needing to push, but it was so nice. I think if we have a third once we're back in Seattle I'd definitely do that. Wish we could here in Monterey!</p> <p>@matador84: yeah girl! :) it's totally mental, just not sure I can get my head in the right place.</p> <p>@septca: Yes! Agree with everything you said. I wonder what I was so hung up on. And if I'm open to an epi this time is that really the worst thing? I so wish I could be seeing a MW this time around. </p> <p>@Mrs. Chocolate: I keep thinking that if it really was faster the second time around maybe I could push through it. Hmmm</p> <p>@MrsStar: wow, no option of an epi! Good for you for pushing through! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581249 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 15:07:41 +0000 MrsStar 1581249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced with lo but hoping to go into labor on my own when we have another lo. I'm not allowed an epidural and if I need a csection then I'll need to be asleep for it so I'll try my hardest to it vaginally. I managed an induction and back labor with no tearing with lo so a similar experience (just without the induction and back labor) would be great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581223 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:58:01 +0000 Mrs. Chocolate 1581223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581217 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:56:01 +0000 Foodnerd81 1581217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a med free birth with C, and while I would never describe it as 'rough', it was very intense. I felt a little out of control at times, but always felt that I was in good hands and could just listen to instructions from the midwife and nurse. I actually thought about this a lot right after C was born-- would I have felt more present if I had pain relief? </p> <p>My biggest reason for going med free was that I was afraid of stalling labor, leading to pitocin, and on and on. But from when I got to the hospital at 4 cm to holding baby in my arms was 4 hours, so I'm not really worried about stalling with #2 any more. </p> <p>I will probably go in the same way I did with C-- I'll try for natural, and if I feel I can't and I need pain relief, I'll ask for it. However, my hospital sounds very different from yours-- I was with a midwife practice at a birthing center in a hospital, with a bathtub for laboring (heaven), and they boast a very low intervention and epidural rate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581213 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:54:10 +0000 septca 1581213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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&amp;C a few months later...</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>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... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581207 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:52:00 +0000 matador84 1581207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! I knew if I could do it the first time, I could absolutely do it again. It was all mental for me, and I got my 2<br /> Natural births! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581199 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:48:08 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1581199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-natural-birth-did-you-want-another-for-2#post-1581192 Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:46:23 +0000 Mrs. Deer 1581192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a natural childbirth with LD, and this time around (due in October) I'm not so sure. While I know second births tend to be a bit faster and easier, I'm not sure I'm up for it. The laboring process was much more intense than I had prepared for, and the pushing excruciating. I never used to fear pain that much, but after going through labor, a difficult postpartum hemorrhage, 8 IV attempts, an infection from a IV site, and breastfeeding (which I think for a long time was more painful than labor) it really scares me to think of going through that much pain again. </p> <p>The main reasons I opted for a natural birth were to:</p> <p>1. Stay mobile - which didn't end up mattering since I stayed on the birth ball for 80% of it. I hoped being able to move would allow me to also find a position that didn't hurt quite as much, no such luck!</p> <p>2. Decrease likelihood of tearing - thinking that if I were more in control if pushing and utilizing gravity (squatting) that might help... Nope!</p> <p>3. Avoid a c-section - especially since it was my first birth, I really wanted my body to get through it intervention free. So I am happy in this regards. Though now that I have done it, I would feel less nervous about an epidural stalling my labor to the point of needing a c-section. </p> <p>Anyway, this is getting long! We've also moved and only have access to a small community hospital (98% epidural rate, no natural birth amenities like a tub, etc) and no doula (loved our last one and can't imagine finding someone else). There's also no midwives here, so we're seeing an OB.</p> <p>So to sum it up - those with rough natural labors, did you do it again? Opt for an epi? I'd love your thoughts or advice! :) </p>