https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:57:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895524 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 15:06:06 +0000 matador84 895524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have much of a choice--I wanted an epi, but by the time the anthes. could get there it was too late. I did want to go natural though if I could because I was afraid if I didn't I would have some sort of complications. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895416 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 13:29:35 +0000 daniellemybelle 895416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have anything to prove by "being brave." I just don't want my baby born under the influence of drugs if I can help it. Also, I want to avoid "the cascade of interventions," namely pitocin, that often result from epidurals.</p> <p>I won't feel like a failure if I get pain relief, but I want to set myself up to be able to birth how my body was made to, which is why I am seeing a midwife practice, going to childbirth classes, having a doula, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895364 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 12:40:31 +0000 Grace 895364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't want IV narcotics because of it crossing the placenta. I don't want an epidural because I'm scared to death of NEEDLE IN MY SPINE! And last, I don't want to risk slowing labour down. I want to get it done. But if labour lasts forever or I need a C-section, then all my wants can be thrown out the window. End of day, all I want is a healthy baby (and me, too). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895359 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 12:36:16 +0000 Dandelion 895359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To avoid unnecessary interventions...</p> <p>And then I had every intervention known to mankind...except the csection, lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895331 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 12:15:37 +0000 BSB 895331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom and older sister has done it med free, I *think* I'm tough enough to do it as well. Although, the one thing that worries me is my mom had 5-6 lbs babies and my sister had 5-7 lb babies. My DH was born at 8 or 9 lbs &lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;----- This freaks me out. </p> <p>Well see what happens when I get pregnant and give birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895329 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 12:15:19 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 895329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: ya i am not afraid to say i need the epidural, i also wanted to see how long i could go without though and in hindsight i am afraid getting it played a part in my c section so that's why i am mainly going to try to avoid the epi next time around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895328 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 12:12:00 +0000 kjpugs 895328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a few reasons for wanting to try to go more med-free. I have horrible menstrual cramps (wakes me up at night for hours, vomiting, the works) and have been told by doctors that they're comparable. I'd like to see if that's true, if so, I know I can handle it (although I worry about fatigue.) I have no issue saying I need an epidural or if I realize I do need pitocin, but want to be sure. If I can avoid them, great! I agree with @Foodnerd81: avoiding interventions to help keep labor from stalling and leading to c-section. That's my true birth plan aka... my "hope" haha, "anything but a c-section." Mostly because DH and I are in a different state from our family/friends and DH doesn't get any time off except whatever he can scrap together, so I am worried about recovery. I'm just trying to go in with an open mind and listen to my body. That has worked thus far with this pregnancy so I hope it continues! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895315 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 12:00:55 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 895315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurpleUnicorn: We hired a doula for our birth, and I am really excited to work with her. We're also working with midwives. DH would be great on his own, I'm sure, but like your DH, I'm sure he would probably get nervous seeing me in so much pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895299 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 11:51:39 +0000 runsyellowlites 895299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurpleUnicorn: Lol. poor DH! I know there are many well trained MW that would be able to direct you to the best total care that you need AND since their model of care approach is so different they're more likely to be able to calm &amp; empower your DH as well so he isn't fearful or continue to be traumatized. I absolutely loved that when DH was part of my appts, my MW always asked him as well if there were any questions or concerns he had &amp; since appts were so much longer he wasn't rushed or felt like his feelings in the pregnancy didn't matter.</p> <p>A good midwife isn't going to take on a patient that needs attention outside the realm of their care so definitely check around &amp; get a few different opinions..... and yes, a doula would be great to be that spot for you! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895286 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 11:44:27 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 895286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: @PurplePeony: i think next time i will definitely look into a doula or midwife as an extra support. It will be good for DH to help him stay on board. He claims to still be traumatized by my whole birth experience. I seriously I think he wanted me to get the epidural as soon i made one facial expression of pain. So i don't think i can convince him to get in face and say "you can do it". I tell him i am only "traumatized" by the c section and that's what i want to avoid more than anything the next time! The only issue about my health care provider is I still think I need to be followed by a OBGYN because i have high blood pressure so i am automatically high-risk, but i will definitely look for a more supportive doc next time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895279 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 11:38:54 +0000 PurplePeony 895279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurpleUnicorn: ah, gotcha. My hubby is also worried about seeing me in pain, and I think he's pushing the doula more for his sake than mine, haha! I'm also using a midwife practice where at least half their patients deliver med-free, so I've definitely got support on that front. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895276 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 11:35:41 +0000 runsyellowlites 895276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurpleUnicorn: &lt;&lt;DH supported whatever I wanted, however he hated seeing me in any pain so did not try to talk me into "trying longer" without the epidural&gt;&gt;</p> <p>This was the same place we were in... DH didn't really struggle with "seeing me in pain" b/c he understood &amp; accepted the process BUT when I got discouraged, rather than stepping up &amp; helping me to reground he defaulted to "I wasn't the one in labor" and become more like a shadow or support... said "I love you.." etc but what I really needed was him to almost get in my face &amp; remind me what I *could* do.</p> <p>I read an amazing home vbac story that had a husband that did just this.... the mom got discouraged very early on in her labor &amp; her husband got in the birth pool with her, in front of her, looking her in the eye of EVERY contraction, reminding her she could do it. She was successful in her desire &amp; it was such a great testament to the weight that our support systems hold (totally bawl worthy read).</p> <p>DH and I talked quite extensively analyzing P's birth &amp; he knows now that what we decide before the birth is what I truly desire &amp; that if I get to a point of wanting to quit again I *need* him to help me accomplish that b/c he *is* the part of my team that is part of *me*... whether he's actually physically feeling the pain or not.</p> <p>And how sucky of your doctor! Boo that! I hope next time, you can find a provider that is more supportive &amp; embracing of the process &amp; ability of our bodies. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895271 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 11:28:09 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 895271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: DH supported whatever I wanted, however he hated seeing me in any pain so did not try to talk me into "trying longer" without the epidural! BUT what I found discouraging was my doctor who when i told him i wanted to go med-free, he responded by saying "why?!!" and then "oh, you are going to get the epidural!" So i just wanted to add that you need your partner's support as well as your doctor's! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895267 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 11:25:00 +0000 PurplePeony 895267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly? The idea of someone sticking a needle in my spine freaks me out far more than the idea of being in pain (even REALLY BAD pain). DH is really pro-natural birth (hah, because HE isn't the one who has to do it...) so he's totally on board with supporting me, wants to hire a doula, etc. It's hard to imagine doing a med-free birth with a partner who is betting against you, I imagine it will be difficult enough as it is! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895120 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 10:03:25 +0000 Sadieloo 895120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Completely agree with @Arden: while I haven't given birth yet, I am hoping to give birth naturally. I really want to feel the full experiencce, pain and all, of giving birth. Spoken like someone who has no idea what she's getting herself into, right? I recommend reading Birthing from Within and any of the Ina May books for I inspiration. The Business of Being Born is also great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895118 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 10:02:15 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 895118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: "I want to avoid multiple interventions-- you hear the stories that you got the epidural, then labor stalled, so you need the pitocin, then eventually end up with the C-section."</p> <p>this. for my first (and only so far) delivery, I wanted to go med-free for 2 reasons: to be a hero and to not have multiple interventions. Well, when i was barely dilating after 16 hours, I decided the hero idea no longer meant anything and i got the epidural.....12 hours later i ended up with a c section. </p> <p>Of course it is possible I would have ended up with a c section no matter what, but for my next baby (whenever that may be), I want to try again to not have an epidural and i think my motivation will be stronger because i won't be thinking "i want to prove/see if i can do this", rather i will be thinking "i want to avoid a c-section which is much worse than any contraction thus far!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895114 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 09:58:58 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 895114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My reasoning is very similar to @Arden. I want to avoid multiple interventions, and the research I've seen about possible side effects of the drugs crossing the placenta is a little scary to me. </p> <p>That being said, I'm all about getting baby out safely; if a natural, med-free birth doesn't seem to be working out for me, and the midwives suggest an intervention, I won't refuse if there is a reason for it. </p> <p>For me, its all about informed consent (knowing WHY I'm agreeing to something, and weighing the pros and cons when possible). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-895107 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 09:55:39 +0000 artsyfartsy 895107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: My thoughts exactly.</p> <p>I've always felt confident in my body's ability as long as I can remember. I don't know why, but I've always known that I want to birth naturally. I've had this "natural" attitude about most concepts in my life.</p> <p>I'm open to medical assistance, but I feel that one medical intervention will lead to another, and then end up with a c section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-544931 Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:28:33 +0000 Pink Champagne 544931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to prove to everyone that I could do it.</p> <p>I mean, safe and healthy baby, blah blah blah... But do you even know how awesome it is to hear the pride in my husband's voice every time he brags about how I delivered with no drugs? He thinks I'm a superhero, and that's pretty cool.</p> <p>(For the record, he didn't think I'd be able to do it. My mom, on the other hand, always encouraged me to have a natural childbirth because that's what she did.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-544928 Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:28:14 +0000 Mrsbells 544928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted to go natural because every medication and intervention does have side effects. Just like with with food and everything else natural is usually the ideal. </p> <p>I had a terrible reaction to my spinal and I HATED my catheter </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-544896 Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:19:17 +0000 Cherrybee 544896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1) I believe that the drugs can cross the placenta and go into the baby. Why, after almost 10 months of saying no to lovely wine, would I pump my baby full of opiates and other nasties? I want to avoid this kind of pain relief. </p> <p>2) I want to be able to move around after the baby is born - get myself a drink, breast pads etc. Dads are not allowed to stay with mum and baby in hospital here in the UK so I'd be alone and at the mercy of some very overstretched nursing staff should I get the epi and not be able to move post-birth. </p> <p>3) Catheter. Enough said - right?? It's inside your bladder... how the heck to they take it out?? I think they just pull it out. Oh Lord.... not for me!! Another reason to avoid an epi! </p> <p>4) Lastly, I want to be able to say "I did it". I know I can say that even if I get every intervention going - and my birth plan will be to go with the flow and do whatever it takes to get through it - but if I could do it med-free I'm sure I'd feel like I could accomplish anything in the world! I'm certainly going to try! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-544870 Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:07:32 +0000 dagret 544870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really, really wanted to go naturally to avoid the chain reaction of intervention- but after 26 hours of contractions my body stalled at 6 cm dilated - I honestly think I was too exhausted to progress any more and got an epi and pitocin. LO was born about 8 hrs after that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-544633 Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:08:59 +0000 FarmWifeGina 544633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Exactly what @Arden: said. And, I can't imagine just laying in bed, waiting for my baby to be born, having people come in and telling me what was going on, what we were going to do. *I* was going to deliver my baby, no one else. I was going to feel everything and be able to listen and hear what my body was calling for in aiding to birth my baby. And that's exactly what happened, both times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-542062 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:12:42 +0000 cyndistar3 542062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't like unnecessary medications and to me since my first birth was uncomplicated I saw no reason to put medication in my baby/ body. Also, I have a very unreasonable aversion to needles and I would rather feel the pain of labor rather than be stuck with a bunch of needles. Now after having a c-section I know without a doubt I would rather give birth than get another spinal block or epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-542015 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:09:01 +0000 wheres_c 542015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was concerned about interventions and refused the pitocin and epidural. Unfortunately still ended up with a C-Section :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-541968 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:05:25 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 541968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was also concerned about multiple interventions, as well as the drugs crossing the placenta. Also, I knew that odds were good that I'd have short, uncomplicated births and I did. Women in my family are fast birthers ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-541957 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:04:43 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 541957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it will give me the best chance for a successful VBAC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-541886 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:57:10 +0000 bisous 541886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: My thoughts exactly! Intervention leads to more intervention.</p> <p>I hate the idea of over-medicalizing such a natural process with drugs and monitors when it might be unnecessary. I want to try to go as natural as possible - though we'll see what the situation allows when I get there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-541831 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:52:01 +0000 Mrs. Pen 541831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: this.</p> <p>The safety and health of my child was the biggest concern for me! And I wanted a water birth - can't have an epi in the water :) I didn't end up having a water birth sadly... maybe for #2!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wentwant-to-go-natural-whats-your-reasoning#post-541821 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:50:30 +0000 pui 541821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just don't like all the intervention. In the end, giving birth is a normal, natural thing and I'd like to do it as normally and naturally as possible. </p>