https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:30:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-156601 Sat, 12 May 2012 10:45:24 +0000 HLK208 156601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad I came back to this thread, thanks ladies for sharing your experiences--it really is helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-149481 Sun, 06 May 2012 01:43:25 +0000 lemondrop 149481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can do anything you put your mind to, going natural can definitely be done. Pregnancy trains you for the marathon of childbirth, keep an open mind, and remember as long as you and the baby are healthy that is what matters. Contractions aren't your enemy, they are helping you move the baby, don't fight them. </p> <p>I'm hoping to go natural when it comes time for my second. Transition got me and I elected for the epidural and pain meds, but no regrets. My labor was less than 8 hours, so fast I got overwhelmed quickly. I asked for a light dose on the epidural, the anesthesiologist was fine with that and told me he would turn it up if I needed it. </p> <p>Before the epidural, walking was what made me feel so much better, but the baby's heart rate was dipping, so I wanted to stay on the monitor to keep an eye on him. When I lay down to be monitored is when the contractions intensified. </p> <p>They turned off my epidural 45 minutes into my 3 hours of pushing so I could be more efficient- it wore off by ring of fire, honestly it was short and with the relief of getting him out I hardly noticed it! That relief was the best part, such an amazing feeling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-149406 Sat, 05 May 2012 21:25:57 +0000 SAHM0811 149406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural with my first and went natural with my second. After my first birth, I really believed I could go med-free for the next and so I prepped myself to do so. It helped that #2s go quicker than #1s... My first labor was 20 hours total, but my 2nd was just 6 hrs so hopefully a shorter length of time will be an advantage for you too. It helped that I labored at home for as long as possible and showed up at the hospital at 9.5 cm... There was just no time for the epidural! It was the ideal scenario for us, although the staff was scrambling a bit!</p> <p>Other things that helped/motivated me: my DH being on board with the idea, a doula for support, keeping active til the very end (tons of walking, prenatal yoga), ina may's guide to childbirth, reading birth stories online, the documentary Pregnant in America...</p> <p>Here are my answers to your questions:</p> <p>When did you have the most pain?<br /> When I got to the hospital, the contractions were very intense and my mood changed in between them. However, I always told myself that the beauty of contractions is that they have an endpoint... And I breathed through them.... It was more "uncomfortable" than "painful" though. I say "uncomfortable" because the pressure was great and I felt like pushing...</p> <p>Was the "ring of fire" as bad as you were expecting?<br /> No, I didn't feel it really... I delivered in two pushes (many 2nd time+ moms have very fast pushing stages). I just felt a TON of pressure delivering the head... then I amazingly felt the rest of her body and it was such a relief... I instantly knew my labor was over then :)</p> <p>How did you cope with the pain during labor?<br /> See above... mental thoughts that all contractions have an endpoint &amp; deep breathing... Also, hubby or doula would massage my lower back at the peaks of contractions. </p> <p>Any tips/advice about the labor and delivery?<br /> - Drink lots of fluids and keep your bladder empty too (empty bladder --&gt; progress)<br /> - Relax your jaw as much as you can (this I read about in Ina May's book... I found myself doing it in labor and it helped? I think!)<br /> - Continue to have an open mind during birth</p> <p>Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141658 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:04:30 +0000 IcebergMom 141658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The best thing to be prepared for is to be flexible. You don't need to be a hero. Do your best and take the pain meds if you need them. Everyone's levels of pain are different and these babies and our anatomy are all different sizes.</p> <p>Breathing, telling everyone to shut up, focussing on the clock, and the bath tub with SO spraying me down kept me pain free until... Whammo baby was breech and we went into c section mode. (after 10 hrs) :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141651 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:39:04 +0000 HLK208 141651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@prettylizy: thanks for sharing :) reading stories like yours makes it not sound so bad! Someone in the Maybabies thread posted about their natural birth and said that she danced during labor! I'm starting to feel more at ease with my decision</p> <p>Thanks everyone :)</p> <p>Oh, but if anyone has anymore experiences to share I would love to read them. It really is helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141636 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:39:50 +0000 prettylizy 141636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally awesome, you can do it! One of the things that helped me most it e knowledge that all over the world women aren't afraid of childbirth. We live in a culture that scares women about birth, but we're designed to do this. </p> <p><a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prettybabys-super-long-birth-story" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prettybabys-super-long-birth-story</a> there is my birth story. </p> <p>I didn't even notice the ring of fire, I kept waiting for them to tell me she was crowning,and then all of a sudden they were talking about her ears! It's all so fast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141633 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:23:32 +0000 mrbee 141633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey guys - Sorry!! I had to remove two links, per our self-promotion policy:<br /> <a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hellobees-community-policies" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hellobees-community-policies</a></p> <p>In this case it seems silly to remove self-links since they are not commercial, but soon we're going to get hit by vendor self-promotion links and if we don't enforce our policy now it's gonna be harder to enforce the policy later!</p> <p>Feel free to link to your blog in your boards profile though! We'll also have a May Share Your Blogs thread soon. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141629 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:17:35 +0000 ohapostrophe 141629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HeatherlovesKenny: ha, yes I got a little carried away writing my birth story but I wanted to remember every little detail and I'm glad I wrote it out because it's already a blur to me (especially the pain- that is long forgotten!). The scary stuff that happened to me is SO rare, and yes, I was told I would have for sure had a c-section if I'd had an epidural due to not being able to push as effectively. I was also told I would have 100% had a csection if I'd stayed with my original OB practice, so definitely make sure your provider is on board w supporting a natural birth! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141628 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:09:49 +0000 kgbee 141628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is absolutely do-able! I just had my first 7wks ago. It was difficult, and for a while the midwife and I thought we'd need to transfer to a hospital (got stuck at 7cm for a while) but ended up with a vaginal delivery and no medical interventions for a 9lb 3oz baby with only 2 small tears (no stitches!). Crowning was more pressure for me, with litle of the burning sensation. The pain was worst whenever I got scared and couldn't relax into the contractions, so definitely have someone with you that you trust to help keep you calm. Find a place or position where you feel safe and powerful and go back to that space whenever you need to reset and get back in the zone. Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141598 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:51:45 +0000 cyndistar3 141598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HeatherlovesKenny: I honestly think it's a great way to go, your body is more thsn capable of doing it :) I pushed for an hour andwould never even think about having medications after my experience. Don't get me wrong,it hurts like hell and at the end I felt like giving up (but of course you can't lol) but before you know it your baby is there and sll your pain is gone :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141538 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 03:18:14 +0000 looch 141538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have a dramatic birth story, it was quite uneventful. I was planning to get an epi if the pain was unmanageable, but I found I was able to move around and chance positions to manage the pain. I went med and intervention free. I never felt so strong, sounds weird, I know.</p> <p>I totally felt the "ring of fire," I'll never forget how it felt, but it was over very soon. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141523 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:00:13 +0000 HLK208 141523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whew, sorry it took me so long to reply--I read everyone's birth stories<br /> @Hanasu: Okay, your story was super reassuring (and entertaining)! I.can.do.this! The tub is a must for pain relief.</p> <p>@AngelBee: That bible verse is inspiring. Thank you for the advice!!</p> <p>@ohapostrophe: Wow, I feel like I know you now lol. I've never read such a detailed birth story but that's a good thing--and so appreciated. First, your son is so adorable. Second, I wanted to yell at young nurse while reading your story! But I'm going to google hypnobabies now, I've never heard of it. The pushing part had me a little terrified to be honest but that could have happened with pain meds as well (not to mention, you probably would have had a c-section if you couldn't have felt so much going on!)</p> <p>@Coco Bee: Your story was really reassuring as well but then I got to the part where you nearly passed out--so scary! I know pain meds wouldn't have had to do with that part but still, scary! I read your story when it was posted so I re-read it to refresh. Way to go with an induction and no pain meds! Super woman.</p> <p>@brownie: Yep, transition is when I caved last time. I just didn't know how much longer it would have been. Now that I have an idea, I'm going to do my best to talk myself past it. Another pitocin/pain-med free birth, way to go!</p> <p>@cyndistar3: I really like reading "it was awesome" or "I loved it" lol I so want that experience. The epidural I had was good but, 3 hours of pushing and not being able to remember everything about meeting my son makes me want to do this naturally this time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141517 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:48:44 +0000 cyndistar3 141517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a natural birth and it was awesome! Transitioning was the hardest part for me and I honestly don't remember the ring of fire because they used a warm compress and had me take my time when she was coming out (I didn't tear at all). I just did a lot of deep breathing snd concentrated on that and it made it so much better, so did the birthing tub :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141515 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:26:17 +0000 brownie 141515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Transition was the hardest but it is the shortest. When you don't think you can handle it anymore give it 45 min and it will probably be over (and doesn't get worse). The ring of fire is terrible but at the end and very very short so you won't have a drugs option. </p> <p>We loved our doula. She supported us through it all. </p> <p>I went natural with pitocin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141490 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:45:01 +0000 Mrs. Pen 141490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here is mine (I am Miss-spunkin): <a href="http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/spring-2012-babies-birth-stories" rel="nofollow">http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/spring-2012-babies-birth-stories</a></p> <p>It was definitely hard but worth it. I'm glad i didn't have pain meds either even though it was the singlest hardest thing I've ever done in my life. But my husband seriously got me through each and every contraction, I couldn't have done it without him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141477 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:14:48 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 141477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When did you have the most pain? The transition stage was definitely the most difficult part. I don't remember exactly how long it lasted but a little over an hour.</p> <p>Was the "ring of fire" as bad as you were expecting? This only lasted a few minutes like I mentioned above.</p> <p>How did you cope with the pain during labor? The support of my doula, relaxation techniques I learned from my Bradley Classes, meditating on a bible verse, taking a hot shower, having my husband rub my back, and walking the halls.</p> <p>Any tips/advice about the labor and delivery? I highly recommend a doula, make sure you consciously relax because if you tense up it will make labor that much more difficult, go in with realistic expectations and do your research so you understand what stages of labor your body is going through... it helps so much when you know what to expect! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141475 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:09:56 +0000 ohapostrophe 141475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and to answer your question...the only part that was really rough for me was 45 minutes of transition. But still, worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141473 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:08:38 +0000 ohapostrophe 141473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a great experience with hypnobabies and laboring in a tub. Definitely recommend the Ina May book. You can do it...and it's very worth it/awesome :)</p> <p>(My birth story is on my blog-link in profile- if you're interested.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141472 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:05:10 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 141472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>the "ring of fire" only lasted for a few seconds.... and then whoosh!... the baby was out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141471 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:04:29 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 141471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i had a hospital natural birth. it turned out better than expected for me... you can read about it here - [link removed per Hellobee's self-promotion policy]</p> <p>to prepare for it i took bradley classes. good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141469 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:50:54 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 141469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and I highly recommend you read Ina May's guide to Childbirth, it's very reassuring. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141468 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:49:16 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 141468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was absolutely okay. For reals. Here's my birth story for #1: [link removed per Hellobee's self-promotion policy]</p> <p>and the second was even better.</p> <p>To sum up: get in a tub, if you can! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-reassurance-about-natural-birth#post-141465 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:39:36 +0000 HLK208 141465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can those who have had a natural birth share your experience? I'm sure there have been threads about this before but I'd really like to read some real stories that can reassure me that I'm making the right choice to go epidural/pain-med free.<br /> Of course, if anything goes wrong then I probably won't be able to have a med-free birth but I want to prepare myself for the natural route.</p> <p>When did you have the most pain? Was the "ring of fire" as bad as you were expecting? How did you cope with the pain during labor? Any tips/advice about the labor and delivery? </p>