https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:04:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115859 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:59:00 +0000 MapleMoose 2115859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Things progressed too quickly. Labor was 2.5 hours with both my water breaking and baby crowning in the car and only a push or two at the hospital before she flew into the world. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115800 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:40:36 +0000 autumn865 2115800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had always wondered if I would be able to do a med free birth. For DD1 I had an epidural at 7cm but with DD2 labor progressed quickly so by the time I was able to get an epi I was so far along I thought I might as well go for it since I had gotten that far (9cm). After birth I was up walking in 2 hours and the burst of hormones after made me feel like I was a superhero and I could do anything! I don't think there will be a #3 but if there was I would probably go for it again. The pain was bad but much more manageable than I thought it would be particularly since I never fought it when it came. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115750 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:17:09 +0000 Anya 2115750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No one big reason, but a combination of reasons including: I believed that I could, I wanted to feel everything, wanted an alert baby and to bf right away, afraid of how my body would react to an epi and I got to the hospital super dilated so didn't have much of an opportunity to change my mind anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115620 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 08:05:42 +0000 getjazzy 2115620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess I never answers WHY I tried to (and hope to) go med free. I kind of wanted to see what my body was capable of. It was designed for this, so I figured what the hell. There were also other reasons like being able to move freely and position myself however it felt right to birth, to avoid tearing, not wanting to stall my labour (haha, as if it could stall more), I didn't want to possibly affect baby's responses and instincts when he was born and I wanted to be able to BF as soon as possible too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115606 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 07:56:57 +0000 blackbird 2115606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The supposedly better recovery aspect is the ONLY thing making me toy with it for #2 (wholly dependent on whether or not an induction is required), so it's nice to hear that a lot of people felt it was easier! I don't care about anything else, really, nor believe it's better or worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115594 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 07:45:02 +0000 bpcmarj 2115594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My Mom went med-free with 4/5 of her kids, and 3/5 were at home. I don't think that I ever thought I would do anything but a med free birth with a midwife. I just knew that it was what my body was made to do and the pain would be worth it. We took a really intense birth class to make sure that we were well prepared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115536 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 07:13:06 +0000 lamariniere 2115536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went med free, but not by choice, with LO2. There simply wasn't enough time for the anesthesiologist to arrive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115527 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 07:08:07 +0000 getjazzy 2115527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I intended to with my first but after 37 long hours of not sleeping or eating, my body was just too exhausted to continue so I ended up getting the epidural. Baby ended up being stuck and I needed a C-section so that also sucked but I almost knew deep down that my labour was taking so long because it wasn't going to happen naturally.</p> <p>Hoping for a med free vbac with this one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115498 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 06:44:24 +0000 Pumuckl 2115498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went in with an open mind with LO1 and had a really fast labor so there wouldn't have been time. With LO2 I only had painful contractions for 15-20 minutes before she was out so definitely no time besides the fact that I now knew I could do it without. And for me personally the whole "you forget how painful it is" has been true. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115483 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 06:32:20 +0000 Adira 2115483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went med-free because I knew I couldn't get an epidural and the drugs you get through your IV really weren't that helpful with Xander, so I figured I'd skip them and then get to say I went med free! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115476 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 06:23:53 +0000 looch 2115476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't like the idea of how the epidural is administered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115374 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 23:12:06 +0000 Miss Ariel 2115374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom had both me and my brother naturally, so I always thought of it as normal. Especially since she was so open about it. I still remember being 10 or so and visiting the natural childbirth center where I was born to meet her midwife.<br /> Plus like @avivoca said I wanted to prove I could do it. Pretty much every who I told before hand said I didn't know what I was doing and I couldn't handle it, and I'm so happy I proved them wrong.</p> <p>And like others mentioned, the recovery after was really easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115338 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 22:24:00 +0000 Cchoi4 2115338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was late in getting to the hospital (with my 2nd) and arrived at 9cm. They told me "oh honey, there is no time for an epidural." I freaked out but its funny what you come to accept when you have no choice. I was lucky in that I waited no longer than 30 min for the doctor to arrive and to start pushing. The pain was well...it was painful. But the recovery was amazing and I was ready to go home a few hours later and definitely after one good night's sleep. Now that I look back on that experience, I know that I CAN do another med free birth. (I'm done having babies so I can say that!) But honestly, more power to you if you plan on having a med free birth. It was an amazing experience and oh so much easier afterwards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115329 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 22:03:37 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2115329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just knew that's what I wanted. I am not sure why my reasons were, other than I trusted my body could do it naturally and I had read that med free births generally have a smoother recovery. Cant wait to do it that way again! It was AMAZING. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115301 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 21:30:12 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2115301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I ended up getting an epi and I swear sitting still while getting it was the worst part of my entire labor! </p> <p>I'm due with LO2 in 5 weeks and I'm hoping to go med free this time! I know I can do it and I wished I had tried a little harder to go without it last time. I was induced though so I'm qomdering if that affected my "need". I just want to experience every bit of labor. I know that sounds crazy, but I'll always wonder what it's like otherwise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115282 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 21:13:09 +0000 Kemma 2115282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My aim was to go med-free for my first birth but my labour stalled out after eighteen or so hours so an epi, pitocin, episiotomy and ventouse were the right choices at the time (it still took another twelve hours to get Miss A out!). This go around I'd like to go med-free because although my recovery was as good as it could have been, being restricted to the bed for the first 24 hours made everything that much more difficult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115281 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 21:13:09 +0000 fancyfunction 2115281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural but it didn't actually alleviate any of the pushing pain for me (I felt everything). The only pain it took away was that of the contractions so I have thought about going all natural for #2, but we'll see what happens when the time comes. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115269 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 21:05:51 +0000 Foodnerd81 2115269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh- I should also add, the primary thing that kept me from asking for one during labor was that the thought of actually getting one-- sitting still like that, having the needle inserted-- was scarier and seemed worse than the pain of labor itself. Which, honestly, makes me thing my labor was a lot less painful than many. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115261 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 21:01:05 +0000 avivoca 2115261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always wanted to. I'm not a huge fan of needles and the thought of one going in my back sounded awful. Then, my husband said he didn't think I could do it, so I wanted to prove him wrong. Finally, I was afraid of the cascade of interventions and I didn't want to lose the ability to move around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115250 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 20:56:06 +0000 MrsStar 2115250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an induction with LO 1 so it wasn't completely med free but I did it without pain relief. I had an amazing recovery and was able to get up and shower after doing skin to skin etc which was awesome as I got to feel human again after hours in labor.<br /> For LO2 I'm hoping to not need to be induced and I'm not allowed an epidural so it's not even an option (wasn't allowed with LO1 either) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115239 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 20:50:47 +0000 mfa_lady 2115239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a spinal fusion (surgery done for scoliosis), and so an epidural wouldn't work even if I wanted one/got it. I was very fortunate and had a relatively fast labor (7 hours), so honestly by the time I knew it was the real deal, I didn't have time to think about not having the option for the epidural.</p> <p>I did love how mobile I was after my daughter's birth...I was up and around in no time, which I think helped tremendously with recovery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115233 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 20:43:07 +0000 Foodnerd81 2115233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few reasons. Primarily I was afraid of the cascade of interventions, though I think often they are overhyped. I was afraid that an epidural would slow down labor. I also really wanted to be able to get up and move around and use the tub. And I was afraid of not being able to feel how to push. </p> <p>Mainly, I figured our bodies are meant to do this, so I wanted to let nature do its thig as much as possible. </p> <p>However I also went in hoping for med free but being open to an epi if the midwives thought it would help labor move along. So I wasn't hell bent against it, and did actually finally ask for one, before finding out I was in transition. </p> <p>I had a wonderful labor and delivery and recovery experience and hope to go med free again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115229 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 20:40:07 +0000 sarac 2115229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted to go med free, and was unable to because of my difficult induction. I hated my epidural, though, and it didn't even work half the time. This time I plan to go med free if at all possible, since the epidural didn't even spare me any pain, and I hated it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115225 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 20:36:44 +0000 Tanjowen 2115225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Because I was the person that showed up at the hospital at 8 cm and pushing a short time later...I wanted that epidural (they tried and it failed) and was so not prepared for the idea of feeling anything! </p> <p>That being said, I was very surprised by how little pain there was until the very end. Part of that might have been how crazy it all was, but then it was immediately over and I was up walking around. I might actually opt to go natural if there's a next time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115149 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 20:03:29 +0000 danda 2115149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate feeling numb...it creeps me out to the extent that it can make me naseous and I worry that I'd have a huge drop in blood pressure during labor and maybe even pass out because of it. My mom gave birth naturally twice, so I figured if she could handle the pain I certainly could. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115133 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:57:15 +0000 littlejoy 2115133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We wanted a home birth, so med free was the only option. I believed that I could prepare myself to do it without medication. I read a lot, took classes, and practiced mindfulness during my pregnancy. My partner was vital. </p> <p>I also saw my mom have my sister, med free, and it inspired me.</p> <p>All of that said, if I had to transfer for any reason, I wouldn't have been against an epi or pitocin if my midwives thought it would help my achieve a safe delivery of my baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115123 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:51:00 +0000 skipra 2115123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With lo1 I wanted to because I was afraid the epidural would lead to a c section. Ultimately I got the epidural and loved it and had no plans to go med free with lo2. I guess some what ironically because I planned on the epidural I didn't make it to the hospital in time to get it with lo2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115115 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:46:37 +0000 Mrs. J 2115115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did it and I want to do it again. I didn't want the complications of pitocin, and I react so strongly to things like caffeine that I was worried about an epidural and what it would do to the baby. I believe each woman deserves her birth how she's comfortable and I was not comfortable with those interventions. I'd like to labor in a tub this time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115113 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:44:53 +0000 littleveesmommy 2115113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was really hoping for a med free birth with DD1 because I heard how much quicker you recover and are alert after birth. We didn't get to with her and I tried with DD2 but ended up getting an epi after some insane labor. Maybe I'll try again the third time around? Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-did-you-go-med-free#post-2115109 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:44:11 +0000 Torchwood 2115109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm only hoping to go med free, so take my answer with a grain of salt. But I want to for a variety of reasons. My research suggests that it's probably best for baby. I want to be able to feel things, especially how to push best. I worry about the "cascade of interventions." I'm afraid of relying on an epidural and it not working. I want to be able to move around during labor. I don't like needles. And regarding other meds than just the epidural, I respond very badly to narcotic painkillers, so much so that they're not even an option. I also want to avoid pitocin, based on my past experience with it, it sucks. I will consider nitrous, but the detached/dizzy feeling probably won't be what I'm looking for.</p> <p>Part of all that is having had a traumatic previous experience, with pitocin, narcotic painkillers, and not being able to move around (due to my reaction to the painkillers, though, not an epidural). But I wanted a med-free birth even before that. Really hoping this LO's birth can give me the positive birth experience I wanted, to help counter the terrible previous one. </p>