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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.

That said, I also know people whose labor stalled because their bodies were SO exhausted, so getting the epidural and getting some rest enabled them to have the energy to actually push the baby out, which they felt they couldn't have done without the break. So I want to go natural but I'm open to other options as the situation dictates.

I wanted to go natural so my son didn't receive any of the medication as well. I was also scared of complications with the epi.

@Foodnerd81: I didn't go natural, but my epi only worked for a few hours. I think I handled the pain fairly well when it stopped working (at the onset of transition) but I was so grateful when they fixed it (after two hours!) because I desperately needed to rest. I really don't think I would have had the energy to push for the two hours I did without that real chance to rest. And FWIW my epidural did not stall out my labor at all.

@Arden: well written those were my top three reasons too.

I did have an epidural with my first, and it was a happy and uncomplicated birth, but the more I read about going natural, the more I felt I could do it and that it was such a beautiful experience... I wanted to go for it for #2. I'm really glad I did... and was able to!

So this is a little morbid and I hope it doesn't freak anyone out, but when I miscarried I ended up doing at home naturally. It was one of the worst things that I've ever been through yet somehow I was able to see how amazing the body is and that it really knows what it's doing. I was sort of in awe at the pain and the entire process which was intense for about 10 hours. Maybe it was a cathartic thing, with having physical pain to match the emotional? I dunno, but it made me interested in being able to experience childbirth med free as well.

I should note though that my birth plan is basically to do whatever it takes to survive!

@Arden: this.

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!!

I think it will give me the best chance for a successful VBAC.

I was concerned about interventions and refused the pitocin and epidural. Unfortunately still ended up with a C-Section

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

I just wanted to prove to everyone that I could do it.

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.

(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.)

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.

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.

For me, its all about informed consent (knowing WHY I'm agreeing to something, and weighing the pros and cons when possible).

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!

@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!

@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.

@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 & 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 & since appts were so much longer he wasn't rushed or felt like his feelings in the pregnancy didn't matter.

A good midwife isn't going to take on a patient that needs attention outside the realm of their care so definitely check around & get a few different opinions..... and yes, a doula would be great to be that spot for you!

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!

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 <<<<----- This freaks me out.

Well see what happens when I get pregnant and give birth.

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).

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.