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I read the book and had a med-free hospital birth. I labored at home as long as possible so I was able to do what I wanted with no fear of judgement. When we did our hospital tour I asked their policies on IVs, fetal monitoring, labor balls, squatting bars, etc and was told at that hospital they left that up to the individual doctor. I then asked my OB what her "requirements" were and was told that as long as I got a hep lock she wouldn't require an IV drip and as long as everything was looking fine she wouldn't require constant fetal monitoring, which would allow me to move around. Now, with that said, once I went into labor I had high blood pressure so if I hadn't labored at home for the length of time I did, then I likely would have ended up with an IV drip as the L&D triage was questioning my husband on my blood pressure once we arrived and seemed concerned. While at home I spent a lot of time in the shower, on the toilet, and laying quietly on my side in bed. I loved the exercise/labor ball when not in labor but during labor it was a no-go for me (this was available at my hospital too). I did not feel like eating or drinking but if I had it wouldn't have been an issue while we were at home. My lesson learned from my experience was to labor at home as long as possible.

My hospital allowed drinking during labor.
I read one book and started feeling really guilty and crappy, so I decided no more reading for me!

There's nothing wrong with having a hospital birth! I was all about going drug free too, but lemme tell ya.. I totally DO NOT regret my epidural! It allowed me to get an hour of sleep, relaxed me like crazy and I went from 5cm-10cm during that one hour span too.!

Just do what feels right to you and don't feel bad or guilty if it goes against certain things you've read!

It really does depend on the hospital. Our hospital allows you to stay hydrated on your own and stay off all IV's unless you need one (like if you need antibiotics or aren't drinking enough). They allow you to sit on a birthing ball if that feels good, use the tub, etc. Check with your hospital to see what they allow. Some are making great strides to make the Moms happier during their birth experiences and not just making them lay on their back s to push out that baby.

I'm wandering if @Mrs. Stroller might be able to shed some light. If I recall she had a hospital birth but seemed to refuse an IV, at least for a long while. Maybe she can help answer this, too!

Ugh, this – making women feel defeated and guilty for taking advantage of the advances in modern medicine – is my main beef with the uber-natural-birth crowd. Listen – please DON’T feel guilty about birthing in a hospital; you have nothing to feel badly about, regardless of whether or not you have a high risk pregnancy. Please don’t add additional stress to yourself and your body. The fact of the matter is birthing babies is dangerous, it always has been and it still is for most of the world. Giving birth in a hospital doesn’t make your experience any less valid or special than someone who births at home, and it doesn’t at all have to be the movie stereotype of a sterile room full of lab-coats who won’t respect your choices and will force interventions on you.

Sure, every hospital is different – but don’t stress yourself out assuming that your hospital won’t be receptive to your desires before you discuss them with your hospital/OB and/or a patient advocate.

My hospital (which is the biggest hospital in the state, and only NICU – so not at all a “natural” birth center – it’s a big ole hospital) PREFERS you give birth unmedicated if possible. They only offer epidurals after you’ve labored a certain amount of time, and they offer lots of other pain management techniques; including massage and acupressure. Each L&D room has a whirlpool tub, shower, yoga balls, etc. and they are happy to bring in whatever will make you relaxed and comfortable. You can eat and drink what you like. Maybe that’s outside the norm for hospitals – but if mine does it, others do too. Don’t be afraid to ask and demand what you need while you labor.