[Babybear4]

Natural, medicated, home, hospital, birth center?

With DD, I had gone into the whole pregnancy with the "whatever happens, happens" attitude. I knew I wanted to have a hospital birth and I knew I didn't want to be medicated, but I told myself all along that once I actually *feel* labor, I will decide then. I ended up getting some type of drug that made me all loopy and warm, and got an ITN (same idea as an epidural, but isn't as strong and doesn't last as long). Looking back, I was already a 7 when I got to the hospital, so I went through the hardest part of labor at home, and I know I could have done it without pain meds.

Next time around, I want to have a plan set in place that will prevent me from using pain meds. I would really like to give hypnobirthing a try. The number one regret I have from my birth experience with DD, is that I asked the doctor to wait to break my water until after I got the ITN, and so I feel as though I missed a huge part of my labor, which was experiencing a contraction after the water had broken. If I do get pain meds next time around, I will wait until after my water has been broken.

Sooo... what is your ideal experience?

[monkeymama2]

Ideally?? One that happens before the end of 2010!!!

Otherwise....I was induced with both, and had an epidural with both and everything was great. It would be nice to just GO into labor without being induced though. But I get to a week past and then that's it!

[Tinky]

I am happy with the births I have experienced. Just letting it go as it's going. I am freaked out by the thought of a needle in my backbone so I have never had an epidural. I have been lucky thus far to be able to go into labor on my own without complications. My first was born the morning I was scheduled to be induced, as I went into labor on my own the night before. My last was born in the van after a quick labor.

I am hoping our next is the same. No worries no meds no complications. I would LLLOOOVVEE A home birth but my Joe is not agreeable at all.

[j&jmom]

Originally Posted by monkeymama2

Otherwise....I was induced with both, and had an epidural with both and everything was great. It would be nice to just GO into labor without being induced though. But I get to a week past and then that's it!

My previous births were the same. . . my second was induced on his due date, but was over 10 lbs so my due date may have been off. I was in labor with my first forever before I was finally induced . . . and completely exhausted by then. I would love it if my future baby/babies would come on their own. I just hope this has no correlation to getting them out of the house when they turn 18 (or at least before they turn 40 . . .lol)!

[ChicaChels]

Oh man....


Wake up in the night, or start having contractions during the day when Sam isn't home, and then either wake him up or call him (whatever time of day it is) when I need help working through them. Labor at home until I can't take it anymore, call my doula and have her meet us at the hospital (unless the birth center is open by then, then meet at BC) and be around 7-8cm with my water still in tact, get in the tub and labor with a smooth transition, push my baby out into the water pull HER onto my chest, wait for the cord to stop pulsating, clamp it and have Sam cut it. Get out to birth the placenta without the aid of pitocin, not need any stitches, breastfeed whenever she is ready to try it, all while the birth photographer is snapping away pictures with no one except my best friend (who missed my first birth due to living in TN, but she is moving back in June!), my husband, my doula, and my midwife there (and a nurse, I like the nurses at my hospital) and spend the next 2 days cuddling

things I do NOT want
-pitocin
-cytotec
-AROM (artificial rupture of membranes)
-internal monitors
-CFM
-pain medication
-c/section
-talking while she is born
-lights on while she is born

[JulieMc]

Well, going into my first... I wanted to go without any drugs or epidural. Then, when I went for my regular appointment, my BP turned out to be dangerously high and they said I'd be having a baby in the next day or two. Fortunately, I'd already been in early labor since the night before...nevertheless, they wanted to induce. I'd have probably had the baby anyways within a few days, they just sped up the process. The pitocin was evil. That's all I needed b/c I was already contracting and dilating. They kept asking me if I wanted anything, and I said no. I said I would let them know if I did. Well.. when they turned up the pitocin it got to be too much after awhile... I felt like puking and the contractions were so strong and close that I barely got a break. And I was shaking like crazy. So I called for the nurse and told her to explain my options. I went with the epi only. I was terrified of the needle, but in so much discomfort that at that point I figured what the hell. it was great. I got to relax and no more than a hour or two later I was ready to push. Doc didn't expect it to work so fast, so she wasn't there yet and I waited for awhile at a 10 for her to get there. I was mostly numb at that point, but not totally... I felt enough to be able to push well and feel him coming out somewhat, but no pain.

So... I honestly wouldn't mind if things went that way again. My goal is to go natural as long as possible, then get the epi when I feel I can't take it anymore. I'd like to avoid pitocin. If I can go into labor myself, I'd love to try without an epi. So I wouldn't be confined to a bed and monitors. And, I'd stay home as long as possible so I'd be able to eat and drink stuff. I was annoyed that they didn't allow that. Fortunately, I had a feeling (and so did my husband) that that would be the day, so I made him take me out for a HUGE lunch beforehand, so I'd be well fed for awhile. I'd do that again too.

[Erin80]

Home water birth, same as last time. It would be more ideal if it was shorter this time around though, Lexy was 18 hrs from start to finish and I was beyond exhausted. I went into labour at 8:30pm and had her the next day at 2:20pm!

[butterflies.in.a.jar]

I really really want a home water birth, with a birth photographer, a doula, and of course the midwife I'd like to walk/move around until I can't handle the pain anymore, and then get into the tub. I would really love to catch my own baby in the water and pull him or her onto my chest and have skin on skin as long as possible. I also want to bf right away (well, as soon as baby is ready to try it). I plan to wait to cut the cord until it stops pulsing. (I have a birth plan all written up already lol!)

[*Cyndee*]

I'm pretty laid back. I just want the baby out healthy with as little damage to my body as possible. With Maddie my water broke but I had no contractions on my own. After 6 hours they started to force dilation with a foley cath and started pit, I had an epi in an hour later and it wore off while I was in transition so I could feel everything, when to push, I could move my legs teh entire time, walk to the bathroom afterwards, it was great. 17 hours of long hard labor. I slept off the shakes, Maddie was in great lively shape from the moment she was born at 7lbs 8oz at 9 at night. I didn't even tear.
That is ideal to me.

[cowboybrowns]

DRUG ME UP!

Oh, I guess that sounds kinda bad but oh well...... I was in labor for 52 hours last time to only end up having an emergency c-section. I would like to have a natural birth next time, but I doubt that will happen.

[Christines Mama]

Home birth, I had 3