Natural birth VS. Epidural birth | I’ve done both, TWICE! | Pros and cons of each
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2023
- I’ve had two natural births and two epidural births. I’m excited to share my birth stories with you as well as the pros and cons to natural vs. epidural births! I’ve got a unique take on it all!
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You say you were too old for natural birth at 33 with your fourth kid… me at 33 being pregnant for the first time 😂😂😂
I feel like “old” means something different to everyone. Congrats on the baby!
@@AnnaBruceblog of course it was a joke 💖
I'm 36 with my first baby. I also had to giggle at this remark 😅
I had my first baby unmedicated last year at 34.
OMG!!! I'm 10 years old than you and thinking about a natural birth....
I’m 28 and pregnant with my first, and I feel like so many of the videos I’ve seen where people compare epidural vs no epidural, everyone is so polarized and stuck on their opinion and almost determined to scare women into thinking what they do. Thank you for sharing both a positive and a negative experience on both sides and for being such an objective and reasonable voice. It has really helped me understand better how I want to approach this whole thing.
I’m so glad it was helpful!
I had a non medicated tub birth and feel the same, I watched a lot prior to birth on youtube which was somewhat helpful/not helpful haha. I can confirm after birth I feel 10000% that us women should be able to choose what works best and is healthiest for us. It's hard enough going through delivery no matter what! Congrats and all the best!
@@DannaCatfinally someone said the truth. No one have to watch videos to get fooled but, women can choose what is best for them. Natural birth is the most painfullest thing ever and even after knowing that people choose it to know what the pain is. Idk what name should i say to women like them but, it's in my mind and i won't say it. But, i will never ever choose a hard birth with my legs up or to tear down there. I hate getting any bad things down there.
I’ve been hesitant to watch any videos on natural birth vs epidural birth because of how polarized people’s experiences can be! I really appreciated your objective review and pros and cons!
Thanks!
This was the best pro/con epidural/unmedicated birth video I’ve seen. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!
Wow, thank you!
I don't know - I had most of the cons even though I didn't have an epidural 🤷♀️
I have to add couple of corrections here, as someone who had an epidural, an annoyingly doctors never tell you this beforehand and this adds to the misinformation which doesn’t help: you CAN walk with an epidural and you DONT need a catheter. This is because they can dose it as little or as much as you want. I explained I didn’t want to not feel my legs and then the midwife told me epidurals are dosed. So she gave me a low dose (I was in back to back induced contractions for over 15 hours so I was ready to die!) and she checked I could pee on my own so didn’t need a catheter and could walk around and change positions. I just needed a dose enough to make the contractions bearable. If I knew this before I went into labour, I would not have been hesitant towards the idea of an epidural at all.
Secondly, the epidural anasthesia doesn’t enter the bloodstream so it isn’t supposed to get to the baby at all - this is what I was explained. It goes directly into the spine and not the blood stream. I’m about to have my 2nd at 40. Think I’ll go for the epidural and hope to not have to experience induction again.
Thanks for sharing your story. I was surprised to hear you say that your tearing was worse with the unmedicated births due to rushing. I have heard other women say that they tore worse with an epidural due to not feeling what was happening down there. So I appreciate hearing a totally different perspective!
The nurses telling you to calm down is exactly what they said to me during my second birth while I was screaming. Also had zero time for the epidural and I was NOT prepared for that pain 😅 thankfully my third was way more peaceful 😌
I had an epidural with the birth of my son. Wouldn’t change a thing. Once I got the epidural, it was easy breezy. Like a walk in the park. I definitely like the fact the my son came into the world in a relatively calm manner. But for the ladies that decide to do it naturally….my hat’s off to you. 😊
Prayer request for fertility 🙏
May God grant you your heart's desire to have a child
waiting for the dr to push is so ridiculous. i'll catch my own darn baby! haha
this was so helpful. i love how you gave your honest opinion on both choices and weren’t pushy about anything! Thank you!
You’re so welcome!
When you said you were 'older' with your last baby and then revealed you were 33, I almost fell out my chair! 😂I'm 30 (almost 31) right now with my first baby. Currently 33 weeks and already decided I'm getting an epidural. But I was really curious and love hearing about people's experiences. Thanks for making this video! ☺
Right! I’m almost 30 & will start trying soon. Really felt the old with that 😅
I’m 40 having my 3rd 😅
I’m 40 and having my 7th 😁 I definitely feel older than when I had my first at 24, but not old by any means! Women are often naturally fertile until sometime in their 40s, often not until nearing 50.
Im 28 about to have my first I'm thinking about doing a water birth
It's amazing how different the experience of unmedicated birth can be when you arm yourself with knowledge and preparation!
Yes!!
I totally agree. They say that if you feel emotionally relaxed, yiur body will produce more Oxytocin hormone, which helps to open the cervix & surrounding muscles more easily. This is super helpful for the baby to come out. On the other hand, if you are freaking out, your muscles won't relax easily, the cervix won't open easily, which means the baby cannot come out easily & the whole experience will be much longer & harder. So that's exactly what I experienced. I had a super traumatic birth the 1st time. Had forceps delivery & much tear. But the 2nd time, I had a professional doula who came into the delivery room with me & she took me through the whole process, couching me through all different positions & so on. So I ended up having all natural birth with no medical intervention, no pain meds, no gas, & even passed out the placenta naturally without any injection. It was a peaceful experience for both me & my husband.
thanks so much for taking the time to make this video! Very helpful information for us new mamas to make a more informed decision ❤
I appreciate hearing about your different birth experiences! I am expecting my first child in March , and I am trying to get as good of a grasp on my options as I can. I would prefer natural, but it makes me happy to hear stories of the epidurals helping out!
I also have a doula who will be coaching me during the birth, so hopefully that will help me with relaxing :)
Sounds like you are very prepared! It’s gonna go great! Congrats!
I’m due in March as well! Wishing you the best possible birthing experience and healthy baby~
WOW finally a pros and cons video that’s actually helpful. Thank you!
Glad it helped!
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
I am pregnant with twins and I really needed this video. I was feeling like a failure if I couldn't do a natural birth, but this made me feel a lot better for wanting to get an epidural. Thank you!
Aw congrats! That’s so exciting! Twins! Girl, don’t feel like a failure. You’re bringing TWO humans into the world! That is a miracle in and of itself! You got this!!
I’ve had two, midwife only deliveries to singletons (no pain relief) and now I’m having surprise twins end of nov/Dec and I’m opting for an epidural. I’m feeling really calm and confident about that decision and just think that my body has been through enough growing these two babes, plus the extra monitoring and extra staff like obgyns and paediatricians in the room that I’m choosing to take care of myself and embracing this labour for the amazement it is. Two babies! That’s just incredible. You can rest your body.
Hope this helps mama.
I just had my second epidural a month ago. The first I got 12 hours in and it wasn't very fun because I was exhausted. I was so frustrated, defeated and I didn't enjoy it but it did help with the awful back labor. The 2nd one I decided, due to some factors I couldn't control, to get epidural almost as soon as I got to hospital. Best choice I made I was so happy I did it quickly that time. I know I could have done it without the epidural but it was really awesome to be totally rested and fully awake and mentally there watching my baby come out. It was amazing. I'm still gonna try to go unmedicated with the next birth, I wanna go to a birthing house, but this second epidural changed my mind about them completely. It can be such an awesome and beautiful experience ❤️ don't let anyone make you feel bad. I felt so powerful and in control with my second epidural.
I had twins and I’d absolutely recommend epidural. The doctor may need to manually shift one of the babies which they said is extremely painful. I was really grateful to have the epidural. Wishing you a very healthy and easy as possible birth experience!
Epidural all the way’ I’m not pregnant yet but I will ask for the pain meds as soon as I check in to the hospital lol. I can’t handle pain
Thank you for this! I'm pregnant with my first, and even though I'm still early on I'm already starting to decide what route I want to go. I'm leaning towards unmedicated, but I definitely want to do my research.
I'm in the exact same boat as you 😂 these sleepless nights got us studying
Your first delivery was almost the exact same as mine! I had an epidural with my first, but I got it very late. Didn’t have an epidural with my second (arrived at the hospital too late - he was born less than 20 min after I got there). I’m pregnant with #3 and am planning on leaving for the hospital earlier this time so I can get the epidural 😅
Thank you for sharing all 4 stories!! And concisely. That’s hard 🤣 Totally agree about every birth being beautiful regardless!! 38 and 5 with baby #4 (our first girl) now.
Congrats! Yes it was very hard to be concise lol
Love this! Thank you for sharing your story!
That’s so funny- for me I was so tense pre-epidural and as soon as they gave it to me I went from 5cm to birth within like an hour and a half! It made it sooo much faster (and agree more enjoyable)
Hi Anna thank you for this video so informative, can you let me know what books , podcast and videos train you for natural birth? thanks!
I had 3 epidurals and will be having another baby in less than a week!
One thing I learned that epidurals are not equal. With my first, I was so numb dumb I could not feel anything or move my legs at all! It was uncomfortable and I didn’t feel myself pushing.
With my third, I was able to move my legs. I didn’t feel any pain but I did feel pressure when I was at 10 cm and ready to push! This was a game changer!
If you plan on getting an epidural, I recommend telling the anesthesiologist to give you half of the recommended dose. And then you can always click the button to adjust if it’s not enough!
That's great advice and def something to think about!
Thanks for the advice -
That is a really good recommendation :)
I've had 5 epidural, and they are definitely not equal! A few didn't even work, while others did and helped relax my body in order to progress with the birth. My fourth was the best one, and I felt absolutely amazing the whole time lol.
Hi thank you so much for this balanced take . I’m so glad I found your channel as a soon to be new mama I’ve really been looking for some positive voices on motherhood and Joy in motherhood. I feel like God just answered a prayer of mine ❤
Aw I’m so glad to hear this!!
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this ❤
Loved your story. I also have 4 kids 2 epidurals and 2 natural unmedicated births. If I had to choose again I would get an epidural. We also chose to not find out the gender until birth with our fourth. I was induced by just using a breast pump with her. My contractions were intense at 6 cm I had back labor for the first time and lots of uncomfortable pressure in my bottom. I requested to get an epidural ( my plan was to go natural like my last two) back labor is the most intense pain I have ever felt. I got the epidural and and had baby 20 minutes after injection. She was born sunny side up with one hand on her face coming out. I’m thankful that god spoke to me encouraging me to get the epidural so I didn’t have to experience the last moments of intense pain.
So many similarities!
Epidurals sometimes don’t work properly, I felt EVERYTHING with my last child, after the birth that’s when the epidural medication kicked in but only on my left side, my leg was too numb to walk for hours. Also multiple epidurals can hurt your back in the long run, I have lower back problems that pop up from time to time in the area they administered my epidural shots. I had 3 births, all with epidural.
That’s good to know! Sounds like you had quite an experience!
I agree, I had a painful C section with my first as the epidural didn't kick in properly. My body did however go into adrenaline mode when they struggled to get her out.
I also had back pain that lingered in the location of my epidural for about 6 months after birth. I'm still very grateful that I got the epidural, but wish I was able to labor in different positions.
What I’ve read is that being induced (Pitocin) can cause a delay in breast milk production, in turn not being able to breastfeed right away. Interesting .
This is was very helpful, thank you so much!!❤
Had a natural birth 18 years ago and now expecting baby #2. I really want to have another natural birth but now you’ve got me considering an epidural! Thanks for the insight!
Thank you for this video! It was so useful to me!
It seems every epidural is different! I had an epidural with my first and it was incredible. Didn’t completely take away the pain, but it took the edge off to where I could focus on contractions and could even move my own legs!
I'm currently 6 months pregnant with my first and have been holding off on these types of videos for some time now. I've never been one to want a super detailed birth plan but as we get closer to the due date my mind needs some peace when it comes to all these options! This video was so incredibly helpful and eye opening. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. It really helped me understand both types of births! :)
Hi when is your due date, im 8 months pregnant now 8 weeks till birth due April
Congratulations! I'm due 3/15!@@amirahabdi
wow so informative, thank you!!
I've had 1 epidural and 2 natural births since. I will never go back to an epidural birth, but i will say you missed out not having a water birth! I've done one water birth and one on the hospital bed and the water birth one was SUCH a beautiful birth with not much pain❤ My third non-water birth was sSSSooo painful and I was so sore after.
I would have loved a water birth but there are no midwives in our area and our hospital doesn’t allow birth pools.
@@AnnaBruceblogHey! Midwife here! Where are you located? I always love to know where midwives need to go to fill in the gaps to give people options! Thanks.
Could you possibly tell me more about the water birth? I’m pregnant with my first one and I’ve been highly thinking of a water birth.
@merethalok9759 having the weight of your belly lifted while you're contracting makes them so much less painful. Since this comment I gave birth to my 4th but wasn't able to have a water birth and it was still nowhere near as easy as my water birth. I would talk to a midwife about it.
@@shb8212 thank you so much! I will most definitely be talking to a midwife. I hope you and baby number 4 are doing well! ❤️I’m only in my first trimester at the moment so just weighing out options and water births seem to be the way to go for me.
This video was very informative and thoroughly convinced me, that epidurals are not for me 😅 that con list was crazy!
I’ve had two natural births. My first was sunny side up with back labor right from the start, and I recently gave birth to twins. Minimal tearing with the twins and only four hours from the first contraction till it was all over 😌
No matter how you give birth, holding your newborn baby(ies) in your arms is the best feeling ♥️
Yes you’re def right about that!
How did you get through your back labor, what did you get them to roll over? My first was sunny side and it delayed birth so long we had to do a c section. I'm afraid it's going to happen again with this one
@@abigailloar956 It was really painful, so much worse than "just" regular labor! He didn't actually roll over, he came out forehead first; but the delivery was vacuum-assisted. I try to make labor progress by walking around, squats, moving my hips etc., as much as I can - and relaxing! Try not to worry; birth is easier when you're calm and relaxed :)
I hope this birth is a better experience for you
@@abigailloar956 My first 2 kids were sunny side up. My 3rd babe was regular anterior. OP labor is far and above more painful. Women will try going on hands and knees to turn the baby, but I couldn't even do that.
I did a lot of leaning forward with my second child, hoping that would put him anterior, but he turned back to OP once I went into labor and never turned. I did deliver vaginally but it was excruciating.
Ironically, I didn't bother with my third and he was OA. I did the Miles Circuit with him, and I wonder if that helped.
Good luck
@sitcomchristian6886 I have heard a lot about the miles circuit, and I will try it this time. Thank you, it's good to know it wasn't in my head!
My nurses kept offering the epidural whenever they came to check on me. I was planning for a natural birth but I didn’t appreciate that I was trying to focus on my contractions they’ll be like are u sure about pain medicine. So I felt pressured by the nurses. So I gave in at 5 cm 😢😢😢
I had my first baby 3 months ago and had to get 2 epidurals which caused my spinal fluid to leak, causing what’s called a “spinal headache” which was an excruciating pain up the back of my neck, into my head to behind my eyes. That was honestly worse than pushing. To this day my spine feels bruised and painful. I feel like they ruined my spine with the epidural and it didn’t even really work. So I never want ti do an epidural again being that I am now traumatized and afraid of ever messing with my spine again. Your back and spine are so important for the rest of your life, I had no idea it could ruin my spine like this. I’m still hopeful that it can heal more over time but I’ve heard other moms tell me they still experience pain at the epidural sight like 9 years later. So whenever I do have another, I am nervous but I want to try a natural water birth.. I know it’ll be painful but my last experience was absolutely horrible so I feel like that’s unavoidable. At least I’ll be protecting my back and spine which I need to support me the rest of my life
I had a natural water homebirth with my first and it was painful but wonderful. Your body knows what it’s doing and it’s amazing to witness
My 4th child was a water birth at home and was an amazing experience! Painful, yes, but that water helped so much! One benefit of water is, it helps you to be able to more easily move around.
Elected c section is also an option if you dont feel comfortable with a natural birth :)
I’m so sorry! That’s awful. I will say I’m super biased and for natural birth if anyone can do it. But the doctors also don’t tell you how unnatural and bad it is for your spine and tailbone to birth on your back 🤷♀️ which is what majority of people are made to do. Likelihood of tailbone fracture goes up. If you ever have another baby, I HIGHLY recommend reading Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth
This is why I’m afraid of an epidural. I’m slightly “bendy” but no official diagnosis of Ehlers-Dahlors. One may have a connective tissue disorder and not even know it or misplacement. I don’t trust myself to stay still enough during contractions.
With our son my water broke before contractions really set in. I think the loss of the fluid made it way more intense. I kept denying the pitocin they were trying to push when we got to the hospital.
Ended up with IV pain medication at hour 10 & 13. Wore off at hour 16 and pushed for 1 hr and 45 minutes.
Definitely exhausting.
I was joking with them though- I was ready for lunch!
I tell all my friends to do what they want. Just research pros and cons.
Thank you for sharing your story! ❤🙏🏻
You are so welcome!
thank you for such a geniue share
1st: hospital + epidural, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th: birth center water birth, unmedicated. 5th: planning natural birth again. Although the pain is a lot, it is temporary. But the low and then high of the natural process and much, much easier recovery makes the pain worth it to me.
I totally understand! I’ve had 3 epidurals and 3 naturals. My last baby I got an epidural which cascaded into a whole lot of unnecessary interventions. Baby and I turned out fine, but honestly the ordeal felt traumatic especially after knowing how uncomplicated my naturals births were. Now pregnant with my 7th at age 40 and preparing for a natural birth.
I'm 28 and excepting my first I'm considering a water birth. How was your experience and is there anything you'd do differently?
I have also had 4 babies, 2 epidural deliveries and 2 unmedicated! My last was actually an accidental unassisted homebirth. I did intend to go unmedicated, but at the hospital!
Oh wow! I bet that was a crazy experience!
Loved the story! Had my first via epidural but got it at 8 cm, had her shortly after so no time to really kick in. My next 2 were natural births. Definitely prefer those over my epidural. Although, I totally agree that natural birth is painful. For me it’s been a temporary pain where the epidural has been an ongoing pain. I still have issues at my epidural site due to anesthesiologist hitting a nerve while doing the epidural.
Oh wow! I’m so sorry! That must be awful
Yup me too and I had so much break through pain it wasn't even worth it
4 births.. all natural. The first was by far the hardest. I think due to fear and uncertainty, but also the nurse told me the first "makes a path" for the rest.
That’s amazing!
I had an epidural with my first. I could relax and even sleep in between of my 12 hours labor. I really helped with the pain until it was time to push. For some reason it still hurt like nothing in the world before and while pushing, I could not really notice when exactly to push so I had a 3 grade tear and needed quite few stiches. I also had post epidural headaches that lasted for more than a week, had to stay so long lying in the hospital taking pain meds and could not brastfeed. I am currently 37 weeks pregnangt and even if I am not oposed to getting an epidural again if I need it, I am trying to prepare to go natural this time to avoid all the complications that I had the first time around.
Very interesting to hear your perspective on your 4 hospital births! I've found that one of the biggest pros for natural birth is that women can birth outside of a hospital environment! Like in the comfort of their own homes or birthing centers.
This was very helpful and informative! I've had one unmedicated birth so far (not by choice - it was precipitous so there was no time) and am currently pregnant with my second and thinking about what to do this time around.
Congrats!
Thank you for sharing! I’ve just had baby #2. Both were epidurals but such different experiences! With the second baby I actually asked to have my epidural turned down almost entirely so I could move to more positions. It was very painful but I was finally able to push in a squatting position. Without that I’m not sure I would have been able to get my second out - he was a stubborn little guy!
You can have your epidural turned down?? I wish I had known that when I gave birth!! I wanted to get into a better position but I couldn’t move my legs at all.
@@charissadubin9355 Yes you would never know because they don't tell you! It's good to ask OB beforehand because I think it might depend on how they administer it? However, for most epidurals they are continuously administering after an initial stronger dose from what I understand, so you can ask them to give you less or more. The only downside with giving less (from what they told me), is that once it's turned down, they may not be able to control your pain even if you ask it to be turned up again; since the pain has already "broken through" and there's only so much they can give/turn it up.
@@abigailf857 That's so good to know!! Thank you!
Hi Anna, thank you for your information. I'm currently 36+4 weeks pregnant with my 3rd right now. I took castor oil with my last and it really worked much to my surprise. How far along were you when you took it? Just want to know because I plan to do it again but don't want to do it too early.
I always waiting till right around my due date. Maybe a few days before
I’m pregnant with my 1st at 33yrs. Thank you for this video ☺️
You’re welcome 😊
I love how you addressed this so graciously. My first 2 births were scheduled c sections because my babies were relentlessly breech. Then with my 3rd I had a successful VBA2C because baby was head down 🙌🏻 I am preparing for another natural birth for our 4th if the Lord wills. I agree with you that natural birth is so. painful. But using your intuition through labor and the fast recovery is so worth it. I was so swollen, bruised, and sore after both of my c sections and recovery was so slow. I wouldn't choose interventions if I could help it, based on my experiences ❤ Thanks again for your video! It was very informative and a breath of fresh air on the birth scene ❤
Congrats Elizabeth and i hope you get the birth you want again! Was it hard to find a provider that would do a VBAC2C and how long did you wait (or do they recommend) between each pregnancy? Thank you!
@@alexandras9750 Thank you! I had another lovely natural birth and healing is going well. I waited 15 months after my 2nd c-section to get pregnant. Almost made the recommended 18 months 😂 But my midwife wasn't worried. She was supportive of a VBA2C since the reason for the c's was baby positioning and not health complications. I wait3r 18 months to get pregnant again. We had moved to a different place but the provider I have now was also supportive since I had a successful natural birth. I know not all providers in the US are supportive of VBACs so I feel very grateful that I experienced 2 natural births after the 2 c-sections I had done!
Great video!! Thank you for the much needed education!! 🍼🍼
You are so welcome!
My 2nd was on the traumatic side. With my 1st I knew going in I'd probably end up getting an epidural and I was just very go with the flow. I didn't feel anything bc of the epidural. I couldn't even feel myself pushing or any pressure or anything. It was nice but labor took a long time. I was pushing for 2 hours. With Mt daughter I wanted to do it differently. I experienced with an epidural so I wanted to try natural, but also wasn't 100% against getting an epidural. I just wanted to do my best to go natural. Well my midwife couldn't be there so another was and she basically lied to me to get me to accept pitosin to speed up my labor(I was already in labor, it just wasn't moving along much). Pitosin was the ONE THING I didn't want. BUt she used fear tactics to get me to agree to it and my labor ended up progressing so quickly I didn't have time to get the epidural when I'd finally asked. I managed the contractions for about an hour and then asked for an epidural. But then while they were gearing it ready I started feeling the urge to push, the midwife checked me and of course I was 10cm ans it was too late for an epidural.
I pushed on my hands ans knees for about 10 minutes before she told me I needed to lay on my back and try(no idea why, also not what I wanted) ans then pushed another 15 minutes and she was out. But I dilated from about 2cm to fully dilated in under an hour and then pushed her out in about 20 minutes. It was excruciating and my contractions wouldn't stop. I had no breaks for the last 10 or so minutes between contractions and I almost passed out a few times because the idiot midwife kept telling me to hold my breath while pushing(not recommended anymore). It was just an awful experience. But I did heal much faster from it than with my son
which youtube videos did you watch to prepare for unmedicated birth? I may get an epidural but I would like to be prepared :)
I honestly cannot remember anymore. sorry!
I found this video very beneficial as you seem to have had every type of birth planned and unplanned medicated and unmediated. My first birth was medicated but my baby was over 9 pounds and I was really in a lot of pain so I’m not sure if my epidural was very effective. I was faring well until I got the epidural at 9.5 cm so I wonder if I just never got enough of the medicine before I started pushing and they didn’t give me anymore after pushing. I felt every stitch afterwards, and was able to move my legs the entire time. So I’m very on the fence about my next birth: prepare for a natural birth since I’m pretty sure I could do it or try for another epidural and hope that one works a bit better.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I had an unmedicated induction turned emergency c-section with my first birth, and want to try again for a vaginal birth this time, but I have no idea what I want.
Last time, I went in for a post-due date ultrasound and got sent to the hospital for a an immediate pitocin induction due to baby’s poor condition. I dilated to a 6, before the heart-rate decelerations were too bad to continue labor. I was so stressed out the whole time cause I thought my baby was dying. I honestly barely noticed the contractions. The nurses kept telling me I must be in pain, but I was too focused on the heart-rate monitor to care.
When we did the spinal for surgery, I think the doctor botched it. It took him 40 minutes and was the worst pain of my life. People keep saying that wasn’t normal, but I just don’t know if I can handle anyone stick me in the back again.
You’ll know when the time comes!
What are the books to read about the natural birth ? Or the channels?
Thank you so much. Immediate follow!
Thank you!
Birth 1: home, water birth, all natural
Birth 2: at 42 weeks, midwife transferred me to OB. Got pitocin, asked for epidural in transition, had a 1 sided epidural which hurt way bad, I tore badly, and epidural kicked in at the end, so I was spared the tearing pain.
Birth 3: induced in hospital, pitocin, with a midwife in hospital, who let me do my own thing, quick, no tears, great, natural, 2 hours after pitocin had baby
Birth 4: tried epidural from the beginning, it made me pass out and they turned it off immediately. I gave away my freedom, but has no pain control whatsoever. Hardest birth because of restrictions and stuck in bed... So I had a natural delivery, but was pushed around and wiped out by the medicine reaction, and it was not fun.
Birth 5: induced with pitocin, natural again, easy and fast. 2 hours from first strong contraction until baby was in my arms.
Birth 6: I'll be induced next week. I don't think anyone could convince me to try another epidural because of my bad reaction. I wish I could have another home birth, but I have had antibodies since my 3rd, so they induce me at 38 weeks now, and I have to be in the hospital.
Ugh- I know what you mean! I’ve had epidurals and naturals. The most recent epidural birth turned into a cascade of medical interventions that most likely wouldn’t have been necessary had I not had the epidural. Preparing for another natural this time. I’m learning lots of coping techniques, but may also try nitrous for the first time.
This was such a great watch
So glad!
I'm pregnant with my second baby due in March and my first birth was a bit traumatic almost four years ago as I had to have a C-section and they messed up my first epidural and had to do another. Is it possible to have a healthy vaginal birth this time?
anything is possible!
Just had my second baby, first one was a C-section for breech. I had a Vbac induced with Pitocin and a foley bulb at 40weeks. Got to the hospital at 2cm, and the foley was placed. It was definitely uncomfortable by I couldn’t really feel contractions despite the Pitocin and seeing them happen on the monitor. The foley bulb came out at 5cm and then they broke my water at 3:15. It got crazy painful instantly. Contractions 2 minutes apart, I ended up getting in the shower with little relief. I was looking at the nurse and midwife and begging them to help me lol. I started pushing at 5:15 and baby was here at 5:36. I had a second degree tear. Got the shakes super intense after. It was amazing. I’m still in disbelief that I did it with no epidural. I’m not in a hurry to do it again though lol.
Awesome job mama!
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, I have done unmedicated for first and still undecided on my second who will be here in 19 days!!! Approximately :) I had an induction with my first and went from a 0 cm to 10cm in an hour. I was in labor for a total of nine hours with no epidural and it was traumatizing because I could not push our son out and needed a forceps delivery. Most doctors I talk to tell me the induction does not make contractions worse but I just do not believe it. This is why I am trying to weigh pros and cons of both. Thank you again for your honesty. My birth for our first was very traumatic and painful. Most women just do not talk about it. I read up a lot and had breathing down but I never prepared for not being able to push my baby out and being in pain for hours with contractions every three minutes. I also had no pain relief for the forceps which was the most traumatic moment of all! I cannot believe anyone would tell a laboring mother to calm down!!! wow
I believe inducing definitely makes the contractions worse because you’re body just isn’t ready yet, but sometimes it’s necessary. I am praying your next labor is smooth with little pain!
@@AnnaBruceblog I sure hope so!!! Thank you :)
@ChanStell86 How did it go? How are you and baby doing?
@nataliab.1025 fast. He was born in less than 2 hours!!! Up now trying to take care of him. Lol. Rough night with cluster feeding. 8 days old as of now!!!
@@ChannieTypeO- did u get an epidural with your second child?
No tearing for the epidural births? Usually people tare less for the nautral, and more for the epidural I've heard
Not in my case. I guess it depends on the person and also how strong their epidural is and how much they can feel
What UA-cam classes did you take ? Looking to try natural with my son
I honestly can't remember. sorry!
Thank you so much for this video! So helpful! So nervous about having a baby! My husband and I are newly married and we talk babies all the time now.
Don’t be nervous! Best thing you’ll ever do!
How did you prepare for the natural birth as far as videos and podcasts
I searched on UA-cam for breathing techniques and things like that. Love the birth hour podcast
I have had six vaginal births. 2 in the hospital, 2 with pitocin, and then 4 home births. I had an unnecessary episiotomy, and tore with the other 4 the last two severely. This last one, I looked into gentle birthing and the bradley method. I also felt the baby's head as she came out and my the difference!!! Just very small tearing with no stitches. If you can change your mentality, it can help for sure!! Hope this helps someone trying to decide! Also my babies are 9 or 10 lbs with large heads:)
I had two unmedicated births and the pain is so unbearable I feel like I’m done having kids but deep inside I would love a girl one day. I’m scared of the epidural leading to a c section 😭
Never let that fear keep you from having another it’s sooooo worth it!
I am currently 25 weeks and 2 days first time pregnant and still trying to decide if I don't want an epidural or if I do want it. I am also trying to find a good book to read that gives both perspectives of epidural and no epidural birthing that will also give me good tips on how to handle the pain and breathing techniques haha I feel so unprepared. Thank you for this lovely video as it helps me a bit to decide on what I want! God bless you and your family!
i would recommend the book “birthing from within” the goal is to help you get into the right mindset for birth, which i feel is so important and underestimated. but, the book doesn’t judge on how you birth; hospital, home, natural, medicated (i have lots of recommendations if you want any more)
@@elthel I would like more recommendations please!
i loved my epidural with my first! i got it after a few hours of labor so i couldn’t even feel them poke it into my back bc of the labor pain i was already in. then i had just enough epidural that i couldn’t feel pain but i could move my legs and feel the baby & when i needed to push.
for my second pregnancy (which i’m in now) i plan to do the same as last time, but i’m nervous it’ll be like your second and i won’t be prepared! i guess i should prepare just in case.
update: i tried to do the same thing and ended up getting the epidural right before i had to push and it barely kicked in 😬😅 good times hahaaa
May i please know what your height is? I think mine is similar to yours so i was just wondering if my babies would turn out to be around 7 pounds too.
Height really doesn’t have much to do with it, but in 5’4
@@AnnaBruceblog haha okay. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my curiosity.
Just to add to the conversation, I am also 5’4 and I’ve had a 9lb, 7oz boy and a 10lb, 12oz boy and a 9lb, 12oz boy and I can tell this 4th baby girl will be big too!!! 😂
So height really isn’t super revealing 😂
I am 5’2” and had a 8 lb 8 oz boy, and a 9 lb 6 oz boy! Due with my third and this one is measuring ahead (they never said that with the first two). All vaginal deliveries.
I’m 18 and having my first baby, I’m 29 weeks and my anxiety has gone through the roof, I’m so so nervous but excited. I have no idea if I’ll get epidural or not
You can do this girl! Don't be nervous! You will know what to do when the time comes.
I was so nervous for my first baby to I was about the same age as you just a little bit older and I literally had a panic attack after having her. But it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was literally so terrified but now I would definitely have another one and wouldn't worry about anything.
hey girl. i’m 18 having my baby soon in late october. i’m 34 weeks and i’m soooo freaking scared as well. if you need someone to talk to hit me up on insta @zoeyknibb. you got this. keep it up mama❤️
I had 4 my first 3 was natural and my last one epidural and it was weird, no pain but the strong pressure was tough.
I did all the preparation for my unmedicated birth and I’m still traumatized from my fast labor with my first. It was only 7.5 hours. Birth is just hard ❤
what kind of tears did you get? you did not specify but I am curious!
I don't even know
Does epidural birth really slow your birth time ?? How long did it take for you in labor without epidural and with epidural ?
Honestly, it depends on the woman, the labor and even when she gets the epidural. For every story of it slowing labor down, I’ve heard another of the epidural actually speeding things up because the lady was able to finally relax. Just last week, my friend was stalled at 4cm for hours and hours, got the epidural and was 10cm in an hour. But I’ve also heard of people going in at 2cm, getting one, and everything completely stopping. Generally my rule of thumb based on some of my research is to try to get to 6cm before getting one but that’s my own personal preference. I’m currently pregnant with baby #4! 38+5 today 🎉
It did for me both times
@@laurenswift9368here they don’t even admit women until they are at four cm and won’t take you even for waiting until your contractions are 4 minutes apart.
I used epidural and I pushed for maybe 6 mins max she came right out, BUT I am considering unmedicated this time I felt disconnected from the birth bc I didn’t feel anything, didn’t feel like I was experiencing birth at all so took away from the experience for me
Remember Everyone body is different i had to epidurals and going to do it again this third time I tore about a inch towards the front with my first second baby i didn't tear at all and both labors where about 4-6 hours
After having a 4th degree tear, I'm so pro epidural. Natural was my preferred method going into labor but I changed my mind really quickly and so glad I did. I went from 5 cm dilated to 10 cm within 20 minutes after getting the liquid gold.
Wow that’s really fast!! A lot of people say epidural slows down dilation. Definitely not for you! 😂 I’m considering it too
Do doctors give a stitch if you tear 4th degree?
@NS-yz8ym Yes they do, and you have to be taken to an operating room because it's a more extensive repair.
@adrinedesouza That's definitely where things got bumpy. I pushed for 4 hours and it ended up being a forceps delivery. They didn't even offer a c-section and I was so tired I just wanted the baby out at that point.
@adrinedesouza oh that's interesting, and good to know, in my case it was because I have a narrow pelvis and the baby got wedged.
Pros and cons at 17:13 if you’re a skipper like me
We are currently in labor now
And she just got the epidural
This video was so helpful ❤
I’m SO glad to hear it! Congrats on your little one!
We? You mean the mother of your baby?
@reflectionsinthebible3579 what's wrong with his verbiage? Sounds like he's a team with his wife.
@@mendingmandy869 Thank you We are definitely a team, we were deciding on Epidural or Natural during the entire pregnancy. And during the delivery we decided to go epidural after viewing this lovely video…. I’m glad we have two healthy baby boys now
@@reflectionsinthebible3579 Yes we meaning team pal
I had one epidural when i was induced (daughter came 3 hrs after the epidural). I tore a lot with this labor and my epidural wore off after an hr and a half. Second daughter i had natural. Starting thinking i was in labor around 4 am and baby came at 7:33 am. I was holding the baby in essentially until we got to the hospital. They rushed me to delivery room and she came out right away. I had so much bleeding that i did pass out on first trip to bathroom. Didn't get to bond with baby as much because everyone was taking care of me while the baby was screaming at the top of her lungs. But def easier naturally. I loved being able to feel her coming out.
I have had 4, 2 with and 2 without and very much prefer epidural!
I’ve got an epidural for both my previous pregnancies. I’m considering going all natural this time but idk if it’s worthy. My first first epidural experience I didn’t feel a thing I was numb numb. My second epidural experience, I could still feel my legs, I could walk but the nurses would hold me just in case. I felt my baby coming out and felt my contractions as well but not like excruciating pain, felt more like period pain on and off. Nothing to complain though. Everything went perfectly ❤
No one told me about the catheter!!! Thank you!!
Had my 8th at 33, still no epidural. My 3rd VBAC. I switched to homebirth after my needed c sec with my 5th (transverse laying, can't birth that vaginally, had she been feet or butt down I totally would've)
I'm pregnant with my 4th child at 44! I've had all 3 vaginal..but this one I'm hoping c-section....my age and my stroke risks are the reason why I want a c-section.
I’ve had three children all natural births. I could never get an epidural I always felt the opposite way, Afraid and totally against getting one!…. That’s just my personal opinion! Everyone is different and every birth is a different experience whether good or bad
Nice video. Cute little boy
What are the books? And UA-cam classes
I will try to remember and put a video together soon
I labored at home all day until 5cm with my first baby and i thought about going natural but once they started hooking me up to things i got uncomfortable super quick so i was just like okay lets do the epidural and it led to me getting pitocin which worked too well so they had to give me something to reverse it then give me more and i just could not feel a single thing and ended up having to have the vacuum.
The worst was yet to come though because a couple days later i got the spinal headache and that was insane.
I'm pregnant again now and i dont know if im more afraid of another epidural or the pain of unmedicated birth. If i get another epidural i will absolutely ask them to go easy on it but also that headache was like nothing ive ever experienced
Our first delivery experience sounds very similar! My only difference was no epidural (they checked me and said I was 5cm so I asked for it but turns out I dilated too quickly and my body started pushing my baby out as he was putting in the epidural 😂) and also no 💩😂
Like she shared if you want to have an unmedicated birth get educated about other ways to cope with labor. Don't take a see how it goes approach
Have a doula to help support you
Thank you for noting at 33 it is very tiring, I am blessed to have gotten married in my 30s and having my first baby was so hard, w/ 24 hours of labour and always feel like it shouldn't be so hard, but at 33 it was exhausting! I always have to not compare myself to younger mom friends bouncing back so easy w/ out complications.
Girl even in my twenties it always took me two good years to “bounce back”
We just started trying yesterday
Yay!!! So exciting!!
when you say you took castor oil, do you mean you drank like 2 tablespoons and it helped w labor?
Yes! a TINY bit!
This really helps me be okay with the thought of another epidural birth. I would love to experience a natural birth, but I also thought that with my first and then was begging for the "good drugs" when I was in the heat of contractions with my first 😂 whatever I end up choosing, I won't let myself feel bad about it after hearing your very reasonable pros and cons.
That’s right girl! Either way, it will be wonderful!
I'm a fan of natural birth!!! I personally don't believe in needle