Omg! This takes natural child birth to a whole new level!!

[Mamabear12]

I am in shock and amazed how this lady could just give birth naturally and by herself without any help!!!!

Watch this video:

I seriously think she is one of the lucky ones who don't have such a painful child birth. My first one, I lasted until 8cm (not intentionally) until I got epidural.

With my second I'm planning epidural again! I just hope I get it by 4cm this time as requested!

[sleepyhead]

Mean, that almost happened with ds2 - midwife sent me to the loo (ensuite in the labour room though) to see if emptying my bladder would get ds to fully engage, had a massive contraction, waters broke and the midwife yelled "back to the bed, baby's coming".

Dh & I thought she was being a drama queen because it was so quick and we'd been told I was only 8cm, but then dh said "bloody hell it's the head!" and a couple of pushes and he was here!

So, although it hurt like hell, I only just had time to remember about the "ring of fire" before it was all over. Fab!

[SucksToBeMe]

Amazing video!

[AmandaPayneAteTooMuchChocolate]

Mortified - I think it may be illegal in some US states, although I would bow to the greater knowledge of many on here.

I just watched the actual pushing section but it gave me the heebie jeebies. DD2 shot out like a speeding bullet, and I had no idea she was about to. I had visions of the baby having a bungy entry to the world. Other than that, it was lovely.

[VisualiseAHorse]

That is a lovely story Mean - obviously a bit mad for you though!

[VisualiseAHorse]

I'm pretty sure it's illegal somewhere...

[organiccarrotcake]

Of course it's not illegal. It IS illegal to pass yourself off as a midwife if you're not, but not to give birth anywhere (your baby, your body, your choice) and it is entirely legal for someone else to support you to do that (eg partner/friend etc). To perform medical care of certain kinds when you're not a registered midwife is illegal - unless it's in an emergency "samaritan" situation and there's no clear definition of that. But again, that's to stop people from passing themselves off as midwives and DOES NOT affect birth partners in general. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong - and I've known midwives telling mums I've supported that to birth alone is illegal and their partners could be arrested which is UTTERLY wrong.

AIMS (www.aims.org.uk) has lots of info on this and supports women who are wanting choices in childbirth.

[VisualiseAHorse]

In the US, UC is legal in every state except Nebraska where it is a misdemeanor for a father to catch his baby in a non-emergency situation (it doesn?t say anything about the mother catching the baby).

That is a bizarre law. That's taken from unassistedchildbirth.com.

You are right though carrotcake - seems like it's not illegal anywhere!

[organiccarrotcake]

Rightly, protecting women from people passing themselves off as midwives when they're not trained is the case in most countries. Sadly, the way that a midwife is classed as a midwife means that in some places, homebirth is not possible (eg they need to be registered and they can only be registered if they work solely in hospitals, that kind of shit).

This is natural childbirth, though. A stunning video showing how it could be for most people (not all, and thank goodness for the maternity services we have in those cases). But our bodies are designed to do this and with the right environment to get the oxytocin and other hormones flowing, rather than having them interfered with with vaginal examinations (sphincter law - cervixes can close as well as open), and hospital bright lights, talking, being in a place where we feel that we are having to ask for things and being a burden, etc etc.

I see this woman's pain - I don't think she's having a low pain birth - but I do think that the right hormone balance is working to ensure that the natural pain relief/management hormones (endorphins) are working well. These, like oxytocin, are "shy" hormones, easily interferred with by a non-mammal birth environment (you know, like cats seek a dark safe corner away from people). Not finding this environment can make childbirth unmanageably painful without pain relief.

[MummyPig24]

Jesus Christ that terrified me! I would need a professional there just in case something went wrong.

[LeBFG]

OK - why is this woman not howling at the last bit? How is it possible to remain so calm and quiet? And standing up, with nothing to lean on? Incredibly strong woman.

[VisualiseAHorse]

I didn't howl during the crowing stage either, although it was immensely painful, and I'd howled for about full 3 hours before that!!