Any Tips/Advice on having a "natural" drug free birth?

[Tryharder]

Am expecting DC3 in July. Gave birth to DS1 and DS2 without any major complications but had an epidural each time because am a complete wuss and couldn't stand the pain.

I am interested in having a more natural birth without an epidural but I am really frightened of pain. When I was giving birth to DS2 in relative ease (couldn't feel anything), all I could hear was the woman in the next room screaming in agony, saying she wanted to die etc...

Has anyone got any tips/advice? I have relatives who live in West Africa who give birth without even gas and air and I feel so "pathetic" in comparison. I have considered hypnosis but it's expensive so if anyone has got any feelings on that, would love to hear them!

Thanks in advance..

Tryharder - I had DS with just gas and air. I went straight into very strong contractions and focused on breathing while rocking (not something i'd come across before, but it definitely worked), groaning and using my tens machine. As the contractions became more painful I started to think that I would have to have some drugs because I couldn't cope with any more pain and at almost exactly the same point DH whispered in amazement 'Y'know, you're gonna do this on just gas and air!', which gave me the encouragement to keep going.

But please bear in mind that everyone feels pain differently and every birth is different and if you feel that you want an epidural, you shouldn't hesitate to ask for one.

Tryharder...
Sorry, but I haven't read all the other posts here, so I may be repeating. I think a 'natural' birth is great, but I also think you are being hard on yourself feeling 'pathetic' or like you are a wuss for having an epidural. There is absolutely nothing to feel badly about having pain relief...if having a natural birth will stress you out or make your experience of childbirth upsetting, it isn't really worth it. Epidural or not, you have laboured and delivered two babies, which is amazing!!

I had an epidural with DC1, but it didn't 'take'...I had to be jabbed twice, and I could still feel some pain. That made me decide against it with DC2, but that's the only reason I went drug free. I found that in the drug free scenario, I didn't try to 'escape' the pain...I knew it would hurt, and just tried to work through each contraction as it happened, and that made it more bearable, I guess.
Good luck either way...

I found walking very helpful with both labours, very distracting. With DC1 I went shopping but with DC2 I pottered around the house and garden. I breathed through the pain and made the effort to totally relax my body with every contraction. With DC1 I stayed at home for as long as possible and was 8cm on arrival at hospital but in the bright room with less control I found the pain so much less manageable than before.

With DC2 I had him at home and I made myself a 'nest' in the darkened living room with cushions and sheets. I had done a lot of reading about the biology of labour and the hormones released and was determined to make it as 'animalistic' as possible (Michel Odent was one of the main books I read). I stayed there for the last few hours of the labour and only DH and my mum were allowed in without asking first. I did what I felt was right for me and the midwives respected my wishes and stayed at the other end of the room observing. With each contraction I moved into a position that helped me using the cushions (on side, on knees, leaning against DH/sofa, on all fours) whilst my mum rubbed my stomach and back. When I pushed it was amazing, totally pain free and I felt really primal-as if I was working in one with my body. When i felt he was about to crown I called the midwives over and let them deliver the head but I was totally in control throughout because I was in my space and not the midwives. The hormones that hit after DC2's birth was astonishing, I had the biggest gurniest grin on my face for a week.

With both labours the TENs machine helped but mostly as a way to mark the beginning and end of a contraction, giving my birth partners a cue as to when to stick the G&A in my mouth! Also the second time around I knew it was going to end at some point, probably sooner than the 22 hours I was in labour with DC1, whereas the first time I had no idea how long it was going to take.

I really hope you get the birth you want, the birth of DC2 was the most amazingly positive experience for me.

Hello All
First post on MN, pleased to meet you!

I'm currently 33+4 with first baby and am enjoying reading the advice and experiences of everyone on here.

Re Natural Birth - I'm keen to give it a go too, although I don't know if I'll manage it entirely. My motherly friends and my sister (4 DC, all born at home, pain relief: paracetamol and a warm bath) have highly recommended Janet Balaskas' New Active Birth book (very good on preparation involving yoga and different birthing positions) and books by Sheila Kitzinger (one of the earliest pioneers of natural birth - particularly good on the roles of relaxation and breathing during labour).
I'm finding them inspirational and although I can't predict whether I'll be able to do it all au natural myself, they have been very reassuring and excellent at removing my fears and trepidation about giving birth - which is probably a good part of the battle in itself!

Good luck with whatever you do - as previous posters have said, the most important thing is that you and the baby come out of the whole experience okay, no matter what the process was like.

At the minute, my offspring is unobligingly lying in breech position, which may make all my yoga and relaxation practice redundant - although I suspect I'll need suppleness and the ability to relax even more when actually a mum - don't think a spot of yoga can ever really be a waste of time!

I really enjoyed reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth - she has lots of tips for dealing with pain. If you get your birth partner to read it too, you'll be on the same page and he/she can remind you of the pain relief strategies while you're in the midst of it.

I'd also highly recommend pregnancy yoga if there's a good teacher in your area.

Consider a home birth - without the immediate option of pain relief you're more likely to stick to your natural birth plan.

That said, your best bet at a pain relief-free birth is to have a short labor! Since it's your third child, hopefully that's in the cards for you.

Someone on here said on a different thread recently that the anaesthetist had said to her, whilst during her epidural, that you wouldn't have a tooth out without anaesthetic so why have a baby out without anaesthetic?? Sensible advice, I think.

I don't think there's any need for heroism during childbirth (which takes a hell of a lot longer than having a tooth out after all!).

If you feel you need an epidural go for it and don't feel bad about it. The only disadvantage I can see is that you're stuck in the hospital for longer whilst it wears off.

Have good support & tell them how you want them to be with you.

My husband knew I would thump him if he once said "push/pant you can do it etc".

Listen to the midwives.

Do what feels right.
I had 2nd on all fours as when they said it was time to push I knew I couldn´t get upon the bed.