Natural births

[JE87]

I'm 25 weeks pregnant with my first baby and starting to think about the birth.

Just wondering out of interest how many people managed to have a natural birth on their first and didn't need c-sections etc?

I would love to think I can just have gas and air, no stitches and it be easy as that but am I being naive ha?

My sister had her first vaginally with gas and air. She did tear but mainly because they couldn’t cut her in time (and because she refused an epidural which protracted things).

I had a water birth with my first with just gas and air and no stitches. In fact, apart from being a bit long winded and needing my waters broken, it went as smoothly as you could hope for.

Both my SILs had similar births to mine, straight forward with no complications. It does happen, but I do think you need to keep an open mind. Just remember it's not how you give birth that matters, you don't win any points for not using any pain relief if you need it.

Me.
Fairly quick - about 8 hours from leaving home to DD being born. Gas and air and a little ventouse help at the very end. No stitches or anything. All nice and simple.

My first labour was water birth with no pain relief (beyond hypnobirthing) and no tears. Second delivery of large baby, no pain relief and no tears. I would recommend reading some Ina May Gaskin.

My first was born vaginally, with only gas and air. I don’t think I would have dared say to my friends who had c sections that their births weren’t natural!

Not naive, I think it’s good to have an idea of what you’d like but def keep an open mind. My plan was to try for a natural birth but if I wanted an epidural then give me one. That was for me, I felt in control & not fixated on one idea.

Ended up with a 72 hour labour, stalled dilation, induction drugs, a failed epidural, a spinal block and finally forceps Not particularly ideal but I have no negative feelings towards it all as I went in open minded!

Now TTC no.2, so I’m up for doing it again

I had a vaginal birth, but it wasn't very natural! I had an induction (pessary, gel, drip, the works) and an epidural, but got lucky and had no tearing.

It's good to have an idea of the birth you'd like and prepare for it (hypnobirthing, researching alternative pain relief, etc) but know that you're kind of along for the ride on the day and need to keep an open mind!

First was emergency c section and horrendous. Second was vaginally with gas and air.. slightly better but wouldn't recommend. Third was natural with no pain relief whatsoever..I can honestly say it was the best birthing experience with the easiest recovery too.

Me. 17 hours with gas and air and an epidural right at the end so it didn’t help until after DD was born. Had a couple of stitches.

It was bloody painful but I wouldn’t panic about doing it again.

I'm sure you will have a natural birth and will be fine, but to add to experiences; I didnt dilate past 4cm even with drip so ended up with emcs after about 24 hours in labour. Was absolutely fine, ds was fine and I healed really quickly. If I have another child I think I'd opt for an elective.

Remeber: the perfect birth plan is to go in pregnant and come out with a newborn, whatever happens in between happens

I think it's good to have something in mind thay you'd like but be very prepared for it to change.
I had a natural water birth with gas and air, but did tear significantly which led to surgery. I've no lasting issues though so it wasnt the end of the world.
I'm hoping for a natural birth this time, but maybe a bit slower to prevent another tear (dd arrived 50 mins after arriving at the unit)

Yes, Ina May Gaskin is an inspiration. I managed a drug free birth with a labour that lasted 30+ hours. That said, I was open to the possibility that it may not have gone as planned and I did need stitches.

Try not to go in with too much expectation, often it never goes the way we "planned!" Obviously if you've strong feelings against something, then yes by all means mention it. But being too set on an idea of "this is how it's going to go" will only lead to more stress when it happens - the last thing you need.

I had my first through just gas and air but trust me - if they'd believed me when I said how far I was, I'd of been having an epidural. But unfortunately they didn't believe I could be in the pain I was so soon! Then it was too late!

Birth is an amazing experience whatever way it happens

My first was 72 hours, ended up with remifentenil (much better option than an epidural) and a second degree tear.

I tore again with dc2. I know the idea of being torn or cut in that area sounds absolutely horrendous, but it heals surprisingly quickly and I didn’t feel it happening. I felt back to normal again after about three weeks.

My cousin had her first baby at home with no pain relief at all. She was in labour for an hour then she gave birth! Talk about straightforward.

I had a vaginal birth with DC1 but because it went on for ages I had an epidural, and that led to me needing a forceps delivery & of course stitches afterwards because I just couldn't feel to push & DC & I were both getting tired. My next two babies were completely natural with just gas & air, no need for anything else.

DD born in water in a birth centre, gas and air only, 12 hour labour start to finish, no stitches or tears, 10.2lbs!!

DS also in water but at home, gas and air only, 8 hour labour, no stitches or tear, 8lbs

Two beautiful text book births thanks to the same midwife and her colleagues.

I feel truly blessed x

Had my first with no pain relief, no stitches etc

2 DDs 4 years apart - both born on just gas and air, first - epic long labour - contractions for 36 hours on and off at home then 8 hours in hospital with the gas and air. 2nd was under 4 hours from waters going to birth in pool. Job done, no stitches.

At 28 I had a natural birth with gas and air, and some pethidine (sp?)
I did need a few stitches though. Nothing major.

Posts like this sort of upset me a little and I'm sure op you didn't mean to. I had an uncomplicated pregnancy, planned a natural birth at midwife unit poss water birth. Turned out lo was breach and I felt c section safest option for him. Be more open minded and remember c section or any pain relief or option in best interests for baby and you are the most important things

My advice, staying up and about and moving if possible for as long as possible. Even just standing or on all fours. Don't lay on your back unless you really can't take it, slows it all down!

I gave birth vaginally with pethidine. I did start on gas and air but it made me throw up. I didn't tear, just a couple of abrasions. Had my waters broken & baby was born 4 hours after that.

I've had two 'natural' births with just gas and air. The first was terrifying, it was a 'precipitous' labour and i nearly ended up having the baby in my house. I did make it to hospital but lost a lot of blood and the whole thing was really quite traumatic. Not all natural births are whale music and birthing pools and there are no prizes for suffering, so take the pain relief if you need it - I did but it was too late to have any.

My second labour was beautiful. Calm and straightforward, and I really felt in control. I used gas and air for the pushing but the pain was manageable throughout. I wish every woman could experience this but it's just your luck!

Good luck and keep an open mind.