In your opinion is an unmedicated birth with a first baby "do-able"??
Before you answer please take a second to read my story. I’m 34, expecting baby No 1 in December. I am an "emetophobic" (phobia of vomiting) which means I get into a terrible panic state if I even think I might be sick (last time I was sick I went into actual shock). I’m also terrified of hospitals!!
It would be easier for me to have a homebirth but thats not possible because I am taking anti-depressants (Paroxetine) which my doctor has advised me to continue throughout my pregnancy. I need to give birth in a hospital in case the baby has any withdrawal from the Paroxetine (I wanted to stop taking it but Dr advised me against that).
Because of my phobia I am terrifed of nausea/vomiting in labour and my Ob/Gyn Cons has advised me to therefore have a waterbirth and avoid having narcotics to avoid any sickness from the drugs. But all mothers I’ve asked seems to think that it isn’t possible to have a first baby unmedicated because of the pain and length of labour. Opinions?
momma2mingub –
Yeah sadly I know some women do vomit in labour for no reason or at transition. My Doctor says that if it really bothers me I could have a shot of antiemetic (thats the advantage of being in a hospital I guess) to prevent it. I had an antiemetic shot when I had to have a general anaesthetic last year for a laparoscopy and it seemed to work as I wan’t sick, so I will definitely ask for one in labour. If I do throw up and go into shock I guess it could harm the baby so its probably a good precaution to take. I always knew having a baby would be hard with my phobia but other emetophobics have bad babies and survived so I guess I will too . . .!
I’m trusting my Consultant that a first time birth is do-able in water with no narcotics!!
Belza –
Yes it is just me being/feeling sick that sends me into a panic. I can cope fine with babies/children throwing up or possetting (which is just milk so its OK) – I’ve babysat several sicky kids in the past. I don’t like adults doing it in front of me though which is another reason I hate hospitals – people puking up in the same ward/toilets or corridors or the smell of it freaks me out.
I hand’t decided on natural childbirth myself its my Ob/Gyn Cons who’s telling me to do it to lessen the risk of being sick from pethidine or gas n air. I’m planning to use a Birthing Centre so can’t have an epidural there.
My friend had her baby with gas and air only. you can use tens also…. it is definitly do able….you could always choose pethadine at the last moment or you could choose to have an epidural. Good luck
October 4th, 2009 at 7:49 am
My friend had her baby with gas and air only. you can use tens also…. it is definitly do able….you could always choose pethadine at the last moment or you could choose to have an epidural. Good luck
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October 4th, 2009 at 8:03 am
they used to have no option so its do able
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October 4th, 2009 at 8:47 am
It all depends on your labour, some women are lucky and have a bit of backache then bingo, baby pops out. I had an abruption (with my first child they are rare so don’t panic), and therefore required a lot of pain killers then eventually a general anaestetic as my baby was in distress. Do without them for as long as you can, but if you need them, don’t suffer. Concentrate on meeting your baby for the first time. Good luck.
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October 4th, 2009 at 9:29 am
I think it is possible. I had a natural birth with 3 out of 4 of my babies. I have never had a waterbirth but I have heard that it does help the pain. Do you have a doula? If not, you should find one. They are wonderful in helping with breathing and relaxing exercises that may also help you not need pain killers.
I wish you luck! Birth is a wonderful thing. I hope you get to enjoy it without worry and sickness.
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October 4th, 2009 at 9:44 am
My mother delivered me AND my 10 pound brother, DRUG FREE! She tore her rotator cuff with my brother’s birth (sucks doesn’t it?) The only think is, she doesn’t share your phobia. I would SUGGEST a water birth because you are weightless and you don’t have as much pressure pushing down on you during labor, which lifts off some of the pain. I would suggest doing a water birth, they are much better for you, regardless of your phobias! You can do it! Good luck.
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October 4th, 2009 at 10:21 am
I had my first and second without any medication. Women all over the world have been doing it forever. You will be in hospital so if it gets too bad they will help you. All the best.
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October 4th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I believe it is, I know a lot of women who have had their first children unassisted without much pain, I have also known women orgasm from giving birth, and so the idea that birth has to be painful is not true in all cases.
I think it has a lot to do with socialisation rather than just medicine and biology, women are taught anything to do with sex or their sexual anatomy is ’supposed’ to be painful, take for example loosing your virginity or menstruation; Loosing virginity in a lot of cases is down to ignorance about anatomy and sex, but also in many cases a result of the girls fear of pain. Menstrual cramps are in most cases perfectly preventable, however a lot of women think it is normal and so do nothing to prevent the pain.
I think if a woman is well educated about childbirth and she is aware that it is not necessarily painful then it will make childbirth a lot easier, certainly if you are expecting it to be painful chances are it will be – I am also of the mind it is detrimental for childbirth to be painful, it makes me wonder why it is painful, it would not seem natural to make something so important to human survival painful.
That then does pretty much spell pain for you though, which is unfortunate, it may be an idea to look more into un-medicated and unassisted births to see what options there are and what other women have experienced. I would also suggest perhaps looking into hypnotherapy because by the sounds of it childbirth is not going to be a very pleasant experience in terms of pain for you as it is, without the added problems you have mentioned here.
Good luck whatever happens.
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October 4th, 2009 at 11:48 am
It is possible, one word; epidural! To help labour try tens machine and gas and air. pain killers don’t work for everone anyway, pethodine made me sick. I ended up having a csearian for my first, and insisted on not being put to sleep. (my phobia) not recommended for you as vomiting is likely. but if you really that bad, why not opt for a full anaesthetic c section. I’m surprised your doctor hasn’t suggested it?
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October 4th, 2009 at 11:55 am
First of all, congratulations! You might be sick of hearing it, but if it’s your first child, probably not. Secondly, your Dr knows what he/she is talking about, so have a bit of faith. I’m sure there will be a plan B if you need some medication, so try not to worry about what may or may not happen.
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October 4th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Well I tell all those other women "NONSENSE!"
I’ve had three babies, all unmedicated births. FIrst was unmed hospital birth (about 18 hours), #2 was freestanding birth center waterbirth with midwife and #3 was home waterbirth.
First off – have you discussed switching to a different anit-depressent? Maybe there is something else you can take?
Have you considered a hospital birth with a midwife?
Have you considered hiring a doula? I *HIGHLY* recommend this if you want an unmedicated hospital birth. Some hospitals will even provide a doula for FREE if you ask in advance. She will support you through labor, stay with you the whole time and suggest things you can do to cope or ways your partner can help you.
Waterbirth is GREAT. Being in the birth tub really does a lot to help you out and make you more comfortable. There is a reason a lot of people call it "an aqua-dural" because it WORKS.
If you dilate quickly, expecially in the transition period, you could become sick during labor. Have you talked to your caregiver about that?
Make sure you can remain active and move around. Find out if you can eat and drink light foods in labor (clear broths, Gatorade, Jello, grapes, protein drinks) to help you maintain your energy. Consider using a birth ball during labor as well. Make sure you get a nurse who is supportive of unmedicated birth. If you don’t "click" with your nurse, ask to talk to the charge nurse and ask for a nurse who is supportive of unmedicated birth.
You CAN do this!
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October 4th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I think its possible. People used to do it all the time. But If you are scared of getting sick while in delivery, take some birthing classes. It wont take away the pain but it will prepare you mentally for it and it will help you manage the pain with the way you breath.
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