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6 Tips For An Unmedicated Childbirth

May 7, 2018 by Rachel 24 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links

Just 5 and a half short weeks separate me from meeting Baby #3. And, though I’ve been in disbelief for most of this pregnancy, it’s all starting to get real. Really real.

See, I know that in order to meet this beautiful new baby, I first have to endure childbirth. Beautiful, terrifying, childbirth.

For those who are new around here, you may not know that I prepared myself for an unmedicated childbirth 6 years ago with our son. I took Bradley Method birthing classes (12 weeks of intensive classes) and readied myself accordingly; but after 24-hours of awful labor, I finally gave in to an epidural.

With our daughter, just 2 years ago, I felt much more prepared — having been through labor before, but also knowing things they just can’t teach in childbirth classes — and I labored without medication and delivered Remy just a few hours later.

But I’m still nervous about the prospect of childbirth. There’s always the fear of the unknown — of not knowing how this labor will progress; when this labor will begin; and what state I’ll be in.

So in an effort to remind myself of WHY and HOW to attempt an unmedicated labor and delivery, I’m sharing my tips below!

1. Educate yourself.

I’m going to be honest — I have a passion for self-education. But what fueled that fire even more? Taking a birthing class. As mentioned above, I chose the Bradley Method birthing course because of its focus on natural, unmedicated, birthing education. It was 12-weeks of classes. Twelve very intensive weeks. I learned so much and it opened up my eyes to so much.

So if you’re planning on an unmedicated delivery, I highly suggest taking a Bradley Method course (there are local teachers all over the US). If you can’t take one of these courses, still get the book Husband-Coached Childbirth and give it a read!

2. Have a plan.

… a birth plan, that is. Know exactly what you will and will not do when it’s go-time. My main points to be noted for my nurses and my doctors is that I would prefer (a) to only have a Hep-Lock (or a Saline Lock), which is basically an IV catheter, and (b) having intermittent monitoring versus constant monitoring.

Basically, to state this at the beginning of admittance is saying “Here, nurses + doctors: The IV is ready if needed and I will monitor as you see fit; but that also means that I can get up and labor out of bed, without restrictions.”

Know what you want your restrictions to be and write them down. Yes, write them down, type them out, or have a list on your phone of things you want done. Whatever you do, be prepared to communicate with your team!

3. Have a support system.

My husband sat through every second of those 12 weeks of childbirth classes. It not only helped us to be on the same page with what we wanted our labor and delivery experience to be; but it helped him to become more comfortable with the fact that he would be seeing me in a tremendous amount of pain.

We communicated that the one thing I would need in those moments was unwavering support. I needed him to be strong in the moments where I could not; and I needed him to have my back for my birth plan, in case someone offered to ‘intervene.’ He did both of those things both times. He never once suggested an epidural and never once wavered from seeing me in pain.

Sure, later, he admitted that it was incredibly difficult to watch me and be unable to make the pain stop; but he did exactly what I needed him to do in those moments.

4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

I cannot say this enough. I think the downfall of my first delivery was that I started laboring while dehydrated (turns out iced coffee doesn’t boast excellent hydration…). And, from there, the dehydration sort of snowballed. And the cramping was excruciating because my body just couldn’t keep up.

When I felt the beginning contractions with baby number 2, I immediately kicked up my water intake. I was already drinking lots and lots of water; but I just started drinking even more of it! And to NOT be battling dehydration while laboring was a HUGE benefit. I swear that this is what helped me make my way through contractions.

5. Be prepared.

Make sure your hospital bag is packed — and packed with the items that will help you. I feel immensely more weak when I am nauseous; knowing this, I packed several essential oils that helped ease my nausea. Between lavender and peppermint oil, I would stick a couple of drops in my hands and just sniff them when I got hit with a wave of nausea.

I also found music that was comforting to me. I didn’t know what that music would be before my contractions started; but once I found a few songs that helped me to focus, I played them on repeat. (Unrelated: To this day, those songs make me incredibly emotional, just bringing back thoughts of those final moments before I met her.)

If you have something — a physical object — that brings you comfort, bring it with you. For some, this could be a pillow. For others, this could be a stuffed animal. Really, it could be anything. But if it brings you any comfort, do not hesitate to bring it along.

6. Know that you are capable.

I still think back on both of my experiences and am so proud for what I accomplished — bringing a new life into this world is no easy feat! I know that if I hadn’t been so sick with my first labor, I could have done it without that epidural; but actually doing it the second time around? Was life-changing. I felt so strong and so powerful.

And, although I am nervous about this upcoming labor and delivery (because, pain), I know that I am capable of absolutely tremendous things.

If you’ve been through childbirth,

what would you recommend doing to support

an unmedicated labor and delivery?

 

Filed Under: #MomLife, babies, birth story, children, crunchy granola, health, labor and delivery, mommyhood, Oh baby!, parenthood, pregnancy, tips + tricks, wellness Tagged With: #MomLife, babies, being a mom, birth story, children, crunchy granola, health and beauty, labor and delivery, mommyhood, oh baby, parenthood, pregnancy, tips + tricks, wellness

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cassie

    May 7, 2018 at 8:38 pm

    This is a wonderful post to read! You have a lot of wonderful suggestions. Thanks for the tips! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Rachelle

    May 7, 2018 at 9:37 pm

    You’re amazing! I wanted ALL the drugs! I had a nice epidural and then I wasn’t pushing good… so they turned it off!

    Reply
  3. Kerry

    May 7, 2018 at 9:44 pm

    Great tips! I can’t believe it’s just 5 weeks away already!

    Reply
  4. Lindsey

    May 7, 2018 at 9:52 pm

    These are great tips! I tried for an unmedicated VBAC and wound up with a repeat c-section but these are all fantastic!

    Reply
  5. Kim S

    May 7, 2018 at 10:57 pm

    You’re incredible! These are great tips!

    Reply
  6. Jennifer Maune

    May 7, 2018 at 11:41 pm

    Going into labor being prepared and educated is definitely something I’d recommend! I think you feel so much more relaxed and ready to take on everything that’s about to be thrown at you!

    -Jennifer
    https://maunelegacy.com

    Reply
  7. Maya

    May 8, 2018 at 1:53 am

    These are really great tips. And a great reminder that no matter how prepared birthing a baby is totally unpredictable.

    Reply
  8. jessica

    May 8, 2018 at 7:32 am

    I’ve heard a doula or midwife is helpful, too! There’s nothing wrong with getting an epidural if you need it though, it doesn’t make you weak 😉

    Reply
  9. Annette Dattilo

    May 8, 2018 at 8:17 am

    Those unknowns really are tough. I remember having calming music too. Best of wishes. xoxo

    Reply
  10. Christina

    May 8, 2018 at 8:31 am

    All great tips for an expected mama!

    Reply
  11. This Messy Season

    May 8, 2018 at 9:07 am

    These are great suggestions!!

    Reply
  12. Lori Geurin

    May 8, 2018 at 11:46 am

    What an informative post about unmedicated childbirth! I must admit that my hubby and I took Lamaze classes before our first child was born. I read all the books and felt prepared, but then 20 hours into back labor when the doctor said I’d have to get an epidural or have an emergency c-section I opted for the epidural.

    Then when our other 3 children were born I had to be induced each time and opted for the epidural. It’s great to have options.

    I love this post and think it’s important for women to realize that whatever childbirth route they choose to take, to treasure that precious baby. Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Bonnie Landau, Special Education Advocate

    May 8, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    This is a great list and a wonderful way for moms to be prepared. I think it’s important to consider all options though. I was planning to do a natural, but due to unexpected complications had a c-section. So planning is important so we know what we want when things take a detour. Great post!

    Reply
  14. Aly Funk

    May 8, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    The same thing happened during my first delivery. I went un-medicated as long as I could but would not dilate at all and finally gave in to an epidural.

    Reply
  15. Patricia

    May 8, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    Wow! You’re getting so close and I’m sure this labor and delivery process will be beautiful for you!!

    Reply
  16. Marya

    May 8, 2018 at 12:50 pm

    This happened to me with my first (26 years ago!) I took Bradley classes but it was a rough birth and I had to get some help. I never wanted to try again after that! I know so much more now about proper breathing techniques & other strategies.

    Reply
  17. Candice

    May 8, 2018 at 1:56 pm

    Great tips! I read up on all this stuff before giving birth! All about the mindset going into it! ?

    Reply
  18. Lisa @Happylifeblogspot

    May 8, 2018 at 5:09 pm

    These are all wonderful suggestions for mommas to be!

    Reply
  19. Eryka

    May 8, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    these are awesome tips! I wish I read this before I had Izzy

    Reply
  20. Taylor Reese

    May 9, 2018 at 9:26 am

    Good for you!!! I’m sure I could do it without but not planning on it! So impressed by your strength.

    xo
    Taylor
    http://www.reeseshardwear.com

    Reply
  21. Aseky Bonnaire

    May 9, 2018 at 11:04 am

    I delivered 2 out of my 3 naturally and I couldn’t agree anymore with the tips and advice you gave! It is sooo important to educate yourself, AND your support system/team. My husband was fully on board with an all natural birth because he was also educated!

    Reply
  22. Lane Patten

    May 9, 2018 at 11:36 am

    Beware. As a physician I can tell you those who have the most detailed birth plans usually have the most complicated childbirths. Your plan (which sounds like it has a lot of room for “adjustment based on what is going on”) is a good one. Whether medicated or unmedicated, the goal needs to be healthy baby, healthy mama!

    Reply
  23. Celeste

    May 9, 2018 at 12:46 pm

    I only know one person who has had birth without medicine. Everyone else that I know that wanted to, ended up having an emergency c-section. I think it’s great that resources like this are out there as long as you keep in mind that at the end you have to do what is best for the baby.

    Reply
    • Rachel

      May 10, 2018 at 2:52 am

      Very true. There also is a lot of information regarding c sections in the Bradley method birthing course too. 🙂

      Reply

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