comments on natural childbirth

[Kristie]

I have been listening to PregTASTIC since my husband found it early in my pregnancy. My daughter is now two months old and I have continued to listen. I have enjoyed the podcast and have learned a lot.

I have a few comments on natural childbirth. I had planned to have a natural childbirth, but after being on bedrest for two months and missing my natural childbirth classes as a result, I did not do so. The pain was intense and I decided to have an epidural so that I could enjoy the birth rather than suffer through it. That said, my daughter was born three and a half hours after we arrived at the hospital. I was not completely numbed by the epidural. I was able to move into different positions and I was the one who directed the pushing since I could still feel the contractions. My daughter latched on immediately and was a vigorous nurser from the start. She was also quite alert. My milk came in the day we left the hospital and she was three ounces over her birth weight the day after that. So, I just want to say that an epidural doesn't always have negative consequences for the baby.

I'd also like to point out that although the the human body is designed for childbirth, maternal and child mortality rates were much higher before modern medicine. Women used write letters to their unborn children because the likelihood that they would not survive was so high.

Anyway, I do want to try a natural childbirth next time and I commend everyone who is successful in doing so. But, for everyone who doesn't make it or doesn't choose to go that route, there is no reason to feel guilty.

Keep up the great podcast.

[skipnjif]

I agree so much with what you said...With my first pregnancy, I did what most people tell you not to do...I had no "set in stone" birth plan. I decided that I would hold off on an epidural as long as I could- if and when I had had enough, I would get the epi and proceed. I decided six hours into active labor, to recieve an epidural so that I could get some rest and enjoy my labor and delivery. When the time came, I was able to push and everything was great. Despite a positive experience and a very happy/healthy baby, I struggled with guilt and a sense of "wimpiness" for not going natural. It took a while to get over the sense that I had done something wrong and accept the I delivered my child safely amd healthy and that's what is important.
Two weeks ago, when it was time to have my daughter, I went in with the same "plan of action" Seven-and-a-half hours into an induced labor I was 5-6 cm dilated and asked that the anesthesiologist be called back into the hospital because I was wearing down. I hopped into the tub to wait, went into transition, and she was born 30 minutes later (poor anethesiologist arrived five minutes before she did). Once again, she was also very alert and nursed as well as he did, but there was not a significant difference in their condition or behavior.
What WAS different is how I felt...I was able to get up and move sooner, I had less "tubing" (catheter, IV, etc) so I felt less tied down, and my recovery has been HUGELY easier. Most importnantly, I feel a tremendouse sense of accomplishment...like climbing a mountain or something. I look at it this way...ANYONE who is able to bring life into this world...no matter HOW they get it done...has conquered and accomplished great things. Natural childbirth IS better in some ways- and certainly something to strive for- but I certainly would not trade the birth of my son for anything....epidural or not.

[npittard]

I'm glad someone brought this up on the forums. I listened to Pregtastic throughout my pregnancy and now my son is two months old and I have continued to listen to the podcast. Recently, some of the opinions and views that have been expressed on the show struck me as rather self-rightious.

I had a birth plan and I was on the fence about pain medication but I ended up being induced so that pretty much went out the window. I received both IV medication and two epidurals (the first one wore off) because I was induced. The IV medication I was not crazy about and I know that does have some affect on the baby but my son tolerated everything very well. I was told by the nurses and my doctor that the epidural doesn't affect the baby because the meds never enter the blood stream, they go directly to the nerves around the spine and therefore are not shared with the baby. I have to believe that my care givers wouldn't supply me with misinformation.

A comment was made on one of the recent shows that you simply had to look at the difference between and infant born naturally and one born with an epidural to make an informed decision. It was stated that babies born with pain medication have more problems and are less alert. My son was very alert after he was born and has breastfed like a champ from the very beginning. He was back up to his birth weight within 6 days of birth. I feel like comments like the one I mentioned before are not what I felt was in the spirit of the original Pregtastic show. I always felt like it was a forum where pregnant women could get together and share their experience but not pass judgement on anyone else's decisions about how they should or shouldn't manage their own bodies and birth experiences. The comment I mentioned implies that anyone that wants pain medication cares less about the affects on their baby. Although my personal birth experience didn't turn out quite like I had expected it to, I am totally happy with how everything went in the end. My son is beautiful, happy and healthy. I recovered well from the experience and I feel the care my son and I received from our doctors and nurses was excellent.

I commend anyone that goes through the joys and trials of being pregnant and giving birth. Even in an ideal situation it is still a difficult thing to accomplish, but I think we all have to do it our own way and no one else should be judging how the job gets done.

[tealfrosted]

I'm so grateful that I found a show like pregtastic when I was barely 12 wks pregnant for first time and clueless about Prego-life. I just had my gorgeous baby boy on Feb. 22 (two days after my due date) and I can definitely relate to all of you. During my whole pregnancy I prepared myself for a natural birth (no pain meds) the night of my due date my water broke and the next morning I was given a potocin. It felt like a roller coaster ride gone wild. It took me from having beautiful Braxton hicks to 2 min apart strong real contractions. I held for four hours and had two epidurals (the first one numbs only half my body) the second one really did the trick. Few hours after that I was so numbed that I push my baby with so much might and courage that impressed my husband. (I was impressed by him cutting the umbilical cord). My baby latch like a pro only 30 minutes after birth. Now, I'm happy to say that I have a fav milk supply established and a very happy baby by my side. It's still painful when he latches thought. I also have a pain in my back, sort of like an after effect of the epidural. Did this happen to you??
Thank you again Pregtastic for such a fantastic and informative show.
Although I do not know the podcasters, I grew so close to them and loved it when they shared their ups and downs. Thank you PREGTASTIC!

[Smittenk]

I have been listening to Pregtastic since I found our I was pregnant back in October and have thoroughly enjoyed all of the shows!

I'm sad that some listeners would be offended by the recent shows on natural childbirth (and I am assuming the Hypnobirthing series in particular?). I myself am practicing Hypnobirthing in order to hopefully have a natural childbirth in June. I think it is a truly personal experience and decision and no one should be put own for their birthing choice.

I never wanted to breastfeed and actually found it to be a practice I didn't want to do but I listened intently to the 4 part series on breastfeeding and learned alot. I wasn't offended by those people who cheerlead for breastfeeding and put down parents for formula feeding but maybe now I should have spoken up for those that may have.

All pregnancy and parental choices are those of the the people involved. I love Pregtastic for exploring all views...I have gotten so much out of this podcast!

[tingzon72]

Kristie,

I just read this post....Here are my comments to you. You did what you had to do to get through it. The reason why the epidural didn't affect your baby is that you only had it for 3 hours. That is exactly as it should be used when used. The problem is that mom's come into the hospital dialated to 1 cm and want to be hooked up to the drug. Unfortunately, that is when it becomes a long labor, and it's unproductive, thus making the need for additional interventions a higher probability. Then, there's the risk for a sleepy, unproductive feeder of a baby.

You used the epidural the way it was "Designed" to be used, a small sitting dosage that allows you to still feel contractions and pushing, and you were already into full labor when you got it, from the sound of it. I also think that your anestheseologist knew what he/she was doing by giving you a dosage that was enough to take the edge off, but not so much that it completely made you paralyzed of sensation.

Good for you. But, I do caution those who go into it thinking that your outcome will be like Kristie's. More often than not, too much epidural is given rendering the mom completely senseless. Then the ramifications take effect and the result can be (more often than not) a very sleepy baby on his/her way to jaundice and weight los because of poor feedings or lack of feeding desire.

Warmly,
Veronica Tingzon

[Kristie]

Hi Veronica,

You're right. I was about 7 centimeters when I arrived at the hospital (I had been five centimeters for a couple weeks, but not in active labor) and I got the epidural about an hour after arrival. I only had it for two hours or so. I also asked that it not be too strong. Thank you for clarifying the situation so that the information is more accurate.

Kristie