Natural childbirth Puns

This has been bugging me for awhile now. I think it was a tv show I watched, but I’m not sure. Definitely positive I watched it between 2010-2015.

So from what I remember the main character (female) has a sister who is visiting (possibly another familial relationship, but I’m pretty sure it’s her sister.) She says her sister is always bringing up how she had a natural child birth and everyone’s always in awe and she brings it up literally every chance she gets and talks about it like this spiritual experience.

We get to see a later scene or perhaps right after she says this she walks out and her sister is talking to guests outside on the patio at a party about her birthing experience and everyone is enthralled and impressed leaving the main character to roll her eyes in annoyance.

I thought maybe it was Casual? But I don’t think the main character had a sister in Casual.

It’s a very random scene from what I assume is an episodic tv show so I’d be shocked if anyone out there remembers this, but hey, stranger things have happened on the internet. Thanks for reading this far. Hope someone out there may know!

I am 27 weeks with my first and starting to read (well, listen to…I’m an exclusive audiobook listener) books to prepare myself for labour. Due to some health conditions, I’ve been told by my doctor and anesthesiologist that a spinal and/or epidural is not an option for me if I need to have a c-section. I would need to go under general anesthetic. Bummer but I’m ok with it if it gets baby out safely. So I am preparing for a natural childbirth with no epidural, and due to previous bad experience with opioids, would also prefer to avoid those if I can help it. That leaves the gas and all the other strategies I plan on using. All that being said, I am not averse to a somewhat medicated birth if needed, and at the same time, I think having a natural non-medicated childbirth would be great.

I started listening to this book on the Bradley method this morning and found it immediately…judgey. It basically shit talks medicated births. Is there anything I can get from this book that I can’t get from other, less judgey hypnobirthing books?

People often mention water birthing and birthing in positions other than the supine one as solutions to things like perineal tearing. I find it hard to believe that any of these alternatives significantly help; women frequently died in childbirth long before hospitals were a thing.

Moreover, no amount of warm water, perineal massaging, or squatting to birth will spare one diastasis recti and the litany of other complications of pregnancy.

The suggestion is that it's just Western medicine's fault that childbirth is so physically traumatic. Personally, I feel gaslighted once again.

Edit: A core tenet of the "natural birth" philosophy is that if women just "let their bodies do what they're supposed to" everything will be basically fine. The foundational assumption is that childbirth is harmonious with the female body rather than something that results in injury, pain, and lasting complications - which, in fact, it does - even if you birth "naturally."

This got long, newborn won’t sleep so I am bored and awake-

Background- Second kid. Daughter was born early too, but at 36+5, also a fast progressing labor but with her I had an epidural, spent hours pushing, and ended with an episiotomy and a vacuum delivery.

Am a T2 diabetic but my sugars and NSTs and everything had been looking great. Also had weekly Mackena (spelling?) to prevent preterm labor so those totally worked. 🙄

So I was 35+4 and I’d been having a lot of Braxton Hicks for the past week, so it worried me because I had a feeling I’d go early again but not this early. But everyone says they don’t mean labor. Then last Thursday at 4:30AM, I’d been having more bh but was woken up by mild cramping at 4:30 coming in waves, 1 minute cramp, 3 minutes apart. Over an hour they get more painful, but still bearable. I held weak hope that it was gas. But I kinda knew it wasn’t.

I drove myself to the hospital since husband had to stay with our daughter and I didn’t think it could wait for our in-laws to get there. And I was still able to function and the pain wasn’t that bad and they were still so brief. I had about 3 contractions on the 5 minute drive over and just sort of moaned and swore through them.

When I arrived at the hospital and got checked out probably like 15 minutes after I left my house, I was already at an 8. 😳 The cervical check was horrendous too. Like worse than the contractions at that point.

I was not even offered an epidural. I don’t think there was time, because of how progressed I was already. But when I asked for pain relief, rather suspicious that none had been even mentioned, I was told some fun news- there would be no drugs, at all! They didn’t want to give me anything for pain because they worried the baby would come out groggy, and he was already very early so they worried about his breathing. I am not sure if this is standard or not. This is a very small hospital that doesn’t even deliver preemies if they can help it. So that could have played into it. I’m not sure, all I know is that it was the worst possible news ever.

To be fair, I wanted to do no epidural last time and have always felt a little regret for caving in. But, now that I was here again, I was definitely wanting one again and not able to get one.

So, the TW. I read stories of unmedicated births all the time and I have to say I handled it more poorly than what I read about. The contractions began to be truly horrible. Like, I guess I was ripping apa

I’ve read natural childbirth with the Bradley method, but I’m looking for something with more up to date science and experience. Thank you!

WHAT A WILD RIDE, GUYS.

3:45am on 4/27, my contractions finally kicked in for real. They had been sporadic and just general menstrual-like cramps for a few days, but never progressed. Earlier that night I had started to bleed (bloody show) so I knew it had to be soon! Once I was awake and couldn't relax enough to sleep again, I took a bath and soaked for a while as hubs slept. For the rest of the day I just tried to focus on ignoring them until I couldn't anymore! Sent hubby off to work, ran some errands. By that night things were progressing and by 4/28 2am I called it, and we headed to the midwife birthing center to get some support. Water still hadn't broken at this point.

4cm dialated at 4am, by 6am I was 6cm and exhausted. I hadn't slept in 24+ hours now and accepted some morphine to get some rest. Still felt those contractions, but could squeeze a stress ball and get over the peaks. Ugh this was wonderful, I really needed that doze!

By 11am I was fully dialated, and apparently had been for a while -- "don't you feel the need to push?!" .....haaa not fighting that feeling was SO much easier than when I had just been trying to breathe through the pains - I guess that's what it feels like to need to push! Unfortunately my water never broke so at this time she also broke that, and we were ready to bear down. I had been sick a few times during the hardcore contractions so was hooked to an IV to make sure I was hydrated, and now I guess I pushed so hard my blood went up almost to the hanging bag each time! Hubs said he'd never seen anything like it.

Unfortunately, anytime I pushed the babys heartbeat dropped to 75-80 - they said the umbilical cord was being pressed on so asked about switching to my hands/knees to help. He was so low in my pelvis by now that moving around was excruciating. I also started shaking at this point - adrenaline and hormones maybe? I couldn't control it, freaked me out. At this point 5+ more midwives came in and the room was buzzing with activity and support.

This is where it gets fuzzy for me - I got on my forearms and knees on the bed, but then started feeling really shaky and unable to focus. His heartbeat didn't rise enough for the midwives to feel confident in continuing labor, so an ambulance was called and we were quickly loaded up and sent over to the hospital. Cobblestone/pot holes and trying not to push....terrible combination by the way.

At the hospital, I was too far along for an epidural - and I was

Seriously; such a bullshit toxic negative thing to say. Makes you feel like you’re doing something wrong if you don’t have kids and you’re some unnatural abomination....

(Sorry in advance for any mistakes, English is not my first language.)

I (24F) work with some pretty nice people. But there is this one coworker (60-somethingF), let's call her C, who thinks that having kids is the only choice. Like if you don't have any, what are you even doing with your life? Additionally, she thinks she knows everything about being a mother and a grandmother, and will basically invalidate even other mothers' opinions (we once had a conversation about how some women might not be able to breastfeed, for medical reasons or whatnot, and C was outraged, saying 'but it's NATURAL, every woman can do it!', completely excluding women who have to take certain medication for example. Anywho.)

At one point last year, two of my coworkers were pregnant at the same time. I was very happy for them but for a while, most of the conversations during lunch became all about babies and raising children. So I mostly just sat there and nodded (my coworkers don't know I never want kids, as I don't really want to have to justify myself).

One day, we started talking about childbirth, the pain, the possible complications, etc. I am terrified about the mere idea of going through that, and that is one of the many reasons I don't want children. So for once, I participated in the discussion.

The whole time, C was going on and on about how childbirth is so NATURAL, complications barely ever happen if you’re in the right conditions (and by that, she meant in your own home, with a doula, without any pain medication or anything). She said that with modern medicine, we were becoming too paranoid, and that we shouldn’t worry about it and just do it. Every single argument I made was completely invalidated. Her thinking was ‘you’re young, you’re going to change your mind, and you’ll see that it’s really easy, you’re just being a drama queen’.

My other colleagues noticed me getting progressively more upset as we were talking, I even started to tear up a little. At one point, I was so tired of C pressuring me into agreeing with her worldview that I said, in a sort of ‘ominous’ way, ‘I’m not even sure I will be able of having kids anyways’ (I was referring to my back problems, and I’ll admit that I was being overly dramatic because they probably wouldn’t prevent me from being pregnant, but they sure would make it even more unpleasant). Everyone stopped talking, they were kind of uncomfortable because they didn’t know what I meant and I looked visibly upset at that point

I’d love nothing more than to give birth to my future children with no pain relief if it’s possible but I’m absolutely petrified of the pain. How can I prepare myself and maybe completely overcome the fear.

I will not be able to do an epidural due to the medication that I am on. Does anyone have experience in a natural delivery while on Pitocin? It didn’t occur to me until today, but are you able to use the bath/shower or at least get up and walk while on Pitocin? I’m concerned about not being able to use such techniques especially since I can’t have an epidural. Any information or advice would be really helpful.

I'm having a very hard day today and coming here to vent.

A little over 11 years ago, I was about 34-35 weeks pregnant. I was only 20 at the time, but I felt like things weren't right. I felt like I needed help.

I went to the hospital, and the staff assumed I was tired of being pregnant (honestly, I was, but there were other issues too).

Then my son had a late decel on the monitor that lasted 10 minutes. If I had understood the significance of that, I would have demanded an immediate c-section.

I was 20 and naive. They admitted me for observation overnight, and the prolonged late decels continued. Instead of a morning c-section, they started pitosin as soon as they decided my son was in trouble. The late decels continued for 9 hours until he was delivered.

Now, he needs physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. He can't tie his shoes, write, or type. He can't play team sports. He has trouble with sitting, standing, walking, and running.

Every time there is a new life experience that he misses out on, the wounds are reopened. I try never to show my guilt or sadness in front of him, but it just kills me that he was robbed of so many things because we let him stay in a dangerous situation for too long.

The natural childbirth advocates, however, would count that as a success. They rate doctors according to their c-section rates, not the birth complication rates. A doctor who acted immediately to save my son's neurological function would be vilified as "wanting to get to the golf course."

Natural childbirth advocates have no medical training, but have created a hostile environment in which there are negative consequences for prudent medical treatment. I was never a proponent of natural childbirth, but our family now pays the price for their pressure and propaganda in a daily basis.

The word "natural" has positive connotations. It makes us think of the thing being described as somehow purer, free of pollutants, unadulterated. Who doesn't love a bottle of natural springwater?

But natural childbirth? Nightmarish torture that can mark you for life in more ways than I even know (and I vehemently opposed it when I knew a tenth of what I know today) is natural? I guess natural's not always good then. Fresh water and something that rivals anything a horror movie scriptwriter could invent get described with the same word? What are people smoking? The phrase "natural childbirth" is nothing more than a blatant plug for - and frankly, a lame-ass excuse for - humanity's deeply flawed reproductive process.

And it burns me up when people say this horror is better for the baby.

THE. BABY. IS. NOT. THE. ONLY. ONE. WHO. MATTERS.

My mom opted for natural childbirth - and expected me to take it as a compliment that she endured horrible pain so that I would come into the world with a clear head. Brilliant, Mom - I'm pretty sure I would have understood if by getting me a little stoned you could save yourself from feeling your vagina rip - especially on a day I don't remember anyway.

Wanted to check in to find out about how other women are planning to get through labor and delivery. Does anyone have any experience with just focusing on the breath (doing prenatal yoga for practice) and or hypnobirthing? What resources did you use to help practice and keep you confident during labor & delivery?

Pregnant with my second. I had an epidural with my first and I'm looking into going the natural route with this one, but a little worried about the pain. I did have back labour the first time around, so I've heard that is much more intense which is probably why I caved and got the epidural.

What do you prefer and why?

TIA :)

Wow, I wasn't expecting the downvotes for asking a genuine question (and perhaps not wording in the 'right' way that has everyone's knickers in a knot even though Webster's and Collin's dictionary defines 'natural' childbirth as being unmedicated). I thought this was a place for support and to help each other. Has that changed? Luckily, I don't take this to heart, but perhaps someone who is a new mom and hormonal just might. I would hate to think we can't support someone who asks a question.

We live in Brownsville and are looking for a natural childbirth option in Mexico. I've called around in Matamoros, but have only found hospital options so far. My wife had our first three children naturally (one at home, one in a birth center and one in a hospital), and we would prefer not to go the hospital route again.

Can you recommend any natural childbirth options on the Mexican side of the valley? Matamoros or Reynosa would be optimal, but we could certainly go out to Monterrey if it makes sense.

Warning: this is long.

I’ll start out with a little background on the natural birth of my first son 3.5 years earlier. My first son was 8.5 lbs and the labor was really intense and long. I labored at home from 10pm to 6:30am when my contractions got really close together. I arrived at the hospital at 7am and was 7cm dilated. I was in the worst part of labor for 12 hours. I had my son at 7pm after pushing for 4 hours. He was almost born in the bag (it broke as he was crowning), so that’s partially why it took so long. I had asked the midwife about breaking my waters but she told me it would make my contractions more painful and I couldn’t imagine more pain at that point. It was a natural water birth but I couldn’t help but feel kind of traumatized from the length and exhaustion from the pain. For my 2nd son, I knew I wanted a natural birth again. I’ve had issues with medications and I figured since I did it once I could do it again. The practice I’m seeing does not offer water births which worried me because I thought the only way I got through my previous birth was because of the water. Towards the end of my pregnancy I started having constant Braxton-Hicks contractions. It reminded me of early labor with my other son. I even went to the hospital once and realized I hadn’t progressed since my last doctor’s visit, so I knew it wasn’t real labor. At my appointments the last few weeks, the doctors mentioned that they thought my baby might be big since my belly was so big. My last son was 8.5 lbs and I gained the same amount with this pregnancy, so I figured this baby would be around 9 lbs. At my 40 + 4 week appt I was 4cm dilated and 50% effaced. The ultrasound showed that the baby was doing well and had plenty of fluid, but the doctor wanted to schedule me for an induction at 40 weeks and 6 days. I was really concerned because I’ve heard pitocin contractions are much worse and I knew how painful regular contractions were. I went home and did everything possible to induce labor - had sex, orgasmed, inserted evening primrose oil vaginally, used a breast pump, ate eggplant for dinner, whatever it took to try to avoid an induction. I went to bed trying to read positive induction stories but kept reading ones that only made me more anxious. I woke up at 6:30 am and rolled over and felt a gush of water come out. I thought maybe I peed, but it was more than a little trickle, so I knew it had to be my water breaking. I told my husband and we decided I should

If some women contribute to society by working and also taking time off from work to literally helping to create a society, and some aspects of conservatism is rooted in conserving families and society, why shouldn't women be compensated for pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for their infant before returning to work?

I'm finally in a situation where I think I'm ready to have a baby (I'm not as child free as I thought) and I'm allergic to a lot of drugs and pain relief so I'm looking into natural alternatives.

So tell me, am I crazy or is it doable? Are birth classes and yoga useful?

Edited to add: thank you all for your responses. It's definitely a mixed bag, I'm not pregnant yet so I've got time. Again, thanks for all the info I've been supplied with too

Throwaway because I really dont want this on my main account. I'm ashamed and feel awful that, out of everything pregnancy has brought, my one focus during this entire time has been the birth.

Any talk about it sends me into a blind panic. I can't breathe, I get chills, I feel like I'm being forced and violated by others, I cannot handle the thought of it all happening. Being at the hospital, being checked up on constantly and having all this attention on my genitals just waiting for someone to come.

I dont want anyone to look I dont want anyone to be there, I'm so absolutely frightened and it's so incredibly STUPID that it makes me feel even worse.

I've read on the process and I know it's natural. It's okay. Doctors know. Nurses know. My husband will be there with me and love and support me and let me scream and break his bones if I have to. Nobody else will be in there. I know theres things to help the pain and I know It can take a while but it could also be very short. It could be awful but it could not. Theres no way to tell how itll be until the time has come.

But none of this helps to calm me down.

I feel so absolutely scared I just dont know what to do with myself, I even feel shivers and its akin to disgust because I just cant handle others being around but also cant handle it happening in general. All stories of fact just lead me down more paranoia. And don't even get me started on the mass amount of panic that I get when any kind of ripping talk comes up.

I try to come down and be relaxed and most of the time I am. None of this even applies to other women, only to myself for some ungodly reason. I dont know what to do. My second trimester is almost done and as my belly grows, my thoughts of panic just keep increasing more and more and more.

I don't want to be like this. I feel like I'm being selfish and focusing on this one single aspect, I feel like a horrible person because my thoughts arent directed at the little one but rather what will happen to me. But I cant stop them, the panic and paranoia is INTENSE and akin to having a massive phobia.

Please help. Moms to be, moms that are already moms and doing it again, people that have kind words to offer. Please. I don't have any support or anyone in regards to this. I have a therapist and have been recommended a midwife, but I feel it wont help at all Not even my husband knows the full full extent of my panic I think, I've tried explaining but I don't think I've been able to captu

My wife and I are currently at the hospital with our newborn baby girl, who was born yesterday. To start this post, allow me to recount the story of the fuckery that has happened over the last 3 days.

On friday, my wife wakes me up and tells me that shes spotting a bit in her pad. We are about a week and a half from our due date at this point. We go to the hospital, and she's only at 3cm with no contractions. We get sent home, no big deal just a bit of blood (according to the nurses). Ok cool.

Saturday, my wife is having some badass, crippling contractions. No doubt, kiddo is coming today. We go to the hospital and spend a few hours there. After a couple of pelvic exams, nurses say shes still at 3cm and they don't think its time, so they give her some tylenol and send her home.

So we're home for roughly an hour and things get worse. Worse contractions, gooey bloody mess in her pad, etc. Returning to the hospital. We're definitely in labor, and kiddo is coming in hot.

Now, my wife has had a child before. She knows how painful it is, even medicated. As such, she definitely wants the epidural. There's also an antibiotic that shes supposed to have to protect kiddo during birth.

Because of the timing, she got none of these things.

She birthed kiddo entirely unmedicated and not by choice, simply because we were sent home. And I cant even begin to imagine what that was like.

Thanks to her not getting the antibiotics, kiddo is now in the nicu due to infections.

I got to watch her scream some mighty viking warcries, and apologize for swearing (which if there's ever an appropriate time for swearing, I'm pretty sure natural childbirth makes the list) and by the end of it, we had this beautiful baby girl.

So to anyone who has ever had a natural birth, willing or otherwise, you are fucking awesome. You did something amazing and endured so much more pain than i can possibly fathom, and deserve at least some appreciation for that.

And to anyone who thinks they're going into labor, do not allow the nurses to send you home. Especially if there are medications that you need for the protection of your baby. Our situation was mishandled, but that doesn't mean yours has to be.

Tl;dr huge respect for women who endured natural childbirth. True warriors.