Saturday, March 9, 2013

Help me out.

Perhaps you will remember that with my third child, I tried to have a natural delivery. You can read a little about that here.

Turns out, with Rose, I had no choice. I made it to the hospital less than an hour before delivery. (Story later for you strong-stomached peeps.) Good news is, this time I actually prepared. I read a book. And practiced natural birthing techniques.

I wanted three things from a natural childbirth.

  1. Pain-free recovery
  2. "Runner's high"
  3. Bragging rights
And here's the thing, friends. Didn't happen. Here's what happened instead:

I had just birthed beautiful Rose, and I held her on my tummy while adrenaline gifted me with the shakes (which had lasted all through labor and for about an hour after), and all I could think was: "I'm gonna drop her" (I didn't), and "Why the devil do women choose to do this without drugs?"

So, dear readers, what's the secret? What did I miss?

13 comments:

  1. What about the recovery? I noticed recovery was way better/easier with natural.

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    1. You know, I found major differences with recovery when I was induced (with 2) and not induced (the other 2). Recovery seemed a lot better when my body actually was ready for delivery. As far as recovery with an epidural, as soon as it wore off, I don't think it really made a difference. I had an epidural with Claire, was not induced, and that was the most amazing recovery ever. But that's probably just weird me.

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  2. I didn't get the shakes. I have to admit though, I can't recall any amazing benefits from doing it natural. I mean, I did get to walk around sooner, but is that a huge benefit? Not really, in my opinion. I don't feel like the recovery was better or worse than with my epidural births. I did love the fact that I didn't have to get a needle in my back though. Getting an epidural put in was very unpleasant for me with my first two babies.

    Even though I didn't notice major benefits, I am really glad that I did it natural because I've had a strong desire to experience that since my first pregnancy. But would I do it again? I really don't know. I go back and forth on that.

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  3. I 100% agree! I declined holding my baby because I was so shaky and weak. I definitely still remember the pain 9 months later.

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  4. I was forced to give birth to Christie naturally because she was here upon arrival at the hospital and I was like WHAT??? But it was such an easier recovery for me. I was still pretty weak (needed help to the bathroom, etc.) but I "felt" like I was well enough to run a marathon -- I felt so great. If I were ever to have another baby again (not going to happen probably) I would def try to go natural again.

    Of course, I had all the cramping and aches and pains and it seemed like I bled forever after that birth (Ew, sorry) but looking back now almost three years later, I'm glad it went down the way it did.

    Love you! Hope you're doing okay.

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  5. I did both of my deliveries naturally because I wanted to, so I have nothing to compare with. But I think the thing you missed was exposing your baby to drugs she didn't need. You also missed increasing your risk of a longer labor and further interventions, like a vacuum or an emergency c-section.

    I completely understand why people don't want to feel what's going on during childbirth--it's not fun--but I don't understand how you can push effectively if you can't even feel your own pelvis.

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    1. Good points, Kathryn. (It's so nice to "see" you by the way!!)

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  6. Just joking ... Did your midwife have any idea? I only got the shakes when I had IVs - I think they just mess with me even when I didn't get meds -

    Did you get to eat & drink in labor? Bradley class teaches dads big job is to get mom OJ right after to rehydrate and get some sugar in her system

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  7. Just like everyone's pregnancy is different, I think everyone has a different labor experience too, even if you do all the same things. The shakes might have come in part if you were in labor for a long time. I've never experienced the shakes, but then my longest labor was only 5 1/2 hours. And as far as a "pain-free" recovery, I've birthed four children without anesthesia, and in my opinion, the recovery is sometimes worse than the actual labor... but that's just weird me.

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  8. I haven't had an epidural with any of my three but my last babe was my only completely natural birth (and he was 9!!! days late--talk about being ready for the baby!) and it was by far my easiest and fastest. The other two I had pitocin which I feel like made the labors harder to handle (i.e. I wanted to die:)). That said, I had #3 at home and couldn't tell you what made more difference-not being in an uncomfortable hospital or not having any drugs. After #3 was born it was the first time that right after the labor I thought "I could do this again" instead of "There will never be another Platt baby born. ever." Not saying a natural birth isn't painful, wow, it is. But, really, what I mean to say is CONGRATS to you! Rose is sweet name. Love it!

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  9. I had an epidural with #1 and had #2 naturally and loved my experience the second time around so much more! With my first, I hated not being able to feel my body or know when to push or what pushing felt like and that feeling of not being in control of my body. I felt so much stronger and empowered with my second, and I thought my recovery was so much easier. But isn't it crazy how bodies react differently in the same situation? I agree with an earlier comment that maybe your body was just depleted and needed some hydration and OJ. And congrats!

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  10. I have gotten the runner's high every time. And I have had an epidural every time (two successful, two only partially successful). With each of the four births, I have pushed for 1.5-4 hours. Yes, that is PUSHING, not labor. And I love it! I would give birth all day for nine months rather than be pregnant. And I have no need to try it without the drip.

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