Don't close your mind to drugs. Just saying that sometimes they are the only option you might have. My labor actually backslid and petocin was used to try to bring it along.

ON the natural child birth thing.....go with a c- section..... Much easier ROFL- or so I think since I had to have two. (the petocin didn't work).

I admire your determination. As for myself, I couldn't get enough dope to ease the pain

But, I do have a friend that had her three boys at home with a midwife and loved it with no drugs. Each boy weighed at least 8 pounds and she was only 5'2" and weighed 100 before she got pregnant. My friend claims her home birth was easier, recovery time was shorter and she had less bleeding. She looked great just minutes after giving birth and her boys were more alert than mine were at birth (from all the drugs)

You should rent The Business of Being Born. It's a documentary that addresses exactly your concerns. The US does have the highest C section rates in the entire world because they want to move women in and out of the hospital as quickly as possible and to fit all the births around the doctors schedules...instead of just letting nature do it's thing. They always tell women they need the C section for some medical reason and that their baby is at risk because of course, no woman would say no to that. C Sections are rarely medically needed, yet half of all births in the US are done by C Section, which is riskier for the baby and the mama. Almost everyone I know who has babies ends up with a C Section that they are told is medically necessary.

Definitely have a birthing plan in place. Even though you are having the baby in a hospital, you can still have a midwife with you. The midwife is there to be YOUR advocate and stick up for your wishes. They will be the ones to help you and the doctors stick with your birthing plan when you may not be in the frame of mind to stick up for yourself. I highly recommend getting one and getting to know her before you give birth.

Check out that movie though, it's certainly eye-opening. I got it on Netflix and it changed the way I thought about the birthing "industry".

Good luck!

Make a birthing plan with exactly what you want. Tell your birthing partner too. But you don't have to stick with it. Go with what you feel like at the time. Just practice your breathing it really helps. I managed 2 natural births with out killing my other half. I couldn't stand the taste of gas and air. Best bit of advice is listen to your midwife

Don't let anyone scare you away from going natural! It's mind over matter. What you need is support and encouragement and if I'm the only person in the entire world you can get it from - here I am. You can absolutely, definitely give birth without medication.

Fear makes the pain worse.

I totally understand that there are circumstances where medical intervention is necessary, and a smart, supportive midwife will be honest with you if this is the situation. However, not every person who goes in with the intention of birthing naturally will fail. Stop listening to people who criticize it. If you have to, stop telling your unsupportive friends/family that you are going natural. Just lie to them and tell them you plan on getting an epidural so you can be spared the criticism. The last thing you need is to hear their horror stories and negativity. You need to surround yourself with positivity and develop an "I know I can" attitude, because this is what is going to help you the most.

Don't fear the pain. The pain is helping you to deliver your baby, it isn't hurting you. Do not fear injury, instead, work with each contraction and enjoy the rest in between. Don't push until you feel the urge, or you will wear yourself out and need the epidural to finish labor. Let your body direct you.

Read Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, and refuse the negativity. Stop watching birthing shows, if they weren't scary no one would watch them. Horrifying birth gets ratings...and the last thing you need to do is scare yourself. If you're scared, it will stop your labor. The connection between your mind and body is amazing.

And for some closing words on the book I just wrote - you need a supportive midwife. You do not need to go into this feeling like your caregiver is against you. Please send me a message if there is anything else I can help you with - I want you to feel encouraged and like you can do this because you can!

My advice would be to be prepared for the unexpected! I read every story, every article, watched a bazillion shows on TV and thought I was prepared for anything.... and I can tell you that the birth of my son 14 months ago, ended up being like nothing I had ever read or seen. lol

I had a three page birth plan and most of that went out the window at one point or another. My water broke at 12:15 am, we got to the hospital at about 1:30 am. Thet got me all situated, hooked up to my gadgets and we waited for BS to come.. and waited and waited and waited. 54 hours later I had to have a C-section after several attempts at inducing a normal labor. I was lucky in that I never really had any real labor pains during the whole 54 hours, my cervix never dilated past 3 cm. Apparently in my case, BS head got wedged in my pelvis and he wasn't going anywhere without intervention.

the funny thing is that having a C-section was the thing I was most scared about and most hell bent on avoiding... but it had to happen and I can say it really was not all that bad. The worst thing was being loopy for a few hours after due to the spinal and then not being able to get out of bed the first day.. but we survived!

anyway, good luck, hope it goes perfectly for you!!

Be prepared, in the good ole USA doctors push for as many interventions as possible...I HATE how they have butchered childbirth.

Are c-section rates are way higher then other industrialized nations...it is a disgreace. The induction rate is mortifying...the interventions with pitocin which tends to actually stall labor...the more interventions the more chances of complications leading to c-sectiosn. I DESPISE the approach the medical community has with birth. Yes that show is crap-showing all these interventions as normal.

I suggest checking out The business of being born, orgasmic birth (not as crazy as it sounds lol) and other natural birthing movies/videos. NOTHIGN TLC or Lifetime would produce.

THey have butchered childbirth so bad here-i do blame the medical community. It is a damn shame. Do not think your doctor is interested in YOUR approach at all.
Have your partner stand firm with you against any intervention pushing ideas.

It is EXTREMELY rare to have situations that necessitate all these interventios or c-sections. We've just been sold that it's in our best interest and we bought it.

My first labor was extremely long, painful and FULL of interventions-I nearly ended w/a c-section, the second not as mnay but still too much-I'm SO mad I didn't know then what I know now. I'm past wanting to have children-but if I did I guarantee-illegal or not (ridiculous anyway)...i'd be birthing at home w/a midwife.