Ok, so the first topic for my new blog is going to be "Natural Delivery vs. Medicated Delivery"
At this point, my birth plan is to try to deliver naturally (both vaginally & non-medicated) but I am open to the idea of an epidural if I am not able to handle the pain. After much research, watching many videos, attending classes and of course speaking with many mothers, I have learned that everyone has a different opinion, along with extremely valid reasons, as to which way they recommend giving birth.
For instance, one of my best friends experienced complete and utter torment while giving birth to her son naturally compared to, in her own words "birds singing," while giving birth to her daughter while being medicated. While at the same time another friend of mine hated the epidural experience with her first daughter and absolutely loved the natural delivery of her second daughter, once again years later.
In my studies, I have learned that natural is the best way to go when it comes to the baby' s health. Not only for the lack of medication traveling through the placenta to the baby but also, the benefits of coming through the birth canal as God intended. I have also learned that our bodies were made to handle the delivery of the baby by numbing certain parts of our bodies and naturally doing what it needs to do to deliver, just as a woman in a coma would give birth without pushing. I have also learned that there are many benefits for the mother to give birth naturally as well. For instance, there is less chance of a c-section, she is able to experience the birth of her baby, the chance to hold her baby right away for the release of much needed endorphins and hormones to bring her breast milk down and prevent postpartum depression, creating an immediate bond with her child, less recovery time, etc. Here is just one great documentary by Ricki Lake
So here I am, about to have my first child and of course, like all other mothers-to-be in this world, wanting the best for my baby and I, so I am educating myself as much as possible to be able to weigh the pros and cons of natural delivery. One thing that has given me a lot of courage was watching a ton of "unassisted birth" videos on YouTube, YES, there are seriously a ton of these, here is the one that blew my mind the most Unassisted Birth Standing Up, I mean come on, if she can do this why can' t I? Now granted this is her second child but can that really make such a big difference? In addition to the women who thankfully shared their deeply personal and buck-naked delivery experiences, I also feel much more prepared mentally to withstand labor after learning that there are actually Stages of Labor. By understanding the different stages and knowing the worst stage is the Transition Phase when the contractions usually last 90-120 seconds with breaks of about 1 or 2 minutes in between. Being this phase typically only lasts for 30 minutes to 2 hours and the fact a time distortion may also be experienced in this phase that makes it seem to pass more quickly and may make this period difficult to remember clearly after the birth, motivates me to hang on for dear life to make it through this phase! This is also the phase when the mother is especially vulnerable to suggestion and doctor recommendations due to fear, pain and experiencing grogginess or a mental fog which is common during this time.
Even though I feel like I am going to give birth any day now, I am not due to have my son until August 6, 2012 and would love to get more testimonies of mothers who have given birth naturally, or at least tried to give birth naturally, regardless of the outcome. I would of course love to hear that "birds were singing" from all of you but I am a realist and need to hear the good, the bad and the ugly so please do not hold back! I am hoping that all mothers-to-be will learn from our experiences in an effort to be more prepared for their own personal deliveries. Thank you sincerely.
