How do you do it?

I wonder the samething course in saying that I am planning a homebirth this time round with no pain relief. For me I think it does have alot to do with a mind set the whole "if I believe I can then I can" However if at anytime it gets too much I will be going to the hospital and having the drug's it is always an option.
I guess it is a case of doing what work's for you not all of us are the same and we need to do what we feel is best for us and our families.

Well I had all 3 :

Gas - Made me all wheezy and the room started spinning and I couldnt make out what people were saying or where in the room they were (I had my eyes shut as I was scared if I opened them I would flake out!)

Pethadine - Made me throw up yucky green stuff, also made me majorly DEHYDRATED! Yuk

Epidural - I had a contraction when the guy was putting the needle in my back, ended up going into my spinal space causing an epidural headache...

So I had all 3 and hated all of them!! But with #2 I will probably have an Epi if I needed one, just will make sure that I am not having a contraction while they are doing it!!!

I've had two drug free births, and hope to do the same again. I don't know that it is particularly a "mind set" that you need, but having a fairly high pain threashold (sp?) seemed to help me. I am not against having pain relief, but wanted to see how well I would go first. I don't like the gas, it makes my head spin and makes me feel out of control... but if I got/get to a point when a shot of pethadine would help (as it did for my Mum when having my sister) then that's fine.

Umm... as far as pain relief goes, the hot water helped! I had water births in a spa bath both times. Breathing with the contraction helps, and listening to your body. Being upright seems to make a difference... I delivered Kiya squatting, with my midwife supporting my upper body with her hands under my arms. I delivered Josiah kneeling, leaning on the end of the bath, and if I can this time that's the position I'll choose again.

i had a drug free second birth, which is what i really wanted for my first too, but due to circumstances was unable..... anyway, for me it was just focus and breathing, moving into comfy positions.... a nice bath..mmm.... it was only while in transition, not knowing it at the time.... that i was thinking... hmmm i dont know how much more i can take, but than i found out i was ready to push! i am hoping for another drug free birth this time, but like i did with both other births will go in with an open mind.

I had a drug free birth up until i needed the c section.

for me it was just a matter of concentrating on my breathing to get through the pain, and while it was painful, its not as painful as having gallstones.

My midwife had me practising mediations before the birth just to help me focus.

im positive that if you want a drug free birth then thats what you will have

I can agree with Becca, hot water helps - i had two drug-free births too.

but also i just remembered to BREATHE, like all the other ladies said. now i don't mean none of that crap lamaze he he ho he he ho stuff, but really breathing properly, in really deeply, and out again, i remember reading something about breathing like a fire-breathing dragon and it works, like pushing all the pain out with each breath, slowly and deeply... eyes closed, and not focused on the pain but on the breathing, if you focus enough you kinda get into a trance, and yep it still HURT HURT HURTS!!! but you can get through it.

I do remember it getting intense with Paris but it all built up slowly, ayja was out of control and i was in no way calm nor quiet, i now get what they mean when they say the URGE to push, it's horrible and hard to fight, never got that with paris...

still, short births, - over quickly - if i had a 10 hour labour i would probably give in and have druggggsssss

i had a 24 hour drug free labour.....but it was NOT by choice!

i laboured the majority of my labour at Bethany centre (where i stayed during pregnancy) i "coped" with the pain by having spa baths and terrorising my mum and mate (my labour partners)...my friend actually hid from me at one stage.Cow.
Finally i thought feck this, off to the hospital and my dear friend epidural i go, on the way i had the urge to push, but wisely kept my mouth shut (i was in so much pain i couldnt actually talk) cos my mum wouldve panicked and driven the car off the road
When we got to the hospital my mw told me the anesthesist would be another 20mins, i was not impressed, then cos i was bored and thought id add to the drama i said i needed to push and she took me seriously (fool)and checked me and oh goody i was fully dilated, and oh joy and rapture i said good bye to my friend anaesthesia and pushed that baby out (took only 45mins so not too bad)

Straight after i said id never ever do it naturally (however i also said id never have er, intercourse again too) now id love to do it naturally again one day, preferably at home, apparently hot/cold packs pressed against that region in labour are good.

But i also say, they have drugs for a reason and if there available to be used....use them if you want.
I am yet to recieve my medal for doing it wthout drugs....cos we ALL deserve medals....no matter how u do it, epi,c-section, naturally standing on ur head (u really deserve one for that lol) we are all bringing amazing human beings into this world and for that...we are all super heroes.


thankyou, novel over

I had a drug free labour for 18 hours, and was given an epidural when it was clear labour wasn't progressing too well and I was just so exhausted. And I tell you what, I wanted to marry the anaesthetist!! Go the drugs I say. There are no medals handed out for doing it without help, but then maybe a great sense of achievement makes up for the pain. I would have been happy if Joshie had come without me needing the drugs or the c-section, but if I was to have another baby I will be getting the epidural as soon as the contractions start!!!

When my specialist bought the anaesthetist in to ontorduce us I made him promise to give me the epi when he caame back.... I mean I had hold of his hand and everything. I really didnt want to let him got lol. Ended up calling my specialist a lier once I realised i wasnt get the epi!!! Bloody man doctor what the heck does he know!!!

I must say while the gas made me feel a little weird, it really helped me concentrate on my breathing which is a distraction (realy). Maybe just breathing through a mask would help next time (assuming there is a next time - starting to like the idea of just two kids)