Natural birthing

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Have any other Aspies here done a natural childbirth, and how did it go? I've always wanted to do a natural childbirth, partially because I hate hospitals and wouldn't like all of the noise and all those people around you touching you. Epidurals sound horrible to me because I hate needles, and I find the thought of not being able to feel your lower half just weird and unnatural. My mom says I won't be able to handle it because of the pain, but I think I'd prefer it to being at the hospital with all the noise and unfamiliar people.

So if you have had a natural childbirth, how was it for you and why did you choose to do it?

I had a natural childbirth in the hospital. Do you mean a homebirth? You can have a natural childbirth anywhere; I think the "natural" part doesn't apply to the location but rather what kind of intervention you have. I had an easy labor with no induction or painkillers and the presentation was good so they didn't have to cut, and nothing tore. I highly recommend it, if you can take the pain. Make no mistake, it's very painful. Although my baby was over nine pounds, I'd have to say that the pain was mostly the dilation and the cramping of the labor, not the actual pushing or passage.

If this is your first baby, you might be overwhelmed by the experience and may wish to have medical intervention handy. It's entirely your decision, but make sure your practitioner is on board with whatever you decide, and make sure that your pregnancy is uncomplicated enough that a home delivery wouldn't be unwise...

I had an unmedicated home birth of a 10 pound, 12 ounce (5 kilo) baby. I never felt like it hurt -- it was more like intense and interesting sensation for me. Which was surprising because I have an extremely low pain threshhold when it comes to things like stubbing my toe. But giving birth was very beautiful and spiritual so I guess my mind translated the sensations differently. Or else my body handles intense pain great but is lousy at mild pain.

natural childbirth, at home, with 3 midwives. was terrified of hospitals.

45 hours, lots of pain, but had lots of family around, ate spring rolls and drank ginger ale. alternated between a bed, a brthing stool, and a bathtub.

did not dilate properly - had a cervical lip, and the midwives had to use their fingers to lift my cervix around my baby's head. cracked my tailbone and had a not-too-bad perineal tear (7 stitches). screamed, the neighbours sent an ambulance, and i sent it away. i was still okay - i slept between contractions.

baby was 8 lb 9 oz. baby was never in distress, and my blood pressure was okay. her apgar score was okay, but she did get a bit of oxygen after birth.

best experience of my life! really. i would not have done it any other way. hospital births can be just as eventful.

Yeah I guess I mean homebirth- whoops! I always mold those two together.

Sparrowrose, I'm hoping I'll have the same experience as you in terms of pain. I have a pretty low threshold to unexpected pain, but when I know it's coming I'm usually pretty good. I just don't like to be surprised maybe.

Look into going to childbirth classes in the Bradley Method. I found it very helpful. Don't waste your time with LaMaze as it has a very low success rate for unmedicated births due to the breathing style tending to throw women into hyperventilation during labor.