Drugs or no drugs?

DoBetterDrea

Just finished watching "The Business of Being Born". Wow...just wow.

I really want to have the baby without drugs...I wanted that before I saw the movie, but I want it even more now. I don't know if I can handle that pain though...argh.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

jaimemariel

Oh man! I just watched that tonight too! I don't have any suggestions for you though other than what the movie delves into. Know what your options are. Plan on having an advocate with you like a doula or midwife who can think more rationally that you can in that moment. Research your OB/midwife/hospital options to determine what is possible.

I'm not a "no drug under any circumstance" kind of person. I'm a whatever is safe and best and reasonable person. And I will be birthing at a hospital. But I really don't want someone to take that moment away, after he/she is just born. I'm afraid that's inevitable in a hospital environment.

rosy003

If you are really committed to no drugs I recommend you take a class to teach you breathing and other coping techniques. If you feel prepared going into it you will be less likely to panic. See if your hospital offers classes or if there is a birthing center near you that does.
I saw this movie too- I thought I wanted to be drug free, but I was pretty lazy about it. I don't think I ever ruled it out completely in my mind, which is why I wound up deciding to get an epidural with each of my kids. I will do it again with this baby- my experience with it has been good. But I totally understand not wanting to.

VelociMama

My plan was to do a drug-free birth, but I ended up with an emergency c section.

I second the suggestion to do a birth class to teach you breathing techniques. It was really helpful during my labor.

lilchino4af

If you are really committed to no drugs I recommend you take a class to teach you breathing and other coping techniques. If you feel prepared going into it you will be less likely to panic. See if your hospital offers classes or if there is a birthing center near you that does.

Getting into as many classes as possible and doing as much research ahead of time to know your options, the pros/cons/etc., and having a doula/midwife to discuss potential scenarios ahead of time to better prepare you will definitely help (all of which I've done). Also, there's quite a few books out there that are also great; my fav is by Ina May Gaskin who puts the whole labor/delivery time into a whole new perspective and knowing how it's supposed to work and that it's a different/good kind of pain makes it easier to mentally cope with as well (L&D I'm convinced like many other aspects of life is 80% mental/attitude). But, as others have said, don't be completely against meds or other alternatives because baby doesn't know what you want and s/he will come how they want to come and it could be in direct conflict with your plan so you'll have to be open to compromise. Good luck!