Tilly

I feel that everyone should have the right to choose whether they give birth with or without drugs. I had gas and air and felt very proud of myself because I had coped better than I thought I would, but I don't think I am better than someone who had all the drugs going, plus I know that next time I give birth it could be a completely different story.. everyone has a different experience, it's not a competition. I do agree that some women boast about not having drugs and think it gives them some right to judge others that have to and vice versa! I also agree that it doesn't matter how the baby is born, the main thing is that the baby and mother are healthy and happy.

Moraine

Ah, that is good. I didn't think you would be able to hold them right away. And I meant pain free by having an epidural at the time. Not pain free alltogether!

Amanda

Having one vaginal birth (25 hours labour)and one elective c section, I know which one I will go for again - Section every time!!!!

With the vaginal birth, I was cut and was in agony for a good fortnight after, I was in hospital for 4 days after the birth, couldn't poo for 3 days, couldn't walk, sit or hold Kayleigh properly, and hated the whole birth experience. I didn't cuddle her until she was about 4 hours old as she had the cord round her neck and wasn't breathing. I was so exhausted and drugged up that I was asleep for the first 2 hours of her life, even though she was critical.

For the Section, I could arrange childcare, knew the day I would give birth, it took less than 2 hours start to finish, I was in hospital for only 2 days, cuddled Charlie within 5 minutes of the birth - DH had him first, I had a really quick recovery, and felt human.

Everyone's experience is different, and the choice is your own.

Oh, and I want to also make the point that my mum is one of the best mums in the world - and she didn't even give birth to me! I was adopted at 5 weeks old. That to me shows that you don't have to give birth in any way at all to be a fantastic mum.

Lil_Baby_Boo

At first I always said I wouldn't have an epi, then the more along I got I started to think maybe?

I decided, no birth plan, no dug plan no nothing! I had no idea what it was going to be like.....why try and stick to a plan when I didn't know exactly what I was planning for!?

I ended up having my waters broken.....and let me tell you - I wanted an epidural.......didn't want gas & Air & the other stuff........Naaa just give me the hard drugs!!

In the end I was rushed to theatre for possible section and if I remember rightly they gave me a diff type of epidural and was told had I not have had the epidural in the first place they would have just had to put me to sleep to do a section! In the end they managed to cut me which was better, but had I not have had the epidural when I did it would have been too late when I got taken to theatre and I would of missed out on the whole experience of seeing Noah being born!

I'd say to those who have not been there before to keep a very open mind!

Good job to all those who have and will manage it without drugs though! WOW!!

Tilly

In a way I sometimes feel as if I could have done better lol because I needed gas and air.. you hear about these women giving birth with nothing and it really makes you think. My goal for next time is to try and be more strong, but I bet when it comes to giving birth I will just be screaming 'DRUGS!! give me drugs!!'.

Samantha675

I don't think it makes me more of a woman because I am planning a natural home birth, ie a birth with no interventions and no drugs. It is my choice. I have done my research, and feel comfortable with my choice, but it is not for everyone. I do think that women need to learn about what intereventions do to the process of birth, how it will affect them, how it will affect the baby, and what the long term affects are. My major problem with the birth industry in the US is the systematic undermining of a woman's belief in her body and its ablity to bring a child into this world. In the US 1 in 3 women are having c-sections, and this does not have to be. Look up the numbers and it is really scary now. All this technology is not making for healthier babies or healthier mothers. I do know the system in the UK is a bit different, so I can only give my opinion for the US system. Most women do no know that pitosim is going to cause a much stonger more painful contraction, something that will cause more stress on the baby because of the artificial strength of the contraction, and a woman's doctor does not tell her this. That is what I hate! So I do feel that when a woman's options are taken from her, then she does lose something in the birthing process.

lifeguard

I don't believe I am a hippie because I want a natural birth. And in fact I really need to disagree with the tone of much of this post. If anything I feel I am made fun of & disrespected by other women for my beliefs & wants. I won't even talk about my birth plans with many of my friends to avoid this.

I agree that every woman needs to make the choices that are best for her. But I also believe that many make those decisions based on very little & wrong information.

I just wish that we could each do what felt right & have true support from other women. Too often we are so busy feeling judged by each other & defensive that we can't be supportive.

nikky0907

Nobody said that women who have a vaginal birth are hippies,we just said that a woman doesn't have to be judged by how she chooses to have her child.
Some women act superior because they had a natural no-drugs delivery.
However,I doubt that any woman on this forum is like that,I know that women here are very liberal and nice...

tinytoes

no one is calling anyone anything. But there are certain people in teh world who seem to look down on ladies who opt for a C or who have epidurals etc. IT's justa fact. IT's not nice. I'm not accusing anyone in particular at all!! And I'm not saying everyone who has a natural birth is a hippy, god no!!!! my sister in law had a home birth and she's just marvelous.

tinytoes

[quote=lifeguard;298899]I don't believe I am a hippie because I want a natural birth. QUOTE]

you mis-judge the tone of the post. some women look down on others for their choices. they are the ones who i object to. The ones who seem to think that anything but their way is right and best for baby.
Like if I have a C section I know certain people who will think it's a cop out. Certain women who will feel secretly smug and will think "hmm....least I gave birth naturally, I did a better job" etc. etc. Not people here. People I know in teh flesh. People who get right up my nose.
So please, no one take offense.