tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post1487694811946942321..comments2023-11-01T16:14:45.338-07:00Comments on Sole Searching Mama: Avoiding the Epidural?? 3 Effective Methods to Help You Reach Your
Natural Birth Goals {MMM Vol. 7}Sole Searching Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791024176229050045noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-75912019727857333902014-05-14T04:51:09.453-07:002014-05-14T04:51:09.453-07:00Just found your blog and am 41 weeks with number 3...Just found your blog and am 41 weeks with number 3! The first two were natural, the second being in the water. I don't know if you have access to water birth (our CNMs are amazing up here in the Twin Cities and many hospitals have birth tubs), but for me it made between the most intense contractions bearable. Many blessings on this birth for you! Nell @ Whole Parenting Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18191618874497967241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-11318817477854315502014-05-13T21:09:21.401-07:002014-05-13T21:09:21.401-07:00Hi Susan, Been enjoying your blog for awhile, foun...Hi Susan, Been enjoying your blog for awhile, found your blog via your post on raising boys--5 of my 6 are boys! Just had to say I loved this post! My first two I had epidurals, then after a similar aftermath I had to go back to natural w/ the last 4. The thing that helps me is I remind myself about how an epidural is just not an option for fear of what will happen to my spine. "Birthing Ball" really worked this time rocking in a figure 8 motion and also a rice filled sock in a glider. But, best of all was saving the Jacuzzi for when I thought I couldn't stand it anymore I had that in the back of my mind that I had one more form of relief! Good luck to you and I'll be praying for a safe and quick delivery.Shannonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-7312408953016107722014-05-13T12:34:57.635-07:002014-05-13T12:34:57.635-07:00My mantra is 'keep movin, keep movin" -- ...My mantra is 'keep movin, keep movin" -- honestly, if I have to lie in the bed, it deflates my resolve. <br /><br />I totally agree with you about chiro care -- I went with this pregnancy, and I think it made a WORLD of difference. I could feel the baby moving down with EACH contraction. I was amazed. <br /> <br />I only did RRL briefly, as it gave me contractions at 32 weeks .... eek!<br /><br /><br />I shared all of my tips here ---<br />http://thekennedyadventures.com/10-tips-to-having-a-natural-childbirth/Dianna@The Kennedy Adventureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12500717403567536590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-48978718274614285442014-05-13T11:29:41.473-07:002014-05-13T11:29:41.473-07:00What is so fascinating and interesting is that eac...What is so fascinating and interesting is that each and every birth story is so different & unique. Some may have similar things in common, but they are still perceived differently by each person. I've given birth to 6 children, 5 of them were induced, 1 was not. I found no difference between the one natural one and the 5 inductions. I loved being induced and without telling each story, they were all slightly different, but legit reasons for being induced (never because I wanted a certain date, or whatever reason others choose.) Anyway, back on topic, I've never had an epidural for any of my births. I'm big on deep breaths and working through each contraction. I always enjoyed having music on. I always got to a point where I tuned out that music, but I enjoyed it and it kept me focused on God & His plan for that labor/deliver. So ya, to be all hookie, meditation, prayer and deep breaths got me through each one.<br /><br />I know it's different for everyone and some want their epidural from the moment of conception (ok, one girlfriend jokingly told me that). But our bodies were created to do amazing things if we just let it. Best wishes on your upcoming delivery!!6 Pack Mommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07396117511075836581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-43671342613988982352014-05-13T06:12:21.035-07:002014-05-13T06:12:21.035-07:00Awesome, Amy!! I am going to look up the pressure ...Awesome, Amy!! I am going to look up the pressure point today. I love any form of natural pain relief, and that sounds like a good one! Thanks for sharing!!Sole Searching Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791024176229050045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-28634816063810390482014-05-13T06:11:30.355-07:002014-05-13T06:11:30.355-07:00I agree, Christine, I was induced with #2 and it w...I agree, Christine, I was induced with #2 and it was AWFUL!! Thank you for your prayers - with 3 weeks to go, there is a lot of excitement in all of our hearts around here! :)Sole Searching Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791024176229050045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-1835817017219151992014-05-13T06:10:12.620-07:002014-05-13T06:10:12.620-07:00Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me, Susan!!...Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me, Susan!! I was a MESS with my first 2 labor/deliveries, and really the missing key for me was mental prep. I agree, the controlled breathing and visualization to relax is so critical to keep labor flowing. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually looking forward to the birth of the baby, instead of being afraid or having anxiety about it. Thanks for tuning in each week - I love knowing you are here! :)Sole Searching Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791024176229050045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-23243240507428004842014-05-12T19:25:54.812-07:002014-05-12T19:25:54.812-07:00Susan, our sweet Gianna was natural and it was the...Susan, our sweet Gianna was natural and it was the most transformative and spiritual birth experience I've ever had. I'm telling you, soliciting those prayer requests for labor was my lifeline. That, and a husband who was a complete and total rockstar during L&D. I couldn't have done it without him. You have my prayers as you labor with your newest addition. You really do amaze me!Kathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349027213799283352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-26744964697137171022014-05-12T19:17:24.426-07:002014-05-12T19:17:24.426-07:00I agree with the jacuzzi. It helped so much. Altho...I agree with the jacuzzi. It helped so much. Although I couldn't for my 4th because I was induced and there were a lot of factors. But water helps everything.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15968478074259385397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-47594460516832221562014-05-12T13:09:59.904-07:002014-05-12T13:09:59.904-07:00Great post. I had an epidural with my first child ...Great post. I had an epidural with my first child and unfortunately my body liked it so much it led me to a c-section. I had absolutely no feeling and couldn't tell how efficiently I was pushing. I "pushed" for 6 hrs and ended up with an emergency c-section. I had a c-section for the first one as well, but if I were to do it again and considering a vbac, I would definitely consider au-natural. Good luck to you !! I hope the delivery goes well!!Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17572556245744093363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-82316701823773334542014-05-12T13:07:01.249-07:002014-05-12T13:07:01.249-07:00I don't think I could have had my 3 natural bi...I don't think I could have had my 3 natural births without the jacuzzi. Getting in the warm water was so relaxing!!!Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11451797365712728579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-70107966497679326882014-05-12T11:21:56.952-07:002014-05-12T11:21:56.952-07:00One of my favorite natural labor reliefs is the ac...One of my favorite natural labor reliefs is the acupressure point on the bottom of my feet. I don't use it until I really need it, I try to save it for transition. It's in the middle top of the arch of your foot. I'll have my husband or doula press as hard as they possibly can during the contraction, it floods the pain nerves and actually results in the contractions being less painful. My doula thought of it during my first natural labor and I don't think I could do labor without it now. Blessings to you on your upcoming labor!Amy @ Consecrated Housewifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00388283707930930940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-17664341023368017012014-05-12T10:01:13.216-07:002014-05-12T10:01:13.216-07:00I have had three births with an epidural and three...I have had three births with an epidural and three without. For the first three kids, I was induced. Water breaking without contractions made my doctors nervous, so I was given pitocin. Labor was excruciating, and I begged and pleaded for the epidural. For my 4th, I had a new doctor who didn't make me take pitocin, even after hours of no contractions. Compared to the other labors, I wasn't in pain at all until the very end. It wasn't until 8cm that I even felt uncomfortable. No epidural was necessary. I never felt better during a labor or after. He showed me what a labor could really be. There was no way I was going to let them give me pitocin for the last 2 babies.<br />I guess the only thing I can say is don't get induced. :)<br />I am so excited for you! I can't wait until the day I open my reader and see the announcement.<br />I'll be praying for you and the baby and the rest of the family.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6039084287472642442.post-20484744993938032122014-05-12T08:38:34.577-07:002014-05-12T08:38:34.577-07:00Love this post (again). I was blessed to have 4 na...Love this post (again). I was blessed to have 4 natural births - 2 of which were born at home - 1 of which was a water birth. Was it easy? NO! I was the hardest, most rewarding work I ever did, both mentally and physically. I was not a 'zen' mama - and had my share of anxiety before the births: would the baby be fine? Can I cope with the intensity again this time? As my mother said, 'It is called LABOUR for a reason!' :) I have never run a marathon, but if I ever do, I won't just turn up a the start line without training mentally and physically, expecting to complete the run. It is the same with natural childbirth. So many women (rightfully so IMO!) desire a natural approach but the fail to prepare and often feel let down when the labour doesn't proceed as they envisioned. So I found HypnoBirthing (or Gentle Birthing) and Pregnancy yoga invaluable. Learning to control the breath and using the breath to control your body (or at least work with it) and bring strength to your body and peace to your mind is so powerful. However one of my favourite tricks was from neither of these but from my sister Gwen - a champion mother of 7! During contractions, using the strong slow exhale, visualising the breath you exhale painting a window frame (like spray paint). You chose the colour each time. After 4 windows, your contraction has usually passed. When you get to the stage where you are "painting" 6 windows, your baby is almost here! I don't know if it is my arts background, or the use of a bit of creativity during labour (I think I was attributing different colours to my different moods during the labour) but it worked! 4 times! My midwife said she has shared this technique with countless mothers after me and it seems very popular. Susan I wish you all the best for the coming weeks ahead. I am SO EXCITED for you. I will be staying tuned. God bless you and your wee baba! - Susan in IrelandAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com