Options and Pain Relief During Childbirth

I think that most women don’t realize that it is possible to reduce the pain of birth just by learning about their options. In fact, it is possible to have a painless birth or even an orgasmic birth.

I’ve experienced two painless births myself. I didn’t have an orgasmic birth but I did have at least two clients who did.

The first painless birth was with my first baby. The second birth was with my twins. I had an unusual set of twins in that they were mono-amniotic. They were wrapped up in each others cords 10 times! So, I did end up with an unexpected c-section. Unexpected because I wouldn’t consent to one until I was at 9 cm and was certain that this was the right decision without coercion. However, I did get to 9 cm without pain. I even started talking through my contractions at 8 cm because I got bored of waiting for them and I had to speak to the doctors and dozen residents who were in my room.

Although I had a spinal for the c-section, I never had any medication whatsoever AFTER the birth. Not even a tylenol. Nothing. I felt like I did too many sit-ups but I wasn’t in pain. I’ll have to write the whole story up one day but for now I’ll just say I used the power of my mind – just another birth option.

Why would I mention a c-section when I’m dong a blog on natural birth? Because when you educate yourself fully with independent childbirth classes, read great books, get a doula and learn several tools to help with reducing discomfort during labor, you will change your birth. Usually you will prevent unnecessary medical intervention but in the case of a true medically necessary intervention, you’ll find yourself feeling empowered and calm. No fear.

The biggest gift that I was given for the birth of my twins was my own book, “Journey into Motherhood”. After reading and re-reading the stories during the process of publshing the book, those stories of empowerment stayed with me. Despite having unusual circumstances at the birth of 29 week old twins, I had a really great birth. I always felt like I was in control of my decisions because I was. I had decided to be.

I’ll be posting these birth stories from the book daily. Read the additional comments and the author’s notes. You’ll find a lot of options to make birth better and easier.

Labor Natural or With Medication: The Big Question

Continued …

Or maybe this is a digression again.

When I decided to write the book, I decided on having only stories of Natural Birth. Little did I know that I would create a firestorm of controversy. Didn’t know that “natural birth” was a loaded word or that the planet was so divided by natural versus medication.

My point was that it was possible to have a painless birth without medication. It really is. I had one and I’ve had plenty of past clients who can attest to this. I also have lots of friends in the birth world now who know this to be true. There is a whole world of women who have experienced the phenomenon of painless birth but it is still a taboo subject.

I thought that the book would be embraced by those wanting medication at birth. It would give them confidence that if someone who didn’t have any type of pain medication could do it and have a very good – sometimes painless – experience that they could have one too whether or not they took medication.

My agenda was “Your body, your baby, your way”. Give people all the facts, take away the fear and birth will become much better! You’ll make better decisions during pregnancy and during birth and have a happy birthday despite labor.

Learn from the successes of others.

To Be Continued: