Comments on: In which I ask Nell about tough decisions and discuss birth

By: What is being a Natural Mom all about?

What is being a Natural Mom all about? — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:43:22 +0000

[...] My mom also talked at length about her birth and mothering experiences. I wrote about this recently on my blog (http://naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog/in-which-i-ask-nell-about-tough-decisions-and-talk-about-birth/) and that had a lot of impact on me choosing natural birth. Watching my sister’s experiences also influenced me. [...]

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:16:54 +0000

I’m just catching up on my blog reading, and LOVED what you shared! I could relate to so much of it! I really appreciate what you said about people calling you “brave”. I can’t count how many women at church said that to me after my homebirths, and all I can think is “There wasn’t anything brave about it, having a baby is just a normal part of life.” I wish more women would really grasp that fact, but at least my daughters know the truth now and are on the right path.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:05:03 +0000

Cara – I’m sorry all that happened and you didn’t have the birth you imagined. There’s always the next one.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:02:41 +0000

Well maybe we are a little crazy Tishia. LOL! Your Doctor told you the standard party line but there are many women who pulled off a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean), even VBAC at home! You might want to research that if a baby is ever in your future.

By: Cara

Cara — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:20:52 +0000

Thank you for sharing. We planned a natural birth, I even had a NP/Midwife. But it ended up being very dramatic. I developed pre-eclampsya, borderline HELLP, and had to have an emergency c-section because the placenta abrupted. It was a freak thing and shouldn’t happen again. Next time I will go the full 9 months and do it like a woman – all natural!

By: Tishia Lee

Tishia Lee — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:15:43 +0000

I had my son via c-section (with no medication up until they had to prep me for my c-section) and it’s sad to think back to it because I was so doped up on Morphine after the surgery that I don’t remember even holding him for the first time

I always thought women that went the natural births at home were crazy but I completely understand why they all do it now! I think it would be so much more ‘relaxing’ to be able to be at home and not have a gazillion people in your face telling you to do this and do that,etc.

My doctor told me that if I ever have any more children I will have to have a c-section and whether that is true or not I don’t know but if it is true that’s very disappointing to me because the more I read and learn about all this natural stuff the more I want to experience it!

I loved reading your story Carrie!

By: Tiffany@naturemoms.com

Tiffany@naturemoms.com — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:46:13 +0000

Nell, I think the induction might have everything to do with your pain. I was induced with my first and the pain was so terrible I was screaming just like you. I got an epi.

With my second I planned on going natural “if” I could and that labor was so fast and painless I was in pure bliss. I was nine centimeters before I even knew I was in labor.

By: mama k

mama k — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:39:14 +0000

Thanks for sharing your stories!
My first birth was much like you described. I took Bradley and found a supportive OB (when I was 7mo along I switched practices). I demanded a natural hospital birth and it went as well as I could have hoped. I stll want a water birth though and I will be planning a homebirth next go round.
I also just saw the movie The Business of Being Born and posted my thoughs on my blog. http://www.mamaknj.blogspot.com It’s a MUST see!

By: Casual Friday Everyday » If I Never Had Kids...

Casual Friday Everyday » If I Never Had Kids... — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:13:55 +0000

[...] My sweetie is home from school sick today, so I thought this would be a good time to answer Carrie’s latest question to me. If you want to read her answer to my last question (tell me about your natural births) check it out here Natural Birth at Home. [...]

By: Elizabeth ashe

Elizabeth ashe — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:12:30 +0000

Oh Carrie I know exactly what you mean , i had two of my children naturally with no medication, but i had them in a natural birthing center that was five minutes from my home. I had two big babies and one small baby and they all had round heads too!

Giving birth naturally in a homey environment is one of the coolest things that ever happened to me.

By: Jen @ One Moms World

Jen @ One Moms World — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:48:36 +0000

Gosh all these baby posts .

You are amazing Carrie. I would love to do a water birth. My labors are so short and sweet that I think I would do really good. I think I will always long for the third baby I have always said I wanted . Oh well. God had other plans for us

By: casual friday everyday

casual friday everyday — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:42:45 +0000

Very intriguing stuff! I have to say there was screaming with mine Especially the first. It was the most horrible, wretched pain I’ve felt. I suspect some of that has to do with the fact that I was induced. Plus I both of them were pressing down on my right hip and that was where much of the shooting pain was. So, for me there was the screaming you see in movies. The second was better, but still very very painful.

The reason I asked you about this is that I am looking into other options besides the typical hosp. birth should we have more kids, though. I already know the epi doesn’t work properly with me. I know that I don’t like to be strapped down in a bed and have all kinds of monitors hooked to me and lines coming out of my veins.

With my second son the nurse encouraged me to get into the tub. It was bliss! I felt NO pain whatesoever. This was in the very beginning of the labor. She asked me to get out in order to check me and break my water. Once that happened the pain was terribly intense.

They hooked me up to monitors so I couldn’t get back into the water (if I would have raised a fuss I probably could have) and at that time I asked for the epi. I am very curious about water births now. It makes perfect sense to me. Anytime I’m aching, have bad cramps, have the flu, just have some type of aches or pains the first thing I want to do is soak in a hot bath.

It always takes away my pain or at least eases it. I’ve done this since I was young with menstral cramps. And I know that it felt awesome in the beginning of labor … so I’m really interested in this for the entire labor and delivery, should we have more kids.

Thanks for sharing your story. Although I suspect you have a better pain tolerance than I do … I know that every woman does have it in them to have a natural birth (or at least the birth they’re hoping for) if they really want to.

By: Tsoniki

Tsoniki — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:30:36 +0000

I always love reading about your birth stories Carrie. It reminds me of my Mom. We talked about giving birth not very often, but when I was pregnant with my first child we did a lot. I never understood women screaming and making a lot of noise – I figured that did more bad then good. And my Grandma said the same thing. I didn’t scream when giving birth, sure it hurt but it wasn’t that bad that I felt like screaming – think of the energy it takes to scream! Use that energy to push!

I delivered both of my babies in the hospital – the first we had medical problems and with the second I (and my family) was scared it would happen again but with him I really wished he could have been born at home. His birth was SO easy and I felt excellent afterward – I tried to sign myself out that night I felt so good.

Both of my births progressed nicely and with the second I only pushed three times and there he was! I didn’t have any birth plans but didn’t get drugs with either – though I admit I panicked toward the end of both and asked both times! Everyone said too late, the babies are coming and sure enough, there they were.

Reading this reminds me of how good it feels to be pregnant and give birth, thank you Carrie, this is perfect timing for me.