WHY I chose a natural birth.

⚪️Avoids the potential risks and side effects associated with epidurals

⚪️Doesn't require the availability of an anesthesiologist

⚪️Associated with a decreased risk of needing interventions

⚪️Greater freedom to move and change birthing positions

⚪️May support a faster recovery after birth

⚪️Potential for less vaginal tearing

⚪️Sense of accomplishment and fulfillment for some people

⚪️May support a shorter pushing phase

⚪️Doesn't limit birth location (able to give birth at a hospital, birth center, or at home, including the option for water birth)

These are just a FEW of the things you can benefit from a natural labor.

I have two children , my first birth was vaginal. I had requested IV pain meds, and received an epidural at 7cm dilated. The crazy part is , my epidural did not take 🫣 this isn’t super common but CAN happen. Not to scare anyone but it’s possible and it happened to me. I had originally planned to have a natural birth with no pain meds or epidural. I had my doula picked out , birth plan , and informed my doctor of my decisions. My water had broke at home at 4cm dilated and by the time i got to the hospital I was right at 6cm. I was in an intense amount of pain, my doula was absolutely fabulous and did everything possible she could to help me ,but I was in so much pain and everything was so new I ended up asking for IV pain meds and an epidural. I went to sleep almost immediately after receiving the IV pain meds and epidural. I was still extremely uncomfortable but i was sedated enough from the IV pain meds that I could sleep. Shortly after ,maybe about an hour or so? I woke up in extreme pain and it was time to push. The IV meds had worn off and the epidural was not doing anything for me. Soooooo needless to say I knew for my next birth I was dead set on natural.

Fast forward, 2 years later I am in labor with my second child. My water never broke at home but I was having painful contractions that were long and close together. We rush to the hospital and I was at 8 cm dilated when we arrived. We waited an hour to see if I would progress anymore on my own but my body had almost stalled it seemed. Contractions slowed down but we NEEDED to progress due to the fact that I was utterly exhausted and on top of that the contractions weren’t as close together but they were still severely painful.I knew if my water did not break soon I wouldn’t have enough energy to push when it came time. So the dr broke my water and not even 30 minutes later I am pushing.

I felt everything. I had the same doula I had with my first , my husband , and my sister in law in the room for delivery. I couldn’t have asked for a better support team. My husband’s kind , caring , and encouraging self never left my side (just as with my first) my doula found so many unique ways to help me cope with pain management , exercises, postions, water , a hair comb 🤣🤣 she was a ROCKSTAR !!!!! And my sis in law gave nothing but complete love , support , and encouragement.

With my next child I will 10000% do natural. It’s what I prefer and that’s okay. There’s such a stigma around mothers and how they go about child birth it seems, but in my opinion the BEST option is what works best FOR YOU. Whether that be , natural , epidural, c-section, laughing gas , etc ……Whatever option you choose will be what’s best for you and your child no matter what anyone says. There’s SOOOOOOO many factors that play into it. Such as health of you and your child, and unexpected emergency’s. #birthdoula #birthandlabor #birthpreparation #naturallabor