Natural Childbirth

I just told myself that they were MY contractions and that I was the only one who could deal with them. Maybe growling will work.

All I know is.... any thoughts I might have had about trying childbirth pain free were disengaged after I read the statement "Don't scream..." lol. You guys are more gutsy than me.

ask for heating pads. My labor was induced and I managed to do six hours unmedicated on pitocin, and two heating pads (one on my belly and one behind my back) helped a ton towards the end of that. I was basically on a tether to the bed and had a sprained ankle so I couldn't use most of the techniques I'd planned like a warm bath or shower or a birthing ball.

One thing I did notice, though, was don't expect to fall back to lying on the bed when it really hurts. Because for me, lying down on my side multiplied the pain hugely. I spent almost all six hours in a rocking chair and I hadn't expected that.

One other lesson I learned was to not do too much too soon. Give your body time to recover and accept people's help. I realize that this isn't really on the topic but I thought it was important enough to add. I almost passed out in the shower, in the hospital, because I tried to have a shower too soon after delivery. I also left the hospital too soon and didn't realize the hard work the baby would create. I am too stubborn to accept help sometimes.