After Owens birth the 1st thing I said was “epidural next time!!” because I was just so worn out after his delivery, it was so hard compared to my other epidural births, obviously :)

I think most times peoples choices to get a medical birth is because of their lack of knowledge regarding natural birth…
Most just think “well they have pain meds, why not use them!”
I hear that a lot from moms :)
and you know its ultimately their choice… and im not knocking all meds, I will be the 1st to admit I LOVED NUBANE! That stuff gave me the best kind of relief inbetween contractions with owen, and I needed it.. it didnt take my pain at all.. but it helped me calm down inbetween contractions and I really believe it helped me to dilate better because I wasnt so tense in those inbetweens…

So I think the aid of some medications like nubane are completely fine and does not take away from the fact a mother had a natural birth – because nubane or not it was so hard.

Despite my not wanting another natural birth initially after Owen… the thought now of an epidural scares me. I remember having a sense of no control when I got the epidurals with my 1st two… I also have had friends since Owen have babies and their epidurals didnt take… I just dont want to deal with that.. So Im pretty set on my 4th being natural as well. IF all goes as I hope :)

Thanks again for sharing.

It’s funny, originally, I never had a desire to deliver naturally until I took a Christian birthing class with our first child. If you’ve never taken one I would highly encourage you to. I cannot begin to tell you how much we learned about the pros and cons of meds vs. natural child birth and the increased rate of c-sections when the induction of meds, like Pitocin, intervene with the natural order of things. After our class and researching, I felt more empowered to make decisions about stripping membranes, breaking my water, and was encouraged to formalize a labor and delivery plan. Our labor plan was complete with pre-selected scripture verses my husband would read and pray over me as well as playing our own labor CD with uplifting and encouraging Christian music, and etc… With this new information, I became more and more convinced that giving birth naturally was something I at least needed to consider and began praying about. And wouldn’t you know, as I began to pray I couldn’t shake the burden in my heart to give birth naturally. I couldn’t explain it at the time, but I knew God was speaking. I was scared!

With all Four Children, natural labor was hands down the hardest thing I have ever or will ever do in my life, but as I mentioned before it continues to be rewarding and has been so instrumental in my own journey of faith. The scariest moment is when one is asked, ” do you want an epidural?” It’s kind of like speak now or forever hold your peace! You know once you say no, no one can really help you. No one can take your pain! It’s a SCARY place to be!!

It is certainly a leap of faith. It’s just you and God.

In my darkest moment (that transition period), Jesus was all I had. I knew as I called out to Him (and I mean that literally) that He was the only one who could see me through it.

All of my midwives were amazing at coaching me through the process and getting tough with me when they needed to be and I am so thankful for that. In my first birth, I remember screaming, “I CAN’T, I CAN’T!!! Man, my midwife was not going to have that. When she got me to finally calm down she looked at me squarely in the face and in a calm, firm and motherly tone told me to quit crying. I remember her actually telling me, “There’s no crying in baseball!” “Your wasting your energy when you need to be resting!”

I needed that! Her coaching, encouragement and correction were necessary. I needed to hear those strong words in that moment. Afterward, she lovingly coached me on how to relax and how to “surrender to the pain.” She coached me on what it should look, feel and sound like i.e. relax your body, don’t squeeze or clinch down on anything and make noise through the contractions. (We have several shots of me with my hands lifted up in the air while I was contracting just so I would remember not to clinch down on anything.) ; -)

As I relaxed my body and surrendered it over to the pain,( thoroughly embracing and letting each wave of contractions over take me) the process became much more endurable. God gave me the strength to make it through.

Today, I have a much deeper and “vivid” picture of what it means to walk by faith and to truly “surrender” sinful areas over to God. I contribute that all to my birthing journey! I am learning how to trust that God is there even when my circumstances seem impossible, even when they feel too burdensome to carry. He is there holding me and strengthening me through the process.

Contrary to what some question: this was not about proving my strength, but rather God revealing His strength to me and His capability to carry me through the storms of my life. I am delighted and honored that I serve a God, the Creator of the universe, that speaks and reveals himself everyday…even through the birthing process!

There truly is so much beauty in the birthing process. It is a beautiful place, where God truly does reveal himself!

Thanks for letting me share. I thoroughly enjoyed your post and your blog.
Blessings,
Mel

Every experience is so unique and I always enjoying hearing how different each birth story is.

You are blessed!