[Waiting ...]

Hi all - I would like to attempt to get through my labour drug free (but am definitely keeping a "go with the flow" mindset). Have never done it before so who knows how I will go but that is what I will be aiming for.

I would love to hear any methods that people who are also trying this will be using or even better, any prior labour experiences that may assist? What did you do that worked for you to get through the different stages?

I know that everyone is vastly different as are all labours but would like to go in with a full bag of tricks so to speak.

Thank you for your advice :-)

[~Bob~]

In the beginning, I used breathing techniques. The pain wasn't too bad at that stage anyway (I even freaked a friend out by phoning her and saying "oh, hang on" when a contraction came lol)

In the serious stage, I used visualisation (I was visualising the waves on the beach) and I also laboured in the water. Water was AMAZING pain relief. I think I also used counting for the most serious contractions.

[Carmen02]

I had 3 drug free births..my first two i used the radio to concentrate on and distract me, my labours were 5 and 6 hrs so not to long..my 3rd was drug free not by choice it was so quick and intense i had no chance

[~Supernova~]

It was the most hideously painful and excruciating experience of my life. I don't think I could ever do it again. BUT it was also amazing to be so clear headed and "there". I guess it's fair to say it was both the best and worst experience of my life. I don't regret it, if that helps.

I also had a water birth, which is supposed to help. I also read a few great hypnobirthing books.

A funny note - I used to say after DD's birth that the pethidine didn't do much, that is just took the edge off. After DS's birth I can confidently say - the pethidine did a LOT lol.

But having said that, my birthing experiences have been quite fast (first was 6 hours, 2nd was 4). I think I would have coped better with a "build up".

[R2B2]

If it is something that you feel strongly about, keeping focused on it during labour helps.

I had my last baby drug free and to be honest, it didn't really cross my mind to ask for drugs until she was crowning, by which point the midwife did a great job of distracting me.

tell yourself with each contraction, that it is one less contraction to have, and one contraction closer to meeting your baby.

try different methods. walking around, getting in the water (huge help), fit ball etc etc.

make as much noise as you need to. I found that a good distraction.

can't think of much else at the moment.

[her mum]

I had a 16 hour labour, completely drug free.

I laboured in water, which was a big help and really what got me through. I found it very calming, and good pain relief. I didn't give birth in the pool though as the hospital wouldn't allow it, which was fine.

I can't say I really used any particular method to get through, just completely believed in my body to be able to do it.

I just went with the flow, if I had needed some sort of intervention, or if I had changed my mind and wanted pain relief then that would have been fine, but it was all okay.

Really, I tried to stay calm, believe in my body and that was it. It was definitely the most painful thing I've ever been through, but probably not as bad as the idea I had in my head.

[divineM]

Not sure when you are due but if you can consider a calm birthing course. Helped me a lot. Also the fact that I was in a birthing centre and every time I said I couldn't do it anymore the midwife reassured me I could. I heard from those who birthed in hospital settings that their requests for pain relief were met more promptly. Otherwise everything else the PPs said: water was incredible as was breathing and visualisation. Also the idea that each contraction is one less. All these are calm birthing techniques anyway. Good luck OP.

[kristylee21]

I had a drug free birth with dd... but not really by choice. I went into labour thinking i would just go with whatever happened. If i wasn't coping I was going to ask for gas, then if i wasnt coping with that ask for pethadine ect.. Last resort was a Epidual as i was terrified of having a needle in my back but would accept it if needed. In Any instance of an emergancy i would concent to a c-section.
I had a day of prelabour where i just felt uncomfortable not painfull. Really mild contractions that were about 30min about for about 5-6hours. No one even noticed i was having them.
When i went into labour i started by just breathing through the contractions and counting. I was counting much slower than actual seconds so when i would count to 10 it had actually been closer to 30-45 seconds. I think this made them feel shorter than they were. I jumped into the shower for about 45min but then ran out of hot water so got out and sat on the toilet for the rest of the time as it was the most comfortable position.
After about 3 hours i had a heatpack to put on my back ( acctually 2 as i was roatating them to keep them really hot) then at 4 hours we decided to head to the hospital as things were going really fast.
Once in hospital i again sat on the toilet with a heat pack. As things were ramping up i found moaning was helping and also taping my hand on my DP's back( ill admitt it probally got alot worse than just a tap by the end but it was the rythem of taping that i was concentrating on)
6hrs and 11min after the first contraction dd was born. By then i was made to get off the toilet and i got onto the bed on all 4's with the headrest raised that i was leaning on. I actually felt the pushing was the best back of labour as it took the pressure off. Dont ask me how i dont know but it felt better. the only drug i had was a local for a few stiches.

[Alacritous~Andy]

My first baby was a drug free delivery (2nd was a cs due to breech).

Like a PP, I found reminding myself "I am one contraction closer to meeting my baby" helped.

I also focussed on a clock. I liked watching the hand move around, and would visualise riding a wave up during the first half of the contraction, and counting down through the second half.w

[New Horizons]

I was like you OP, had an open mind. It just so happened that the labour/birth was such that drugs and intervention were not needed. My water's broke, 1 hour later I felt a contraction, 30 minutes later I felt them coming on fast and felt the urge to push, 20 minutes later it was over. But I was definitely open to gas or even a c-section if required. The thought of vacuum or forceps was scary, but I was happy to do whatever it took. Just nothing with codeine because of allergies to it.