When I shared that I chose to have an unmedicated childbirth with my daughter, people were often captivated. “Incredible!” they exclaim, “And a bit crazy. How did you manage it?” With a casual shrug and a nod to my homebirth inspiration, I might say something calm like, “I just let my body do what it’s meant to do. It was a breeze.”
But let’s be real—it was far from easy, and I don’t want to instill panic by admitting, “Honestly, I was searching for the light at the end of the tunnel.” (Okay, it wasn’t that dramatic.) My partner, Jake, and I prepared extensively before our little one’s arrival, and when the moment came, we worked our tails off.
Are you also considering unmedicated childbirth? Here are some essential survival tips to help you navigate this intense, yet beautiful, experience.
1. Start Your Mental Prep Right Now
Get ready for what might be the most intense pain of your life. Preparing for natural labor is like running a marathon—it’s not a quick sprint. You wouldn’t show up to a marathon with just a couple of jogs under your belt and expect to finish, right? You train for that, both physically and mentally, for months. If you’re saying you’ll go drug-free and then opt for an epidural if it gets tough, stop right there. You need to commit fully to facing the pain. The more you envision it as unbearable, the more manageable it tends to be. I prepared myself for what felt like my limbs being torn from my body, and practiced pain management techniques to cope with that. Choose a body part, imagine the pain, and learn to handle it. Childbirth won’t be as bad as you think, especially since it’s a natural pain—much better than losing a limb. This mental preparation will help you face labor with less fear, which is crucial since fear leads to tension and, subsequently, more pain.
2. Embrace Your Primal Side
When labor hits, your sounds will resemble a mix of a whale’s lonely call, a constipated gorilla’s grunts, and the screams of a startled sorority girl. You might shout at your partner, your baby, and even the universe itself. Don’t be surprised if you declare you’ll never engage in intimacy again. You will make some wild noises and say some unexpected things. If you’re typically reserved, get ready to unleash your inner wild woman during childbirth. Embrace this freedom now and let go of any reservations—you can always apologize later.
Also, if you think you’ll waltz into your unmedicated birth in a chic nightie for post-delivery, think again. Expect to get messy. You should arrive at your birthing location in such an advanced stage of labor that you forget about that nightie altogether. Just be prepared to give birth in your birthday suit; it won’t be the most shocking thing your birth team has ever witnessed.
3. Prepare Your Support Person
Let your birth coach know to expect some vocal outbursts and primal sounds from you. They should be ready to support you without showing fear or surprise. While you may not care about your choice of words during labor, you’ll appreciate it if they’re fully engaged in the miracle of childbirth. Tell them to keep their expressions calm and filled with awe, as anything less will only prompt more frustrations from you.
4. Act Like Pain Relief Doesn’t Exist
Forget about epidurals and other pain relief options. I acted as if they were nonexistent to avoid temptation. I believed that if I felt there was no escape from the pain, I would be more likely to push through it. And guess what? It worked! If I had even considered that relief was an option, I would have been calling for the anesthesiologist the moment I walked into that delivery room.
5. Don’t Dwell on Post-Delivery Changes
Without an epidural, you’ll be acutely aware of every sensation in your body as your baby makes their grand entrance. This awareness can lead to fears about how your body will look afterward. You might instinctively want to protect yourself, but any resistance will only complicate the process. Trust that your body is designed for this, and it will heal quickly. Your concerns about appearance are valid but unnecessary—your body knows what to do.
Best of luck on your journey! You’ve got this.
For more insights, check out our blog post on the challenges of childbirth. Also, for those considering at-home options, Make A Mom offers reliable at-home insemination kits. If you’re looking for useful resources regarding pregnancy and home insemination, visit the CDC’s website.
Summary
Unmedicated childbirth is an intense experience that requires mental preparation and acceptance of primal instincts. Support from a partner and commitment to facing pain without distractions are crucial for success. Embrace the journey, and remember that your body is made for this.
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