I’m Not Crazy for Wanting an Unmedicated Birth
My story of becoming a parent is unlike many others in that my journey began when I was a teenager. At the age of 16 I really didn't know what to expect during labor, other than what I saw on television. As I read more about the birth process, I found that I wasn't as fearful or afraid of what I saw to be a natural human process.
It didn't take me long to decide that I preferred an unmedicated approach to birth if possible. When I conceived for the second time, eight years later, with even more knowledge and experience, my wish for an unmedicated birth was even more important to me. What surprised me were other people's responses to my plans. While how I chose to give birth was really no one else's business, that didn't stop people from asking what my plans were or giving me unsolicited advice.
I was told repeatedly that I was either brave or crazy for wanting to labor without medication, like intravenous narcotics (nubain, pethidine, morphine, etc), an epidural or spinal block. These comments were usually paired with horror stories of someone else's birth— long labors and excruciating pain common themes. I was also told, "No one receives a medal for going natural," as if some weird form of recognition was what I was after.
There are many reasons why I have chosen unmedicated birth for four of my births and each of them is very personal. I also acknowledge the privilege of not having complications during any of my pregnancies, which has impacted my ability to birth with little to no intervention.
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Ultimately, I opted for unmedicated birth because I saw it as the best way for me to remain connected to my body and baby throughout labor. There is plenty of research showing that induction of labor, Pitocin (aka syntocinon), narcotics (nubain, pethidine, morphine), entonox, epidural, etc. all impact natural hormone levels and/or one's sense of focus and connection during labor. (Dr Sarah Buckley has written extensively in this area). Some hormonal changes created by these interventions are not only experienced during labor but postpartum as well and may impact breastfeeding and bonding.
During my first labor, what I class as a negative experience, I was given nubain intravenously. It lead to intense memory loss and feelings of being high/intoxicated. It created a deep sense of vulnerability and fear, which I wanted to avoid if at all possible during subsequent births. This feeling of dissociation is common with narcotic use during labor and it is something I experienced.
The second major reason I chose unmedicated birth is because every form of pain relief has potential risks, some mild, moderate and more serious. Part of my informed decision making included finding resources and information about the potential benefits, risks and alternatives to all forms of pain relief available to me. Evidence Based Birth was one of my favorites. To put things quite simply— I wasn't comfortable with some of the risks I read, namely things like an increased likelihood of fetal distress, low APGAR scores, increased likelihood of neonatal resuscitation following birth, increased likelihood of instrumental delivery, perineal trauma (episiotomy or tearing) and more. I preferred the use of other (natural) forms of pain management that did not come with as many increased risks for me and my baby.
Another big part of my decision was the innate trust I had with my body. I knew there were other, non-pharmaceutical ways I could reduce the intensity of labor, support my body and again, lower the chances of me requiring any medical intervention. I was fully open-minded to turning to medical pain relief options if needed, but I also trusted that I more than likely would not need them. Why? Because both my partner and I learned how to support my body both physically, practically and mentally. I learned how to support the natural hormones of labor, create an atmosphere of calm, ensure my birth partner knew how to support me best and keep labor moving with ease versus restriction. I learned how to trust the labor process versus fear it, which research has shown reduces the amount of pain our bodies perceive. I also hired a doula during my second pregnancy and she was an amazing form of support!
I wasn't some crazy person pushing my body to its breaking point. I was quite the opposite. I was in-tune with my body, the labor process and what I needed to birth in a way that felt right for me. I knew all of my options and the value in trying the least invasive, most low risk options first. I knew other forms of pain relief were available if I needed them and I knew how to access them if I needed to. This wasn't weird or crazy— it was a reasonable option and what felt best.
Others may need or want to birth differently than I chose to. This isn't "right," or "wrong" in any way. That is their choice and it is fully supported within the medical community and society overall. It's time we stopped judging parents for their birth choices no matter what they may be. If you're someone like me who wants a low intervention, unmedicated birth, you are not crazy and this type of birth is a possibility for you. Accessing high quality prenatal education and/or hypnobirthing are amazing options as you prepare to meet your baby and I highly recommend both!
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