Friday, June 13, 2008

Calling all the "crazies"

Okay people its time.. time for the PEP TALK. However, there is one criterion you must have met in order to give any "pep." You have to have experienced a (a good one, I might add) natural, unmedicated childbirth.

Here are the circumstances leading up to my need for a pep talk:

1. Im entering the third trimester.
2. Its HOT as HADES outside, although this is my second pregnancy in a row during the HOT as HADES months (September babies), and I am not having fun. ;-P
3. I have had two Epidurals with prior deliveries and LOVED IT!
4. I am wanting to go unmedicated to try something different. Not so much because I had/have concerns with Epidurals (see last point).
5. I am not looking forward to the next 12 weeks draggin' out in this summer HEAT. (see point #2).
6. I am wanting things easy. Epidurals are easy. Go in, get a shot.. no PAIN.. easy.
7. Labor is not easy.. thus the term: LABOR.
8. I need to be reminded that women do it (natural), have done it and choose to do it again (hello Natalie, Crystal, Rebecca and many others).
9. BUT WHY??? I know the answer i just need to hear it from you. that's the "Pep" part. Why is it worth it?

Thanks.. i'll be waiting for your response full of "pep"iness, while I sit by the fan. Oh and feel free to tell me to "suck it up, big gir". Im a no nonsense kinda gal. Im not easily offended.

12 comments:

JenB said...

Well, technically, I probably don't qualify for your pep talk session since the original plan of mine was to have an epidural, but since it didn't work-here we go...With both of my kids, I had natural deliveries...my epideral didn't work with Megan AND I had to have a 5th degree episiotomy (she was stuck and even suction wasn't working for her to get out!)...with no epideral, I did get a "local injection of painkiller" (which was very painful itself!) before my doc did the episiotomy..but he didn't wait for that to take affect before doing it...which resulted in the biggest pain in my life, but it was over in a flash, and it was all worth it to hold my sweet baby girl in my arms. Really, it's a miracle we have Ryan because I have such a low pain tolerance (just call me a wuss, wimp, pansy, whatever), and I can' believe I'd run the possibility of all that again...(2nd time around, epidural worked and everything was great.) I managed my pain so much better 2nd time around than I did with the first, even before I got the magic needle full of meds...experience helps-you know what to do to try and ease your pain.
You are going to do great, and you know that. It's like I kept telling myself all through my pregnancies, women have been doing this since the beginning of time, and LONG before epidurals...it obviously didn't stop the human race from developing, so it can be done....I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROOOAR! lol!
Seriously, you'll be great! I'll be keeping you in my prayers for a healthy, easy delivery! Good luck with it all!

Missy said...
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Jaci Spain said...
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-C said...

I'm all about peppiness and natural childbirth, but you knew that already. :) I watched a PBS documentary recently that blamed Hollywood for convincing women that labor is too difficult to endure. They talked of the importance of other women being around to encourage you through the "rite of passage" of having a baby naturally .. back in the olden days. I loved that ... because God allowed me to have an awesome nurse every time who I felt myself drawn to for encouragement and sympathy, even though my husband was my "labor coach" each time. He learned w/the first that I wasn't going to believe anything he said, so by #4 delivery we both learned that I just needed his strong presence w/no words.

I've said it before ... for me, labor is a worshipful experience and deepens the maternal bond right from birth. I think I'd choose naturally childbirth over a visit to the dentist on most days. My mom always said, "It's a GOOD pain ... it has an incredibly wonderful result!"

Rachel Garcia, CD(DONA) said...

what part of "only pep talk" do you all not understand?

thank you -c!

Missy said...

I have removed my original comment as to not upset the normal balance around here.
I'm sorry to upset the summertime pregnant lady. :(

Rachel said...

** WARNING - NOT A PEP TALK - don't read if you **REALLY** just want pep talks ;) **

I figure that God is starting to forgive Eve for the whole fruit in the garden thing by giving us unbelievably pain-free options for childbirth like Epidurals and C-Sections (yes, I found that pretty pain free!). Hey - if God is willing to let that whole curse thing go, why should we insist on keeping it around??

Anonymous said...

What is your motivation to go natural? To see if you have the mental hutspa (sp?) to get through the pain without meds. Remember that on those 100 degree days, go outside & do jumping jacks (to see if you can get through the pain), look at it as training, getting psyched up for the big push (pun intended). Love ya! m

Natalie said...

Mmmmm natural childbirth. Why did I have 3- 10 pound babies at home? Am I crazy(some say yes)? Am I some tree hugging freak who thinks everything should be natural?
Better question, why after having my 4th in the hospital with a wonderful epidural am I not only choosing to do it at home again(naturally), but I'm excited about it?
My mom always said "there's no way Natalie will have 'natural' childbirth, she's way too intolerant of pain."
Turns out I'm more intolerant of other people being in control of my body while I'm giving birth...(a whole other discussion)
I can only say this:
Having my babies naturally felt different emotionally. There was a different connection with baby for me.
The epidural does have risks(one of them being the stupid thing won't work), but what I didn't like was the feeling of not feeling anything.
It's kind of like the rest of life.
If it weren't for the moments of excruciating pain, I could never truly suck all the juice out of the moments of peace and joy.
Then there's always the look on people's faces when I tell them that my first 2 babies were 10.8 lbs and were born at home.
That never gets old.
Rachel, you can do this. Your body was CREATED to do this.
I once read a comment by a woman who had just had her first baby at home, making little or no noise and not seeming to experience any pain. When the midwife asked her why she was so calm and quiet throughout her birth, she responded, "My mother had 9 children. She told me that the pain in labor was really God's power coming down through me and that I should never fight it, but embrace it."
So, at the risk of sounding like a total wierdo(too late I know), embrace the power of God coming through you at the time of your birth.

Dollar General said...

I've got nothing for you - I'm your #3 ALL THE WAY! I'm rooting for you though!! Congrats on 3rd Trimester!!!

Christi said...

Hi Rachel,

You don't know me, but I'm a friend of Natalie's. Another crazy homebirther. ;)

I've done it both ways. My first I had en epidural (I was induced) and with my last two (the third was born less than 2 weeks ago in my bathtub) I went natural at home.

I can honestly say that I PREFER natural labor. I HATED the epidural, the loss of control, loss of feeling. God gave us labor for a reason - it's EMPOWERING to come through that and know that you've accomplished something so huge!

And on top of that, I healed SO much quicker from my HB's than I did my hospital/epi birth. I also had NO problems nursing - whereas my epi baby was so sleepy it took me 3 weeks to get him on the breast.

So, there, JME but I totally think you should do it. And in order to do it, you can't just "give it a shot" - you have to be prepared and COMMITTED!! :)

Good luck, I can't wait to hear the birth announcement!

Anonymous said...

You don't know me, but I found you through Natalie. I haven't had a natural childbirth yet but I am planning on it :) My baby girl is due in September also.

I just wanted to wish you all the best and tell you that I believe it can be done! I don't really have a lot of support in this decision but I believe in myself and I believe I am making the best choice for my baby and myself. Honestly, I can't wait.

Of course there are naysayers but how can one listen to or take advice on natural childbirth from someone who never had one or wanted one? The ones I really listen to are the med-free veterans. I've heard good and bad natural childbirth stories. I figure, if other women can have a successful natural birth then I can too. I have found a lot of inspiration from reading lots of birth stories and books on natural birth.

I think, no matter how much support from others that we do or don't have, the most important thing is to believe in yourself. I think that can enable us to do nearly anything.

I wish you all the best! I hope you get to have the birth experience you want and that either way you and baby are happy and healthy. I'm rooting for you, and for me :)