All I want is a natural, drug free delivery.
I am so terrified of having to get a c-sections that I almost dry retch everytime I think of the word "cesarean".
I have considered staying at home as long as possible before going to the hospital just so that I don't have drugs etc forced upon me.
The hospital that I will be birthing at seems to have a high rate of C-section's coming out of there. I know only one lady who had a natural birth in this hospital.

How can I put my mind at ease without seeming like a total control freak by begging my midwife for an answer to a question that can't really be answered?
What are my rights when it comes to my birthing plan? Can I say no to a Cesarean??

I havent been told many nice stories - I'm over hearing about the horror stories!

All I want is a natural, drug free delivery.
I am so terrified of having to get a c-sections that I almost dry retch everytime I think of the word "cesarean".
I have considered staying at home as long as possible before going to the hospital just so that I don't have drugs etc forced upon me.
The hospital that I will be birthing at seems to have a high rate of C-section's coming out of there. I know only one lady who had a natural birth in this hospital.

How can I put my mind at ease without seeming like a total control freak by begging my midwife for an answer to a question that can't really be answered?
What are my rights when it comes to my birthing plan? Can I say no to a Cesarean??

I havent been told many nice stories - I'm over hearing about the horror stories!

You have the right to refuse drugs and a c-section. It's your body after all. They can't force you to have a c-section or to have pain relief.

However, these people are in this profession for a reason. To deliver healthy babies. If your bubs heartbeat is slowing down or is getting erratic and they are in distress let the Dr's help you. If it means a c-section I'm sure you'd rather that then a stillborn. That might sound harsh but at the end of the day as long as the baby is born healthy what does it matter how it came out?

All wounds will heal, scars will fade. Worrying about things that might not happen is not good for you or the baby. So relax, make a birthing plan but allow for changes or for the whole thing to go out the window. Nothing can be set in stone. A healthy baby is the end result you want. Focus on that. Put the other worries aside, no point dwelling on what might be the inevitable. Make it clear to your MW what you want, and to your support person too so they can speak for you as well. Talk about the risks involved in refusing medical intervention. Ask that every option be available to you and all pros and cons talked about. Get all the info you can, being well informed will ease some fears and at least then you'll know what to expect.

Trust me, the second your baby is in your arms you'll laugh at how worried you were. And you'll probably even think 'That wasn't so bad, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.'. smile

Good luck!!

All I want is a natural, drug free delivery.
I am so terrified of having to get a c-sections that I almost dry retch everytime I think of the word "cesarean".
I have considered staying at home as long as possible before going to the hospital just so that I don't have drugs etc forced upon me.
The hospital that I will be birthing at seems to have a high rate of C-section's coming out of there. I know only one lady who had a natural birth in this hospital.

How can I put my mind at ease without seeming like a total control freak by begging my midwife for an answer to a question that can't really be answered?
What are my rights when it comes to my birthing plan? Can I say no to a Cesarean??

I havent been told many nice stories - I'm over hearing about the horror stories!

No one can force drugs on you or force you to have an uneccessary caesarean.

Your best bet is educating yourself on labour and birth and when the time comes go in positively that you can do it as you'd like to do it and you most likely will.

Do up your birthing plan (the hospital probably has a form), talk to your midwife about it and relax, sounds like you've whipped yourself into a frenzy.

Its best to go into it with an open mind, yes you should know what you'd like but accept that sometimes intervention is necessary. The important thing is that your baby is born and is healthy - focus on that.

All I want is a natural, drug free delivery.
I am so terrified of having to get a c-sections that I almost dry retch everytime I think of the word "cesarean".
I have considered staying at home as long as possible before going to the hospital just so that I don't have drugs etc forced upon me.
The hospital that I will be birthing at seems to have a high rate of C-section's coming out of there. I know only one lady who had a natural birth in this hospital.

How can I put my mind at ease without seeming like a total control freak by begging my midwife for an answer to a question that can't really be answered?
What are my rights when it comes to my birthing plan? Can I say no to a Cesarean??

I havent been told many nice stories - I'm over hearing about the horror stories!

If you can handle it at home, I don't see any problem with staying home as long as possible during labour. Noone can force you to do anything, but it would help to have a birth plan so you don't have to discuss this during labour. And you may be coerced into something before you have been given all the options, or when you are vulnerable (that isn't being forced, but it still toes the line).

Just write "Please don't offer me any pain relief unless I ask for it" or something like that. You may or may not be seen as a control freak who has no clue, it depends on your midwife. If you don't like your midwife, as for another one. It makes a big difference smile

Have you considered/researched your other birthing options? You can reduce your risk of getting a c/sec or having other interventions forced on you or being offered drugs just by where you choose to birth your babe. Birth-centre or homebirth?

Hi There,

I don't think being afraid of a c-sec is a good place to start.

I really believe that the key to a successful birth is the absence of fear and what you really need to do is prepare yourself in every way you can.

Throughout my first pregancy I researched hypnobirthing and read the book "hypnobirthing: the mongan method" by Marie Mongan and found it invalueable!

Another good idea is to have some really solid plans in place with your partner for ways that he can help to relieve your pain throughout the labour with massage and heat-packs etc as well as what he can do on the day in terms of being your advocate when speaking to the Drs etc.

I also attend a pregnancy yoga class which introduces a range of birthing positions for different scenarios.

Although you can't control your birth a bit of preparation can really help you to feel strong and empowered rather than fearful when the time comes.

Good luck!

When i was pregnant i read the book Juju Sundins Birth Skills, it was great and teaches you different ways to manage the pain of labour without using pain relief.
Dont let the thought of a C Section scare you, if it happens it happens and theres no point worrying about it, i had to have an emergency C Section a few months a go at the birth of my daughter and it was def worth it to have her delivered safely smile

Well I just thought I'd give you the perspective of someone who had to throw their birth plan out the window smile

I planned on a drug free water birth and ended up with an elective c section due to complications.

Despite having to abandon my plans, I still had a really positive birth experience. Everyone was very calm during the procedure and I can honestly say the worst part about it was having the IV inserted into my hand. The local anasthetic and epidural didn't hurt at all, just felt a little uncomfortable for like a second. I was able to cuddle my DS about 5 or 10 minutes after he was born.

In terms of recovery the first couple of days are quite hard, mainly because its frustrating being stuck in bed but you get loads of pain relief and support from the midwives in the hospital.

I think that its natural to be afraid of the unknown, if things don't go quite to plan you can loose a lot of control over the rest of the birthing experience. I guess you just have to find a way to be ok with this and realise that what is most important is having a healthy baby. The only thing worse than having to have a c section is really needing one but not having one.

Thank you all so much for your advice.
I am aware that whatever birthing plan I choose could quite possibly be scrapped on the day. I am content with this.
However I can't help a little fear creeping in every now and then about the unknown.

I have done some research and I feel heaps better after reading different birthing stories.
Very inspirational!
I am also hoping to go down the hynobirth/ calmbirth path, as I think that may help with a few of my anxieties leading up to the big day.

Thanks again for all your feedback.
Much appreciated:)

I haven't read all the pp but I didnt want any drugs except the gas prior to going into labour especially an epidural so just told my mw I didn't want anything unless she thought I needed it (so things were going wrong), I did end up having pethadine to take the back pain away but that was my choice. Just let your mw and your support person know what you want what you don't want but keeP in mind things can change and you may need medical intervention to get your healthy baby out good luck

Hay there,

Can i recomened you read the book 'hypnobirthing' by Marie mongan,

Its an empowering book that teaches you how to work with your body during pregnancy and labour.

I read this book and went on to have the most amazing birthing experience of my life.

Do abit of research on hypnobirthing, you tube it, google some stories of others aswell. You sound like you are in the perfect frame of mind to give it a whirl.

And it is not hypnosis. Its just called that (which is silly cos it really puts people off) because woman who use the teqniques are desribed as looking hypnotised.

good luck, and i hope you get the birth you want smile

I was the same as you. I was petrified at the mere thought of a caesarean. I had wanted a drug free water birth (with a very open mind for pain relief). I finished up with an emergency caesarean and although it was a few hours before I was able to see DD, we are both here today to tell the tale. smile

I was/am the same as you I will NOT have a ceasarian unless absolute nessecity even then I want to be under I also had drug free labour and went in as soon as my waters broke they asked me a few times if I wanted drugs and I said no and they respected my wishes if possible try walking around as much as you can that get things moving

All I want is a natural, drug free delivery.
I am so terrified of having to get a c-sections that I almost dry retch everytime I think of the word "cesarean".
I have considered staying at home as long as possible before going to the hospital just so that I don't have drugs etc forced upon me.
The hospital that I will be birthing at seems to have a high rate of C-section's coming out of there. I know only one lady who had a natural birth in this hospital.

How can I put my mind at ease without seeming like a total control freak by begging my midwife for an answer to a question that can't really be answered?
What are my rights when it comes to my birthing plan? Can I say no to a Cesarean??

I havent been told many nice stories - I'm over hearing about the horror stories!

I had two natural drug free births and they were great! In saying that anything could have happened to endanger mine or the babies lives and I may have had to have gone for a c section.
My sister is a midwife and they push more for natural births and do all they can to get the women to do that. It really is the choice of the woman at the end of the day and sad to say more women opt for the easy way out! Some don't have a choice. But you do and don't get urself into a stress about what could go wrong. You know what you expect from the birth so just go with the flow and have some supportive people by your side to help you out.
I had planned on no drugs from the start with ds1 cause it all affects them expect gas really but that is very mild and doesnt do much. I stayed at home as long as I could because I was quite naive I guess and expected it to get worse because of the stories I had heard. When I got to the hosp I was 8 cm dilated and ready to go, he came within half an hour.
The midwives should be there for you to call during your labour to update them and tehy will advise you to stay home or come in. With the hospital I go they suggest staying at home until your comfortable as they really dont have the beds most days if your not ready to birth or in need of their assistance, which I would assume most hospitals are about.

Anyway good luck with it don't stress yourself just relax and go with your plan!

All I want is a natural, drug free delivery.
I am so terrified of having to get a c-sections that I almost dry retch everytime I think of the word "cesarean".
I have considered staying at home as long as possible before going to the hospital just so that I don't have drugs etc forced upon me.
The hospital that I will be birthing at seems to have a high rate of C-section's coming out of there. I know only one lady who had a natural birth in this hospital.

How can I put my mind at ease without seeming like a total control freak by begging my midwife for an answer to a question that can't really be answered?
What are my rights when it comes to my birthing plan? Can I say no to a Cesarean??

I havent been told many nice stories - I'm over hearing about the horror stories!

I had two natural drug free births and they were great! In saying that anything could have happened to endanger mine or the babies lives and I may have had to have gone for a c section.
My sister is a midwife and they push more for natural births and do all they can to get the women to do that. It really is the choice of the woman at the end of the day and sad to say more women opt for the easy way out! Some don't have a choice. But you do and don't get urself into a stress about what could go wrong. You know what you expect from the birth so just go with the flow and have some supportive people by your side to help you out.
I had planned on no drugs from the start with ds1 cause it all affects them expect gas really but that is very mild and doesnt do much. I stayed at home as long as I could because I was quite naive I guess and expected it to get worse because of the stories I had heard. When I got to the hosp I was 8 cm dilated and ready to go, he came within half an hour.
The midwives should be there for you to call during your labour to update them and tehy will advise you to stay home or come in. With the hospital I go they suggest staying at home until your comfortable as they really dont have the beds most days if your not ready to birth or in need of their assistance, which I would assume most hospitals are about.

Anyway good luck with it don't stress yourself just relax and go with your plan!

You are not insane to worry that things will be forced on you or that you will be coerced into things, it happens everyday and that is why it is so important to surround yourself with people you trust and choose your care providers very carefully. Obviously in a public system you don't get to choose unless you find a birth centre where you are cared for by a team of known midwives.

You sound like a likely candidate for homebirth because it sounds like you want to take control of your birth and take responsibility for your body. Have you considered it?

Great to read all the encouragement for you to try for a natural, drug-free birth. I have experienced one of these (with my 2nd baby) and it is a positive, empowering experience. The birth of your baby, no matter how it comes around, is a positive, exciting experience, and if you need to have an emergency caesarian, then I think you will just be happy to have both mum & bub safe & healthy. With my first baby, I still had a natural delivery but did have drugs along the way to ease the pain, it was a long labour. I'm proud of my efforts in both situations, and I'm pretty sure anyone faced with an emergency caesarian are equally proud of how they come through it.
I do hear you about elective caesarians though. I am an advocate for the natural way if possible. But you would be crazy to not listen to your mid-wife and obs if intervention is necessary. You want to be healthy and have a healthy baby at the end of the day, and this is where modern medicine is marvelous.
Just make sure you are educated about all the different things that may happen in the birth suite, including what may lead to an emergency caesarian. The very fact that you are already not wanting to do an elective caesarian is a positive step towards your ideal birth plan. Alot of the natural birth can be about mind over matter. It doesn't hurt for a bit of determination to creep in, in gives you stamina and surprising amounts of energy! A great book I read was the Sarah Murdoch / Juju Sundin's natural birth book.
Do let everyone in your birth party know about your wishes, but please do keep an open mind as you need to be able to adapt and cope with whatever happens in the birth suite. You will feel alot happier if you are in control, this includes clear communication with the mid-wive and obs. If communication is clear and you are aware of all the reasons why you might need an emergency caesarian, this will help if this decision needs to be made. You won't feel you are being forced to do something you don't want to do. I was lucky enough to birth my babies at a very pro-natural birth centre. However, even when you birth in a hospital that has a high amount of c-sections, this doesn't mean that you can't stick to your guns and do it all naturally. Information is key.
Be wary to of obs forcing induction on to you too. Again it is only something that should really be done if there are problems. I went 12 days over and 5 days over with my pregnancies and I am very happy I avoided the induction route. This can lead to unwanted complications too. Alot of people seem to dismiss these but you need to be aware of the outcomes of an induction too. Your obs or mid-wife should be able to let you know. Like having a c-section, I was only open to having an induction if absolutely necessary. I was keen to let my babies come when they were ready.
Good luck, I hope your dream of a natural birth happens for you!
Peta R.

I would like to recomend you read Birth skill by Juju Sundin. I tried the hypnobirth book some of the PP have recomended and it wasn't for me. (I know a lot of other people have great success with it)

I didn't want any drugs I really wanted to try for a drug free birth (I got it) so I wrote in my birth plan that if I asked for drugs to stall and make me ask again, to be sure I really wanted it (the drug free was important to me, being my 2nd/last birth i really wanted to see if I could do it) my midwife had me crawling around everyday to ensure bub was in a good position. i really feel this helped as one common reason for birth complication is bubs being postireor (sp) and the crawling was supposed to help prevent this.

sorry I'm rambling. as advised the biggest thing is to try to relax. bubs will come out easier if you are relaxed and your muscles can work/open.

I didnt set a birth plan cause in the end you want that baby out the quickest safest way possible.. i knew i wanted to go as long as possible with out getting an epidural cause i believed it would slow everything down and i was open to trying/seeing what the gas would help with. I was soooo scared/anxious in the weeks leading upto my due date, i didnt want a c-section either. Then i woke up to cramps 11 days early, all the anxiety and fear dissapeared with all the adrenalin going through me.

My labour went pretty quick and all i wanted to do was get my girl out, i didnt have anything, however with the pain being intense the last hour i did ask for an epidural but was to far. Consider all your options but remember its all your decision. C-sections surely are used as the last result for safety.
Goodluck
Sarah smile

Make your feelings known, that you want to have a drug free natural birth but be open to changes. I don't know of any hospitals that will do a c-section without good reason when they know the mum doesn't want it. Your partner or support person NEEDS to know your wishes and be prepared to advocate for you! It is hard when you are in labour to make informed decisions and to ask questions, that is why your support person needs to do it for you. If they want to do any intervention, whether it is doing an episiotomy, more invasive monitoring, using sintocinin drip or whatever, your support person should ask firstly WHY is this being done and WHAT will happen if it isn't done? Also ask is there another option? And do not consent to anything unless you are satisfied with the responses to these questions. Of course there are a few scenarios when things happen very quickly and the doctor will do whatever is necessary to keep you and baby safe, but most of the time there is enough time to discuss options before any actions are taken.

Good luck and try not to fret!

its your right , I wanted a drug free birth too.
after hours and hours of pain I had an epi dural.
my back is fine
dont put too much pressure on your self just go with the flow
it blady hurts like I the worst pain ever period pain times one hundred
so but it is bearable lots of woman do it
its not that bad all worth it
goodluck

I was like you and adamant I didn't want a c-section. I put off intervention as long as possible, the midwives understood and respected my decision. But my labour went way too long and I pushed for two and a half hours to no avail. I ended up with an emergency c-section which was the best thing as both baby and I would have died. So basically what I'm trying to say is; go for what you want, but listen to the professionals. They wont make u have a c-section unnecessarily. (also its not that bad, it doesn't really matter in the end how baby is born as long as everyone is healthy and well).
As for drug free, I've never heard of anyone having pain killers pushed onto them. I had to beg for pain relief they were very reluctant! So that shouldn't be a problem smile
Best of luck to you. Don't be scared, it's a beautiful thing!

So after all that worry about a c-sec..... I ended up with an emergency c-sec!
But honestly it really wasnt that bad and it has its good n bad points. more good points than i wouldve thought!!!! firstly it really wasnt that scary because when the midwife started YELLING "code 1 emergency c section" down the hallway and frantically unplugging my bed and shoving cords in my hubbys hands to hold I knew something was up. I was telling them to hurry up and put me under by the time we got to theatre. they had to boot another lady out to put me in asap and i hear that she went on to give birth on her bed outside theatre.
I did miss the birth as i was put under general anesthetic but I'm happy to have missed that because my baby boy is here and alive today.
Hubby had time to bond after Kane was checked and cleaned and then i met him back in my room after the nurses cleaned me up.
I swear Kane was smiling at me lol!!!!
PERFECT!

There are some things you can do to avoid a c-section, which most studies on the internet indicate do not increase the infant or maternal mortality rate:

- Do not use the services of an obstetrician unless you want a c-section or there is a serious problem with the baby
- Do not go private - use the public health system (it's all about the money and assisting the doctors ability to work 9-5)
- Do not go to the hospital too early - walk around the hospital if necessary for an hour or so before going in - only go in if birth is imminent or there is a problem (bleeding, waters broken etc) - remember hospital staff and doctors are impatient and if you're not prgressing they'll find a reason to suggest you have a c-section
- Do not use a fetal heart monitor (stethescopes/intermittent monitoring is just as good)
- Do not take any drugs, don't be induced, don't have an epidural and don't take any painkillers (you'll avoid all sorts of complications that lead to a c-section and you'll need to have your wits about you if you are giving birth and want to ward off any unnatural advice)
- Let the birth progress naturally (also assits your body to bring on breastfeeding and other natural hormones afterwards)
- Take ante-natal classes (ones focussed on giving birth naturally)
- Be informed about birth, the stages of birth, what to expect, what is normal, what sensations are normal and what might indicate a problem and alternative ways to rectify problems i.e. turning a baby, giving birth breech etc
- Do not always accept the first piece of advice you get - question the advice - seek another opinion - be informed beforehand - assure that you can ascertain when you are hearing opinionated theories compared to factual information
- Check the statistics (mortality and c-section statistics) for countries like Iceland, Netherlands and Denmark compared to China, USA and Australia - learn techniques applied in the former 3 countries - be wary of techniques applied in the latter 3 - to avoid a c-section that is.

I believe that there are unnecessary c-sections being done in Australia for so called emergency and safety reasons when there actually is no proof that a c-section is safer than a natural birth for the problem at hand. But I do not judge anyone having had a c-section, I just don't want one myself.