Ever wanted to compare medicated vs natural hospital births? Here’s a look at two very different birth stories from the same mom! Both babies were born in the hospital, but one had conventional medical interventions and one was a natural birth!
By Brandy
I have two very different birth stories to go along with two very different boys.
I went to the hospital for both births. I was induced and had an epidural with my first, and with my second I had no intervention at all.
Sometimes I feel sad that I didn’t go the natural route with my first. Then again, I am also thankful to have been able to experience both sides of the spectrum.
Baby #1: “High Risk,” Induction, and Epidural
With my first pregnancy, the doctors pretty much followed protocol for a “high risk pregnancy.” Having been diagnosed with Type 1 (Insulin Dependent) diabetes at the age of 2, I definitely fell into this category, at least according to the medical industry.
In spite of a very healthy pregnancy, their recommendation was to induce me at 39 weeks. They also suggested that an epidural would be in my best interest. They didn’t want my body to have additional stress that might affect my blood sugar. I went along with their recommendations, believing that they must know best. That was almost 6 years ago, and I have learned a lot since then.
We got to the hospital bright (or dark) and early on a Monday, August 7 for my scheduled induction. My doctor did try using prostaglandin gel and irritating the membranes. She instructed me to walk the halls of the hospital to see if anything would happen on its own.
It didn’t. So at around 9:30 am they began Pitocin. I did at least know that getting the epidural too early could slow things down and result in even more medical intervention, so my goal was to make it to 5 cm before getting the epidural.
One of the biggest mistakes I made during this delivery was to allow EVERY person in our family who came to the hospital to be in there with us as I was laboring. And there were times when all 6-8 of them were in the room at once.
If you’ve ever been in labor before, you can imagine how distracting that was. There were times when someone would try to talk to my husband while I was having a contraction. I really needed him to focus on me! I didn’t want to upset anyone since they had all driven hours to attend the birth of our first child.
Thankfully I went into labor late at night with our second, so we were the only ones there.
My labor and delivery were relatively easy, in spite of the fact that, after the epidural, I couldn’t feel the lower half of my body. I did not like that feeling. At all. I couldn’t wrap my head around it at the time, but it just didn’t seem right to have no feeling at all.
My husband and I had prayed and believed that my labor would be less than 8 hours. Because our God is faithful, our precious 9 pound baby boy was born 7 hours and 53 minutes after induction. God always follows through when faith is there. I pushed for about 20 minutes, had no episiotomy and had only two minor skid marks (tiny tears).
In spite of having a good labor and delivery experience with my first, when I became pregnant with my second child I knew that I wanted a natural birth this time. Because my health and blood sugars were excellent in my first pregnancy, my obstetrician agreed to let me go to 40 weeks for my second. BUT, if 40 weeks came with no baby, she would then induce.
We set our faith upon what we desired–that I’d go into labor on my own and not require intervention. Of course, once again, our God showed Himself faithful.
Come back for Part 2 to read about Brandy’s natural hospital birth!
Are you interested in having a natural birth? Watch this FREE webinar from Mama Natural on 8 Keys to a Natural Childbirth!
How do you feel about medicated vs. natural birth? Was your birth like you expected or hoped for?
Brandy is a full-time homemaker, has been married to the love of her life for 7 years, and is the mommy of two amazing little boys. The two most important things in her life are her relationships with God and her family. She is living the abundant life with her wonderful husband and sons. She is constantly learning how to walk in the fullness of the promises of God. Her mission is to share the message of health and wellness according to the Word of God and traditional wisdom!
Check out the other posts in this series HERE!
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