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Guest Post by Brenda of Triple Braided
Two years ago my best friend had her first baby. She was the first of my close friends to have a baby, so the birthing lingo was completely new to me. I knew some of the basics – C-section, epidural, and water-breaking – but other than that I was lost in the dark when it came to birthing babies. All I pretty much thought was that you get pregnant and nine months later you deliver a baby. The end.
Then she told me she was having a water birth. And she went on to explain what water births entail – no drugs.
Photo Credit: Intentional by Grace
Now even though I did not know a lot about delivering babies, I knew that if I ever had the blessing of having a baby I wanted drugs! I think at some point in my younger days I even said, “I sure do wish it was like in the olden days when they just knocked you out to have a baby!”
The bottom line: Pain was not an option.
Then my best friend had a water birth. She told me every detail. I even saw pictures. (Yes, we’re that close.)
She did not sugar-coat the pain involved in delivering her baby naturally. In fact, right after the delivery she said that she didn’t know if she’d do it again. It was that painful.
Then baby number two came along. And she did it again.
I still was not convinced.
Until I got pregnant.
I started asking my friend more details about this whole water birth thing, particularly the reasons she chose it. She explained that she was going to another doctor at the beginning of her first pregnancy. This doctor flat out told her that she would probably not be able to deliver over a six pound baby because of her small frame. He told her she could try to deliver the baby naturally, but she would be an “out of control mother in labor.”
My friend was offended. She admitted that he was a good doctor, but just more of a surgeon with the mentality of a surgeon, used to doing C-sections, than a natural baby delivery doctor.
Basically that doctor’s philosophy is that pregnancy is a medical condition that needs to be treated.
So she went to another doctor. And yes, she delivered that 8 pound 10 ounce baby girl right there in the water! Without any drugs. But with a lot of pain.
In my research of birthing babies, this is some of the information I have learned, and my reasoning for planning a natural, water birthing experience.
Photo Credit: Intentional by Grace
What I’ve Learned about Childbirth:
- A lot of times inductions and C-sections are scheduled out of convenience for the doctors, hospitals, and parents–not as a medical necessity.
- This helps the hospital make more money by being able to schedule births and possibly fit more into a day.
- Babies’ growth at the end of their term is important. Vital organs are still developing. Nature knows when the time is right for delivery.
- Inductions, C-sections, and epidurals are more expensive.
- Epidurals can prolong labor increasing the opportunity for complications and increasing the possibility for a C-section.
- Childbirth is not a medical condition, so it’s not necessary to treat it as such.
Why I Am Planning a Natural, Water Birth
- Childbirth is natural. God gave women the ability to birth babies.
- Your body goes into another physiological and mental state when birthing a baby, so even though the pain is still there, you’re body is prepared to deal with it in a variety of ways.
- I want the most natural experience for my child with no added risks.
- I want my child and my body to dictate what is needed in childbirth not the doctors and hospital.
- There are a variety of pain management techniques that can be used including a birthing tub.
- The baby moves into an environment that is more like the inside of your body. There is not as much shock for the baby.
- Water births many times reduces or even eliminates tearing.
- Water is helpful in aiding the process by being in a sitting position and using gravity and buoyancy. Water also provides relief in many ways.
- If water can be used as a positive pain management aid, then why not?
But more than anything, a natural birth is an opportunity for me to see God’s strength show up within me and for me to grow my faith by knowing that I can do the unthinkable only through Him.
Photo Credit: Intentional by Grace
What are your thoughts on water birth?
After years of living a discontented single life, Brenda laid down her dreams and began focusing on the only One who can truly give her the desires of her heart. A few years later she found herself laying down her dreams again as her new husband underwent a heart transplant. Now she encourages other women to live a life surrendered to Jesus through every season – singleness, marriage, and motherhood – at her blog Triple Braided and on Facebook and Twitter. She is also learning to be a mommy for when she welcomes her first baby in October!
I’m linking up with: The Better Mom, The Prairie Homestead, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Deep Roots at Home, Time-Warp Wife, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well
Works for Me Wednesday,Fight Back Friday, Your Green Resource, Simple Lives Thursday
Check out the other posts in this series:
- 5 Simple Tips for Combating Morning Sickness
- Reflections on my First Pregnancy
- 10 Reasons We Opted to Give Birth at a Birth Center
- Easing Leg Pain During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Posts Around the Web
- A Tale of Two Births: Medicated vs. Natural Hospital Births, part 2
- A Tale of Two Births: Medicated vs. Natural Hospital Births, part 1
- How to Achieve a Natural Birth in a Hospital Setting
- Real Food Pregnancy Cheats/Shortcuts
- OB or Midwife: Finding the Birth Provider Who Works for You
- A Comparison of Birth Settings: Home, Hospital and Birth Center
- Resources for a Natural Pregnancy
- 10 Things Never to Say to Pregnant Women
- What Every Pregnant Woman Wants to Hear
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Much More than Severe Morning Sickness
- Pregnancy Posts Around the Web, Take 2
- Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding While Pregnant
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Circumstances (no hot water) dictated that my first home birth not be a water birth. My 4 hour labor made me think that it would be too much of a bother for the others until my very last. I had the opportunity and decided to do it. I am so very thankful to have experienced a water birth; it is like nothing else. The amount of pain was nominal compared to the others (which was certainly doable) and I was in wonder having to be reminded to push his shoulders out as I gazed at his opened eyes under water and stroked his beautiful head…I now wish I had “bothered” to set up a tub for the others…
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Cheryl, this is so encouraging! Reading your experience makes me even more sure of planning for a water birth!
Thank you!
Brenda @TripleBraided recently posted..Mommy Wars from a New Mommy
I have had three water births and am planning another for December.
One was in a birth center with a jacuzzi big enough for my husband to climb in and hold my feet while I pushed. One was in a (too) large blow up kiddie pool at home and the last was in the small birthing pool my midwife has open for her patients to use. All were very different experiences and I am so glad I chose to do water births with each! The water really does help with the pain and seems to slightly slow the contractions down just enough deal with them more easily. If you are doing a homebirth make sure to test your water heater to make sure you have enough hot water to fill the pool! I know this from experience. You don’t want people boiling water on your stove to get the water temperature right while you are sitting in the pool! 
(my fault on this one- I was desperate to get in because of the pain and told my midwife the water was fine. I got in and started shivering! ) In the small pool I was able to catch my own baby- one of the most exciting moments of my life!
Brooke recently posted..My baby is as big as a WHAT?
It sounds like you had an amazing experience! I loved catching my second (although I wasn’t in the water) as well!
Brooke, we have to purchase our own water tub. We’re having the birth in the hospital, but they don’t have tubs yet. From all the wonderful comments, I think it’s worth it! I am so excited about catching her and putting her right on my chest! Thank you for your encouragement!
Brenda @TripleBraided recently posted..Mommy Wars from a New Mommy
Both of my children were born at home. My daughter was nearly born in the toilet (my midwife said she couldn’t be born there) as that was the most comfortable place I found. My son was born water birth. There was a huge difference. The water really helps with the pain (it doesn’t removed it like some water birth proponents say). I did like the birthing pool so much that I am planning to have another water birth in Dec. with number 3.
Congrats on #3! I hope to labor some in the tub this time around!
Kara, congrats!! I love your encouraging experience stories! Thank you!!
Brenda @TripleBraided recently posted..Mommy Wars from a New Mommy
I wasn’t sure I wanted to labor in the water, but wanted to have the option at the end. I am so glad I did! I went to a birth center and had the freedom to move around as I needed to, and only got into the water at the end. Being in the water helped me move as I needed to when I felt weak. No tears or rips and no drugs. Strangers constantly stop me to comment on how “alert” he is, and I believe lack of drugs directly relates… and the water helped me do that!
It’s so good to hear of your great experience!
Saira, this is so encouraging! Thank you!! I love that it helped with not having any rips or tears.
I am praying for that with me!
Brenda @TripleBraided recently posted..Mommy Wars from a New Mommy
How wonderful Brenda! I too was planning on a water birth but the nearest birthing center is too far away
So I am planning on a natural birth BUT now that we know we are having twins there is a MUCH higher liklihood of needing a C section. I am really struggling with this and am praying that my babies are healthy and don’t need a C section. The only problem is, you don’t really know what’s going to happen with twins until you get into the delivery room. It is all in God’s hands now and I am trying to be at peace with that.
Jami Leigh recently posted..An Added Blessing {1+1=4?}
You will do great, Jami!
So excited for you!
Jami, you are so right. With any birth it is completely in God’s hands. I am really encouraged to be able to have a water birth, but I am trying to keep it in perspective that God knows the story He is writing, and I will have to be o.k. with whatever that is. My friends have suggested getting A LOT of opinions from several doctors because a lot of times it comes down to doctor philosophy rather than medical need. It’s definitely not impossible to have twins naturally
So happy for you and your babies!! That is so wonderful!!
Brenda @TripleBraided recently posted..Mommy Wars from a New Mommy
You’ve definitely done your research! That’s great! You go girl!
Erica {let why lead} recently posted..Grasscloth Roundup
Thank you, Erica! Y’all will definitely hear the results!
Brenda @TripleBraided recently posted..Mommy Wars from a New Mommy
A water birth is such an intriguing idea! It’s not an option for me right now, but I have always loved the thought of it.
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy recently posted..Canning – It’s Not What You Think!
I think so, too! I would love to have one…but it’s not an option in my hospital…I may labor in the tub, though!
I had a water birth last August, and I cannot imagine doing it any other way! It says in the Psalms that God is the one who brings a baby from the womb! So true! No doctor can dictate whether you are able to deliver your baby or not, it’s God who gives life and made you able to deliver a baby!
I actually look back on the day I gave birth to my son, and I am excited for the next time I can have a water birth, it was that beautiful! It goes right hand in hand with my wedding day as being the most wonderful day of my life!
What a wonderful experience! Thanks so much for sharing, Hannah!