Pain Free Birth - can it happen? gimme stories - Page 2

[mamallama]

My second labor was pain free. It was intense. It required all of my concentration. It didn't hurt. Crowning hurt. It was surprising to me--it took my breath away. I think it was such a shock because I hadn't experienced pain up until that point.

My third was nearly pain free. After active labor started I was goofing around with my daughters and my husband and not really paying attention & I laid down on the couch so that one of my older girls could rub my back. I didn't so much need/want a back rub, but it was her idea, so I went with it. I endured one gripping, painful contraction in that position, and as soon as it was done I hopped up and didn't lie down again! The rest of my labor and birth was pain free.

I wonder if I would have perceived my two easy labors as pain free as I did if I had not had the pitocin induction with my first. I held off on the epidural for as long as I could, and I know you've all heard it before, but I'll say it again: Pitocin is a real bear.

I did not use Hypnobabies. As a doula, I have helped several moms who did use Hypnobabies. I've seen it work really well, but I'm not a fan of the method.

[lisabc311]

I studied Hypnobabies during my third pregnancy and I had a fabulous, painless birth.

I labored all day but it was so pleasurable. Pushing was intense as my son was born in 2 contractions. Extremely intense- but my brain didn't register it as pain, just intensity.

It was WONDERFUL!!!

[TzippityDoulah]

Originally Posted by Girl Named Sandoz

Yes, of course sometimes our bodies experience pain. That's why I said *normal* biological processes don't involve pain; only sick ones do. Pain is a way of the body alerting us to something that is "out of balance", it's the body's alarm system. Pain tells us to pay attention to a part of the body that is not functioning in its normal state. For example, normal digestion is not painful, but diarrheea is...alerting us that there is something out of balance in the digestive system. Flexing muscles usually isn't painful - unless they are stiff, torn, overworked, etc. The body in its intact, healthy, normal state is painfree.

ok... then let's not talk sickness. taking a hike, riding a bike, running around the block can all cause us some level of pain. but all endorphins, joy and even ecstasy.

I'm not saying we HAVE to feel pain. or that we CAN'T feel no pain during birth. not at all! but sometimes the pain and the joy are very entwined! Birthing is a very spiritual emotional thing - not just physical. Birth is a new start. it has the ability to open and close. to help us meet our walls and jump them. it starts new chapters and it brings much closure too. much like when one runs a marathon and makes it to the end - such joy, exhaustion, and sometimes pain and weariness. it's a wonderful mix. and depending on the physical, emotional and spiritual place we will feel either pain, joy, fear, anger, excitement, or any number of feelings. but often it's a combination of many of those feelings. This is why every single birth is different... even for the same mom.

[MamaChicken]

I just wanted to add something about pain...

Not all childbirth is painful, but not all women can have a pain-free birth. I think a worthwhile goal is to experience as little pain as possible. Or perhaps, our goal should be to prevent the pain from becoming an all-encompassing, tragic, life-shattering experience. I have heard of women having such pain that it, alone, is completely traumatizing. There is no "high" after the birth because it is clouded in the fog of pain. PPD can be worsened by the memory of the birth (as happened with DS1). Women become very vulnerable during birth, and all too often make choices because of pain that they never wanted to make.

So, while I completely believe in Hypnobabies, I say that everyone should find a method for them that works. A method that:
-empowers us,
-keeps us "in the moment" and able to experience the power and joy of birth
-allows us to make decisions rationally and makes us feel safe
-allows us to look back on our births fondly, happy and proud of the way our children enter this world
-recognises the strength that is within each women
-allows us to be proud, even if things don't go as planned, and not to feel like failures or like our bodies have betrayed us.

So whatever method you choose, or no method at all, dwell on your own inner strength. Focus on the amazing power that your body has and be at peace.

[~Sarah~]

Why is it that every time someone starts a thread asking for pain-free birth experiences or experiences with hypnobabies, someone ALWAYS has to come along and derail the thread with how they think pain is normal and fine? That's not what the OP asked for:

so anyone who has actually experienced a pain free or less painful birth, please share your story with me!

No one wants to hear about painful births when they've asked for stories of NOT painful births.

It's getting old, really. No one's accusing anyone of having a "less-than" birth just because it was painful. No need to get defensive about pain or gyour births. If gyour painful birth was such an issue that gyou need to inject it into pain-free birth threads, please work it out elsewhere.

In response to the OP, my virtually painless birth story (1st-time mom, so yes it CAN be done without knowing what to expect) is at http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1084385 Bubble of Peace, sister. Bubble of Peace.

[TzippityDoulah]

Originally Posted by ~Sarah~

Why is it that every time someone starts a thread asking for pain-free birth experiences or experiences with hypnobabies, someone ALWAYS has to come along and derail the thread with how they think pain is normal and fine?

why? Because people see the danger of putting birth into a box one way or another. Pain is all relative. it's about perception. it doesn't make for a better birth or a lesser birth. and though not the OP's suggestion... it WAS suggested by another poster.... hence why people "defended" non-pain free births.

no one is saying pain free births don't happen. they were saying that to say pain isn't supposed to happen unless something is wrong isn't really true.

I had a client use hypnobabies and loved it. but she still felt pain. but she was okay with the pain and embraced it as part of the journey. she had a wonderful experience. I've also known people to use and not experience pain and have a wonderful birth.

[flowers]

Yes! I haven't read the other posts, but I'm sure there are wonderful stories here.

My second birth was what I consider pain free. There were about 10 minutes (during transition) where I felt like I "lost it" but once I got back to centered place it was great.

My thoughts on being a first time birther in reference to pain-free. Some women can do...definitely. I was planning on it and unfortunately I was not prepared or in the right space. It was so much more than I expected and I could never seem to get back on track. Then I prepared much more intensely for my second birth and it was easy peasy!

I think the more time you spend consciously preparing and journeying within while pregnant the easier your labor and birth can be.

[zoebird]

for a long time, long before i was pregnant, i thought about pleasureable birth from many angles. every time i would bring it up, same song-and-dance from everyone--pain is real, pain is normal, pain is relative, painless is rare, not optimal, not important, not valuable, you name it.

while i explored UC, got similar responses about things. birth is dangerous, you MUST have SOMEONE there or you could DIE, and death is common in birth, mothers and babies die, the birth itself doesn't matter, the mother doesn't matter only a healthy baby, etc etc etc.

and my personal favorites from both--don't be stupid.

truth is, my prior theory is the origin of my experience.

[super mamabug]

Originally Posted by MamaChicken

I just wanted to add something about pain...

Not all childbirth is painful, but not all women can have a pain-free birth. I think a worthwhile goal is to experience as little pain as possible. Or perhaps, our goal should be to prevent the pain from becoming an all-encompassing, tragic, life-shattering experience. I have heard of women having such pain that it, alone, is completely traumatizing. There is no "high" after the birth because it is clouded in the fog of pain. PPD can be worsened by the memory of the birth (as happened with DS1). Women become very vulnerable during birth, and all too often make choices because of pain that they never wanted to make.

So, while I completely believe in Hypnobabies, I say that everyone should find a method for them that works. A method that:
-empowers us,
-keeps us "in the moment" and able to experience the power and joy of birth
-allows us to make decisions rationally and makes us feel safe
-allows us to look back on our births fondly, happy and proud of the way our children enter this world
-recognises the strength that is within each women
-allows us to be proud, even if things don't go as planned, and not to feel like failures or like our bodies have betrayed us.

So whatever method you choose, or no method at all, dwell on your own inner strength. Focus on the amazing power that your body has and be at peace.

You've hit the nail on the head here! And this is why I recommend hypnobabies across the board. I feel that hypnobabies focus is on meeting you birth without fear and embracing the experience. By doing this many of us have experienced pain-free or near pain-free births. However, even if that is not your experience the confidence and relaxation achieved through the program are helpful to everyone. I think of it as relaxation with a chance of painless, compared with relaxation and an expectation of pain. There is nothing "wrong" with pain in birth, however I don't see the need to view it as inevitable or necessary.

[Care Lee]

I wouldn't exactly classify my last birth as pain free. But honestly, it wasn't bad. Sort of like a really demanding workout. I had to focus and go within and let my body do it's work- I wasn't prancing around saying "this is easy" or anything, but when it was all over, my first thought was "that's it?".

I didn't do hypnobabies, birthing classes, or anything. I just trusted that my body knows what to do.

[Mosaic]

I did Hypnobabies as a first-time mom, and my birth was pain-free. I would definitely liken it to a demanding workout, but I couldn't say that it really hurt. It was long and I was tired, but it was relaxing and, dare I say, fun!

Healing up afterwards, on the other hand, was harder and more painful than I anticipated! Much harder than the birth!

[zak]

Pain free here too!!

My first was a NCB at a FSBC, but pain-full. It was still awesome and amazing, but yes, I recall the pain.

My second was a NCB homebirth and pain-FREE. I studies HypnoBabies (half-heartedly) and it was AWESOME!!

I'm a believer in that course and will study it WHOLEheartedly next time!! :

[Lillitu]

ok- clue me in!

what is hypnobabies- a book, a class? where do i find it?

[super mamabug]

Hypnobabies is a childbirth preparation class/program. It is available as a class if there is an instructor in your area. There is also a homestudy program. I took the homestudy and had fantastic results and am planning on taking the instructor training this summer to start offering classes in my area. www.hypnobabies.com The homestudy is available on Amazon for a great price. If you are interested I recommend joining the yahoo group at groups.yahoo.com/group/hypnobabies and check out www.pregnancybirthandbabies.com for birth stories and info. Good luck and happy birthing to all!

[AllieFaye]

I prefer the Hypbirth, aka the Dorman method, program. I had two births that I recall fondly. In the first one, I actually rolled my eyes and thought, "So, this is the 'so-called' ring-of-fire? What-ev-er." I can offer my own two anecdotal experiences of delightful births. I have also experienced excruciating pain - but those were miscarriages, and perhaps not fair comparisons.