Any overweight/out of shape mamas going natural?

[abiyhayil]

I had an epi with each child, because I am overweight and out of shape and was afraid that I didn't have the endurance needed to get through labor naturally. I just bought a hypnobirthing book second hand and am very curious if I should even be thinking that this is possible. Has anyone BTDT or has plans to?

[gagin37]

well, i hope to. i labored naturally until about 8.5cm- roughly7 hours, then had an epi and really regretted it. I felt like my body suddenly became all this dead weight I couldn't move. I'm quite overweight, but in better shape this time, i think. I exercise pretty regularly. It wasn't really that my endurance gave out, so much that my inner core sort of crumbled when the doctor came in and made fun of me for vocalizing through my contractions.

[is it puppies?]

not in your ddc but I noticed your post- I think it's mostly the uterus working for you - it's an involuntary thing, it's not like you can exercise it!

I started out my pg fat and fairly out of shape, gained 65lbs, and became 9 months futher out of shape, and still managed to push out dd after 24 hours of active, and somehat complicated, labour (which started at 6pm, so I was already up for 12 hours!)

I will have to say though that I ended up getting augmented with oxy at threat of c-section after about 8 hours of pushing, but still avoided the epi.

[Lauren82]

Absolutely!
With my last pregnancy I started off the heaviest I have ever been and gained a lot of weight. I stopped weighing myself when I hit 250 because I got sick of the midwives chewing me out for gaining so much. They gave me all of the warnings that labor could be harder and blah blah.

Labor was 2.5 hours. My fastest. I pushed her out in 3 minutes. All natural.

I didn't exercise at all other than some puny little walks since it was a pregnancy after loss and I was paranoid.

Our bodies know what to do.

[hannybanany]

I'm overweight, but not necessarily out of shape (I work out 4-5 times per week). Toward the end of my pregnancy with DD2 I was in so much pain with SPD that I could barely walk, so I didn't get very much exercise after about 34 weeks. Anyway, my labor was exhausting because it was 24 hours, but I did it without drugs! It took two hours of pushing, but I am positive that's because I was simply exhausted after being awake for two days.

[aliah79]

I went natural with both my previous labors. 24 & 36 hours of labor...5 hours pushing with my second. Both ended with c/s. But I'm going for VBA2C this time and plan to do it naturally again.

[minkajane]

I'm not overweight anymore (lost 35 pounds thanks to diet and Metformin) but I pretty much never exercise. I've always had jobs where I'm on my feet all day long, but other than that, pretty much nothing. I have exercise-induced asthma and I'll wheeze for days with anything more strenuous than yoga or swimming or something.

I'm planning to use some form of birth hypnosis (haven't decided on a program yet). I got a prenatal yoga DVD from the library today and I plan on doing it as much as I can. They have the whole series available and I want to go through the whole thing. I think it will help with the birth to be more flexible, plus get me into the habit of relaxing so when I start the hypnosis practice, I'll be more used to it.

[abiyhayil]

thanks mamas, I think I'm going to try this time to be more prepared for labor, I do have a prenatal pilates dvd and am hoping to read through hypnobabies. It's really great to hear your positive stories. I wound up gaining 70 ish lbs with my first weighing 260, and 220 right after he was born. With DD I only gained 15 lbs, but that still put me at 230 lbs. Now I'm starting at 220 and hoping not to go above 240. I think one of the best things I could do is labor at home for as long as possible, is that right?

[treeoflife3]

ddcc

i went natural with kiddo and im considered obese plus i didnt do any exercising. for me, labor was more about mind over matter. ultimately my body meant nothing so long as i stayed in the right mind frame.

i labored mostlyat home, soaked in a tub up til transition and birthed at a birth center. the tub was hugely helpful. "aqua"dural

[kaPOW!]

Originally Posted by gagin37

well, i hope to. i labored naturally until about 8.5cm- roughly7 hours, then had an epi and really regretted it. I felt like my body suddenly became all this dead weight I couldn't move. I'm quite overweight, but in better shape this time, i think. I exercise pretty regularly. It wasn't really that my endurance gave out, so much that my inner core sort of crumbled when the doctor came in and made fun of me for vocalizing through my contractions.

[Lauren82]

Originally Posted by abiyhayil

thanks mamas, I think I'm going to try this time to be more prepared for labor, I do have a prenatal pilates dvd and am hoping to read through hypnobabies. It's really great to hear your positive stories. I wound up gaining 70 ish lbs with my first weighing 260, and 220 right after he was born. With DD I only gained 15 lbs, but that still put me at 230 lbs. Now I'm starting at 220 and hoping not to go above 240. I think one of the best things I could do is labor at home for as long as possible, is that right?

I have read sooo many good things about hypnobabies.

I'd definitely say to labor at home as long as you can. My experience is that once you get to the hospital, it's not as comfortable as being in your own home.

[dayiscoming2006]

DDCC
I'd labor at home and even consider delivering at home if you feel that could be an option for you.

My second birth I was 50 lbs overweight and had my baby naturally. I recommend choosing your delivering position. Hands and knees and squatting can be wonderful positions for delivery. Lots of staying upright is good for helping with dilation. Laying down for most of your labor and delivering on your back like what is typical is a very bad plan. It slows things down and gives a higher chance of tearing.

The prenatal pilates could be really helpful. I'm going to start doing that once I'm done with the nausea part of my pregnancy. I did pilates before getting pregnancy and for the first couple weeks before my nausea kicked in. It just feels great after you've done it for a couple days a week for a couple weeks to a month. You get way stronger and it would likely help with back pain and all that as well.

Read up lots on natural birth methods. The more you know, the more confident you will be. Look up successful natural birth stories too.

[hby]

Yes of course you can do it. I did a waterbirth last time at home after two hospital births and it was a lot better and I felt more involved. I am sure you will make best decision for you and your baby.

[dizzysmom]

Originally Posted by gagin37

well, i hope to. i labored naturally until about 8.5cm- roughly7 hours, then had an epi and really regretted it. I felt like my body suddenly became all this dead weight I couldn't move.

I had the same issue. I labored for 15 of my 20 hours naturally but then caved and got the epidural (I hadn't slept in two days by that point ). My OB turned off the epidural about an hour before I started pushing because I was not able to feel any pressure despite being fully dialated and ready to go, so it was only on for about three hours. DD got stuck and I needed to try and squat and I literally could not get on my feet, even with help. The next day my left leg was swollen so badly I could barely walk on it. I'm not sure if it was all because of the epidural, but that's what I've been blaming. I'm not going to even bother this time.

[Taryn237]

I got an epi with my last after 24 hours of induced labor (castor oil, nipple stim) 4 or 5 hours with pitocin. I was 7-8cm when I got it. The pain got to me but I think the tiredness was worse. I didn't sleep much the night before either because my water had broke and I knew baby was coming sometime soon.

Honestly, I think I have a low pain tolerance so who knows if I'll be able to handle the pain. I did hypnobabies but it was relaxing me so much the contractions would stop and once I had the pit it didn't help. I'm starting this pregnancy at almost 200 and pretty out of shape. I gained 45lbs last time but am really going to try to keep that number down. I don't want an epi because I love the idea and benefits of natural childbirth, hate catheters, and I hated having to push laying down (flat on my back pushing uphill due to baby's erratic heartbeat). I am getting a doula this time.