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My sis and I have very different views when it comes to childbirth. She is a respiratory therapist in a hospital so obviously, her whole career is centered around medical interventions. She has had 4 very medically-managed pregnancies/births. We have never really gotten into a deep debate about our views on birth. Without actually saying so, we have just agreed to disagree.

I had a birth-center-turned-hospital birth that was fairly intervention-free (ya know, for being in a hospital
). It was an unmedicted, episiotomy-free, forceps/vacuum extractor-free, vaginal birth. I did end up needing IV fluids (I became dehydrated and our state law forbids licensed midwives to administers IVs
: ) and I had a nasal canula w/ oxygen.....but other than that (
), it was all natural.

After my sister read my birth story, this is what she wrote to me:

"Wow, you're my hero!!
Isn't it funny how you have to wait a while before you can clearly remember the events of childbirth? Trying to replay it in your head too soon after the event is way too confusing!

Sis, you are the reason for me wanting to consider a natural birth if I do another surrogacy. After this last epidural not working, and my back STILL feeling sore in that spot 6 weeks later....I'm just not sure I want to keep having huge needles stuck into my spine (how many epidurals can one actually have in their lifetime before something bad happens??)

I'm so proud of you for bringing Scout into this world UNmedicated, and for doing sooooo much research to prepare for it. Thank you for opening my eyes to a new way of doing something that I have done the same way....4 times now (I think it's time for a change!)

I love you!!!!"


Just thought I'd share that. Even if it seems like your friends and family may be set in their ways and not open to a more natural way of doing things, ya never know....they may be soaking up info from you and gaining knowledge from your experience.
 

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That's fabulous! I think many women are simply convinced they CAN'T give birth without medicine, so even if they might WANT an unmedicated birth at heart, they're just too scared. It might not even be an issue of closed-mindedness.

Thanks for providing another great example that of course it can be done.
 

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How awesome is that! Way to go, mama!!
 

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My sister is a nurse in a busy hospital and had a medicated birth the first time. After I had my first homebirth we talked about it alot and she ended up having a completely natural hospital birth with her second. She now works in labour and delivery and does her best to advocate natural childbirth and be supportive of the women who choose that.
What is really interesting is after we both had our firsts, I would say how empowering and amazing the experience was and she didn't feel the same way. She still thought it was amazing but didn't quite share my enthusiasm. After her second, she said she now knows exactly what I meant!
 

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Wow, what a great response! I was all psyched up to read another "can you believe she said something so rude/stupid/uneducated??? When will people learn???" thread. Instead we get to read that she really DID learn from watching you! Very cool.
 
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