So of course I am gonna have to explain my self, here is why I am a natural and home birth advocate!!!

 I could go into all the bad things that come from using drugs during labor but I am not going to be that girl...  We all know there are serious side effects to labor drugs.  There are serious things wrong with the way Americans labor.  I know when to pick my battles.

For the record I want to be crystal clear about one thing, I will never say that home birth is the best way to bring a child into this world...  I am not going to get on too high of a soap box here...  I am going to just stand up from my chair and share my experience.  I feel that everyone is different, and none better than the next...  We all do what works for us and I completely respect that.  What happened to work for me was two, all natural, no drug births; one just happening to be at home.  Here is my story!!!!

 For the birth of my first Daughter Bryten I would have loved to have had a home birth, my husband on the other hand was scared senseless at the thought.   To sooth his fears I agreed to have our first daughter Bryten at a hospital.  I had read everything I possibly could about natural child birth.  I also took a few classes, Bradley method, and Lamaze included.  I have to admit that the minute I went into actual labor everything that I learned flew right out the window.  On top of my baby’s safety I have to say that I really wanted to be in control of my body, I had heard too many horror stories. And I am a crazy control freak.  Bryten was due around the 20th of May and a week early, Mothers day 2008, I started to feel contractions far more painful than the ones that I had the few days prior..  I had been dilated to 3 cm for about a week already, and I really thought it would be special to have Bryten on Mother’s day “How fitting right"?  After spending the day with my mom, my husband Donny and I were settling into bed at around 10 pm and I remember laying there feeling like something is going down...  I would have to say that it felt like really bad cramps.  Like really bad...  I told my husband and he started to time them.  My contractions were at around 7 minutes apart.  I decided to jump in the shower and see if the shower would lessen the pain...  My husband ran around finding the number to labor and delivery at UC Davis.  I don't know really how long I was in the shower but while he was calling into the doctor I lost my mucus plug and it kind of  freaked me out so I insisted that he time my contractions again.. My contractions had gone from 7 to about 5minutes apart in a half hour.  He told the person on the phone the info and she told him that we should just come on in.  We got all our stuff ready and I remember getting to UC Davis at around 11:00pm...  They checked me out and noticed that although my contractions were close together I still was only dilated to 3cm.  The nurse told us that they could not admit us until I was dilated to 5cm whatever that means...  The doctor told us to go walk around the hospital for an hour and come back and they will check me again.  I was a tad annoyed, I really just wanted to go back home but I said okay!!!  We walked to the cafeteria where my husband decided it was important to order and eat a cheese burger in front of me while I sat there watching and having contractions around every 5 minutes...  I truly feel that if I had not done yoga for so many years that I would have never been able to bare it.  But I kept breathing and to tell you the truth that is all you can do!!!!  We finally made our way back to the labor and delivery room where they checked me again and they said that I was at 5cm so they admitted me.  Everyone knew that I wanted to have a drug free labor but of course before I even got taken to my room they were asking if they could administer Pitocin.  I said no and to the room we went...  I was being hooked up to a belly band monitor and just started to ease into the room and the bright lights and the people...  My husband says that I pretty much for the next 2 hours had my face in a pillow and was on my side breathing...  There was no music, there were no candles, I did not want to be touched.  I just wanted to bury my head into the pillows and breath, silently....  At around 2 o'clock they came in to check on me and I still was not dilating much I was only to about 6cm.  The doctor then asked if he could break my water.  I said “no” of course and he actually had the audacity to say "well we admitted you around 12 and you have not had much progress so we need to get the ball rolling.”  In my mind I thought "you’ve got to be kidding me, you guys admitted me... You could have told me to go home and labor more because I am dilating slowly.  I didn't ask to be admitted this is baloney!!!”  I said “no” again politely and said how bout you give me another hour...  After he left I actually asked to get up and walk around.  At this point my contractions were around 3 minutes apart and I was hurting.  I walked around a tad and then asked to sit in the shower.  The nurses said no which infuriated me, so I kept walking...  An hour later the doctor came in and checked and I had dilated to 7.  This was good because he did not ask me to take anything or suggest that I allow him to break my water.  For the next 3 hours or so my husband said that I drank an unbelievable amount of cranberry juice and walked around the labor and delivery floor about a million times...  When they came in to check me again I had only dilated to 8cm, to which of course they responded “may we break your water”... And to that I responded “give me another hour.” ; )  Sure enough in that hour I was sitting on the bed fighting through a contraction and my water broke...  Naturally ;)  Now at this point time had left the equation.  I don't remember what time it was I just remember that my husband was now telling me when the contractions were coming and that was so helpful.... I was now1 minute apart with each contraction lasting a minute.  Having your husband telling you to get ready, and good job almost done is really helpful.   The nurse who had been my natural birth advocate had said would you like the anesthesiologist to come in so you can ask a couple questions.  I could not even talk at this point.  My husband Donny noticed that it was rather convenient that the anesthesiologist was standing in the doorway with his little cart of drugs.  He came in our room and said, without even checking me "I can give you an epidural right now".  My husband looked at me and said.  You don't need it Mel.  You can do this, you are a woman..  You can do this, birthing this little girl is what your body was made for.  I remember falling a little more in love with him at that moment.  My husband who is not a hippie, extremely far from one was on my team and acting as my biggest fan.  My mom was there at this point on the other side saying no way Mel you got this.  We said no and the nurse checked me again and I was still only dilated to 8cm on one side and 9 on the other.  Which looking back I think it was crazy that the Dr said he can give me an epidural when they are not supposed to administer them when you are that far along in dilation.  But whatever!!  .. I was not screaming yet, but breathing...  Breathing and meditating...  I kept saying "This is one day of my life, this will pass I can do this...  I am a woman this is what my body was made for.  The next part, serious chaos! My nurse checked me again and noticed that one side was fully dilated and the other was not.  I also now had the urge to push so bad I could just die. The feeling that came over my body was insane.  All your body wants to do is push.   That is such an interesting instinct.  And no one can really stop you, you almost lose control.  There was not a doctor in the room, just the nurse.  I remember the nurse saying well if I have to, I will catch her, not like I haven't done it before.  What I thought was crazy was for the  past 8 hours there was a doctor asking to give me drugs and now it was time to push and not one was to be found..  The pushing started and quickly 2 students and 1 OB finally ran into the room.  My father walked in at this point, gross!!  And walked right out and needed help from a few cleaning ladies to get down the hall to waiting room.  I actually started screaming at this point which the doctor kept telling me to stop which pissed me off.  I had been silent this whole time and this hurt like hell.  I pushed for 10 minutes and needed the doctor to shoe-horn the baby’s head out with her fingers because one side was less dilated.  This ended up contributing to my 2nd degree tear in the crotchelll region..  After it was all said and done Bryten was born 12 hours later at 11:00 am May 12th.  7lbs, 19.5 inches long beautiful and perfect...  When they started to stitch me up I remember looking at my mom and saying "Why does this hurt more than having the baby"?  My mom looked at the student doctor and said you guys gave her a topical pain killer right?  The girl looks up at my mom and said I thought she wanted no drugs...  My mom kind of screamed "before the baby was born!" Quickly the doctor walked over and gave me something and I pretty much wanted to die... All and all the experience was a good one, I look back and am happy that I was in control, and the minute I got to be by myself holding my daughter I forgot immediately about the pain.....  I would have liked the staff to stop bothering me about getting drugs, because it made me doubt myself a few times.  But at the end of the day I had a completely drug free natural birth with an amazing baby girl to show for it..

My tips for the natural ladies considering doing things naturally:

1. Have your husband timing contractions especially when they get more intense and closer together, it is such a cool thing to anticipate when they are coming and when they are going to be over… 

2. Walk around as much as you can, curb-walking if able.

3. Keep hydrated, water or cranberry juice only.

4. Try to get on all 4’s and rock your hips from front to back (a birthing-ball or chair helps.)   This is so helpful!   

5. Laying in a warm shower letting the water land right on your tummy, really helps the pain of contractions.

6. Make a play list of super mellow music, I know it sounds corny but it seriously is a great thing to have playing in the background when you are trying to relax and block out surrounding commotion..

7. Only have people attend the labor that are uplifting and supportive, most times even the people that you think will bring drama will pull through for you in such a magical moment.  But if you are even concerned just have them wait till you are done with the labor and birth, and relaxed to receive them.

8. Just keep breathing, breathing and breathing, letting out deep low moans for some reason really feels like it is moving things along. You are getting rid of the pain.  That is what I was doing while meditating…  Moaning was releasing the contraction readying my body for the next one.

For centuries giving birth at home was the normal thing to do, but by the 1900's women slowly began changing their birth setting by going to hospitals. As our understanding of anatomy, modern medicine, the mechanics' of childbirth, and technology have significantly increased, more and more women are exploring the idea of a home birth with trained midwives or nurse-midwives for low-risk, healthy pregnancies. As the desire for home birth grows, the number of studies and statistical data will continue to grow and give us a greater understanding of the risks and benefits. 
 -www.pregnancy.org

 The information below will help increase your understanding as you move toward an informed decision. 

For my second child Daphne, we went a totally different direction.  I had loved the idea of having a home birth and having the freedom to be in my own space.  So when we found out we were pregnant with Daphne we stayed with our OBGYN because if something was to happen and I would have to get transferred I did not want to burn any bridges.  But I also hired a midwife.  The ladies at Born at Home.  I got prenatal care from them and my OBGYN.  I am such a control freak that I wanted to know I had all my bases covered.  At 2 weeks late, with my ob wanting to induce I said give me another week... After 42 weeks your placenta starts to go rotten, not actually rotten but just not as fresh...  The OBGYN said okay and scheduled me for the following week to be induced.  I was 4 cm dilated.  The minute I got home from my 42 week appointment where they checked the baby’s heart rate I started having contractions.  It was around 5pm and I couldn't tell if they were real or Braxton hicks.  I took a nap and by 8pm I woke up in labor!!!  I called my nurse-midwife and said it started. She said to me well you sound like you are pretty early in the game because you can actually talk to me. She said call me back in an hour or 2...  I took a long hot shower, and when I got out called my midwife Claudia to tell her that my contractions were 4 minutes apart..  She took her time getting to our house.   Claudia arrived at around 10:30pm.   I labored in my living room on the couch listening to a mixed yoga playlist with candles burning with my mom and my husband holding my hand.  When Claudia got to my house I asked if I could get into the tub and she said that she didn't want to slow down the labor so she put me in a silly position on the couch and that is where I labored the remainder of the time.  All I did was breath....  This time instead of being silent I let out moans while I took my breaths and it helped out...  My daughter Bryten was already sleeping in her room, but I didn't care if I woke her.  I actually wanted her to be with me for my labor.  But she slept the whole time.  I actually moved down to the ground and was on all 4's with my head buried in my husband’s lap on the couch breathing...  My water broke and that is when my midwife and husband jumped up to fill the birthing pool... They were scrambling like crazy, my husband a little annoyed that it was not already full, he said to my midwife why didn't you let me fill it, why didn't you let her get in it earlier..  Claudia responded that she did not think that my labor was that far along because I had been handling it so well.  She said that I was still asking for things and talking and joking and nowhere as intense as I should have been to be so close to pushing..  She was apologizing when I screamed “K Guys!”  I don't care about the birthing tub, I am pushing.......  They all ran in and Claudia said wait, I said nope and started pushing..  Claudia positioned herself behind me and I was down to business.  Lucky for me again I only pushed for about 10 minutes and I heard “reach down and catch her Mel”...  I was as out of it as I could get and holding myself up against the couch on all 4's so my husband put out his hands and caught our Daughter Daphne...  Nov 18th at 1:10 am she was a 9 LB and 19.5 inch butterball!! She was not overcooked, but for sure DONE!!!  She started crying right away she got placed on my chest and stayed on my chest for the next hour nursing and looking at me... It was everything I wanted my birthing experience to be.  About 20 minutes after she was born my dad got to our house.  My father and mother as well as husband got to cooing and loving on our new precious lover girl!!    My placenta was delivered right after Daphne, literally minutes later and I labored it with Daphne on my chest undisturbed.  I was able to get up a little later, have a shower, and get into my bed...  I ate a little something and slept with my perfect little butter bean right next to me.  My second labor was 5 hours completely different from the first 12 hour labor, which is extremely common with your second child.  I did tear a tad but it was so little that she didn't even put in a stitch.  Although the aftershock contractions are worse with your second, I was so surprised that I literally could get up and not feel terrible pain the next day... Here is what you should know about home births and midwives!!!

Most midwives will bring the following with them the day of delivery:

• Oxygen for the baby if needed
• IV's for mom if she becomes dehydrated or needs additional nutrients
• Sterile gloves, gauze pads, cotton hat for the baby, drop cloths, waterproof covers for the bed, a thermometer, a pan for sitz baths after birth
• Fetoscopes or ultrasonic stethoscopes
• Medications to slow or stop a hemorrhage
• Special herbal preparations, homeopathic remedies, massage supplies/techniques and even acupuncture needles
• Items for suturing tears

Home birth might be an option for you if:

• You are having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy
• You want to avoid episiotomy, cesarean section, epidural and other interventions
• You want to be surrounded by family and friends
• You want to be free to move around, change positions, take a shower, and eat or drink freely during labor
• You want to enjoy the comforts of home and familiar surroundings

-http://www.americanpregnancy.org

links for more information:

This book is hands down one of the most informative I have read,,, I buy it right away for every friend that ever gets pregnant..  

It is what all women should read and know going into a delivery!!!

 http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Womans-Guide-Better-Birth/dp/0399525173

Bradley Method:

http://www.bradleybirth.com/

Hospital transfer:

http://www.home-birth-guide.com/home-birth-risk.html

High risk pregnancy information:

http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/managing-a-high-risk-pregnancy

I am a healthy gal so I think that my yoga practice and faith in my body is what got me along so well for both natural births. I think that if you are someone that is healthy, and has a great respect and knowledge of your body a natural birth is extremely rewarding.  Being able to remember the day, the act, and love is such a blessing that I think all woman should try to experience it.  I know things happen that are out of our control and when those things happen thank God for doctors.  But for what we can control why not try!!!  Not to mention hospital bills go from $6,000 to $20,000 depending on the birth...  Of course they will do what they can to make the bill the higher number, so do what you can for you and don't let the medical profession push things onto you!!  To have the security blanket of a hospital is the American way I realize, but to birth naturally is very much something that all women should try to do first, utilizing the hospitals resources should be based on mothers needs not the hospitals financial agenda!!   Make an educated decision based on what you need and want, we have that right as women, so use it!  Tread Lightly...