Comments on C. Jane, Enjoy It: Pain In The

You may want to check out the book Birthing From W...

2010-02-28T01:33:01.943-07:00

You may want to check out the book Birthing From Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz. Some of their suggestions helped me work through and actually enjoy birthing. With both of our girls I was able to have all natural water births...two of the best experiences in my life! I still get insanely jelous when one of my friends goes into labor.

your choice but I had the no pain the fist time, a...

2010-02-27T15:42:54.183-07:00

your choice but I had the no pain the fist time, and had an amazing mid wife and felt my body be amazing and do all that it can to bring my 2nd 9lb baby to this earth, I am so happy I stuck to the plan, I kept telling my hubby, please I need the pain drugs and he just kept looking into my eyes tellimg me he knew I could do it and he was so proud of me. I am glad in my life time I let the nature of my body work for me, mind over matter and a great DR and Midwife for them I could not have lived with out. Never stop moving, use the ball dance in chups arms. Have a beauitful birth of your choice

One more thought...not sure if you read Dooce or n...

2010-02-23T16:20:35.845-07:00

One more thought...not sure if you read Dooce or not (may not be your style..), but her story of her last birth is awesome! Check it out!

Wow! I am one of the few who have experienced bot...

2010-02-22T13:51:23.861-07:00

Wow! I am one of the few who have experienced both an epidural and a natural birth by my own choice! Cause in my experience most people have the natural birth by accident! Anyways, I had my 3rd child au natural and I wouldn't have done it any other way because I learned several things... 1. I am a lot stronger then I think I am 2. Our bodies are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! 3. Recovery after having a baby naturally is SO! MUCH! BETTER! 4. When all is said and done you get the natural high of your life! Its euphoric! So there's my 2 cents! You do what is right for you but you'll never regret it!

This is such a fascinating topic! During my secon...

2010-02-22T01:00:53.784-07:00

This is such a fascinating topic! During my second pregnancy, I became engrossed in not only the subject of pain, but it's correlation with birth.

I was fascinated with the account of the Lord speaking to Adam and Eve in the verses in Genesis (and Moses).

It really stood out to me that God told Eve, "In sorrow that shalt bring forth children"... Then, in the next verse, he tells Adam, "cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life"...

I have read those verses, COUNTLESS times, my entire life. Why had it not stood out to me before, that Adam AND Eve were warned of sorrow (suffering, pain, travail) to come??! The exact same word is used by God as he counseled his two children. Not just to Eve in respect to bringing children into the world, but to Adam in obtaining food for his family. It opened up a whole new world of understanding and topic of study to me.

Two books that I enjoyed while delving into the subject matter (and have since become two of my favorites!) are Birthing From Within and Eve and the Choice Made in Eden (specifically, the chapter on this subject of pain and childbirth).

I'll warn you that Birthing From Within is definitely "earthy, birthy". But if you're exploring pain and child birth...well...I think that's par for the course. The first half is full of journal writing, meditation and painting/drawing exercises to that really explore the topic of pain and other issues.

I am currently expecting baby #3 (unmedicated birth #2) this April.
Does that make us birthing buddies? ;)

P.S. My word verification is "torksent" ..you know...like "stork sent" only with more force and rotation... heehee

My first 2 babies I had with an Epidural, then bab...

2010-02-21T23:24:43.774-07:00

My first 2 babies I had with an Epidural, then baby #3 came too fast and we didn't have time. I was truly terrified!!! I must say that I am so grateful that The Lord allowed me to give birth without medication b/c while it was intense it was the best experience ever! For baby #4 we went with a midwife and did it totally natural (at the hospital, of course). Again it was a Fabulous experience that I wouldn't ever trade!

WOW! I wish I had your anesthesiologist! Just rem...

2010-02-21T15:51:39.118-07:00

WOW! I wish I had your anesthesiologist!

Just remember, you don't get a parade either way...so do it as you see best. If you go the epi. route next time be sure to tell them to go way light...and maybe avoid the i.v. drugs so your mind is really present.

Anyway, I think the thing to remember is...you will survive, drugs or no drugs...and no matter how you do it you will have done something marvelous.

Though more than a day late and dollar short, I ju...

2010-02-20T23:18:57.620-07:00

Though more than a day late and dollar short, I just wanted to say that I loved this post. What thoughtful, intent words that I know I will think about for a long time to come- thank you for sharing!

I went natural with my first (and only so far). My...

2010-02-20T19:31:25.894-07:00

I went natural with my first (and only so far). My advice would be, if you're really interested in doing it, PREPARE. I took a class called Birth Works and did prenatal yoga, and both really helped me to know what to expect (in terms of pain, progression, possible interventions and how to prevent them, etc.) and how to deal with it. They keys for me were breath, sound, and movement: slow, steady breathing; low noises (not high-pitched frantic ones); and moving around to deal with the pain. I also had a doula, and she helped talk me through what ended up being a really fast, three-weeks early labor. Pushing felt great! And it was absolutely empowering - I was so proud of myself for making it through and I felt so great afterward. Barely any recovery, and just a total emotional high for days after. Good luck and congratulations from a lurker!

I've had four babies--one epidural (ugh), one ...

2010-02-19T23:08:58.253-07:00

I've had four babies--one epidural (ugh), one natural (blessed, blessed, blessed), two c-sections (now, if we want to talk pain . . .). I recognize that it is everyone's choice and all, but if you want someone to support your natural decision, I'm here for you. I loved it. I loved being so in the moment, so much a part of what was going on. I also loved the incredibly short recovery time!

Thanks, CJ, for sharing those thoughts about pain ...

2010-02-19T15:08:43.087-07:00

Thanks, CJ, for sharing those thoughts about pain and enlightenment. I've been having a slow-release epiphany the last couple weeks and your words fit well into the picture of understanding that's beginning to form in my head. xoxo

I just gave birth LAST WEEK to a beautiful little ...

2010-02-19T14:06:39.421-07:00

I just gave birth LAST WEEK to a beautiful little girl, Violet Mae, she's number 5 for me and I choose to do it naturally. It was soooo painful but also sooooo awesome! It's amazing how our bodies were created to do such miraculous things and I have a new appreciation for my body. I had no idea my uterus was so smart! Good luck to you and I think you are awesome!

www.6smarks.blogspot.com

Something to add. Rent "The Business of Bei...

2010-02-19T13:22:13.801-07:00

Something to add. Rent

"The Business of Being Born."

Sure, it strongly encourages natural birth but it raises a lot of points that I think many women have never known.

I tried no epi with #4, since I had never had a ve...

2010-02-19T08:03:39.693-07:00

I tried no epi with #4, since I had never had a very good one before. I was unprepared, and didn't have a coach. I found the experience completely doable, because it was short. But the pain took all the joy out of the process for me (half an epidural is very different than none, I learned). I didn't even want to hold the baby for like ten minutes afterward, I was in such shock. I'm due again next month. I'll probly do the drugs. Good luck to you.

What a great way of looking at pain. You're in...

2010-02-19T06:01:53.554-07:00

What a great way of looking at pain. You're inspiring me as I ponder for my next pregnancy trying to go natural. I was forced to have an epidural because of problems with my son during labor. I think they guy who did it was texting his girlfriend during the whole thing. It literally felt like my spine was being crushed and I was pretty sure I would be paralyzed after the whole thing. And it did nothing what so ever. Then I had to have a spinal block when I was rushed for a c-section.

My baby lived, which may not have happened if I went through labor (his heart rate was dropping to almost nothing during each contraction), so it was all worth it.

But I have to tell you, I have always felt kind of robbed of the experience of childbirth. I was planning on an epidural, but after text-in-poke doctor I never will have one again (unless of course my baby is at risk and I need to get to surgery).

Thanks for this post. You're truly an inspiration.

I love your thoughts. And about that body image th...

2010-02-19T00:33:46.483-07:00

I love your thoughts. And about that body image thing, I'm glad you brought it up. Talking about it makes it seem like not such a big deal, doesn't it? It makes the pain a little smaller.

i thought about you a lot today. For the first tim...

2010-02-19T00:21:43.542-07:00

i thought about you a lot today. For the first time, my blog has been criticized by someone I know. Not directly, but rather, she is going behind my back discussing it negatively with others. And it hurts. And it makes me want to go private. But I've thought about you, and all the negative comments you've received, and the perseverence you've had to press forward in the blogosphere, and how grateful I am because you didn't give up. I love reading your blog. I love your insight and your humor and your honesty about life. So, I'm following in your footsteps, and I won't quit or go private, but rather, continue on doing something I love. Thanks for being an inspiration to me and for using one of your God-given talents to improve the lives of others! You're amazing!

I had my third without any medication. Just a warn...

2010-02-18T22:01:38.071-07:00

I had my third without any medication. Just a warning: it hurts.

I have lots of feelings about that birth experience and the way I feel it has tied me to the child.

Next time you are in my neck of the woods, we should get together and talk about it.

Susan

Delurking here... I have no idea how you'll ev...

2010-02-18T21:37:04.869-07:00

Delurking here... I have no idea how you'll ever get through all of these comments!

I am going to agree with several comments already posted and suggest WATER. When I got into the big birthing tub while in labor, it was so relaxing I was actually able to take a nap before pushing. Also, have you read Ina Mae Gaskin? I found her books to be very helpful and reassuring about my body and my baby's ability to work together in birth.

Love your gift for telling a story:) So refreshin...

2010-02-18T20:40:10.597-07:00

Love your gift for telling a story:) So refreshing. I have 3 precious little ones and for the last one I took a "Hypnobirthing" class and it worked SO WELL for me. Basically it's intensive practicing of relaxation (it doesn't come easily to us!) that allows you to feel "in control" of the pain. Some people say they didn't have any at all. This was not my experience, but I felt able to deal with it in an amazing way. (And I figured learning how to relax is good for me no matter what!) Godspeed either way, my friend!

I discovered your blog through someone else. Did y...

2010-02-18T19:05:56.610-07:00

I discovered your blog through someone else. Did you go to school to write or does it come naturally? I love the way you phrase things. My little humble corner is here http://acquiringbalance.blogspot.com/. Although it sounds like you are quite the busy woman!
I had an epidural for my first too and my last two were au naturale. I had a doula http://nearerstillnearer.squarespace.com/- this amazing lady- who made all the difference in the world. The first time- sharing the experience with someone else was a leap but it is one I would do over and over. I can honestly say I loved my last birth.( Maybe not the first natural one so much:) But the third one after reading many books on the raw beauty of childbirth prepared my mentality for empowerment. It was not a piece of cake but so worth the prep and mentorship. I am still inspired when i look back. It was a great way to end my childbearing days. Now as my youngest faces preschool I am relieved and sad that it took a blink...and now I am here. I wish you the least amount of pain and when it does come may it bring with it raw strength, insightful beauty, and empowered encouragement!

i want to know who your anesthesiologist was. i h...

2010-02-18T18:40:57.863-07:00

i want to know who your anesthesiologist was.
i have no choice but to give birth via c-section. i've had two and am planning for a 3rd. but, i had an epidural and then a spinal, both went horribly wrong.
this sounds crazy, but i'm actually scheduling consult appointments with anesthesiologists here in provo.
will you please share a name with me? pretty please?
2peasinmypod@gmail.com

Ah, what a post. I cried (because I'm a crier ...

2010-02-18T17:57:45.076-07:00

Ah, what a post. I cried (because I'm a crier like that and because I have a sick baby and am an emotional wreck right now). I wish you many many blessings with your labor. I am one of those whose epidural wore off when I began pushing. I kept asking "WHY ISN"T THIS WORKING?!@$!@%" But I'd do it all over again to have this sweet baby of mine. :)

I had four unmedicated births (one was with an epi...

2010-02-18T16:49:36.231-07:00

I had four unmedicated births (one was with an epidural that didn't work)and I remember each time thinking or saying something afterward like "I'm so glad that's over" or "I'm never doing that again." But then I'd forget about the pain and do it again. If I were to do it over, I wouldn't change a thing, but I can also see why someone would. It would be nice to be comfortable and relaxed when holding the baby for the first time, instead of feeling like you just got hit by a truck.

Oh, by the way, it really helps to vocalize. Make lots of noise. It's fun.

And hypnobirthing can help, too.

I don't know if you read all these comments, t...

2010-02-18T16:16:44.935-07:00

I don't know if you read all these comments, there are so many of them, but if i may offer up a very simple experience of mine?

I have three lovely daughters, all of whom arrived without an epidural, i'm not trying to be an advocate for any decision other than your own, but in the delivery room my husband gave me a little blessing, during which a quote came so clearly into my mind (maybe you will recognize it?) something along the lines of it being better to pass through sorrow and pain so that we may know the joy (obviously it's been a little too long since i've heard those lines spoken... it's hard to make make the trip when you're nursing a baby :D)

Anyway, making a long story even longer, If it is your decision to go sans-epidural i'd just like to offer up my testimony that it's one hundred percent worth it. The endorphin rush you get is amazing. I've never felt so completely powerful in my entire life. it's amazing

but no pressure... :D