Childbirth Drugs
I am sure it can seem puzzling why I would seek to learn how to birth naturally, after having two medicated births. But there are so many reasons for this. I consented to drugs with both of my children's births, after quite a while of struggling in pain, and not knowing how to deal with it. I am so grateful for the privilege of attending classes, which better equip me for dealing with the pain. It will still be painful and difficult, of course, but I feel like it is more "do-able". One interesting thing, which my Bradley teacher mentioned this weekend, is that the more drugs/interventions one receives in childbirth, the more suffering has to be endured after birth. I had a lot more medication with Lily, than with Stevie, and there was a huge difference. I popped up so much faster after Stevie was born. Keep the pain where it belongs, before the birth, not afterwords. Drugs basically delay the pain till later. Avoid unnecessary c-sections, as they result in a very long recovery time. After having a baby is not the time to be suffering. My teacher has birthed naturally two times, and both times, she was able to scoop the baby up right away and walk around! What a blessing! Also, the birthing drugs are dangerous and can have dangerous side effects.Demerol, Stadol, Nubain, etc. all are very similar to heroin (they are opiates). The drugs used for epidurals, Marcaine, Carbocaine, lidocaine, etc., all are very similar to the ingredients in cocaine. (Notice the "caine") These are very dangerous and that is why so many medicated newborns are so lethargic and are not as responsive as non-medicated babies. By the way, I have learned that it is normal to cry out for drugs during labor. Almost, if not every woman, says that she wants drugs at some point during her labor. That is usually when she is in transition. Her body is going through so many changes and the baby is about to come. If one can keep that in mind, it makes it that much more bearable. I know of a woman who homebirthed (and loved it), who used to beg her hubby for a c-section while she was in transition. Transition is usually 10-30 minutes, and you just have to remember that you are almost there. With the right support, you can do it. (And with Christ, we can do all things!) That is why the Bradley method works, because your hubby is trained to encourage you to make it through, rather than telling you to take drugs. He helps you to focus on one contraction at a time. I encourage you, that whether you are expecting your 1st child or your 10th, to really learn all you can about birthing naturally. It is worth it.