How to Have a Natural Birth

I have a question for you. I'm not pregnant, but I've been thinking lately that I would like to shoot for a natural birth next time (if/when the Lord chooses to bless us again!). We took Bradley classes with our first pregnancy, and we learned a lot, but to be completely honest we were pretty turned off by the New Age/hippie element that was very present. I'm sure that the instructor had a lot to do with that...as far as I can tell it is not a part of the Bradley method. (I did not have a natural birth, but it wasn't because of that. It was because of a long,horrific labor and delivery.) Anyway, every time I go into labor I flip out and think that it's going to be just as bad as the first time. And it never is. So, do you have any links to good, reliable sites that have info on the dangers of epidurals and that sort of thing? I've wondered how many epidurals one can have. I've had five now, and while I've never had any bad experiences or side effects, I think I'd like to start moving away from them.......... my doctor is wonderful and is very supportive of natural birth and natural things in general. As is the hospital that I deliver in. They see a good many natural deliveries there, so the nurses are used to it and know how to help, etc. -L

Dear L,
A desire to have a natural birth is a very commendable thing. I feel that it is vitally important that a woman births where she feels most comfortable. I tend to tense up when I go through all of the processes at the hospital, so, for many reasons, I feel much better at home. I always seem to stall in dilating once I have gotten to the hospital. I know of many women who have had beautiful hospital births. It sounds like you are blessed with a wonderful hospital and birth team, so that should really make a big difference. My hospital always required me to lay down, throughout labor, and once they did that, I really felt like my hands were tied. Any hospitals that permit a woman to walk during labor,eat and drink, to have a hep-lock (rather than a constant iv) , to have intermittent auscultation (rather than constant electronic fetal monitoring), sounds like a great place to have a natural birth. I believe that being emotionally ready was the single greatest preparation for labor, before I had my natural birth. I waivered throughout that pregnancy about whether I could "handle the pain" or not. From the fifth month on, I just soaked up a lot of information about birth, which was so invaluable to me, while I was in labor. A few recommendations that really helped me are:
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
Husband Coached Childbirth
Birthing from Within
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
The Birth Book by Dr.Sears
I loved reading Ina May's book because it is chocked full of real birth stories. There were so many pearls of wisdom throughout her book.
Avoid Artificial Induction
I highly recommend not getting induced, as it is extremely difficult to birth without drugs, when using Pitocin. Cervidil and Cytotec carry many risks as well, including uterine rupture, which can result in baby's death. I prefer to wait till my body is ready, but if you need a little help, the following is a list of natural induction techniques.
Find Encouragement
Bradley classes were so helpful to me. Certainly there may have been a few things that I didn't agree with my teacher's personal philosophy, but there was so much beneficial information that she was dispensing, that I found it easy to overlook anything I didn't agree with. I believe that many Bradley teachers offer a quick review course (for a small fee), for those who have already taken the class, previously. Maybe if you could find another teacher, that would be a blessing! Another recommendation is to find a good doula. Doulas are worth every penny! You may even find an apprenticing doula, who will attend your birth for free. (ask your doctor or midwife for referrals)
Research
While I had always wanted to avoid an epidural during birth, prior to Anastasia's birth was the first time that I learned what was in one, and possible complications. During Bradley classes, I learned that each epidural is a bit of a different concoction, based on the anesthesiologist's preferences. I was startled to find that it often contains a derivative of the same "caine" family as c*caine. Your weight and height is taken into account, and you are given a dosage accordingly.
The main problem with this is that these drugs have been found to cross the placenta, and baby is affected. So the baby receives the drugs based on your weight, not his/her's. I noticed a huge difference, after birth, in how Annie was so alert. She latched on, heartily, 10 minutes after the birth. My medicated babies were so exhausted. I used to have to try every trick in the book to get them to latch on, the first few days after birth.

Some Resources to Help:

Utilize labor comforts for a better birth.

My thoughts on how to have a better hospital birth

A bit more on labor drugs.

Epidural Links

Medical Risks of Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural ups Fever, C-section risk

Epidural Express This is an excellent article- which states what is in an epidural.

Cascade of Intervention

Epidurals and Other Drugs

A routine Epidural turns Deadly

Looking back, birthing naturally has been one of the greatest joys of my life. It wasn't easy, but it was an amazing and life-changing experience. Many blessings to you, L, as you research on how to have a natural birth. I pray that God will give you this desire of your heart.