Having babies, like the actual giving birth part, is not something most women look forward to. Obviously I don't want to speak for all women and I do know some women who love the act of giving birth but, if I'm being honest, those women are few and far between. For most, it's what happens at the end of labor and delivery that helps you get through labor and delivery. Perhaps that, among many other reasons like medical and technological advances, is why many women opt for medicated births, so the pain of labor and delivery is minimized. While that option is wonderful and something no woman should feel ashamed for utilizing, it has created a list of things people don't know about having an unmedicated birth; Things that, honestly, all pregnant women should know and familiarize themselves with when they're weighing their birth options and deciding what will work best for them. The devil you know beats the devil you don't, right?
I've had two unmedicated births myself and, given my own experiences, find myself talking about unmedicated birth and the many nuggets of information that I believe are overlooked, on a regular basis. Usually, during those conversations, one resounding and vital fact is touched on, over and over and over again. If you're planning on a drug-free, intervention-free birth, and things don't work out that way, don't beat yourself up. Always remember that the most important part of giving birth is, well, giving birth. Get that baby out by whatever means necessary, even if it's not how you planned. I believe that whenever labor and delivery is discussed, that undeniable fact should always remain the focal point. Get the baby out however it is safest. Safest for the baby. Safest for the mother. Safest.
Having gone through the dreaded back labor, as well as a relatively short, easy birth (both unmedicated) I can tell you that it's really f*cking hard (there's really no better way to describe it), no matter which way you slice it. It's difficult if you sans medication and it's difficult if you decide to have an epidural and it's difficult if you end up having a c-section. Birth is hard. Labor is hard. Delivery is hard. It's all just freakin' hard, you guys. I won't judge any woman for the way she decides or ends up giving birth, because we have choices now and women know themselves better than anyone else can. Having said that, I'm happy that I chose to go pain medication-free with both my kids. So, if you're considering it for yourself, here are 10 things no one will tell you about having an unmedicated birth, but I will: