Pregnacy/Labor pain!!!

[lilybrooke14]

I have a friend who's an OB and her mother is a midwife. I get lots of good information from her (it's actually really handy, although, she has a tendency to go all "worst case scenerio" on me and scare the crap out of me...but I digress). I labored by myself for several hours (in the bathtub, which did nothing for me....at all). Then I went to the hospital where they put me on Pitocin. That....was a little slice of hell. Luckily, about the time I started to go from "handling the pain" to "weilding a shoe at my husband screaming GIVE ME DRUGS!" the anesthesiologist came and issued my Epidural. Viola. No more pain. Granted, I could barely move my legs, but I'd take drugs vs. no drugs any day of the week. I could rest, and talk, and rest. If I had wound up pushing, I would have had the energy. However, I ended up having to have a CS (probably due to bad reactions from the Pitocin....oh, and being on it for HOURS with little to no progression).

When I get around to having another one, I've studied V-BAC and the risks....I'm also a huge wuss. So, next time, I rather imagine it will be scheduled C-section for me. I have another friend who is a nurse, and she delivered all three of her kids with no medication. In fact the third one, she delivered with her DH, in a completely unasisted birth (I like a nice hospital room, and doctors, and aforementioned drugs, thank you).

Anyway, labor only lasts a few hours, so it's really not that bad. Just think of how fast yesterday went. I, however, am not a big fan of pregnancy. It's not all warm and fuzzy and glowing like they pretend it is. You might read some pregnancy books before actually getting pregnant, just so you're not completely shocked if you wake up one morning and realize that although you have to pee every fifteen mintues, you haven't gone #2 in a week and all of a sudden you have a brown stripe running from your neck to your navel that you don't remember ever seeing before.

I recommend The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy, and Jenny McArthy's book Belly Laughs for a dose of reality wrapped in humor.

 

[emh1129]

[QUOTE="Cinder" Ella's Mom;29013684]I didn't read the whole thread, so forgive me if this is a repeat. Hospitals do not reward medals for those women who choose to give birth without drugs! Contractions can get very intense, but with an epidural you will be able to enjoy the moment free from pain. I was calm and able to watch my kids being born through a mirror at the foot of the hospital bed. Really it was an amazing experience. It is your choice, of course, but I found the epidural to be a wonderful thing![/QUOTE]

It's not about medals. It's about understanding the risks and side effects of epidurals (just as you would with anything else), and deciding whether it's worth it or not for you and your baby.
I agree that for some women, they will be very pleased with its effects. For others, it will cause a cascade of interventions, and possily a c-section.
With an epidural, you're bedbound. You can't move and let gravity help you.. you're in bed, in a supine position, which does not help to move things along. This can often slow labor down.. which can then lead to the 'need' for pitocin.. which can then lead to unnatural patterns of contractions, which can cause decelerations in baby's heartrate.. so off to surgery you go.
Of course it doesn't always happen this way, but I've heard these stories so many times and basically: if you begin to dabble in one intervention, you're more likely to meet the others, if that makes sense. That is why women are cautious. It's not so that they can gloat and one-up each other (although there is a real sense of accomplishment that can be felt, I'll admit).

I did have an epidural with my first baby. I also had a spinal headache as a result that lasted for three days. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain upon anyone.

 

[MommyBryn]

It's not about medals. It's about understanding the risks and side effects of epidurals (just as you would with anything else), and deciding whether it's worth it or not for you and your baby.
I agree that for some women, they will be very pleased with its effects. For others, it will cause a cascade of interventions, and possily a c-section.

Yep, that. Childbirth education (more than just the average hospital childbirth class!) is key to a healthy, safe, natural birth...but unfortunately it's kind of rare these days.

And FWIW- I certainly earned a lot of respect after my 2nd birth and that felt like a medal to me.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

well I musta forget the pain now Morgans 5 weeks old lol, as we have decided to try for another!! not sure if its possible so soon, but hey the tryings good

Congrats on the new baby! I know you want to try for another but I would talk to your doctor because it is really hard on your body to get pregnany so soon. Good luck!

 

[El&Asmom]

It's not about medals. It's about understanding the risks and side effects of epidurals (just as you would with anything else), and deciding whether it's worth it or not for you and your baby.
I agree that for some women, they will be very pleased with its effects. For others, it will cause a cascade of interventions, and possily a c-section.
With an epidural, you're bedbound. You can't move and let gravity help you.. you're in bed, in a supine position, which does not help to move things along. This can often slow labor down.. which can then lead to the 'need' for pitocin.. which can then lead to unnatural patterns of contractions, which can cause decelerations in baby's heartrate.. so off to surgery you go.
Of course it doesn't always happen this way, but I've heard these stories so many times and basically: if you begin to dabble in one intervention, you're more likely to meet the others, if that makes sense. That is why women are cautious. It's not so that they can gloat and one-up each other (although there is a real sense of accomplishment that can be felt, I'll admit).

I did have an epidural with my first baby. I also had a spinal headache as a result that lasted for three days. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain upon anyone.

I couldn't agree more. I just had my second unmedicated birth 7 days ago. I don't advertise that I had a natural birth, it is something between myself, my husband and our daughter. I wanted to let my body do what it was meant to do, and the fewer interventions the better. My baby came out kicking and screaming, was pink and brething well. I did not want her sedate from medication I took during labor.
Having a drug free delivery is about so much more than bragging rights. Childbirth in this country has become about doctors and insurance companies, not about what is best for babies and mothers.

Unmedicated births hurt. I wouldn't expect everyone to want to go that route. But it is frustrating when people think that the only reason women have natural births is to act like they wanted to prove something. The only medal I got is a healthy baby and a smooth birth and recovery.

 

[Fintastic]

The only medal I got is a healthy baby and a smooth birth and recovery.

I got the same medal and I had the epidural.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I got the same medal and I had the epidural.

But statistically (for all "normal", low-risk births), there are more complications and c-sections w/ mothers that opt for an epidural than w/ those that don't.

So if you don't opt for an epidural you will be MORE likely to have a "healthy baby and a smooth birth and recovery" than you would if you opted for one.

 

[MommyBryn]

But statistically (for all "normal", low-risk births), there are more complications and c-sections w/ mothers that opt for an epidural than w/ those that don't.

So if you don't opt for an epidural you will be MORE likely to have a "healthy baby and a smooth birth and recovery" than you would if you opted for one.

i agree- I had an amazingly smooth recovery and very healthy thriving baby after both my medicated and unmedicated births. But I'd choose the unmedicated one over the epidural any day!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I couldn't agree more. I just had my second unmedicated birth 7 days ago. I don't advertise that I had a natural birth, it is something between myself, my husband and our daughter. I wanted to let my body do what it was meant to do, and the fewer interventions the better. My baby came out kicking and screaming, was pink and brething well. I did not want her sedate from medication I took during labor.
Having a drug free delivery is about so much more than bragging rights. Childbirth in this country has become about doctors and insurance companies, not about what is best for babies and mothers.

Unmedicated births hurt. I wouldn't expect everyone to want to go that route. But it is frustrating when people think that the only reason women have natural births is to act like they wanted to prove something. The only medal I got is a healthy baby and a smooth birth and recovery.

I wanted to address this. I have had epidural births and non Epidural birth. So I do know both sides of it so to speak. I think that where that comes in is (the part I bolded) is where you get these women who want to have a baby without a medical professional even present even when they have been advised that it is not a safe choice because of various medical reasons etc. but they insist because "women have been having babies for thousands of years!" even though they are too ignorant to realize that many women died in childbirth for many years. They want the "experience" no matter what the outcome is. Those are the women who act like they want to prove something. I used to go on a Parent type board that was kind of crunchy but not live in the woods in a hut crunchy and there was a woman who was advised that she needed to be in a monitored environment because there was some risks with her pregnancy. She didn't want that so she decided to do it at home unassisted and it had a tragic ending. She blamed every single medical professional for the tragedy when in reality it was her poor decision. She still went on and on about how she would do it again when she got pregnant again and she was happy to have "done it her way". Well yippee. A lot of good that did her. I left that board after that because I had nothing nice to say. That is not to say that everyone must give birth on a sterile hospital room but education is key and a lot (not all) of the women who act like they deserve a medal do it from ignorance. I think that whatever your decision is you should be well informed. Not just filled with opinion but have actual fact.

I'm not flaming you I just wanted to use your post to tell others that they should research everything and know what choices you are making.

 

[Jenvenza]

But statistically (for all "normal", low-risk births), there are more complications and c-sections w/ mothers that opt for an epidural than w/ those that don't.

So if you don't opt for an epidural you will be MORE likely to have a "healthy baby and a smooth birth and recovery" than you would if you opted for one.[/QUOTE]

I do not agree with this and I was all about NOT having an epidural with the birth of my DD. Having the epidural does not mean you are more likely to not have a healthy baby or a smooth delivery. There might be some people who have a hard time with an epidural, but the epi in general has nothing to do with having or not having a healthy baby. I am not even sure how you can think that. I am not sure how wise it is to go around telling women they are more likely to have a healthy baby if they don't get pain relief.

After you weigh all the options and read all the books, like I did, I thought an epi wasn't right for me - but when the time came, I changed my mind and got it and it was the best decision I made. I had a great, smooth, FAST labor and delivery and a beautiful healthy baby girl, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[MommyBryn]

I wanted to address this. I have had epidural births and non Epidural birth. So I do know both sides of it so to speak. I think that where that comes in is (the part I bolded) is where you get these women who want to have a baby without a medical professional even present even when they have been advised that it is not a safe choice because of various medical reasons etc. but they insist because "women have been having babies for thousands of years!" even though they are too ignorant to realize that many women died in childbirth for many years. They want the "experience" no matter what the outcome is. Those are the women who act like they want to prove something. I used to go on a Parent type board that was kind of crunchy but not live in the woods in a hut crunchy and there was a woman who was advised that she needed to be in a monitored environment because there was some risks with her pregnancy. She didn't want that so she decided to do it at home unassisted and it had a tragic ending. She blamed every single medical professional for the tragedy when in reality it was her poor decision. She still went on and on about how she would do it again when she got pregnant again and she was happy to have "done it her way". Well yippee. A lot of good that did her. I left that board after that because I had nothing nice to say. That is not to say that everyone must give birth on a sterile hospital room but education is key and a lot (not all) of the women who act like they deserve a medal do it from ignorance. I think that whatever your decision is you should be well informed. Not just filled with opinion but have actual fact.

I'm not flaming you I just wanted to use your post to tell others that they should research everything and know what choices you are making.

I hope you don't think this of everyone who has unassisted births! Mine was nothing of the sort. It was a very personal, spiritual experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. I am a very "medically minded" person, but childbirth, for me, is in a competely different category now. (I NEVER ever used to think that way either, so I can understand if I sound nuts )

I absolutely 110% agree with you that decisions should be informed. That's what I like to advocate. Every mother deserves to have the birth of her choice, but sometimes that's hard to get with a very biased and often pushy medical community, ya know?

 

[Minniemouse07]

But statistically (for all "normal", low-risk births), there are more complications and c-sections w/ mothers that opt for an epidural than w/ those that don't.

So if you don't opt for an epidural you will be MORE likely to have a "healthy baby and a smooth birth and recovery" than you would if you opted for one.[/QUOTE]

I do not agree with this and I was all about NOT having an epidural with the birth of my DD. Having the epidural does not mean you are more likely to not have a healthy baby or a smooth delivery. There might be some people who have a hard time with an epidural, but the epi in general has nothing to do with having or not having a healthy baby. I am not even sure how you can think that. I am not sure how wise it is to go around telling women they are more likely to have a healthy baby if they don't get pain relief.

After you weigh all the options and read all the books, like I did, I thought an epi wasn't right for me - but when the time came, I changed my mind and got it and it was the best decision I made. I had a great, smooth, FAST labor and delivery and a beautiful healthy baby girl, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Actually...it does. Study after study has been done showing women that have an epidural are MORE likely (not guaranteed to ...just more likely to) have more interventions and c-sections than women that do not have an epidural.

It was explained why earlier...and much better than I will, but I'll give it a try.

If an epidural is not used, the laboring mom is generally mobile and able to labor in whatever position is most comfortable for her. This allows her to work w/ her body through labor. Women who labor w/o epidurals have less interventions (pitocin, external or internal fetal monitoring, episiotomies, forcep/vacuum extractions, etc) as well as a signifantly lower c-section rate.

If an epidural is used a laboring mom is restricted to her bed. She almost always has some sort of consistant fetal monitoring (external or internal) and usually (not always) labors while lying on her back...pushing her baby uphill.

Epidurals are considered the the top of a slippery slope of interventions. Once you start one it cascades into the need for others such as pitocin, extractions and lastly c-sections.

The freestanding birth center we went to for both of our births has a 12% c-section rate (after being transferred across the street to the hospital). That is over the span of 30 years and close to 4,000 births. The current c-section rate in the US is over 30%.

I haven't done any hard birth research in a few years but it is all out there if you look for it.

Hmmm.. and both my births were fast. Dd in 4hrs and ds in less than 2.5hrs. I had the luxury of an hour and fifteen minutes at the birth center w/ dd, but ds arrived 21 minutes after we did!

 

[MommyBryn]

Actually...it does. Study after study has been done showing women that have an epidural are MORE likely (not guaranteed to ...just more likely to) have more interventions and c-sections than women that do not have an epidural.

It was explained why earlier...and much better than I will, but I'll give it a try.

If an epidural is not used, the laboring mom is generally mobile and able to labor in whatever position is most comfortable for her. This allows her to work w/ her body through labor. Women who labor w/o epidurals have less interventions (pitocin, external or internal fetal monitoring, episiotomies, forcep/vacuum extractions, etc) as well as a signifantly lower c-section rate.

If an epidural is used a laboring mom is restricted to her bed. She almost always has some sort of consistant fetal monitoring (external or internal) and usually (not always) labors while lying on her back...pushing her baby uphill.

Epidurals are considered the the top of a slippery slope of interventions. Once you start one it cascades into the need for others such as pitocin, extractions and lastly c-sections.

The freestanding birth center we went to for both of our births has a 12% c-section rate (after being transferred across the street to the hospital). That is over the span of 30 years and close to 4,000 births. The current c-section rate in the US is over 30%.

I haven't done any hard birth research in a few years but it is all out there if you look for it.

Hmmm.. and both my births were fast. Dd in 4hrs and ds in less than 2.5hrs. I had the luxury of an hour and fifteen minutes at the birth center w/ dd, but ds arrived 21 minutes after we did!

That's right on. It's absolutely a "statistic". Again, unfortunately many women aren't informed of this.

The epi is great for some women (again, I had it, absolutely no problems other than minor fetal heart decels from the pit (usually given with an epi), which is common), but it IS often the beginning of the "cascade of interventions. This about it this way- by taking an epidural, one is preventing the body from being able to tell you what needs to happen. *Most* of the time, an laboring body has a natural way of telling a woman how fast/slow things are progressing, when to change position to ease the pain, to get baby to present optimally or just get baby out PERIOD, when something might be wrong, etc. It's really quite fascinating IMO.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Keep in mind that even if you have no epi (which I didn't with my 4th) most hospitals will not let you move around at all. I wanted to move and I know I would have been able to push better and quicker in a different position (squatting) but the hospital would not let me. I would like to see that doctor make a poop with his legs over his head!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I hope you don't think this of everyone who has unassisted births! Mine was nothing of the sort. It was a very personal, spiritual experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. I am a very "medically minded" person, but childbirth, for me, is in a competely different category now. (I NEVER ever used to think that way either, so I can understand if I sound nuts )

I absolutely 110% agree with you that decisions should be informed. That's what I like to advocate. Every mother deserves to have the birth of her choice, but sometimes that's hard to get with a very biased and often pushy medical community, ya know?

Well to be honest here's the thing. I think that sure, I would love to have my children at home. That would be the best experience in terms of not having strangers around etc. However, I do not think it is a good idea period. If in the event something goes horribly wrong you are wasting precious seconds getting help. It takes time to call 911, time to give them the info, time for the ambulance to get there, time to get the baby or Mom to the hospital. Time can make a small something into a big something. KWIM? I am glad that you had a great experience, but truthfully I think people who chose unassisted childbirths are playing russian roulette. Even with the best pre-natal care not everything can be planned for. At least with a medical staff you can have the best chance for success. JMHO.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Keep in mind that even if you have no epi (which I didn't with my 4th) most hospitals will not let you move around at all. I wanted to move and I know I would have been able to push better and quicker in a different position (squatting) but the hospital would not let me. I would like to see that doctor make a poop with his legs over his head!

Wow...they wouldn't let you move around w/o the epi??

Our freestanding birth center does intermittant fetal monitoring (with the doppler) and we don't get an IV unless we get dehydrated (which is rare since they ply you with liquids throughout labor).

Intermittant fetal monitoring is just as effective as the external fetal monitoring done at most hospitals (sometimes more effective) but it requires a person to actually do it instead of relying on a machine/computer. Hospitals generally don't have the staff to do intermittant monitoring which is why they "require" the EFM (or IFM if waters are broken).

Many times things like not being allowed out of bed or types of monitoring are "rules" but just what the hospital does because it is easier for them. A "good" patient is one that stays in bed, very still, so that their fetal monitoring system isn't disrupted and the hospital staff can read it from the main desk!

We ended up being transferred to the hospital for dd (her heart rate was decelling w/ each push... detected after the first push w/ intermittant monitoring) and had to fight for some things once we arrived. Thankfully we didn't "have" to follow a lot of their procedures since our midwives have priviledges there like the other birth professionals (OBs) and okay the suspension of the procedures.

 

[MommyBryn]

Well to be honest here's the thing. I think that sure, I would love to have my children at home. That would be the best experience in terms of not having strangers around etc. However, I do not think it is a good idea period. If in the event something goes horribly wrong you are wasting precious seconds getting help. It takes time to call 911, time to give them the info, time for the ambulance to get there, time to get the baby or Mom to the hospital. Time can make a small something into a big something. KWIM? I am glad that you had a great experience, but truthfully I think people who chose unassisted childbirths are playing russian roulette. Even with the best pre-natal care not everything can be planned for. At least with a medical staff you can have the best chance for success. JMHO.

Well I totally understand where you're coming from (having thought that way myself, previously), and UC is most definitely not for everyone. However, I do respectfully disagree. I don't know anyone who's gone into an intentional UC without having an extensive knowledge of childbirth and all the possibilities, risks included. But also, I am married to an EMT and my FIL (MD) and my MIL (RN) live across the road. Not to mention I have a ton of nursing/medical/childbirth education and experience, so we were kind of in an ideal situation. For me, I feel like going to a hospital with a perfectly healthy pregnancy (in my case) or just blindly trusting a doctor to make decisions for you is just like playing russian roulette. JMHO as well.

 

[Starr W.]

I know it is different for different people and there is not a definitive answer for this.... but I'd love to hear different opinions on it.

Just how bad is the pain of childbirth? What would you compare it to in terms of pain? Can you get through the pain with breathing/mental techniques? Is it true that after you have your baby you forget the pain? and if you are answering this please tell us if you had drugs or a natural birth please... also any other information you'd like to give on the actual pain of child birth would be very appreciated.

My husband and I are planning on starting a family next spring, but honestly, over the last week or so I am just wanting to get pregnant and have a baby so bad! I don't have any kids yet so I can't even imagine what the pain of labor must be like. I'm lucky in that I never really have had bad cramps with my periods or anything like that...

anyway.. thanks in advance! I hope this ends up being a very interesting thread!

If you get induced, it sneaks up on you. Bam your in hard labor! I had a great nurse who helped me a lot (I personally could have had DH stay out of the room because he was totally useless, even after going through Lamaze class). Well I only got to 2cm(eldest DS was like 22" long and trying to head out on an angle) after 1.5 days of induction.

So had the C-section. I was a bit uncomfortable post-op, but I didn't touch the high octane pain pills, the prescription Nuprin worked for me. I was driving my car in a week.

Declined Lamaze refresher class for 2nd one, didn't have to worry about labor pains as DS #2 was breech(he's still pretty pig headed at age 7). So another c-section and had the tubes tied(2 is my limit). That hurt, not the c-section, so I did take some pain medication in the hospital. At home, I stayed with prescrpiton Nuprin. The powerful stuff knocks me right out like for hours at a time, so not good to take with kids around.

 

[emh1129]

Keep in mind that even if you have no epi (which I didn't with my 4th) most hospitals will not let you move around at all. I wanted to move and I know I would have been able to push better and quicker in a different position (squatting) but the hospital would not let me. I would like to see that doctor make a poop with his legs over his head!

This is really not how most hospitals are (although I'm sorry to hear of your experience, how frustrating!). The one where I had my girls was not like this at *all* .. there was a jacuzzi tub to labor in and I was encouraged to walk as much as possible and to come back for intermittent monitoring. I also chose a hospital with telemetry monitoring, so that I could go all over the place (down the hall, etc) and still be monitored.

Mother's comfort should not be up to the hospital or doctor. It's not our job to make it easier on them- we are the ones in labor and if a different position feels better and will be more efficient, that's the way it should be done!
But if you have a supportive midwife or doctor, they will be encouraging you to do everything in your power to find comfort and will be working for you. I think it's important to remember that we employ these people- we pay their salaries and they are providing a service.
So it's really great when you can work as a team with your midwife or doctor.. and not be told what to do or told what they will or will not let you do.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Wow...they wouldn't let you move around w/o the epi??

Our freestanding birth center does intermittant fetal monitoring (with the doppler) and we don't get an IV unless we get dehydrated (which is rare since they ply you with liquids throughout labor).

Intermittant fetal monitoring is just as effective as the external fetal monitoring done at most hospitals (sometimes more effective) but it requires a person to actually do it instead of relying on a machine/computer. Hospitals generally don't have the staff to do intermittant monitoring which is why they "require" the EFM (or IFM if waters are broken).

Many times things like not being allowed out of bed or types of monitoring are "rules" but just what the hospital does because it is easier for them. A "good" patient is one that stays in bed, very still, so that their fetal monitoring system isn't disrupted and the hospital staff can read it from the main desk!

We ended up being transferred to the hospital for dd (her heart rate was decelling w/ each push... detected after the first push w/ intermittant monitoring) and had to fight for some things once we arrived. Thankfully we didn't "have" to follow a lot of their procedures since our midwives have priviledges there like the other birth professionals (OBs) and okay the suspension of the procedures.

Yep. They wouldn't let me out of the bed and I could only lay down. I tried to get into the position that worked best for me since I know what I am feeling and the doctor threatened to call security on me. I don't really know what security was going to do. Perhaps throw me in the street and force me to have a baby? Just a disclaimer though- this was not my regular doctor. We couldn't make it to the hospital that we were supposed to so we went to the nearest one. The doctor medically was excellent. The nurses were amazing. The doctor's bedside manner was completely absent. Very few hospitals will let you move all around. They tell you they will but when the time comes they tell you that you can't.

Well I totally understand where you're coming from (having thought that way myself, previously), and UC is most definitely not for everyone. However, I do respectfully disagree. I don't know anyone who's gone into an intentional UC without having an extensive knowledge of childbirth and all the possibilities, risks included. But also, I am married to an EMT and my FIL (MD) and my MIL (RN) live across the road. Not to mention I have a ton of nursing/medical/childbirth education and experience, so we were kind of in an ideal situation. For me, I feel like going to a hospital with a perfectly healthy pregnancy (in my case) or just blindly trusting a doctor to make decisions for you is just like playing russian roulette. JMHO as well.

I can respect that. The problem is that most people are not that educated and do not have any health care professionals in close proximity. They have this "give birth in the woods" idea and think of it as some romantic childbirth when in actuality it usually isn't like that. I was fortunate in that my first 3 births I had amazing doctors who did not believe in unnecessary interventions. The 4th time I didn't know the doctor and his manner was obnoxious.

This is really not how most hospitals are (although I'm sorry to hear of your experience, how frustrating!). The one where I had my girls was not like this at *all* .. there was a jacuzzi tub to labor in and I was encouraged to walk as much as possible and to come back for intermittent monitoring. I also chose a hospital with telemetry monitoring, so that I could go all over the place (down the hall, etc) and still be monitored.

Mother's comfort should not be up to the hospital or doctor. It's not our job to make it easier on them- we are the ones in labor and if a different position feels better and will be more efficient, that's the way it should be done!
But if you have a supportive midwife or doctor, they will be encouraging you to do everything in your power to find comfort and will be working for you. I think it's important to remember that we employ these people- we pay their salaries and they are providing a service.
So it's really great when you can work as a team with your midwife or doctor.. and not be told what to do or told what they will or will not let you do.

I agree with you and wish that I could have been able to do it my way but because of insurance most hospitals here will not let you do that. I have never seen pregnant women walking around the hospital laboring for any of my pregnancies. I agree that that is a more natural way to do it, meaning that is what your body is telling you to do. OB insurance rates are so high now that they are so worried about being sued that they try to keep things as controlled as possible. It's a shame really.