My "Why" For Going The Unmedicated Birth Route + Birth Plan
I’m on the baby train again, and this time, I’m aiming for an unmedicated birth. When I spill this news, reactions usually swing between “Are you nuts for wanting to feel pain?” and cheers from fellow mamas who’ve walked the unmedicated path. Buckle up as I share my previous experiences and how they unfolded!
When I had my first daughter at 24, I was all about dodging contraction pain. I didn’t have much of a game plan for birth, but despite my lack of prep, the experience was a total dream! Labor kicked off a few days early...my water broke at home, and I was all in for the epidural the moment I made it to the hospital. I labored all day there, and after 45 minutes of pushing, our little one arrived—2nd degree tear aside, it was smooth sailing!
Now, for the second round, I toyed with the idea of going unmedicated but ultimately went with the epidural again, since my first time was such a breeze. This go-round, my husband and I did a little homework on our hospital plan. I wanted to soak in the tub at home for a bit and keep our hospital stay under 24 hours to get our toddler ready to meet her new sis. Morning came, my water broke at 6am or so, and I was feeling calm until my OB appointment where I learned I was already 5 cm dilated—surprise! I ran home to shower, ignoring her objections. By the time we got to the hospital, I was at 7 cm and still chill, so I asked for the epidural, unsure of how fast things were about to progress.
After getting the epidural, I felt something was off—only one leg was numb while contractions picked up. This was not the “no pain” ride I signed up for. After a bit of repositioning with a peanut ball between my legs, I started feeling everything. Including, even more intense pressure and increased contractions. I convinced myself the epidural would kick in at some point, but oh boy, I was wrong and the anxiety during transition was no picnic. An hour later, Rory made her grand entrance that afternoon in less than 5 minutes and only a few pushes (no tearing), but let’s just say it was more traumatic than I’d hoped! Feeling trapped to the hospital bed and not realizing my epidural had actually failed was wild.
I think that’s one of the reasons why we waited a bit longer to have this baby. I wasn’t quite ready for another rollercoaster ride. This time, I’m prioritizing my experience by hiring a doula and diving deep into research on procedures, choices, and delivery options. I’m feeling zen about skipping the epidural, believing I can tackle the pain and regain control on my own.
My prep for this birth has been a whole new journey! I’ve been tuning into hypnobirthing podcasts, listening to positive unmedicated births, practicing daily affirmations, and making sure my husband and doula are on the same page with my birth plan.
Here’s what I have so far:
No epidural
IV access but no fluids unless absolutely necessary
Nitrous oxide during transition
Intermittent fetal monitoring
Access to the tub
No pushing on my back
Following my own natural urge to push
No pitocin unless medically necessary and consent required
Food and water if I’m feeling up for it
Documenting and sharing this plan is super empowering for me—it’s all excitement, no fear!
At the end of the day, I want to stress that every labor and delivery journey is unique, and every choice is valid. This approach feels right for me and my baby, but hey, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea—and that’s totally cool! So, I say, do your research and find what works for you.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments or slide into my DMs on Instagram! I'm all ears to chat more on my choices and experiences! I’d absolutely LOVE to hear your birth stories too!
