What If I Don’t Want An Unmedicated Birth?
It is 100% okay to not want an unmedicated birth. Yes its true that women had unmedicated births for most of history, but I am willing to bet that if given the option, a huge percentage of them would have embraced pain medication and taken advantage of the relief it offers.
Can you birth your baby unmedicated? Absolutely. Do you have to? Nope.
Using pain medication is a morally neutral decision. There is no right or wrong, there is only what works best for you in this particular situation. I have clients who have had all medication-free deliveries up until their sixth or seventh child, and then opt for an epidural. Every birth, body, and baby is unique.
Regardless of what your sister-in-law, next-door neighbor, or Great-Aunt Myrtle did, you get to make this decision for yourself and your child, and both of your wellbeing. There is no space for shame here, and if someone is giving you a difficult time about your (very personal) birthing decisions, you have my permission to tell them to go jump in a lake.
There are several pain relief options out there, everything from nitrous oxide to IV pain meds to epidurals. It’s up to you to find out what is available to you in your particular birthing location, and research the risks and benefits of each one. It’s important to make an informed decision, and to do your own research ahead of time so that you don’t have to rely on what information other people possess. Sometimes they don’t have the whole picture, or may encourage you to make a choice that benefits them more than you.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do is write a solid birth plan with all your preferences in it, and go over it with your partner, your provider and your nurse. You can use my free Birth Planning Worksheet to get you started, or check out my Childbirth Education class all about Birth Planning.
I do encourage you to make sure you research and practice non-medical pain relief strategies as well, just in case there is a time delay in getting you pain relief or you have a fast labor where it isn’t an option for you. There are also instances where pain relief does not work the way that we hope it will, so you need to be prepared for all possibilities. Keep in mind that doulas are great additions to your labor team, even if you are planning on utilizing pain medication.
Christine Rogers is a birth doula and childbirth educator. She is the owner/operator of Draw Near Doula Services and serves in-person in Anchorage, Eagle River and the Mat-Su Valley regions of Alaska, and offers virtual doula services and education all over the United States. A mom of four, she works hard to ensure every client she serves has a positive and empowering labor experience, because no one should have to be afraid of birth. When not doula-ing, she’s a writer, baker, aspiring potter (as in bowls and vases, thank you very much), and her love languages are mason jars, dangly earrings, and Dr. Pepper.
Need a doula? Looking for childbirth education? Find Christine’s services online at www.drawneardoula.com. You can also follower her online on Instagram & Facebook: @drawneardoula .
