MY BIRTH PLAN

My birth plan was to be ALL natural. Not just the vaginal birthing process, but no drugs, no standardized medicine, positions, or breathing. I did not attend any birthing classes, and most looked at me rather strange when they learned this part. Just because people have been doing things this way for many of many years does not mean it is right.

I decided to do some research and found a book on the history of birthing. The history of the birthing process combined with modern medicine and technology was astounding. The epidural is the most common form of medicine used during labor. The history of how the epidural evolved was startling. A man experimented with Cocaine injecting it directly into his partners spine to see if any sensation was felt in the lower extremities. Once this was discovered it soon evolved into a modern medicine used to help the pain during contractions.

The side effects of receiving an epidural may include numbness from the neck down, waist down, or even toxicity of the blood. If the needle/IV is not administered correctly they could pull out spinal fluid, you may feel pain consistently for the remainder of time, even sickness later.

The epidural slows contractions making the process last longer. You may be drugged and have less pain, but longer contractions and longer labor does not sound like relief to me. 97% of the babies my doctor delivers are with epidural. Most people think they are going to go all natural, yet after their first contraction decide otherwise. Nurses and hospitals make money on the amount of items used, plus you are less of a pain being drugged just waiting for the baby to come. I made a promise I would not let ANYONE talk me into changing my mind. It is not an options regardless.

The epidural makes the process last longer, the baby is in the birth canal longer, the medicine slows the contractions. Often times the doctor or nurses have to give you another medicine to induce the contractions so the baby drops. The baby is receiving mixed messages, to rest and relax or to move down the birth canal. This results in a C-section due to strain on the babies heart. Everyone wonders why C-sections are on the rise...