I am about to have my first child and I am scared could anyone give me any of their natural birth stories? :-(

My wife had all four of our kids without meds so you can do it, plus think women for thousands of years did it! So can you!!

What worked for ME. . . . . . .DIDN'T. . . . . .work for my friend! Bottom line: EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT! When all else fails. . . . . .demand DRUGS (the "legal" ones, of course! LOL )!!!!!

Remember, women have been having children for a very long time. Each delivery is in it's own way unique.

I urge you to not listen to horror stories or over optimistic stories about childbirth. I don't think either really help in the end.

Instead make sure you are prepared, communicate well with your doctor or midwife, concentrate on your health and being well rested and enjoy the moment as much as you can.

Good luck to you, your family and the incoming little stranger.

My experience with unmedicated childbirth was very positive. My daughter was born only five hours after the event began -- not exactly the norm. I was very well prepared as far as breathing techniques and concentration. The great thing was as soon as she was born, I could have gotten dressed and gone home. I felt fine, but tired. My second delivery was problematic and I had an epidural after about 12 hours. She was born just fine after another 10. The differences afterwards were substantial, but the goal is to have a healthy baby, not to prove you can do it without meds. I wish you and your soon-to-be bundle of joy well.

For a first baby I would tell my doctor to be aware that I may change my mind and ask for pain relief. There is nothing nobel about having to have so much pain that you can not enjoy the moment of birth. Your 2nd child will be born more quickly and you may not need pain relief. So keep your options open, be sensible about it, and dont put yourself through un- necessary misery. First babies can take 15 hours or more to deliver...and its really not fun.

Natural as in no epidural or natural like just no c-section?