Check out the video version of this post:
The moment I became pregnant, I knew I wanted to have a natural, unmedicated birth. After being lucky enough to have a very healthy, comfortable pregnancy, I was sailing smoothly towards my dream birth.
Fast forward to 41 weeks. I was a week past my due date, not even a full centimeter dilated and had shown no progress in effacement or dilation in a month. My doctor informed me that I would be scheduled for induction during the upcoming week.
My perfectly laid out plan for a natural birth seemed to vanish into thin air, as I heard birth plans often do–I just didn’t think it would happen to mine.
My first thought was, “I’m not going to be able to handle Pitocin without an Epidural.” I heard the contractions were way more intense with Pitocin. But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to try and stick to my original birth plan as much as possible. Plus, as a first-time mom, I had no prior experience to compare it to. The least I could do was try.
Less than 8 hours after starting Pitocin, lots of moaning, sweat, and tears later, my little man was born sans Epidural. Don’t get me wrong…I was begging for one during the transition phase, but when I found out how far along I was, I decided to push through without one.
So how did I do it?
Keep reading to find out how I survived an induction without pain meds.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, just a mom who has been through the process of induction. Always speak to your doctor or midwife to discuss what is best for your situation.
Educate Yourself
One of the best things I did to prepare for my birth was to RESEARCH and get EDUCATED about the process. Being prepared and knowing as much as you can about the birthing process (including interventions, even if your plan is to go “natural”) will help you feel more at ease and accepting of what’s to come.
Related Post: Top 5 Pregnancy Books for First-Time Moms
Personally, I love online birth courses. I was able to learn all about the birthing process while sitting on my couch in yoga pants…a win in my book, for sure!
The course I took was called Love Your Labour and I found it to be worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY.
The course creator, Corinne Brown, is a labor doula, former naturopathic doctor, and mom of three. She created an easy-to-follow course containing four modules, which include:
- How to prep your body naturally for labor
- How to prep your partner to support you through your labor
- How to prep for breastfeeding
- How to prep for birth
This course was absolutely INCREDIBLE and prepared me to still achieve an epidural-free birth despite being induced. You can learn more about the Love Your Labour program here.
If you’re looking for another great online course, check out Mommy Labor Nurse’s Natural Birth Course. Liesel is a labor and delivery nurse AND a mom, so she has seen it all! (Use code INNOVATIVEMOMMA for 10% off!)
I LOVE this natural birth course. Not only is it super affordable, but it’s jam-packed with information on the whole process of birth, specific tips to achieve a natural birth, and even gives information on pros and cons of Epidurals (which is great to know, even if you don’t plan on getting one!)
Not only is this course full of information, but you can binge it and finish it in a day if you’d like!
One thing I found super helpful while pregnant was Facebook groups! Another benefit of purchasing either of these courses is that you have access to the private Facebook group that goes along with them. This is another great tool that gives you access to people who have the same goal as you or have gone through the natural birth process and can offer other tips and tricks.
If you would prefer to take an in-person course, ask your doctor or midwife for local suggestions!
However you choose to educate yourself is fine-just make sure you do it! I was so happy I researched medical inductions prior to my birth.
Read POSITIVE Induction Stories
Search for positive induction stories, more specifically, ones that happened without an Epidural. Reading positive stories will also help you to feel educated, as well as confident and empowered about the experience.
Here is my positive epidural-free induction story:
Prepare Alternate Pain Management Techniques and Use Your Tools
Knowing I wanted a natural birth, I had an arsenal of items packed for the hospital to help me cope with the pain. Although I only wound up using a few, I’d rather be over-prepared than under-prepared. Check out this post for a complete list of what was in my doula bag.
Here are the main things that helped me manage my pain during induction.
Counter-pressure
The one technique that worked for me was my husband applying pressure to my lower back during a contraction. This is known as counter-pressure and is especially helpful if you have back labor.
While I did not have back labor, the pressure on my back helped to offset the pain of the contractions, which felt great to me.
Comb
No, not for your hair! When placed in your hand and gripped, a simple fine-toothed comb can hit acupressure points and signal your brain to “forget” about contractions.
Okay, I use the term “forget” VERY loosely, but it definitely helped me! I used this technique throughout most of my labor.
Birthing Ball
Part of the reason I wanted to have a natural birth was because I desired the freedom to move around without being hooked up to anything.
Unfortunately, being induced stole that opportunity away from me, but I made the best of it. Some hospitals have wireless fetal monitors that allow more flexibility when it comes to movement; however, the hospital I was staying at did not have that option.
I was confined to the space right next to my bed the whole time, but I was allowed to get up, as long as I stayed within reach of the machines the monitor was hooked up to. Thank GOD because laying down during labor was the most UNCOMFORTABLE feeling for me.
Although my hospital had birthing balls, I was advised to bring my own if I had one in case they were all taken. I preferred this option anyway, being that I am tall and purchased a larger ball for my height.
Sitting on the birthing ball allowed me to bounce and rock during my contractions, while also allowing my husband access to my back in order to apply counter-pressure.
For more tips on how to achieve an unmedicated birth, check out this video:
Get Sleep!
This one is SUPER important! One of the perks about being induced is that your birth is PLANNED! I’m not going to lie, it was really nice to leisurely finish packing and calmly drive to the hospital rather than rushing and worrying about being admitted while in pain.
Being that I was barely dilated and only 50% effaced upon admission, my induction was a two-step process. I went in on Sunday night to have Cervidil administered in order to “ripen” or prep my cervix more. I was then started on Pitocin the next morning.
The nurses said the doctor had prescribed me a sleep aid if I needed it. I felt pretty tired, and politely declined, saying I didn’t think I would need it.
BIG MISTAKE!! I spent the whole night pretty wide-eyed hooked up to various machines, one of which included a blood pressure monitor that would aggressively grip my right bicep every half hour.
I finally asked for the sleep aid after midnight, at which time the nurse told me it was too late. She couldn’t give it to me because I would be way too groggy in the morning.
I spent the night lying in bed with thoughts of my impending birth running through my head. I got about 1.5 hours of sleep the whole night. By the time I hit transition the next day, I was actually nodding off in between contractions. It was ultimately the exhaustion, not the pain, that caused me to scream for an Epidural, which I didn’t wind up taking once I found out how far along I was.
GET. SLEEP. YOU WILL NEED IT. If you are in the hospital the night before and they offer you a sleep aid, I highly recommend taking it, if you are comfortable doing so.
Be Prepared for it to Go Fast
It is said that Pitocin usually makes contractions stronger and closer together. My water broke Sunday at 10:00 p.m., 3 hours after being admitted to the hospital, the night before starting Pitocin.
I began my induction a little after 8 a.m. Monday morning. The nurses kept bumping up the Pitocin saying that the monitor was showing my contractions, but I could barely feel them. I was happily going through labor until about 12:30 p.m. when the doctor came to check me.
I was only about 3 centimeters dilated, and the doctor informed me that my water hadn’t broken all the way and that I had what was called a “fore-bag”, so she broke it. My pain went from about a 3 to an 8 almost immediately.
Two and a half hours later, I was begging for the Epidural. I told the nurses I couldn’t go on like this for however many more hours it would take because I was so exhausted. They called the doctor in to check me and I was at 8 centimeters.
On the next contraction, I felt my baby moving down and I knew I would be pushing soon. My son was lying on my chest within the hour.
Every labor is different. However, induced labors are known to go very fast, so be prepared. It will be super intense, but hopefully, not for terribly long.
Check out my positive, epidural-free induction story:
For reference, this is what my timeline looked like:
Sunday
7 p.m. – Admitted to the hospital
7:40 p.m. – Cervidil Inserted at 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced
8:40 p.m .- Water broke (I was told my water breaking was natural and not a result of Cervidil)
Monday 7:30 a.m. – Cervidil removed (1-2 cm dilated and 60%effaced)
8:10 a.m. – Started on Pitocin
12:30 p.m. – 3 cm dilated. Dr. broke fore-bag of water. Contractions REALLY picked up.
3 p.m. – Asked about getting an Epidural. Dr. came to check me. I was 8 cm dilated. Baby is almost here! I think I can do this without an Epidural!
3:30 p.m. – 10 cm-started pushing
3:53 p.m. – My son was born!
Birth Team Support
I chose to have my husband and mom with me during labor. My mom had 2 Epidural-free births, so I knew I wanted her there because she knew what I was going through. Whoever you choose to be in the room, make sure you are 100% comfortable with them being there and that they are aware of what you want.
My mom and husband both knew that I really did not want an Epidural. I made a rule with them prior to the induction, that if I happened to ask for the Epidural I had to ask 3 times over a long period of time (I asked about 3 times in 10 minutes and they stalled, just like I wanted them to).
My nurses were also ANGELS on Earth. They asked me what my plan was for pain management prior to my induction and I told them. My one nurse told me that if I was sure I didn’t want an Epidural, she would make that happen for me, but wanted me to know that she may come off a little harsh when transition time came (which was what I wanted!).
I was very lucky to have such a supportive hospital staff during my birth. I am aware that this is not always the case. Be sure to be open with your healthcare providers and share your wishes prior to the induction. Also, make your birth team your advocates! Make sure they know what you want and can communicate with the birth staff when you are unable to.
Remember, Your Body was DESIGNED for This!
Your body was literally made to give birth. It is such a miraculous, beautiful thing. I have never felt such intense emotions, feelings, exhaustion or empowerment than I did the day of my son’s birth. I was so proud of sticking to my (modified) plan, as hard as it was at times. Remember, it’s not pain, it’s progress. You got this, Momma!
