Michelle answers:

I did 2 of my deliveries naturally and i think the key was listening to my body and not the nurses and doctors telling me what, when, and how to do it.

I also refused an IV, ate when I was hungry, and walked around when I felt like it.

Create a birth plan and give it to your OB a few weeks before you deliver and take one with you to the hospital. You have the right to have your wishes respected and followed through.

Keep in mind though that complications or other situations may arise, and you may need meds or other procedures.

ETA- Here are some links for creating a birth plan-

http://birthplan.com/

http://www.babycenter.com/calculators-birthplan

Michelle answers:

There actually was a similar question to this that I answered the other day except the question was why are so many people being induced early.

My opinion is that many people these days get induced early for convenience. We’re living in a society that is accustomed and even EXPECTS immediate gratification to our desires. HOWEVER medical reason supercede vanity or immediate gratifications.

I would never begin to judge someone who was being induced due to medical reasons. There are many reasons out there, like pre-eclampsia and tons others.

I don’t judge you but I’m sure people honestly question if being induced 2 days early has any real justification. I say, what’s the 2 days matter in the scheme of things if you’re almost 40 weeks? You could very well have ended up going into labor that same day anyway.

I say tell ’em to go fly a kite and suck on a rotten egg.

Michelle answers:

Unless you have anything wrong with yourself or there is something wrong with your baby than there is no reason the need to force you to be induced you can go as long a 14 days past your EDD.

Try walking Alot, have sex if you can, spicy foods etc some have said castor oil but i would not recommend it as it causes you to get diarrhea and that’s something you don’t want through labor.

Like i said unless there is something wrong with you or your baby tell them that you wouldn’t mind waiting a few extra days unless it get to painful.

Good luck hun, hope you go into labor soon.

Michelle answers:

I LOVED my c-section. I was scared too because it wasnt elected and it was for safe delivery. But it was scheduled, and we knew when it was. We could plan. Our families got the day off work and were at the hospital. I went into the hospital at 5:30am, I was wheeled into surgery at 7:15am and my spinal block started soon after. The surgery started at 7:30am and my son was born at 7:53am. The only pain I felt was a couple of tiny pin pricks in my back before they put the spinal block in. Getting the IV started was more painful.
Then I was laid back and my husband and I held hands and chatted while we waited. We were staring into each others eyes when we heard our son’s first cries and it was such a calm peaceful positive experience. It was romantic too because behind the curtain, it was like my hubby and I were in a private cocoon and he was telling me how proud he was of me and how much he loved me. My doctor is the nicest guy in the world and the atmosphere in the OR was so kind and upbeat. The nurses were happy, even the anesthesiologist. My husband went with the baby to the nursery as the surgery was closed and the staff still chatted with me. They were telling me about my baby and how he was doing, they were telling me how the surgery was going. We even discussed World Politics and the economy and had a good laugh.

People think Im crazy when I say I enjoyed it but I did. There was no stress of “when will it happen” or what will happen. I didnt have to worry about a 30 hour labor and him getting stuck and swallowing merconium or anything. Within a couple of hours, he was there and safe.

My doctor told me that all the hubbub over c-sections is really because of those done after a woman has been in labor for hours and checked repeatedly and complications arising. When its scheduled and planned, its the safest way to give birth.

I felt pain afterwards when the anesthesia wore off. But I got out of bed the next day, walked the hallways, nursed the baby and when we got home the next day after that, I was getting out of bed quite easily at night to feed and change him. I had surgery on the Wednesday and by Saturday and I wasnt even taking pain medication anymore. They arent debilitating. They’re just another way to experience childbirth. My son is gorgeous and perfectly healthy. He is a good boy, quiet and attentive. He is thriving!

PS: Mine was because the baby was too big as well. Rather have the c-section and be assured of his safety than go through hours of labor, have him get stuck and in distress and have to do a section anyway.