Wow! Someone else who actually has had natural childbirth. My last two were homebirths, because I liked the freedom. Plus, I hated going to the hospital with contractions a minute apart only to leave a few hours later because I had not progressed.
It sounds gross, but the only comparison I can make as far as pain. I have bathroom issues that were more painful than childbirth.
Home births are all well and good until something goes tragically wrong. A pediatrician at our hospital in the 80s was completely devoted to the "natural" idea, home birth, etc. Unfortunately, the cord was around the baby's neck and the baby was born anoxic, which later was shown to have caused cerebral palsy. Odds are high they could have saved the baby's handicap with access to hospital equipment.
Thanks to Army hospitals not calling in anesthesia for "routine deliveries," I had both of mine with about 10 mL of Demerol (they usually give you a starting dose of 50 after surgeries - so during childbirth the 10 mL is diddlysquat). My husband was extremely supportive. Nonetheless, I would have enjoyed the experience much more without the pain.
I could have been used for a Scared Straight program for teens. I doubt a girl in the room would uncross her legs until she was 40 after being with me during my first or third labors especially. :-)
By the way, if you have bathroom issues that last for 22 hours or so, I'd recommend Metamucil.
Hello fellow cult follower! LOL
I envy you, I wanted a homebirth but Mr. Voice chickened out. When I delivered the last one they had the nurses coming in and out during the labor and delivery to observe, only one had assisted in a natural delivery before!
Midwife or doctor?