Hey mamas, Liesel here, your labor nurse bestie! If you’re considering an unmedicated birth, you better believe I’m cheering you on!
It can be an incredibly empowering and beautiful experience. But let’s be real, it can also be tough. So, here are 3 unmedicated birth tips from your friendly neighborhood L&D nurse (that’s me!) to help you rock your birth.
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Benefits of laboring without an epidural
First let’s briefly talk about some potential benefits of laboring without an epidural.
1. You don’t have to go through the process of getting an epidural
Yes, it’s a minimally invasive procedure, but it’s still a procedure. This especially holds true if you have needle-phobia like me. I know, I know, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, seeing that I’m a nurse and all, but I literally cringe at the thought of a needle anywhere near my body.
2. You may decrease your risk for other interventions
Ah, yes, the ever-evolving debate on epidurals and whether or not they increase the likelihood of having a C-section. I’m not here to say this is or isn’t true but there is a phenomenon called the Cascade of Interventions that exists. Basically, this phenomenon suggests that one intervention during labor creates a domino effect leading to more interventions.
3. You’ll be able to move around a lot more
After getting a traditional epidural, you will be confined to the bed. You can, and definitely should, still move around in the bed, but it typically is not safe for you to be out of the bed and moving around.
Movement, as you will learn more below, is key to being successful in having an unmedicated labor and birth!
Drum roll, please…now moving on to the 3 unmedicated birth tips!
1. Mental Preparation is Key!
I have an entire section in my Birth It Up: The Natural Series course called “Going Natural is 90% Mental.” More than anything else, having an unmedicated birth is a mental game.
Childbirth is a marathon, not a sprint, and your mindset plays a huge role. I’ve run a couple half marathons myself and found it is not only mentally, but physically similar too.
Marathons are long and tiring. You must fuel your body and mind. And as you get close to the finish line, you get a little boost of energy to finish the race. And that’s how pushing is! You also feel like a complete boss when you’re done running a marathon just like you do when you’ve given birth.
This is just a snippet of what you will find in my class, mama! To learn more about and to snag all 3 of my online birth courses, click here!
2. Movement is Your Friend!
I’ll say it again: movement is your friend during labor, especially for those wanting an epidural-free birth. There is an infinite amount of labor positions you can utilize during labor. There are ones you can do by yourself, ones you can do with your partner, and some you can do in the shower or tub! The possibilities are endless!
It’s hard for me to teach you exactly what position you need to be in during labor because everyone prefers something different. What I can say is the more positions, the better. Don’t feel like you must stay in one position for a certain amount of time. Try to change positions every 30 minutes and when in doubt, move!
I dive deeper into each of these in my course but these are my 4 favorite labor positions (and there are some more in the post below.)
- Birthing ball
- Toilet
- Fire hydrant
- Rebozo positions
3. Support is Essential!
Having a supportive team in the delivery room can make all the difference! Everyone’s support team looks a little different and that’s totally fine! Some might prefer their partner, nurse, and OB provider, while others might have half of their extended family in there.
When it comes to support in the labor room, I am here for it! As long as it’s what you (the patient) prefer and everyone is keeping it positive and upbeat, you do what makes you comfortable and happy.
But really, in addition to being your cheerleaders, your team can provide physical and emotional support, offer encouragement, and help you stay focused on your goals. They can also remind you of your strength when you need it most.
Let’s Wrap Up
Remember, every birth is unique, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. If you decide to change your mind about pain medication during labor, that’s perfectly okay too! The most important thing is to listen to your body, trust your instincts, and do what feels right for you and your baby. And again, our ultimate goal is a healthy mama and healthy baby!
If you like what you read in this article and want more tips and tricks for birthing? Be sure to check out my other resources! I’ll link a few of my favorites below but you can find so many more by going to my website!
- MLN’s FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack
- Birth It Up: The Natural Series – Every Question Answered
- MLN’s Online Birthing Classes
