Coping with Labor Pain WITHOUT an EPIDURAL | Birth Doula | Lamaze Childbirth Educator

I had a beautiful, calm birth with my fifth baby. I never thought I could manage that due to my past experiences but prayed and meditated a lot leading up to birth. My husband was shocked when I started pushing and baby was born because I was so quiet and calm. Never even moaned or anything. So different from my past births. What helped me was saying different mantras to myself quietly. I usually said them mentally or whispered them under my breath. I would also visualize inspiring things. As a Christian my mantras were "Christ is my peace" and "Christ is my strength"... I also visualized or thought about Mary before her birth or about the heroes of our faith, early church martyrs, etc. Somehow remembering what they went through so heroicly helped me. I also focused on my hands, forehead, and mouth. I was sure to keep them relaxed. I kept my hands open, palms up. I made sure I wasn't furrowing my brow or clenching my jaw. I truly believe being calm and quashing fear is the biggest thing for a natural birth. Fear makes everything so much worse. I also wouldn't allow myself to think ahead or wonder how long labor would be... or how painful things would get ... or even to try to keep track of how long a contraction was or likely would be or when the next would come. I was totally in the moment I was in. Looking back I don't remember pain. I hope my experience helps someone! We are expecting number six any day and I am hoping for another peaceful birth ❤️

Just had my baby 2 weeks ago ang I was totally expecting to have an epidural at 6cm but guess what my amazing OB encouraged me that I can do it w/o having to rely on the epidural. So what I did was that I focused more on how I can manage my breathing so I can push when they count to 10. The next thing I know is that my baby was out & it took me 4 pushes to get her out 🤗. Just focus mommies and just tell yourself that whatever severe pain you feel it will only be 1 day and it will bring you closer to seeing your baby

My mantra was yoinked straight from Bob Ross Relax, let it flow, think like water (Water takes the path of least resistance and Bob Ross is the most calming presence I could think of)

1. Breathing with Smell (Essential oils) 2. Focal Points & Visualization (Any point to focus, may be partner) 3. Music and Mantra (Push Playlist, positive slogan and statements) 4. Relaxing touch & Hot cold therapy (Gentle touch or relaxing touch, hot or cold bags) 5. Water (Nice warm Shower)

Some other tips I have gleaned: 1. Gate control theory—use a comb in the palm of your hand to trick your brain into feeling that sensation first before the contraction pain. 2. Ride the wave—every contraction rises and peaks and then declines. The peak is about 15 seconds. You can do anything for 15 seconds (mantra!) 3. Do not focus on the stats but on how you feel. If you are thinking about how you’re only 2 cm dilated that can be discouraging. But you might be 90% effaced and that is progress too. The change can happen fast so don’t focus on the numbers. 4. Move! By responding to the type of moves your body is craving, you are helping your baby get into the right position and descend, increasing pressure on your cervix to help with dilation and effacement.

Hi Bridget, Last weekend I had my third baby naturally without epidural. I have followed your breathing techniques for my last two births and had wonderful and quick deliveries. Thank you for posting your videos for free.

For all of you wanting to give birth without an epidural, but living in a country of culture where you are ridiculed for it.. it may help to know that there are countries where the expectations are the opposite. In the Netherlands, where I live, there is a long tradition of giving birth at home and without medication. Today, a lot more women chose to go to the hospital (15% give birth at home) but still, epidurals are only chosen by 20% of women. Older generations frown upon you wanting an epidural. Within that context, somehow 80% of women are able to give birth without it. Hope this gives you some confidence! Still, every birth is different, so don't beat yourself up if you end up needing one. ❤

I remember hearing, "...keep pushing, she's got a lot of hair, she's almost here, you can touch her head, she's coming on the next one," all these things made me keep pushing through. Every new mom should know not to put themselves down. We can plan this or that but it's truly in God's hands. I planned to breastfeed and not get an epidural and keep holding out until the baby came when it was ready but it didn't happen for me. I got so depressed. My blood pressure skyrocketed and I had to be induced which ruined one plan then the pain of being induced came so suddenly...it wasn't gradually increasing like one would probably prefer. I had to get the epidural, it wasn't offered unless I really needed it. But they recommended it to lower my bp too, so I took it. I was so proud choosing to breastfeed which I intended on doing for 2 years and even that couldn't be done. I produced no milk whatsoever. On her third day of life, my child was starving and I had enough. My mom told me to not feel bad about it, she brought me formula for my baby girl. She slept so calmly after that and was finally fed, after that nothing else mattered to me. My baby is my priority, not my ego or pleasing others. It was an expectation of me to breastfeed but it just didn't happen and I moved on. Just after a few feedings, my daughter was sleeping better, I was sleeping better and my mind was at ease. The wet and soiled diapers finally came, I cried, never been so happy to look at poo. She grew up so quickly and I love her with all my heart. Now I'm expecting another little princess and this time I don't plan but I won't be hard on myself like before. Be the best mom you can be. You and your baby come first. God bless all moms out there

I really want to do a natural birth but everyone I talk to says I will change my mind or that I'm crazy... I really want to do this!

Had my baby naturally a week ago! I watched your video and a couple others two days before I was able to stick to my birth plan of no epidural. It was 14 1/2 hours but only 10 minutes of pushing, over the last 2 1/2 hours of labor pains I did squats during all of my contractions and laps around my house which totaled about 4600 steps and honestly laying down or sitting during those contractions was so much worse. This experience was wonderful. I was walking 10 minutes later and probably healing better because of it! Thank you for the videos 🤗

Something I strongly want to impress on women (I'm sure there will be nurses who disagree or are not this way, I'm glad you exist if that's the case but please recognize you are the exception, not the norm unfortunately) is this: When laboring in a hospital, do NOT expect the staff to honor your birth plan or frankly give a crap about what makes you comfortable. I've had 4 children, one unmedicated, and all four times, four different hospitals in different states, nursing staff were unsupportive assholes. The fourth cut the cake for me. I arrived at 8cm. I wanted the tub-nit allowed because I didn't get a Covid test two days prior. I wanted to move around, not allowed because they needed to "monitor" (there was absolutely no sign of fetal distress). They made an issue out of my blood pressure (I have significant White Coat Syndrome) even though I had no protein in my urine (no preeclampsia-and I knew what to look for because I had it before) and even though I basically begged them to stop checking everything for 10 minutes and let me labor as I had at home, that the continuous monitoring was what was driving my BP up, I was flatly denied and made to lay on my side. I eventually said quite loudly "fuck this" and got on all fours. OB tried to "push my cervical lip back" without warning me and got kicked in the nose for it (accidental). This was the running theme for all 4 labors. If you intend to labor unmedicated in a hospital, be prepared and be fierce about what you want. BE a bitch about it if they get pushy. You are not required to stay in the bed. You are not required to have an IV hooked up (you do have to have the port though just in case). You are not required to push on your back. Hospitals are trying to get you done and get on to the next patient. That's the chief motivation. Advocate for yourself, because otherwise you'll find yourself manipulated into interventions and entirely uncomfortable situations.

I focused on a mantra/acronym I created Relax Open Soften Expand Surrender (ROSES). At first, I focused on the words but eventually, I couldn't--so I focused on ROSES. Eventually I had to let go of all my thoughts and "let go and let God". 28 years later, I'm here watching Bridget's videos and sharing them with my baby who's going to have her first baby!

Hi everyone! I'm pregnant 20 weeks with my #7 baby and with my first 3 I had natural labor and births and with the other 3 I had an apidural because my 4th baby was stillborn so I decided to have an epidural because I couldn't bear to go through those labor pains again knowing that at the end of all that pain I still couldn't be happy and hold my new baby and here him crying it was the most traumatic experience of my life 😭 after I had one apidural I was always afraid of labor even though the next two baby's babies were healthy. But I heard it's not good to have to many epidurals for your back, so I'm trying to get over my fear of labor and birth so I can maybe have this baby naturally again so I'm watching everything on coping with pain too see if i can get past the fears and maybe get some of my confidence back and not be so scared anymore 😢 please wish me luck everyone!!!

I had three natural births, they were all fairly easy, I didn’t learn any breathing or pain management techniques but one thing I learned fairly quickly was that laying in bed and getting into a fetal position made my contractions way more painful, what I did instead was slowly walk through the contractions with a very straight back, kind of stretching it as I walked.

I love how you address us as mamas and not “mom to be’s” 🤗❤️

I am due in August with my first and reading a book called «positive birth». In the book, they suggest using the word «intense» rather than «pain», which is something I will focus on for the remaining time. Such a small thing is really helping me feel more mentally prepared. Also using positive angles such as “you are safe” rather than “it is not dangerous”.

I really hate it when people tell me natural birth is a bad idea. Get the tap. You'll change your mind. How about let me decide. Support me the best you can and we will see how i deal with it.

I did all of these except the music, i wanted total silence. I stared at the wall and old tv for 10 hours while focusing on my breathing and counting down from 10 when i had pain to control it. Worked great, i was in total denial about getting an epidural and i did this and it went great, baby came out fast and easy, pain wasn’t that bad, I’m pregnant with my 2nd and I’m still more scared of the epidural😂

I’m currently pregnant and I have a 4 year old. You really can have a painless or moderately painless labor. I personally never needed one with my son but got talked into getting one to help me ‘dilate faster’. EVERY WOMAN AND LABOR IS DIFFERENT. These tips will help for sure BUT how you care for yourself during pregnancy makes a difference as well. The more active you are the better (walks, yoga, light exercise). Maintaining stress is important (meditation or whatever calms you down). Eating healthy, nutritious foods. You also have to visualize the labor and delivery you want. Yes life happens, stressors will happen whether you’re pregnant or not, but dealing with them, maintaining a positive (calm in the storm) peace of mind, being active, etc helps TREMENDOUSLY.

I’m currently in labor and I’m going natural without an epidural, I’m 5cm dilated and these contractions Hurtttt! But I’m going to hold off the epidural as far as I can, I can do this! Pray for me!!!