Pregnancy & Childbirth

» Missmiss - Natural childbirth

This is my first pregnancy, and I decided from the beginning that I wanted a natural drug-free childbirth. My husband and I were with his family one day when they said once you get the epidural everything will be fine, my husband not knowing yet that I wanted to keep the decision of a drug-free childbirth to ourselves shook his head no, no we are not getting an epidural. I was looked at like I lost my mind and was told I was crazy, it followed on to the next day where I was told I should really rethink my decision. All this being said by my husbands brothers wife aka. sister in law. Im also constantly asked when I am going to be going on WIC. Several times I've answered that I am not I feel like Im being pressured into getting something that I can't use or need. We eat all organic food and WIC doesn't pay for that. Also I am going to be breastfeeding and plan on doing so for as long as posssible without the use of formula and if I end up having to use formula I plan on using organic. I feel like I have no one to talk to about any of my decisions because it seems like nowadays everyone is getting an epidural or having a c-section, and I doesn't seem like anyone wants to breastfeed. I feel like I am looked down on and comments piss me off. I never made comments to my sister in law who chose drugs from the start that she was crazy for not trying drug-free, nor have I commented on her choice of formula when I honestly can't understand why when she is a stay at home mom and her excuses are absurd for not breastfeeding...like she don't want her boobs to look funny or she had a cold. I haven't commented on any of this until this letter. All I wish is that I can have a drug-free natural childbirth and when i'm done I want to be able to breastfeed, and eat organic natural foods the way nature intended everything to be without the comments of close-minded people.

-- posted by Missmiss

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» Brenda Lane - Natural childbirth

In response to Natural childbirth posted by Missmiss:

All I can say is that I hear you. Unfortunately there are still a great deal of misunderstandings surrounding birth and breastfeeding both in our culture. One is that an epidural provides only advantages and no disadvantages. The truth is that it only provides one real advantage - relief from pain and possible a chance to rest. With it also comes a "package deal" where other interventions have to accompany it, not to mention it can affect both mother and baby negatively.

Our bodies were designed to do this - give birth to our babies, feed them with our milk and eat food that is as natural as God created. The sad part is that none of these things are recognized as important in this generation by most people.

Hang in there! At least you know that there are a few other people out there who feel like you do!

Brenda

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