Are you planning on having a natural birth in a hospital? Congratulations! Making this important decision is the first step in planning your natural birth.
From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted an unmedicated vaginal birth.
I didn’t know exactly what to expect or how I was going to get through it, but I just knew I wanted to. I hate needles and I didn’t want to have to deal with potential epidural side effects. I’ve heard of many women who’ve experienced back pain at the site of the epidural injection years later.
I didn’t want to deal with that. Of course, the pain of unmedicated childbirth certainly pales in comparison to getting a needle; But it was just not an option for me.
So, I managed to have two natural births in a hospital. And I’m here to share my best advice for you to do the same.
Are you planning to have a natural birth in a hospital setting?
Nowadays, the majority of pregnant mamas do get an epidural, but the number of moms opting for a natural birth has been on the rise. There are so many benefits to having a drug-free birth not only for you but for your baby.
I’ve decided to put together my key tips that will help you make it to the finish line and have the natural birth of your dreams in a hospital setting.
#1: Have a Solid Birth Plan
If your plan is to have a natural birth in a hospital, I would most definitely recommend preparing a birth plan. Trust me, I had both my kids naturally, in a hospital. Although I had fairly smooth births, I totally wish I had a birth plan for my first birth like I did for my second!
I did quite a bit of market research to find out if there were other moms out there into birth plans.
I was really shocked to see that many women (and their OBs) don’t care for them!
#2: Be Committed to Your Natural Birth
Has someone told you, “You don’t get a medal for enduring all that pain.”
The moment you tell people you want to have a natural birth, I guarantee you that most people will question your decision. Some may even call you crazy and start gaslighting you.
Considering at least 60% of mamas in America elect to get epidurals, you’ll quickly realize that you are part of the minority. It’s important that you do what you want to do regardless of what others may say.
You might even want to keep your plans to yourself. Did you know that we get a dopamine release whenever we tell people our future plans?
Sometimes this can be motivating, but in this case, I’d say it’s better to keep your intentions to yourself and your core birth team (husband, OBGYN/Midwife, Doula, Nurses, etc.) and not spread the news to unsupportive friends and family.
#3: Know and Commit to Your “WHY”
The only way you’ll be confident in your decision to have a natural birth is by knowing why. Ask yourself why you want to have a natural birth.
Connect to your reasons for wanting a natural birth. Ask questions and read books to get educated about natural birth in a hospital.
I recommend this awesome book by a world-renowned midwife named Ina May Gaskin. What better way to prepare for a natural birth in a hospital than to read a book written by a pioneer in midwifery, right?
Her book is called Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth.
I’m somewhat of an information junkie and like being prepared. All the videos I watched and books I read helped me get an idea of what my natural birth would be like.
You can also join online natural birth groups where you can meet other like-minded mamas. Familiarizing yourself with the entire process will definitely give you a boost of confidence.
#4: Visualize and Think Positively
It is important that you think positive thoughts about childbirth throughout pregnancy and labor. This is probably easier said than done, I know.
The thought of childbirth and the pain associated with it can be scary, but remember that it is pain with a purpose!
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Stop thinking and focusing on what can go wrong (like pooping during labor, or worse…tearing during childbirth) and how long it will last, and just stay present in the current moment.
If you’re pregnant, focus on where you are in your pregnancy. Eat well that day, work out, and hydrate. If you’re in labor and feeling a contraction, focus on that one contraction.
And visualize your ideal birth. Think about how you’ll feel during labor and when you’re holding your sweet baby in your arms. Feel the pride and sense of accomplishment you’ll have once you’ve birthed your baby.
“I wouldn’t mind being in labor for 3 days,” said no mom ever! Don’t forget to check out this post if you want a quicker and easier natural birth!
#5: Find a Team That Supports Your Natural Birthing Plans
You need to ensure that your hospital’s policies (especially for VBAC/Vaginal Birth After Caesarean mamas) and your healthcare provider’s practices align with your birth plan.
If you want to go for a VBAC, you need to ensure that this is something that your hospital of choice/healthcare professional will allow.
Make sure you research and look around until you find the hospital and healthcare team that will support you in your decision. If you’re concerned about you or your birth partner not being able to advocate for you during birth, consider getting a doula.
#6: Make Sure EVERYONE Gets the Memo
There is nothing more annoying and frustrating than someone offering you something you don’t want. Especially when you’re in LABOR. Like hello?? Did you NOT hear me the first 5 times I said NO?!
Prepare a birth plan and hand one out to everyone who will be in the room.
Set ground rules. It’s OK to say, “Do not offer me pain relief unless I ask for it.”
Remember, you’re the boss (with the exception of life-threatening situations). OK?
#7: Don’t Go to the Hospital During Early Labor
You’ll probably have the urge to head to the hospital as soon as your water breaks or your contractions start. My advice to you is: wait. At least until you are in active labor (6 cm, per ACOG).
The earlier you go, the more likely you’ll experience a series of potentially unnecessary medical interventions.
I do want to mention that everybody and every body are different. For example, during both my pregnancies, I was told to go in once my contractions were 5 minutes apart and I was no longer able to talk through them.
Most women are told this however, with my second pregnancy, I felt no pain whatsoever. You can read more about my crazy experience with painless labor here.
All I felt was my stomach tightening every 2-3 minutes but NO pain. I walked into L&D expecting to be sent home but they checked me and I was dilated and nearly ready to birth.
I probably would’ve given birth at home if I didn’t go in.
Some will feel pain at 1cm dilated and others won’t until nearly fully dilated. Every woman is different. Make sure you confirm with your doc when you absolutely need to go to the hospital.
And trust your instincts. With my second pregnancy, we lived farther away from the hospital and didn’t want to get stuck in LA traffic. So we went in earlier than we otherwise would have.
#8: Have Faith, Sit Back, and Enjoy Birthing
Stressing out will drain you of your energy and rob you of your joy. Pregnancy is a blessing that is meant to be enjoyed. Don’t let fear and worry rob you of this joy!
I hope you found these tips for a natural birth in a hospital helpful. I honestly found that giving birth naturally was extremely empowering for me.
There are so many benefits to giving birth without the use of drugs. The pain you’ll endure will be nothing like the joy you will feel once you get to hold your baby.
I’m grateful that I could deliver my babies naturally, but I know that everyone’s experience is different. I am no better than the next mom who gets an epidural or a C-Section. I’m only competing with myself and comparing myself to my vision of who I want to be — my highest self.
Don’t ever let people’s opinions and judgment make you feel bad about you want or have to do. At the end of the day, what’s most important is your well-being and that of your baby.
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Mamas who give birth naturally are a miracle. I just don’t know how they can sit through that much pain. My first pregnancy was a lot more difficult than my second. I had to be induced because my son was “late” and had growth restriction in utero. But I remember the pain on both accounts and it was rough.
Mamas who give birth naturally are a miracle. I just don’t know how they can sit through that much pain. My first pregnancy was a lot more difficult than my second. I had to be induced because my son was “late” and had growth restriction in utero. But I remember the pain on both accounts and it was rough.
This is awesome! I’m 100% for natural births! And my hospital was so amazing and accommodating! I labored naturally but opted for the epidural right when it was time to push, even tho I wasn’t in pain. I was just scared. But if I have another baby I already know my body is capable!
This is awesome! I’m 100% for natural births! And my hospital was so amazing and accommodating! I labored naturally but opted for the epidural right when it was time to push, even tho I wasn’t in pain. I was just scared. But if I have another baby I already know my body is capable!
You are a rockstar! I wanted a natural birth with my second, because while I had no complications from my first epidural.. I just hate needles. Unfortunately, I chickened out. The pain was honestly too much for me. I’m even mad now that I asked for it, because they checked me and I was a 6 almost 7 when I got to the hospital. And I got it as soon as I got into a room. But when my nurse checked me right after I was 9 almost 10. I should have just waited another 30 minutes and I would have had my daughter naturally.
You are a rockstar! I wanted a natural birth with my second, because while I had no complications from my first epidural.. I just hate needles. Unfortunately, I chickened out. The pain was honestly too much for me. I’m even mad now that I asked for it, because they checked me and I was a 6 almost 7 when I got to the hospital. And I got it as soon as I got into a room. But when my nurse checked me right after I was 9 almost 10. I should have just waited another 30 minutes and I would have had my daughter naturally.
This post brought back many memories! I had a VBAC, also natural, in a hospital, and I think confidence and knowing my birth plan are amongst the things that helped me on the day 😉 Lovely useful post!
This post brought back many memories! I had a VBAC, also natural, in a hospital, and I think confidence and knowing my birth plan are amongst the things that helped me on the day 😉 Lovely useful post!
I had an all natural birth. It’s what we planned, but halfway through I wanted that epidural! I say it’s great if you want to try without it, but be prepared to change your mind and if you do, do it soon enough that they can get it ready. By the time they could give me the epidural, I was ready to push, so at that point, I was just like nope, don’t bother, lol! I don’t plan on any more kids, but if I did it again, I would definitely get the epidural.
Definitely. Changing your mind is OK if it’s something you want to do! Every woman’s experience is different and that’s what make childbirth so beautiful.
Thanks for reading!
xx
I had an all natural birth. It’s what we planned, but halfway through I wanted that epidural! I say it’s great if you want to try without it, but be prepared to change your mind and if you do, do it soon enough that they can get it ready. By the time they could give me the epidural, I was ready to push, so at that point, I was just like nope, don’t bother, lol! I don’t plan on any more kids, but if I did it again, I would definitely get the epidural.
Definitely. Changing your mind is OK if it’s something you want to do! Every woman’s experience is different and that’s what make childbirth so beautiful.
Thanks for reading!
xx
Empowering women to make informed decisions is so important. If a woman chooses to go the natural route (and is medically able to), this is so helpful! I had both my boys through natural birth and I wish I did some of these things.
Definitely! Being informed is key to having an empowered birth! I’m glad you found this helpful thanks for reading!
xx
Empowering women to make informed decisions is so important. If a woman chooses to go the natural route (and is medically able to), this is so helpful! I had both my boys through natural birth and I wish I did some of these things.
Definitely! Being informed is key to having an empowered birth! I’m glad you found this helpful thanks for reading!
xx
Bookmarked so I can have it handy when I have kids! Thanks for the tips!
Glad you found this helpful, thanks for reading Donna!
xx
Bookmarked so I can have it handy when I have kids! Thanks for the tips!
Glad you found this helpful, thanks for reading Donna!
xx
I wish I had the natural experience both my boys was emergency situations due to preeclampsia and a torn placenta. Great source!
I’m sorry you had complications but out of it all, you still have your beautiful boys which is really what’s important. You’re a strong women either way having carried those boys to life!
Thanks for reading!
xx
I wish I had the natural experience both my boys was emergency situations due to preeclampsia and a torn placenta. Great source!
I’m sorry you had complications but out of it all, you still have your beautiful boys which is really what’s important. You’re a strong women either way having carried those boys to life!
Thanks for reading!
xx
I give mad props to mamas who go it natural. I was all about the drugs each time!!!
We’re all still strong women! Giving birth is no joke (doesn’t matter how) so props to you! Thanks for reading!
xx
I give mad props to mamas who go it natural. I was all about the drugs each time!!!
We’re all still strong women! Giving birth is no joke (doesn’t matter how) so props to you! Thanks for reading!
xx
You’re a warrior woman! With my high risk pregnancy & complications, it was best for us to have an induction and be closely monitored for baby and me. Each mama is different, each pregnancy is different. To each her own. I wouldn’t change my experience for the world. I loved that I knew when my little one would be here and that we were able to keep baby and myself monitored and safe through the whole process. These are fab tips! Finding a doctor and a hospital that will be on the same page as you is so important! A few of my friends who have gone all natural had to interview a ton of doctors to find who they ended up with and they wouldn’t change their experiences for the world!
Hey Sara! You are so right! Every experience is different and unique. There is beauty in each experience. I’m glad you enjoyed this post. And yes, finding a hospital and birth team that is on the same page as you is very important.
Thank you so much for reading xx
You’re a warrior woman! With my high risk pregnancy & complications, it was best for us to have an induction and be closely monitored for baby and me. Each mama is different, each pregnancy is different. To each her own. I wouldn’t change my experience for the world. I loved that I knew when my little one would be here and that we were able to keep baby and myself monitored and safe through the whole process. These are fab tips! Finding a doctor and a hospital that will be on the same page as you is so important! A few of my friends who have gone all natural had to interview a ton of doctors to find who they ended up with and they wouldn’t change their experiences for the world!
Hey Sara! You are so right! Every experience is different and unique. There is beauty in each experience. I’m glad you enjoyed this post. And yes, finding a hospital and birth team that is on the same page as you is very important.
Thank you so much for reading xx
I am currently pregnant with my 2nd and really want to do a natural birth. My first pregnancy I had an epidural and planned that going in. You are right, when you go in right after your water breaks, they immediately intervene. They induced me within hours and just basically told me they were doing it. I found out after the fact they didn’t need to do that. Women need to do a lot of research so they can stand up to the doctors and know your rights, which is pretty sad nowadays.
Fingers crossed I have a painless labor like you this time around. Lol. We can all hope because that’s amazing!
I’m sorry they completely took over your birth without letting you know about other options. I’ve heard about this happening to so many moms which is why I’m so passionate about encouraging women to take control of their births and to learn as much as possible. I’m happy you’re going to try going the natural route this time. I hope that this article gave you some reassurance that you can totally do this. Good on you for wanting to be informed. All the best to you Samantha!
xx
I am currently pregnant with my 2nd and really want to do a natural birth. My first pregnancy I had an epidural and planned that going in. You are right, when you go in right after your water breaks, they immediately intervene. They induced me within hours and just basically told me they were doing it. I found out after the fact they didn’t need to do that. Women need to do a lot of research so they can stand up to the doctors and know your rights, which is pretty sad nowadays.
Fingers crossed I have a painless labor like you this time around. Lol. We can all hope because that’s amazing!
I’m sorry they completely took over your birth without letting you know about other options. I’ve heard about this happening to so many moms which is why I’m so passionate about encouraging women to take control of their births and to learn as much as possible. I’m happy you’re going to try going the natural route this time. I hope that this article gave you some reassurance that you can totally do this. Good on you for wanting to be informed. All the best to you Samantha!
xx
I love the kind of concern about your readers you’ve borne in your mind while writing this, Mallaury.
Very much like you said, childbirth is nothing short of a miracle n matter which method is carried out. This is a great post & I hope to read more of such kind.
Thanks for your kind words Ashvini :). Childbirth is truly a miraculous event! It’s because of these type of comments that I keep working hard to put out great content.
Thanks for stopping by! xx
I love the kind of concern about your readers you’ve borne in your mind while writing this, Mallaury.
Very much like you said, childbirth is nothing short of a miracle n matter which method is carried out. This is a great post & I hope to read more of such kind.
Thanks for your kind words Ashvini :). Childbirth is truly a miraculous event! It’s because of these type of comments that I keep working hard to put out great content.
Thanks for stopping by! xx
I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
Thank you so much!! It’s a paid theme but I customized it myself quite a bit! I really appreciate your comment. It really encourages me to keep putting out content.
Thanks for dropping by. xx
I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
Thank you so much!! It’s a paid theme but I customized it myself quite a bit! I really appreciate your comment. It really encourages me to keep putting out content.
Thanks for dropping by. xx
What an amazing resource! I so wish I could have had a natural birth with my three! I gave in with the first on and then didn’t have the courage with the last two lol!
-Elizebeth
Beautyofselah.com
Hey mama 🙂
Ahh..Childbirth is definitely not an easy thing, no matter the method. But you know in the end, all we want is to come out alive and healthy with our babies in tow! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and to comment!
xx
What an amazing resource! I so wish I could have had a natural birth with my three! I gave in with the first on and then didn’t have the courage with the last two lol!
-Elizebeth
Beautyofselah.com
Hey mama 🙂
Ahh..Childbirth is definitely not an easy thing, no matter the method. But you know in the end, all we want is to come out alive and healthy with our babies in tow! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and to comment!
xx
This post is so perfect! I decided to have a natural birth with my daughter and ended up with a c-section due to some complications and I’m about to have my second and have also chose to do it naturally with this one in a birth center with a team of midwives! I’m excited but also nervous since I’m planning on doing a VBAC, but I cannot wait! This post is encouraging and informative! So thank you!
Hi Kailey!
You know how childbirth can be. Sometimes we want things to go one way and then they end up going another. Ahh..I’m happy that you’re going to attempt a VBAC at a birthing center with a TEAM of midwives. Wow! You’re set up for success. I hope you see this message and report back just to let me know how things went. Praying that all goes well!
xx
When are you due? Did you already have your little one? Were you able to have a V-Back as you wanted? I had my first by C-Section but have had 5 other babies after by way of V-Back. Hope you were able to have a V-Back and your baby and you are just fine!
This post is so perfect! I decided to have a natural birth with my daughter and ended up with a c-section due to some complications and I’m about to have my second and have also chose to do it naturally with this one in a birth center with a team of midwives! I’m excited but also nervous since I’m planning on doing a VBAC, but I cannot wait! This post is encouraging and informative! So thank you!
Hi Kailey!
You know how childbirth can be. Sometimes we want things to go one way and then they end up going another. Ahh..I’m happy that you’re going to attempt a VBAC at a birthing center with a TEAM of midwives. Wow! You’re set up for success. I hope you see this message and report back just to let me know how things went. Praying that all goes well!
xx
When are you due? Did you already have your little one? Were you able to have a V-Back as you wanted? I had my first by C-Section but have had 5 other babies after by way of V-Back. Hope you were able to have a V-Back and your baby and you are just fine!
These are great tips, and very interesting!!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Bekah!
xx
These are great tips, and very interesting!!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Bekah!
xx
That’s so awsome! I admire your strength. I have had 3 children all with an epidural. My first was super painful as soon as my water broke but my other two were not. I had the tightening feeling with my third baby and no pain at all. The tightening was coming in every 5 minutes so I thought I would go in to the hospital because my labors are very fast. Like one push! So I go in and I was at 7 cm. Honestly, I probably could have gone natural but I was too nervous! So anyway, I envy your strength to just do it!
Hi Talin!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Labor pains are no joke!! It seems like your last labor was similar to mine in that we didn’t experience any pain. How cool is that? I was scared the first time around not knowing what to expect but it wasn’t all that bad. Still the most pain I’ve ever been in my whole entire life but it’s worth it in the end, right?
xx
Great post! Both of our kids were born naturally. The second time was much better than the first time. Agree with your points. Thanks for sharing!
That’s so awsome! I admire your strength. I have had 3 children all with an epidural. My first was super painful as soon as my water broke but my other two were not. I had the tightening feeling with my third baby and no pain at all. The tightening was coming in every 5 minutes so I thought I would go in to the hospital because my labors are very fast. Like one push! So I go in and I was at 7 cm. Honestly, I probably could have gone natural but I was too nervous! So anyway, I envy your strength to just do it!
Hi Talin!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Labor pains are no joke!! It seems like your last labor was similar to mine in that we didn’t experience any pain. How cool is that? I was scared the first time around not knowing what to expect but it wasn’t all that bad. Still the most pain I’ve ever been in my whole entire life but it’s worth it in the end, right?
xx
Great post! Both of our kids were born naturally. The second time was much better than the first time. Agree with your points. Thanks for sharing!