Wait until she has that first contraction, huh? What about all of the women who go pain-med free? Oh...that's right, they didn't HAVE contractions, their babies just slipped right out...You are probably the type who takes vicodin for cramps...

Whoever says that women who give birth using drugs are weak or wimpy is ignorant and stupid and lucky to be hiding behind a computer keyboard. How a woman gives birth is up to her and her doctors. Who knows how a woman gives birth unless she tells you? Using meds doesn't make you a wimp just like not using meds doesn't make you a super hero or any better than anyone else. It's all about choices. The only thing you're trying to do is give birth to a healthy baby and be healthy yourself, not being superior.

Back in the day, "natural vaginal birth" meant having a baby vaginally with no kind of analgesics or anesthetic. Now a natrual birth is considered any baby born "vaginally." Though I understand that some women have no-pain or low-pain tolerance, I can't imagine why young girls and women consider the concept of a vaginal birth "wrong" or "scary." Where are they getting this idea?
Women have been birthing naturally since the birth of mankind. C-sections are typically planned for medical reasons that may harm mother, baby or both. Also, c-sections are typically used as a last resort if mother has not dilated with augmentation (failure to progress) or baby has not descended into the birthing canal due to malposition.
You can have a pain-free labor with an epidural. There is no need to jump into a c-section because it's more convenient.
And for those girls that think vaginal birth will leave your vagina stretched or loosened up...well that's the most absurd thing I've ever heard.

I've had two nearly 10-pound babies naturally, no meds. Your body is built for childbirth, and you can handle it. Of course, it's no picnic, but it's not supposed to be.

Lonnicus, you had the labor from hell. Hats off to you!

Come on, folks! I had three without pain meds and yeah, it got intense at first, but it wasn't THAT bad. The way they portray it on TV is ridiculous, it's not even close to reality. I've had period cramps that were worse than those first contractions. It got pretty bad towards the end, but at that point it was almost over. I wouldn't go so far as to say that choosing pain meds brands you as an incompetent mother because some people do have the labor from hell, but those are probably the extreme end. To the women who are ridiculing her, do you actually know or do you get your information on what labor is like from TV? It's funny how women who have never had a baby are such experts on labor. If you had a baby and you are ridiculing her, shame on you, you're jealous. I give a lot of credit to a woman who is at least willing to try drug-free.

Not all American women are wimps.

People really need to understand that everyone has a right to their own beliefs. Just becuase you believe something to be true doesn't make it so. Every woman has a right to their own childbirth experience no matter what it is as long as the baby is protected and every detail is scrutinized to make sure it will be healthy. Also, you are a bunch of grown woman call each other names like "dummy" and "idiot". Please show some maturity and self restraint if you are going to share your opinion with the public.

OK ! SHE SAY'S THAT NOW LOL ! WELL SHE IS A TOUGH WOMAN BUT WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT MED'S ? I SAID THE SAME THING BUT THAT IS THE WORST PAIN EVER I HAD ALL THE MED'S AFTER 25 HRS OF LABOR THANK GOD I DID I WENT 36 HRS OF LABOR SO SHE HAS NO IDEA WHAT THE PAIN IS LIKE !!!

All you 'women' who are laughing at her for not 'wanting' drugs are idiots.
If she comes to a stage where she needs them, then she will have them... in the meantime, she is willing to give the birth a go without them. Better for the baby.
First contraction screamers who beg for painkillers are wimps! Pathetic much?? and who the hell compared having a dental op to childbirth?? bigger idiot!

I had a birthplan and a doula. I did my research and decided that I wanted to have a natural birth. What I did not plan for was days of contractions 5 - 7 minutes apart for 3 days prior to my due date. By the time I got into the hospital, my contractions were 1 - 3 minutes apart and wasn't really dialated (3 cm). Long story short, I realized that the lack of sleep and the extremely slow progress was more than I could handle...and I got the epidural. The next day, after 3 and half hours of pushing (I refused to consider a c-section), my doc intervened and I had my 8 1/2 lb. baby by c-sec. (The epidural wore off, so I could feel it). My baby was turned the wrong way and not in the birth canal correctly. Netherless, with my next baby, I'm going to try it again. Recovering from a c-section is rough.

I managed a drug free labor the first time around and that lasted 46 hours with 7 hours of transition, it all ended in an emergency c-section at the end due to fetal distress. Because of my allergy to the 'caine family of drugs, an epidural wasn't an option. As painful as labor might have been, I don't remember it in detail. My little person was worth it. I would love to have felt I had the body security to have had a home birth but I am glad I never took that as option for myself and my babes or we would not have made it. Here's hoping that she can have the "birth process" she wants and that her little one arrives safe and sound without complications. My most heartfelt wishes are that she can labor and deliver just like she plans, but I hope she doesn't fall apart if life deals her a different hand.

L

real women don't need epidurals. american women are wimps.

You can have a baby in a birthing center with all the technology like ultrasounds but at your own pace. The best of both worlds!

have fun with that. ouch!

Yeah, right, I said the exact same thingwhen I was pregnant with my first. I even told the doctor so in the delivery room. He smirked, and said, "Okay...you should have a contraction...about...now." I yelled, "Give me something for the pain!" Oh, my goodness, that was something else.