Natural Hospital Birth - SLC

I prefer an out-of-hospital home birth with a midwife for my births, but I think it's wonderful that you want to experience childbirth naturally. I don't think you would have enough support at the hospital if you didn't have a doula, or a midwife instead of an OBGYN to show the hospital staff you are serious about having a natural birth. My sister is a nurse and she has told me that most nurses don't take people seriously when people say they want a natural birth, because most of them aren't completely committed and end up with an epidural. A doula is just a support person who will help you through labor and informs you of your rights in the hospital setting. If you have a doula you will be much more informed and not easily swayed if the hospital staff tries to convince you to get an epidural when you don't want one (this happened to me for my first birth, which was in the hospital). I tell all of my friends that are pregnant that even if they don't have the same opinion about natural birth that I do, I would recommend everyone that has a hospital birth, natural or not, to have a doula to support them. Very often in the hospital, your doctor isn't the one to deliver the baby, and you don't know your nurse. A doula is the only way to can guarantee to have someone you know and trust (other than your partner and/or family) in the hospital supporting you during this special time. Good luck with your birth!

I did it 3 times in 3 different hospitals and I only had to 'fight' to not get an IV of pitocin on my last because I had my water broken and hadn't progressed far in 5 hours. I convinced her to turn it only to a 2 instead of the usual 8 or 12 when you get induced though and I progressed fine to have the baby 3 hours later. They were concerned about infection. That was at IMC but I hear that LDS is less institutional. Are you using a midwife there b/c they will be more supportive as well to the natural birthing?. Just hold off going to the hospital as long as you can and there shouldn't be a problem with them giving you an IV. The other 2 births that I was further progressed in labor went better smoother and I was never even asked or encouraged to get one. If they try to tell you they want one just in case there is an emergency, tell them no. I don't know if it is your first but if it is, there are more unknowns as to how you will handle the labor. The birth I was most preparared for with practicing 'hypnobirth' techniques was the calmest and most controlled. I had gone to 2 private hynosis sessions to prepare and it went great because of that. Best of luck you you, message me if you have any other questions.

I had 5 babies at LDS Hospital, all "natural-medication free". I didn't have to fight with anyone to have it that way. My doctor was wonderful and very supportive of my decision. In fact, she had one of our own babies naturally and knew what I was going through. You need to make sure that your doctor/medical care provider knows and is aware of your desires beforehand. I don't believe that a doula is necessary. My husband was a great labor coach and knew what I wanted, and helped me every step of the way. I also told each of my nurses right up front what I wanted and not one pressured me to have any medication that I did not want. They were very supportive and gave me great suggestions during the labors. LDS Hospital is a great hospital. Good luck! I am happy to answer any other questions you might have.

LDS hospital is a great place to birth. They are, for the most part, very respectful of moms. The biggest thing is your care provider, more than the facility. Also, have you considered hiring a doula? I am a doula, and I have had so many moms tell me that it was nice to have someone who knew how to work with the nursing staff there to help.
I just recently had my second at LDS hospital, and had the most fabulous nurse!!
Best of luck
M.

Read Natural Hospital Birth by gabriel. It really helped me have the kind of birth that I wanted. I read the reviews on it and they were all 5 star. Its a lot easier to get the kind of birth you want when you know how to approach the situation and how to talk to the physician and how to gain the support of the medical staff and advocates for you. and it has info on how to avoid induction of labor, how to avoid an IV, etc. Hope this helps!

I'm a doula and have had great experiences helping moms at LDS hospital. I agree- a big part of having a natural childbirth is in part, the provider. There are also things you can negotiate with the hospital. If they are worried about something, you can always get a hep-lock. But those aren't always necessary either. I also agree that you need to have a birth plan or birth preferences, so that everyone knows what you'd like to have happen and what you have planned and prepared for. A lot of women say they want to go natural, but you need to let them know you are prepared and more serious than the one that says, "Yeah, I want to try to go natural." I think you will have great support there. All the nurses that I have worked with are so incredible and supportive. I've had great experiences there. I just think the biggest thing is letting them know of your plans before hand and having your care provider on the same page. Labor at home as long as you are able to, also. Good luck to you!