For my third child I decided I wanted to go unassisted.  My major reason for going unassisted was to increase my chances of a painless childbirth.  I felt childbirth was intended to be safe and had no fear about going unassisted.  I prepared both mentally (knowledge), physically (exercise and good diet) and most importantly, spiritually (lots of prayer and scripture study).  Being very sensitive to people around me, I was careful of who I asked/allowed to be there.  My mother, who was completely freaked out by the idea, was one I strongly felt would NOT be safe for me and the baby to have there.  Not wanting to hurt her feelings, I prayed that she would for some reason not be able to attend.  As an answer to my prayer, I delivered the last day of her out-of-town vacation.  I suppose the Lord felt the same as I did.

I was in painless labor for several days before I delivered.  I felt the tightening but no pain.  The night before the delivery I was getting contractions 3-5 minutes apart but there was absolutely NO pain.  The evening wore on and the few family that was there helped us pick out a name.  Not sure if I was in real labor (I was acting normal as ever), my sister-in-law and her husband went home about 3:00 A.M.  I went to bed about 3:30 A.M.  The contractions became very strong and I felt my bag of waters pushing through my cervix and then it popped.  This did hurt, as I had strained it several weeks earlier.  I got up and changed into the gown I planned to birth in.  I knew I was in transition.  The contractions were strong and intense, but not painful.  I felt the need to walk and move so I paced from bedroom to kitchen.  After a little while my pacing became shortened to the bedroom.  I decided to climb into the tub to try and relax some.  Having people around me was a little nerve-wracking.  About a half hour later I climbed out, had the priesthood blessing I planned, and after about four pushing urges, out came my 8 pound baby.  My biggest baby, easiest delivery.  My husband caught him.  I tore but healed up beautifully and painlessly, since I had no stitches.  (I tore with my previous two and received stitches.  It was horrible to heal that way!)  I only had a total of an hour and a half of intense, active labor, which I can't describe as painful.  But interestingly enough, my father-in-law observed me as being in pain throughout that time.  I can see where a misinterpretation of childbirth may occur.

I am currently expecting my 4th baby.  Family is driving me crazy with their fears and it's hampering my joy about both the pregnancy and pending delivery.  My goal for this pregnancy is to have another painless birth but to not tear.  (I was a little impatient pushing the baby out with my last one.)  I would also like to catch this one.  I think we will limit this birth to just my husband and I, and any of the kids that may happen to be around.  I will be more comfortable that way.