I am the mother of two lovely children:  Jacob, age 6, and Avery Rose, age 4.  I am expecting my third child in March 2004.  The birth of my son was much like what many women experience with the birth of a first child.  I did not know what to expect, so I did what I was told to do by nurses in the hospital.  I stayed in my bed (monitored) and I was given IV hydration.  I remained in that bed until the pain was excruciating and I received an interthecal medication (a single dose of a narcotic into my spine, not an epidural).  This "relief" lasted about one hour and it took away an estimated 30% of my pain.  I pushed for two hours and ended up with a beautiful son and one hell of a HUGE episiotomy that hurt for weeks, not to mention a limp for two months due to sciatic nerve pain which I attribute to my choice of medication for delivery. 

When it came time to give birth for the second time, I had a whole different game plan in mind.  I made a choice to give birth with a midwife in a birthing center in a local hospital.  I entered the hospital with a birthing plan in hand stating NO IV hydration, NO pain meds, and only occasional monitoring of my baby (I had a very healthy pregnancy).  My plan also made it clear that I wanted to be mobile, not strapped to a bed by a monitor watching contractions rise and fall, and most importantly, that there was to be NO EPISIOTOMY.  I wanted to let my body do what it was intended to do, give birth in a serene environment with very little or no interventions.  I did just that.  I labored in a tub, in a shower, and in a rocker.  My midwife made sure that my wishes were respected.  When my daughter was born, Linda (my midwife) cleared my baby's head and one shoulder and called my husband over to complete the delivery, so my husband's hands handed me our daughter.  It was the most amazing moment of our lives. 

My recovery from this birth was amazing.  I felt great, and the difference from my first was unbelievable.  I truly believe that not having the pain medication and not having an episiotomy made every difference.  I was able to enjoy my new baby.  I am confident that my third time will be a very similar experience.  I give every mom-to-be the same advice:  have confidence in yourself, the pain is very temporary and there are many techniques to deal with it.  It doesn't have to be painful and it is nothing to fear.