i was delulu but did it
when i told my gynae i didnt want an epidural while we were discussing my birth plan, she said "okay, then you have to be really determined all the way & find your own ways to cope"
with me NEVER giving birth before, the scariest part was not knowing how it would feel like or what will happen so i did alot of prep work from preparing a labour playlist on spotify, perineal massages, eating dates etc. but these are the stuff that actually helped me achieve an epidural-free delivery ⬇️
1. birth plan
if you dont want an epidural, you have to announce it upfront. i told my doctor, my delivery team when i admitted and my husband that i was determined not to have one. this helped to set expectations (important when you start screaming in pain at the end 😂)
2. hypnobirthing
GIRL I TELL YOU nothing else helped me more than learning how to breathe through the contractions. I literally was lying on the bed breathing through 5cm to 9cm, and the nurses said i was so calm through it all. I was DYING in pain but no one could tell because I was so focused on my breathing and really zoned out of reality.
3. Understanding
really understanding what to expect helped me through the last part. i told my husband beforehand that if I start asking for an epidural (if ever), it means i'm close to the end -- thats what i read online!! and true enough, your girl was screaming for an epidural when my baby's head was already there and i was 9-10cm dilated lol. so yea, i didnt get one HAHA but everything went really quick after that.
++ the birth comb helped initially but after 6cm, my husband took it away from me cause i was essentially hurting myself with it.
++ birth ball and perineal massage before the delivery date helped with pain management & preparing myself for how it would feel like below when pushing
++ my gynae did a warm compress during delivery and it was a short relief during the pushing phase.
and because i had no epidural, i got to experience the crazy feeling of needing to push. i didnt understand what i was feeling at first and tried to control it, but realised it after a few seconds and screamed that i needed to push and just started on my own 😅
overall, it was a crazy experience!! but my recovery was 10/10 -- i was walking around normally right after + i didnt take any painkillers after giving birth.
and of course, you walk out with a lower bill and so much more confidence in yourself that you actually DID THAT 👏
definitely something that i will remember for life and cant wait to experience it again in the future!!
Choosing to have an epidural-free birth can be both empowering and challenging, especially for first-time moms. From my personal experience, preparation was truly key to managing the intense pain and uncertainty during labor. I found that committing to a detailed birth plan upfront made a huge difference—not only did it set clear expectations with my medical team and husband, but it mentally prepared me to stick to my decision even in the toughest moments. One of the most effective tools I used was hypnobirthing techniques. Focusing on controlled breathing helped me stay calm and present during contractions. I was able to zone out of the pain, which nurses noticed as remarkable calmness despite what I was feeling inside. Hypnobirthing taught me to embrace the sensations rather than fear them, which I highly recommend practicing well before your due date. Understanding the stages of labor also provided me with confidence. Knowing that asking for an epidural at the very end could signal imminent delivery helped me push through the most intense contractions. It felt like having a secret roadmap during an otherwise unknown experience. Besides mental preparation, physical preparations like regular perineal massages softened the tissues and helped me feel more ready for delivery. Using a birth ball encouraged better positioning and eased discomfort before labor began. During delivery, a warm compress applied by my doctor provided short but welcome relief during pushing phases. One unexpected benefit of avoiding an epidural was the ability to feel natural urges to push. Although at first confusing, soon enough, I was able to listen to my body and begin pushing instinctively. This made the entire process feel more connected and natural. Recovering from birth was surprisingly smooth—I was up and walking shortly after and didn’t need any painkillers post-delivery. Avoiding an epidural also meant my hospital bill was lower, which was an added bonus. If you’re considering an epidural-free delivery, my advice is to do as much prep as you can mentally and physically. Gather knowledge, practice hypnobirthing, talk openly with your care team, and trust your body’s strength. This journey was one of the most intense and rewarding experiences of my life, and it left me feeling incredibly proud and ready for future births.
Can you recommend your gynae and hypnobirth course?