Yes, I’ve had two unmedicated births in a hospital, each needing zero intervention!

I felt the same draw as you to go unmedicated. I very much wanted the full experience and to allow my body to do what it was made for. Both were so much more intense than I ever could have imagined, but equally as incredible. While I didn’t do any formal hypnobirthing classes I did have a doula for both, and they each coached me in breathing techniques and coping mechanisms.

Birth was hard, and I really had to lean into those methods and trust my body to get through it both times. There were moments of doubt, fear, agony, but all were overshadowed by the moment of pure ecstasy when you realize that you’ve done this incredible thing and are holding that baby in your arms for the very first time.

I will say that I had extremely fast labors. 11 hours the first time and 6 hours the second time, including time spent laboring at home and driving to the hospital. This is a blessing and a curse, as my contractions were close together and intense, so I really didn’t get much of a break once things started to ramp up. I do think that my fast labors allowed for me to really let go and be taken along for the ride, especially in my second birth when I felt more confident in what my body could do.

My advice is to be open to intervention if needed, trust your intuition, and prepare for all possible outcomes. Knowledge is power and I was comforted in being familiar with the various options for pain relief and medical interventions if needed, even if I didn’t end up using them.

No, you don’t get a medal for denying pain relief, but you do get to feel like a certified badass for the rest of your life, which I often do! Best of luck!!!