baby smiles

[dw9559]

My mom, who had epidurals for all four of us, was astonished at how calm, alert, and at peace my unmedicated little girl was :).

[nchollywood]

I loved delivery :) Feeling everything was just amazing <3 my baby girl was born and she whimpered a little but after wards, when she was wrapped up, she just looked at me. Within those first 5 minutes of birth, she smiled at me and wanted to start feeding right then! She is bottle fed with formula because I don't produce enough but she is healthy as ever <3

[doctorcathy]

@nchollywood Congrats on your birth and healthy baby girl.

[nchollywood]

@doctorcathy thanks :) Your little one is SO cute :)

[Reneegirl31]

I had to be medicated with my 3 boys due to having c-sections, they came out peaceful and calm as well and very healthy! Please don't be so judgmental telling people that their babies will come out healthier without being medicated because my boys are walking proof that being medicated is OKAY too, if this is the way it has to be.

[doctorcathy]

@Reneegirl31 Renee, sorry if you were offended. I wasn't trying to be judgmental, just stating facts. The meds do get to the baby. But in cases of emergency C-section, you do what needs to be done. No one can blame a woman for needing help. Education is key - if more woman understand what is happening with their contractions, they may not view it as pain, but as work. Either way, a healthy baby is the important outcome.

[Bardoftoday]

hmm... interesting because my first born was calm and quiet just like this when born and I have an epidural. Altho, I could feel every contraction just not intensely - so perhaps the med was wearing off or I didn't get a full dose?

[doctorcathy]

Great - each baby is different. So many of the babies born with epidurals are calm and sleepy for the first few weeks. Not as alert as the unmedicated births. Nurses and midwives will usually point that out. Pediatricians won't usually admit it. If you've ever been at a hospital where they are used to doing C-sections and epidurals, and a woman has a natural birth - no drugs, no surgery - the nurses will often ask to come see the baby because they're not used to seeing such an alert baby.

[Bardoftoday]

@doctorcathy haha... as crazy as this sounds, my second son (born Dec 4th), I did NOT get medicine.. all natural and I'm so happy because I healed SO fast!. But my son was sleepy not long after, and screamed when he came out, while my first son didn't. so backwards.

[doctorcathy]

@Bardoftoday wow - congrats and thanks for sharing

[shellicz]

I am 21 weeks pregnant and also planning a completely natural birth. However, I am getting conflicting views regarding episiotomy, which I want to avoid unless absolutely necessary. My sense says that u dont need to cut a woman because her body is built to perform that function. On the other hand there are people (including doctors) who say its normal. Should I believe my own sense?

[doctorcathy]

@shellicz Follow your gut, it's usually right on.There is usually no need to cut because the body produces hormones that allow the tissues to stretch with little or no tearing.Tearing is better than cutting when it comes to healing.Cutting is not normal, it's a procedure created by modern medicine to help speed up the process.Women have been giving birth for centuries, and in many countries they still give birth unassisted, no epidural, no episiotomy.That's a Natural Birth.Look up Bradley Birth.

[oksanaostapyuk]

wow the cutests baby ive seen on youtube :) i have a question, was your baby given his first shot as soon as he was born? I dont know what the shot is called but its given to the baby within a min after birth.. thank you ill be waiting for your response

[doctorcathy]

Oh, thanks! No, he did not receive any shots. No medications, no creams...nothing went on or in my baby except for breastmilk. Women spend 9 months eating organic foods with no preservatives and chemicals, yet the minute the baby is born they allow a syring full of chemicals to be jabbed into their precious newborn's body?

It's unconscionable...

[undivisible83]

To say it with the words of John Lennon.... beautiful beautiful beautiful boy!

[doctorcathy]

@undivisible83 Sweet - thanks!

[TotallyTyra]

What a beautiful baby!!! You are so right about how an unmedicated newborn behaves. I arrived at the hospital already 8cm dilated and didn't have time for an epidural or anything. I had my baby girl completely natural and I am so glad I did! She is so calm and easy-going and she sleeps really well for naps and at bedtime. She's almost 15mths old now and I'm about 21 weeks pregnant with my 2nd. I'm praying for another natural, unmedicated birth!

[doctorcathy]

@TotallyTyra Great Job Tyra! You can do it, and your baby will be much healthier!

[beautifulsista25]

OMG...your baby is so cute he looks just like a doll

[doctorcathy]

@beautifulsista25 He really is a doll...thank you!

[msamonk]

Hi Dr Cathy. your Baby is beautiful ... im amazed and looks so cute!!!

,

..U are one of my idols...i been following your videos..im a 23 weeks pregnant now . im in the way of my 2 natural birth...1 one was in cuba in 1999... and 2 will be in canada , im in my way to another un-medicated baby and natural birth... i really wish lots mommys to be will follow this nice video..

Thanks for all the help.

Ms A .Monk.

[doctorcathy]

@msamonk Thank you - there is such a difference between an unmedicated birth and baby vs a medicated birth and baby. The difference is obvious even at 3 months old. The medicated birth babies seem as if they are still trying to get those drugs out of their systems. I see it all the time. The babies born naturally, with no drugs and no intervention are usually more calm, peaceful and happy. They are so alert and seem much more aware of their surroundings.

[doctorcathy]

@msamonk Thank you - glad to hear that you are taking good care of yourself and your baby. Keep me posted!

[willowtreephoto]

beautiful baby

[doctorcathy]

thank you - he's my world!!!

[roxxn7]

Hi Dr. Cathy, I'm really curious. By un-medicated baby and natural birth, do you mean no epidurals or more? I've heard of many women who didn't get epidurals but had no choice to have their blood pressure reduced or be given drugs to increase contractions etc. Can you please advise? Thank you!

[doctorcathy]

No epidural, no episiotomy, no pain meds...look for a Bradley Method Birthing class in your area.

[kimbleby]

23 weeks pregnant with my 4th and looking forward to another natural journey to meeting her, my 1st was hindered by drugs and as a result I nearly lost my son. I will always recommend a drug free birth and working WITH your body to bring baby safely and peacefully in to the world.

I've never thought of working out while pregnant though, this is a first for me, just goes to show that even 4th timers learn something new to add to the experience! Thanks for the video's :)

[doctorcathy]

You are so very welcome - good luck!!!

[Ascendo33]

Havent you got a movie of the birth ?

x thanks for all those beautiful movies

[doctorcathy]

Good for you - I nursed my son right after he was born. My husband and I bonded with him for the first hour, then I got up and walked to the bathroom. I trained for my baby's birth more than most people train for a marathon - and I was well prepared for a natural birth. Good luck to you - keep me posted!

[mandikaake]

He' s so sweet! With my first I didn't know any better and had the "average" american induced birth. Recovery time was horrible. With my son I wanted something different and had a natural birth with a posterior baby. It was amazing and recovery was great! I plan to go natural with this one too. I never want to go back to what it was like with my first. Women are built to have babies naturally - that's what we should be doing.

[elatribi]

mine wasnt half as bad as what i expected but it was also very quick so didnt have much time to suffer to bad!! i think if you prepare for the worst nothings ever as bad, also the best thing about natural is as soon as there out the pain just completely goes and you dont care about anything you went through when you see and hold your baby for the first time! im sure you will be fine! we were made to go through child birth!!

[AmandaMstrickland]

I'm 24 and this is my first baby lol I am so scared of the pain involved in child birth. Is it REALLY as bad as everyone says? I really dont want to drug my kid but still very very scared lol

[doctorcathy]

Honestly, it wasn't bad at all...it was wonderful! There was no pain, only work during a few of the contractions.

[elatribi]

i didnt use any drugs with my son and he behaved the same didnt make a sound for the first 3 months! slept most of it but when he was awake he was so alert! his 6 now and very bright. No drugs with the next one either already warned my hubby not to give me anything even if im begging!!!

[doctorcathy]

That's great to hear - be sure to tell your story. Many women are scared of childbirth and believe the doctors and nurses when they say the drugs don't affect baby. But those same nurses, doctors and midwives will be the first ones rushing in to see the un-medicated baby. They admit it's so rare to see, and that the difference is HUGE!

[doctorcathy]

I'm excited for you - keep yourself healthy. If you're planning a natural birth, you have to practice. May I suggest the Bradley Method or Hypnobirthing classes. Bradley Method worked great for me, hope it works for you, too.

[CLScroggs]

awh!

I'm 29 weeks now, and super excited for my baby girl!

I also plan on doing a natural birth =)

[zaynabonly]

your son is adorable. I wanted to thank you for the wonderful exercise regime that you have posted at youtube. I would recommend it to my close and preggy freinds. thank you once again.

[doctorcathy]

Oh, thank you - he's been such a blessing! You're welcome for the videos - check back often as I'll be posting some of my favorite healthy recipes.