My Birth Story: Is an Unmedicated Induction Birth Possible?
I debated for a while about whether to share my birth story publicly as I tend to be a private person. Ultimately, I decided to do so in the hope that my experience might ease the fears of other expecting mothers who are facing an induction and wondering whether an unmedicated birth is still possible.
A little background: I was 36 years old and pregnant with my third child. I was fortunate to have a healthy, uncomplicated, full-term pregnancy. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted an unmedicated birth. With my first son, I was induced and found the labor to be significantly longer and more challenging compared to my second birth, which began naturally. That experience shaped my strong desire to avoid induction if I could.
Throughout this pregnancy, I practiced hypnobirthing techniques and felt very prepared mentally and physically. I understood the different phases of labor, the signs of progression, and how to work with my body through each stage. As I approached 40 weeks, I had an open conversation with my midwife about how long we could safely wait before inducing labor. Together, we agreed that if I had not gone into labor naturally, we would schedule an induction at 41.5 weeks.
I pushed things as late as possible, wanting to give my body every chance to start labor on its own. In the days leading up to delivery, I vividly remember spending hours Googling “successful unmedicated induction births.” Reading a few positive stories helped calm my nerves—and that’s ultimately why I’m sharing mine now.
The Day of My Induction – 7:00 AM
On the morning of my induction, I arrived at the hospital already 3 cm dilated. Once settled into my room, I requested a mobile fetal monitor so I could move freely rather than being confined to the bed. The nursing staff was incredibly accommodating and made this happen without any issues.
I also discussed my preferences with my midwife, specifically my desire to allow my water to break spontaneously if possible. Artificial rupture of membranes can intensify contractions pretty quickly, and since I was hoping for an unmedicated birth, we agreed that allowing labor to build gradually would be ideal for my body.
I was started on IV Pitocin to initiate labor (and remained hooked up to IV Pitocin throughout the entire delivery). About every 30 minutes, the dose was increased until my contractions were coming closer together. Throughout the morning and early afternoon, my contractions remained mild and manageable. I was able to watch TV and easily talk through them. My midwife checked in frequently, and we decided to reassess my progress around 4:30 PM.
4:30 PM – First Cervical Check
When my midwife examined me, I was shocked to hear that I was still only 3 cm dilated. After being on Pitocin since early morning, I truly expected some progress. I felt discouraged and quite frankly, gutted.
At that point, it was clear I hadn’t entered active labor yet. We discussed next steps, and my midwife recommended breaking my water to help labor progress. Around 4:45 PM, my water was broken, and almost immediately, I transitioned into active labor.
Active Phase of Labor (~3-8 cm)
During the active phase of labor, my contractions became noticeably stronger and closer together. During this stage, movement was essential. I changed positions frequently and continued to listen to my body regarding what position and movement felt right. The two positions that I seemed to bounce between were:
Sitting on a birthing ball while leaning forward onto the hospital bed, with my husband providing hip squeezes
Standing and leaning over a table, again with strong hip squeezes from my husband
These positions, in addition to the use of a labor comb (I highly recommend getting a labor comb!), helped me manage the intensity of the contractions. I continued to focus on keeping my muscles soft and not clenching my jaw and shoulders. I practiced diaphragmatic breathing with the emphasis on relaxing my pelvic floor muscles with each inhale. If there is one take away from this phase of labor, it would be to keep ALL of your muscle soft! Tightening your muscles in response to pain will create more discomfort and slow down labor.
Transition Phase of Labor (~8-10 cm)
Before I knew it, contractions were coming back-to-back with very little rest in between. I recognized this as the transition phase—a sign that I was close to meeting my baby! While transition is often the most intense part of labor, it is usually the shortest. For me, it passed quickly and felt like a blur. It was at this time that I began to feel strong rectal pressure and the sensation of needing to have a bowel movement. From my previous births, I knew this meant my baby was very close to being born and it was likely, “go time!”
Birth
Around 7:00 PM, my midwife checked my cervix and confirmed I was fully dilated at 10 cm. I pushed through a few contractions, and then something incredible happened (my midwife called it a gift from my body)—I had a pause of about two and a half minutes without a contraction. This allowed me to focus entirely on calm breathing, softening my muscles, and relaxing my pelvic floor. My body was able to tap into the natural expulsion reflex, where pushing becomes more involuntary. Then, with one or two more active pushes, my daughter was born. I never experienced the “ring of fire” or intense sensation as the baby’s head is born that is often dramatized in movies and shows.
Was labor and delivery intense at times? Yes. But was it manageable? 100% Yes with the right training and practice.
Final Thoughts
Yes—an unmedicated induction birth is possible and it can still be very rewarding. If induction becomes part of your birth plan, don’t lose hope. With preparation, support, movement, and trust in your body, it can still be an empowering and positive experience. Preparation matters. Movement matters. Nervous system regulation matters. And your pelvic floor plays a much bigger role in labor than most people realize.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I see firsthand how education and preparation can change someone’s birth experience—whether it’s your first baby or third.
Pelvic floor PT during pregnancy can help you:
Learn how to relax your pelvic floor
Practice breathing and pushing strategies that protect the pelvic floor
Improve mobility in the hips and pelvis to support labor progression
If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or simply want to better understand your pelvic floor, I’d love to support you. Your body is capable of incredible things, and you deserve care that honors that.