Demi Moore 'wouldn't mind balancing out the estrogen' in her house

In an interview which aired tonight on Access Hollywood, actress Demi Moore talked babies with host Nancy O’Dell, who is scheduled to begin maternity leave on Wednesday for her baby girl due in June.  Demi admitted that she and husband Ashton Kutcher would love to add a child to their family, which includes Demi’s three daughters — Rumer, 18, Scout, 15 and Tallulah, 13 — from her marriage to Bruce Willis.  Constantly battling rumors of a bump, Demi is not currently pregnant — but if she becomes pregnant soon, she knows what she would like to have.

I wouldn’t mind (a boy).  I wouldn’t mind a little balance, you know, balancing out that estrogen.

The actress called having a baby "one of the most empowering experiences a woman can have," and if anyone is justified in making such a pronouncement, it is Demi — who delivered each daughter without the aide of an epidural anesthetic.

I did all of mine naturally and I left in two to three hours.  I don’t think doing it without drugs is for everybody though so no pressure there!

Source:  Access Hollywood

Did you deliver naturally?

 

Comments

finnaryn on May 21st, 2007

1st – wanted an epidural but they started too late. They didn’t check me before they started and she started crowning in the middle of it.

2nd – Did have an epidural because of induction due to preeclampsia. They wanted to be ready for c-section if needed. It wasn’t and I didn’t feel a thing, which was sad. It was like I wasn’t there.

3rd – I was open to having one if needed, but with only an hour and a half labor, there wasn’t time.

4th (only 7 weeks along) – Not planning on an epidural. I have had natural twice now… I can handle this! Plus, each of my labors have been exactly half of the previous, so I figure I only have about 45 minutes!

Anna on May 21st, 2007

I had a natural delivery with my first as it was a fast labour. I had planned to go natural if things went ok but was open to the idea of medicated pain relief. I am so glad I went natural as I felt it lent a special kind of view to the whole experience for me and I plan on doing exactly the same thing with baby #2 due in Jan 08. Good on Demi for being open about her birth experiences!

Janna on May 21st, 2007

I had two homebirths, all natural. My births defined me as a woman and a mother. It brought out some strong qualities that I didn’t know I had.

Moonmoth on May 21st, 2007

I planned a homebirth with # 1, after 36 hours of drug free labour I ended up with a section for # 2 I had a successful VBAC, drug free, natural birth attended by midwives. No epi was the way to go for me, and minimal medical interventions were hoped for (and achieved with # 2!).

yaosa on May 21st, 2007

Both my deliveries were natural and I prepared with the Bradley method for both.

My first labor was very long and arduous but I felt very refreshed afterwards.

My second one was shorter and very intense and actually, if I had had a longer ‘transition’ I may have opted for an epi but I am glad that I was able to go through it as both labors were very different even though they were both without meds.

sarah on May 21st, 2007

I don’t always get why women treat meds-free births as such a badge of honour. To me, it’s like saying “I just had my leg amputated without medication, aren’t I amazing!” This is the 21st century and pain relief is available so why do it without it? Just my opinion which others will no doubt disagree with.

Sarah on May 21st, 2007

I definately had an epidural!!! I wanted a natural birth and tried as long as possible to hold on, but I was induced and they had my Pitocin levels so high there was no rest between contractions and an epidural was needed to relax me in order to dialate! Kudos to those who go natural and those who don’t. Childbirth is hard either way!!!

Alexandra on May 21st, 2007

I had a natural labor and delivery. But I want to agree with Sarah that it shouldn’t be a badge of honor. There is no reason to experience the pain just for the sake of proving you can handle it. There are, however, many reasons not to get an epidural. I’m going to mention them here NOT TO ATTACK WOMEN WHO CHOOSE TO HAVE THEM but to explain why women in this modern era would choose something so seemingly primitive in the face of a pain-free option. Epidurals CAN: (1) increase the risk of infection (at the sight of the epidural–just one more thing to “worry” about), (2) stall labor resulting in the need for pitocin, (3) hamper a woman’s ability to push and therefore result in the need for interventions such as forceps and suction, (4) increase the risk of vaginal tears. These are only a few examples. My point is that both routes–natural or medicated–involve different risks. We each choose which ones we are willing to assume. I was willing to tackle the pain in order to avoid the epidural-related complications that could arise. But a woman who chooses the opposite should get the same badge of honor (if there must be such a thing) because her route was fraught with challenges, too. Thank goodness we have OPTIONS!

bethany on May 21st, 2007

to me a natural birth is still a natural birth regardless of whether you have an epidural or not….at the end of it you’re still gonna have to push the baby out! meds-free birth are not better than those with meds and vice-versa…birth is birth and what matters at the end is the healthy baby! there really shouldnt be such a huge focus, on time, place, method, whatever, do what you feel COMFORTABLE with and whats best for YOUR BABY!

ok that is all! hahaha

Kel on May 21st, 2007

Was given Pitocin, wanted an epidural but the anesthesiologist was in emergency surgery. Was given a pain reliever via IV, it did not work. Had my son 2 weeks ago naturally and am glad that I did. It not only saved money but is enpowering to tell family and friends that I pushed my son out in 10 minutes without an epidural or c-section.

yaosa on May 21st, 2007

In response to Sarah:

For some of us, giving birth naturally is a major feat especially if there were underlying conditions and a system that basically wants to take choices away from women and push certain methods on us during our most vulnerable moments.

I for one, have nothing against women who want an epidural to avoid the pain and the fear or for women who had no choice in the matter. It’s all about the baby at the end of the day and the choices we can make. Enduring any kind of labor is to be celebrated.

Everyone has a different threshold for pain and I have a very high one but so what ? Some people like their drugs and some of us won’t even take aspirin for a head-ache.

My point is that if I feel great and proud that I had 2 natural childbirths, I should be able to say it without making someone else feel bad about their birthing experience. Going drug free certainly doesn’t make me a better human being than someone else but maybe it means that I was able to make my own choice and believe me, the hopsital where my son was born punished me because I refused drugs. They really wanted to have me have an epidural (to speed things up for them)and I refused, they wanted me to take antibiotics because my water had been broken for more than 12 hours and when I insisted that I wanted to walk instead of stay in the bed (my labor had stalled) they fought me on that so believe me I feel like I climbed two mountains that day and I am grateful that I didn’t have meds because I am one of these people who won’t take aspirin for a headache.

And just another detail to my story, I actually had abdominal surgery at 20 weeks and had an epidural for that so I’ve experienced one and didn’t want it again if it wasn’t medically necessary.

Peace out and praise and respect to all women and our different experiences!

Kim on May 22nd, 2007

I had Demerol with both my labors, but the 2nd one they didn’t believe that I was “really” in labor until about 30 minutes before he came, so I didn’t get the Demerol in time for it to go into effect. I knew there was NO way I was going to have an epi, I am scared to death of needles, and the thought of having one put in my spine made me cringe more than the thought of labor! But with my son (when I got the meds too late) I felt EVERYTHING, even the doctor pulling on me with the stitches

I proudly tell anyone who’ll listen that the only time I ever did narcotics was delivering my children LOL, and am very surprised at myself for handling the labors so well even with meds. I am a wimp and can’t even stand the slightest amount of pain, yet labor wasn’t as big a deal as everyone made it seem. Yet I know that I was lucky in having uncomplicated deliveries.

Mellissa on May 22nd, 2007

For my 1st baby, I was induced with pitocin and opted for the epidural after trying for the longest time to try and go without it, but i also have the world’s lowest pain tolerance as well!

For my angel baby Acadia(my second child) because she was not dialating me at all due to an issue with her legs, we opted for a scheduled c section, which ended up being the best choice for her. She ended up passing away 10 days later after open heart surgery.

Whether you did it naturally or not is a personal decision, no one should feel pressured into one way or the other. every delivery is different, every pregnancy is different, every woman having a baby is different. There is a lot of pain and work and tears that are involved which ever way you choose, but what happens at the end, is the greatest event in a person’s life, one way or another! Every baby is a miracle and a gift that should be treasured always. That’s what’s important, not if there were medications involved or not to bring them into this world!

Kresta on May 22nd, 2007

My 3 labours were relatively quick and the hospital I gave birth at had no anaesthetist so an epidural wasn’t an option. I am nervous about medical procedures and medication anyway and I don’t even like the idea of gas. My doctor was a natural childbirth advocate and some of his patients laboured for 2 days without pain relief. I don’t think I could have coped for that length of time.

Bev on May 22nd, 2007

Yeah, two drug free homebirths. I was induced with my third due to PIH, gel only, no pit, no drugs and babe was born in the caul.
I didn’t stay away from drugs my entire pregnancies to pump them full of the stuff at the moment they’re being born.

Each to their own.

Bella on May 22nd, 2007

I said right from the start of my pregnancy that I would have an epidural. When my husband and I got to the hospital 1 hour after my labour started I almost begged “Give me the drugs!” but I was told that my baby would be born before an epidural could have any effect. Just my luck… LOL

Emily G on May 22nd, 2007

Yes I had my daughter naturally and she was 10 pounds… noooo fun there! My son was natural until I needed an emergancy c/section.

madison on May 22nd, 2007

Demi is justified in saying that having a baby is one of the most empowering experiences a woman can have because she’s had a baby…period. Otherwise this article is implying that woman who have given birth medically assisted are not justified in saying that. Giving birth with an epidural, giving birth by a c-section – whatever the method – is empowering to women. You’ve brought a person into this world – that’s huge. Drugs or no drugs.

lihalee on May 22nd, 2007

In my country the average mother does not have the option of epidurals so when people in America make a big deal about a mother not having a epidural, we don’t think it is a big deal cause it is the norm here not the exception

kristen on May 22nd, 2007

In response to the leg amputated comment. Giving birth does not mean you are sick. Amputating your leg? Sure, something is wrong there. But women are treated like they’re sick, something is wrong they need an epidural, c-section, or some other kind of assistance to birth. It’s just not necessary in most cases.

Having said that, I do NOT look down on anyone who chooses medication. It’s a very personal choice and one you have to make on your own.

I don’t think women who give birth naturally should think they are BETTER than anyone else, but it’s definetely an empowering feeling to know you did it the way nature intended, in a day in age where everyone gets medication.

I hate it when people say “give me the drugs–I’m not trying to be a hero.” Well, neither am I. It’s just my choice.

Ilona on May 22nd, 2007

I agree with Lihalee that for most women in the world drugs in labour are not an option and interestingly it’s not even an issue for them.
After all it’s still possible to have some pain relief whether through different positions, use of water, massage etc.

I think the focus on pain comes mainly from westernised countries. All the women in my family had natural births yet when they spoke about their labouring it was with excitement and love about their babies being born, no one really dwelt on the pain. They just said, yes it can be painful and difficult but you deal with it and then it’s over.

I found this to be true also. And really, nothing compares to pushing out your baby yourself – it really is the most rewarding, all encompassing, empowering feeling.

TwinMom on May 22nd, 2007

ITA agree Sarah. I’ve seen posts by women who obviously think they’re superior (no one on this thread that I’ve seen) because they went through a drug-free childbirth.

When I had my twins, I was advised to take the epidural. If it had become a situation where I required an emergency c-section (with twins, it often does) and I hadn’t had the epidural, I would have required a general anesthetic. I wanted to be awake for the birth, whether it was vaginal (which was what it turned out to be) or c-section.

Most women realize that ALL births, whether they’re aided by epidural, c-section, homebirth, hospital birth, giving birth in a car, field, etc. are a beautiful miracle. In the end you have a beautiful and hopefully healthy baby. To play the “I’m better than you” card is just stupid and childish and thankfully, most women don’t do it.

Kat on May 22nd, 2007

I had a c-section the first time, Vbacs the second and third time…epidurals with each.

I would have changed nothing…

I have 3 beautiful children.

I admire Demi and other women who are able to do it with no medication at all… and I really admire her statement about it not being the right choice for all women…. and that there’s no judgementalness on her part.

To me, Demi seems very comfortable in her own skin, with her own body and choices, and also very tolerant of her fellow women.

KellyC on May 22nd, 2007

Yes, I delivered my daughter without pain medication or other drugs. It was a wonderful experience and I would definitely do it again. I left the birth center 12 hours after her birth but would have liked to leave sooner. Next time I will just stay home.

heather on May 22nd, 2007

I had my first in an emergancy induction, epidural, forcepts. My second child’s birth was completely drug free.

There is a huge differance between the two experiances, and having a drug free birth was much more empowering for me. The mindset alone that it took to stand strong and not accept drugs, and give my child the best start I could is a huge thing.

I don’t say this to take away from anyone’s birth experiance, but I know what MY experiance was, and how hard I fought for it, and I will definatly wear it as a badge of honor, as all women who do the best they can to bring thier children into the world (in whatever way they can) should do.

yogadaisy on May 22nd, 2007

I had one birth with an epidural and three without.

I feel like my natural births were extremely empowering.

Giving birth with an epidural is so completely different than going med-free. It requires so much more effort and strength, mental and physical to birth without drugs. I worked so incredibly hard to birth naturally and I agree with the above poster that it has defined me as a woman and taught me that I can do anything. Something that an epidural birth didn’t do.

Amber Smith on May 22nd, 2007

With my twins I had an epi but I lasted very long without on. I was induced for Pre-E and the epi was really just to help me sleep since I had been in labor for 24 hours. I was so swollen from the pre-e that they weren’t able to do it right and all they numbed were my legs! So I still felt everything. Because of the mag-sulfate I was so detached from the birth experience. I’m very sad about my first delivery still almost 4 years later.
My second delivery was a c/s because my son was breech.
So there will be no natural or home birth in my future and it doesn’t make me feel like any less of a woman or mom. My kids are here and healthy, the way they got here doesn’t make you more of a mom than someone else.

Lauren on May 22nd, 2007

ITA with Sarah, Alexandra, Madison, and TwinMom. Nobody in this thread is bashing anyone else for how they chose to gave birth, which is how it should be. But I have come across far too many posts on this site in the past from women who clearly thought they were superior mothers for having given birth drug free and/or at home. Giving birth without drugs is a personal choice, and if the mother can handle, I say more power to her. I wish I could be that strong, and maybe I will be. That said, drug free birth does NOT make a mother more superior and it is not a badge of honor, as Sarah said. I actually have read comments from women insinuating that women who give birth via c-section have not actually “given birth,” which infuriates me to no end. My mother’s godson and her friend would have bled to death had they had anything other than a c-section, and her friend almost ended up dying even with the c-section. And I have heard stories of women who refused to have c-sections because it wasn’t “how they planned.” The bottom line is that birth, no matter how it happens, is a miracle of life. Bringing a child you helped create into the world is fantastic, and as long as the baby is healthy and happy, that is all that matters.

pmfrances on May 22nd, 2007

I have 3 children…two c-sections (one emergency and one by choice) and one adoption. I feel empowered by all of them. I’m not impressed at all by those who don’t use meds, it’s purely your choice.

TwinMom on May 22nd, 2007

Well put pmfrances!

madison on May 22nd, 2007

We seem to have gotten into a pain med discussion b/c of the way the post was written but the actual quote is that Demi feels that PREGNANCY is one of the most empowering experiences a woman can have. But pmfrances you do make an excellent point – it doesn’t just extend to pregnancies either; adopting a baby must be incredibly empowering as well. All good…..

Liza on May 22nd, 2007

With my first baby, i had an epidural after being induced and i really didnt want it, but it was so painful. He was 9 pounds and had shoulder dystocia and it took an hour to put me back together. With that birth, I was kind of glad I had the epi, only because of what he had to do to get my son out *shudder*
My second son was born 17 months later, 3 weeks early with an induction, no meds only pitocin, which they turned off almost immediatly because it was too much and i was in labor by myself. He was born 2 hours later. I would do either all over again, I dont think the drugs matter.

pink.lioness on May 22nd, 2007

In 1991, I had my baby naturally and without an epidural, and I couldn’t have gas because it made me feel sick. It was extremely painful and seemed to go on forever. I didn’t have anybody with me because I foolishly believed that I had to do it all by myself, like my mom and grandma had before me (a decision I definitely regretted once I was in the delivery room). Towards the end I was so desperate that I begged the doctor and midwife to just get my baby out of me. I thought I was going to die! And afterwards the midwife actually called it an easy birth *lol*. It was a horrible experience but the minute I had my baby in my arms, all pain was completely forgotten. That was the most wonderful moment of my life. We stayed in hospital for 1 week afterwards and I had no trouble bonding with my baby. If there is a next time for me, I’ll definitely have my husband with me and an epidural if possible!

Ash on May 22nd, 2007

I wish people wouldn’t get so defensive. Both sides have a right to their opinions. My mother gave birth to both my sister and I completely drug-free, and I’ve very proud of her. I also know that my mother considers it one of her biggest accomplishments in life, and I think she should brag if she wants to… lol. As someone else mentioned, it p*sses me off to no end that doctors and hospitals have brainwashed women into believing that they must have epidurals or pitocin or c-sections, etc. etc. It’s completely ridiculous and just one more reason why I wish I could give birth in Europe (most countries over there use midwives and have a much lower rate of complications… Did you know that America has one of the highest c-section and infant mortality rates in the world? kind of ironic… most of the time, interventions are performed just because of liability reasons, not because they’re actually needed).

Anyway, now that I’ve stated my opinion, I don’t know if I will get an epidural some day. Maybe I will and I do think it’s great that women have that option. BUT I also think it’s ridiculous how women who give birth med-free are just expected to keep quiet about it while women who have had epidurals are allowed to say whatever they want. I think that women who give birth med-free are heroes (especially if they endured really long labors) and they’re entitled to brag about it. I fully expect to get flamed for this, but I don’t care. I’m exercising my right to free speech before it’s completely taken away in this country. (Can you tell I don’t believe in being politically correct? lol).

Lilybett on May 22nd, 2007

Melissa,

I just wanted to recognise your comment, because no one else seems to have done so. Thankyou for sharing about losing your daughter 10 days after she was born. My neices have both had infant heart surgery and it was an awful experience… but being born by c-section (as your daughter was) may have been less traumatic for them. My sister insisted on VBAC for both and one of the babies didn’t cope at all. The trauma of the birth exacerbated the heart condition. I think my sister felt pressure to have a superwoman birth experience – so I wanted to thankyou for putting an alternate image out there for other women to share.

melanie on May 22nd, 2007

I never enjoyed one second of giving birth! I wish I could be like some of you. I had epidurals with each because I didn’t want to feel the pain (and I’m not ashamed to say it). I didn’t feel like I was pumping my babies full of drugs or any such nonsense. I felt like I was exercising my right as a human being to control my pain. As a person who has suffered frequent untreatable migraines for my entire life, the option of actually getting rid of pain is like a miracle to me. Anyway, a happy mom and babe is the only thing that matters!

Coco on May 22nd, 2007

I have read much research that say there is a hormone released in the pain that is experienced by women and this hormone promotes bonding of mother and child.

Judy on May 22nd, 2007

When I had my first daughter I kept the idea of an epidural as an option. I was both squeamish and terrified of having an injection in my spine. By the time I decided that I wanted an epidural it was too late. When I had my other two daughters I knew that I could do it without an epidural. When the pain got intense I would convince myself to hold out a little longer before asking for the epidural. I ended up having all three without medication. I will be honest it was not because I am a strong women it is because I am a huge chicken when it comes to epidurals.

Mellissa, I am so sorry for your loss!

Raquel on May 22nd, 2007

If Demi wants a baby with Ashton hopefully it happens soon because she is almost 45, time is clicking moe than if she was say 39-40.

Marie Choi on May 23rd, 2007

2 kids, both natural, born in UK with midwives in a hospital setting. While I agree that every labor and every woman is different, I also want to say that our culture has “progressed” to a point where there is serious brainwashing that pregnancy and birth are medical conditions that should be treated. When was the last time you saw pop culture present a natural birth or even breastfeeding in a positive light- anyone seen that horrendous show “Notes from the Underbelly” (only saw the pilot- complete drivel)? Think back to when you were teenagers and try to guess again how many times you saw a birth without intervention presented in a positive light. And, please do not be silly enough to think you are above the influence of these things- we are all susceptible to this type of presentation. So many times we are told it only matters if you end up with a healthy baby- of course we all want that! But, we should demand more. The birth experience, in the absence of constant fretting and monitoring and intervening, is breathtaking, empowering and defining. That being said, of course there are situations where intervention is absolutely appropriate and necessary and women should feel safe. But, I think more women could benefit from making their own decisions and demanding more from the current system. The rising rates of C-sections and infant mortality in the US is a sad commentary on how women and children’s health issues continue to be sidelined. No criticism is intended, but just because we have the scientific capabilities, does not mean we should use them or even need them. Ultimately, we are all mothers, and I applaud all of you because for 36-42 weeks you gave everything to a life within, and for the rest of your life your heart lives in another person, but I have to disagree that the road you take to get there is irrelevant.

TwinMom on May 23rd, 2007

Coco, no offense, but that “study” sounds kind of nuts.

pmfrances on May 23rd, 2007

TwinMom, I was thinking the exact same thing!

Lanna on May 24th, 2007

I delivered both my boys vaginally without painkillers. One was a horrible hospital birth (failed induction, nurses yelling at me, no one listening to me, stealing my baby to the NICU, etc.), other was a fantastic homebirth that was much more empowering and comfortable.