OK I have a confession...med free moms?
I'm a full-on slacker. Judge me. Flame me. I meant to plan a little better for my L&D this time to see if I could make it med-free. As things stand I'd really just like to labor at home as long as possible and try to be progressed as far as possible before I make the epidural decision once I'm at the hospital. And I would like to feel a little more in control of the pain this time so I can make a decision vs just begging for the epi. I didn't do nearly enough last time to learn breathing techniques or other pain-management techniques.
You'd think I would have learned.
But really, with less than 6 weeks left to go, what would you recommend doing on my own so I can still prepare a little better for the part of my labor that is med-free? And maybe how can I mentally prepare to at least possibly feel strong enough to push through it and decline the epidural complete? I realize I'm a slacker here and I'm cutting corners. But even though I'm down to the wire I'd still like to be a little more prepared to labor without meds as long as possible.
Re: OK I have a confession...med free moms?
I highly recommend reading the book Mindful Birthing by Nancy Bardacke.
https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Birthing-Training-Childbirth-Beyond/dp/006196395X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367864018&sr=8-1&keywords=mindful+birthing
This will be my first attempt at Labor since i had a scheduled c-sec last time (breech baby). This book has helped me feel much more aware of the process, and i've been able to tie a lot of the concepts to my yoga practice.
Zach Rance 4 President
https://www.childbirthconnection.org/pdfs/comfort-in-labor-simkin.pdf
Try and get your body used to some of these positions. Your body has a better memory than your mind, so finding comfort in positions is very helpful.
Don't worry. I am only preparing b/c I happened to decide to take a birth class last minute. :-)
Also, you can use a timer and hold a piece of ice for 60 seconds at a time while practicing different awareness techniques such as focusing on your breath, moving your body, using aromatherapy (any smell you like). Obviously, holding ice is not the same a contraction, but it is uncomfortable and requires work to move through.
You will be fine!!!
I agree with staying at home as long as possible.
-Listen to your body. If it feels good to move, move. If it feels good to sway, sway, etc.
-Don't fight it. It's going to hurt and be a little scary probably- that's okay. Accept it, and allow the contractions to take over. Try to keep your body as relaxed as possible during a contraction. Breathe slow and deep. Moan low if you want to.
-Water was a huge help to me. It was like Heaven being in the tub and shower and was so helpful with my back labor. I couldn't imagine laboring without it.
-Stay upright to get baby to move down and speed things up.
-Positive visualization- it sounds so corny, but tell yourself you're opening up, your cervix is a flower lol, whatever kind of thing makes sense to you. Tell yourself you can do it. There will definitely be a point when you KNOW you can't do it. You will probably be in transition then- and that means it's almost over.
-Have supportive people with you. My husband kept pressing on my lower back, and I had two great midwives there telling me I was doing great. I didn't believe them lol, but it helped.
-My MW told me that when you first move into a new position during labor, the next contraction after that will seem more intense. She said it's okay, and if you stay where you are you'll adjust, until you move again. It helped to prepare myself that when I moved I would probably hurt a little more as my body adjusted.
-Lastly, you can watch NB videos- there's some great ones on youtube, read Ina may's Guide to Childbirth, and even considering hiring a doula or student doula for free. GL
Loss #6 2014 Loss #7 (chemical) 2014
~DS Born! 2009~
~DD Born! 2013~
Yep, I had back labor as well. It was awful- like a machete in my back. The good news is it may not (hopefully not!) happen this time. the fact that you're a second time mom also means your labor will probably go much quicker and I feel like that's something that is on your side if you're wanting a med-free birth. At least I keep telling myself, "I am probably NOT going to have back labor for 14 hours this time around!" lol.
And a lot of times back labor means a posterior baby- the best thing to do is stay upright and move a lot to get baby into a better position. You could see a chiropractor in these last few weeks to help baby get into the optimal position as well.
Loss #6 2014 Loss #7 (chemical) 2014
~DS Born! 2009~
~DD Born! 2013~
I second this--I found the way she talks about the labor process and the type of sensations to expect really helpful, and there are a lot of different meditation exercises for dealing with pain.
What helped me the most was reading a million birth stories. I didn't read only natural birth stories- I read all kinds to see what led to getting an epidural etc. Some people planning a natural birth only want to read positive natural birth stories but I like reading them all- even still births.
I did labor at home for 45 hours before going to the hospital. I knew my labor was slow to progress because I had read so many stories and there is a huge variety in how a woman's body labors.
Also, you need a care provider you trust. I actually just switched today back to the midwife group that delivered DS naturally (no IV, no nothing) and am feeling super confident. Also know that it hurts REALLY BAD, but that time passes regardless of whether you have an epidural or not, and that helped me know that it would not last forever.
Good luck!! Anyone can do it that has the desire.
I'm a FTM with similar questions. There seems to be lots of good advice here!
I tried holding a piece of ice and it didn't seem difficult enough, so I've practice with other things.
For a while during 2nd Tri I was getting weekly migraines. The dr. prescribed med but i didn't want to take it, so I would practice thinking of the throbbing in my head as surges of energy. Weirdly, it worked if I could get alone without distraction and focus really intently. I couldn't make it last for long--my focus would slip away and it would just hurt like ***--but it was cool while I could make it last, and it gave me a little relief from the pain.
Recently I've been having shooting gas pains that last all evening and most of the night. I practice by lying down and holding DH's hand, concentrating on the texture of his skin and the importance of our relationship. I found I could relax through the pain and fall asleep more quickly.
I don't know whether any of these will be useful when the time comes, but they help me get familiar with my own mental workings and become more comfortable with the idea of relaxing through a pain.
Breathe and vocalize. Groan out the pain.
Remember it's a normal and temporary pain. I always told myself that it's NOT like breaking a bone, which would be an unnatural pain that needs remedied. My body can do this!
Sit on the toilet. Sounds odd but it's a great position for helping baby down the birth canal and well...labor made me feel like I really had to poop and though nothing came out, it was temporary pain relief.
Close your eyes and try to mentally count down the contraction. This helped remind me that they would each peak but then have an end where I could take a quick breath and get ready to ride the wave again.
Good luck mama!