Intro/Advice and Encouragement Wanted

amhah09

Hi, all! I'm expecting number 3 in April, but I really want a natural birth this time. I live in KY where there is not one birthing center in the entire state, and I am uncomfortable with a home birth so this will be a hospital birth. I have had 2 previous hospital births. With my first pregnancy I wanted to go natural. I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and some Bradley method. I did not have a doula. My water broke at home at 40w2d and I was begging for the epidural by the time I got to the hospital at 3 cm dilated. Of course my labor took forever after that and they had to stated Pit to keep it going. He ended up being shoulder dystocia with other labor complications.

My second pregnancy I still envisioned a natural delivery, but did not do anything extra to prepare (shame on me!). My entire pregnancy was anxiety-ridden and I was not pleased with my midwife (I switched practices for this baby to a highly recommended natural midwife) but I was induced at 39 weeks with DD because of my previous shoulder dystocia. I did have to beg her not to break my water after a couple hours on Pit because I was afraid I couldn't manage the pain of broken water in addition to the Pit. I made it to 5 cm when my water broke on its own and with the combination of that and the Pit, I gave way to the epidural. My blood pressure bottomed out, was given ephedrine, etc. etc. but the delivery went smoothly. 

Third time is a charm and I am determined to go naturally with this pregnancy, especially since I have a better midwife. I have read into hypnobabies and there is only one instructor in the state who teaches this class and she is also a doula. I fully intend to take the course, but was wondering if, in your opinion, using her as a doula is also a necessity. My husband will be very hands on and supportive and my midwife is hypnobirthing friendly. I'm trying to get around having to spend the money, but I certainly will if it's worth it. My worry is that I will exert all this time and money and still give in to the epidural. I need some words of encouragement and any other advice you ladies may have for me. Thanks in advance.

Arielle27

I had a doula with my first and was vey glad I did, but chose not to with my second or this coming third. The first two were med-free in-hospital births. I plan to have the same now.

I just didn't feel the need for the extra support person in my subsequent births because I had been through it, knew I could count on my husband for support and made my preferences known from the moment I walked into the hospital, so I had supportive staff members as well.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do! I hope it is complication free whatever happens!

aylafsu88

IMO I think a doula is essential. I know that your H will be hands on but it is nice to have someone there who can recommend different positions to help with pain, offer encouragement, and provide your H with some relief.   I would rather spend the money on a doula and just study the hypnobirthing info on my own.  There is lots of info out there (DONA website) showing that having a doula results in shorter labors with fewer complications, reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans, reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals.

https://www.dona.org/mothers/why_use_a_doula.php

Honestly, in my birth my doula was essential.  I had an anterior placenta and my LO was likely OP.  My contractions were sporadic and I had horrible back labor.  My doula got me into positions to help turn LO and did lots of counter pressure.  She was essential.  There was also a time when my body started pushing but I was only 8.5 cm dilated.  The nurse had me refrain from pushing as I was not complete.  My doula was the one who helped me breathe correctly and fight the urge to push with contractions.  I don't know what would have happened if my doula was not there.  She kept me calm and positive.
 
I hope you have a wonderful birth this time.  GL!