2nd Trimester

Thoughs on different birthing practices.

HI, im only 16 weeks, but was starting to look into different birthing practices - Lamaze, hypnobirth, Alexander. Wanted to know pros/cons on each as well as others if there are any others, as I have no idea what to do(this is my first pregnancy), and what to have as much information as I can.


Thanks :)

Re: Thoughs on different birthing practices.

  • Are you only interested in med-free options? There is a natural birthing board on here that would probably be a great resource for you if you don't get the answers you are looking for here. I have no experience for you, I took a regular birthing class and went in knowing I wanted an epi.
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  • You may want to ask your OB their thoughts, as well.  After talking to mine in-depth about how I may be unable to have an epidural due to a spinal surgery, she recommended hypnobirthing which I'm looking into now.  

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  • I asked my OB the same question last appointment.  She said that the only recommendation she would give is Lamaze.  She said that she didn't think hypnobirthing worked (which surprised me because so many people on TB talk about it) and the other methods she disliked because it made people feel guilty about having an epidural if needed. 

    My other question was about episiotomies and tearing.  She said that she can help minimize tearing better with an epidural patient than someone going natural because when you are in a lot of pain, you push hard and want the baby out. She said with an epidural, at the very end, she can have me give a "half push" and guide the baby out gentler.  For this and other reasons, we decided to plan for an epidural. 

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  • I would suggest reading a few books: The Bradley Way, A Thinking Women's Guide to a Better Birth (great book that lists just about every practice, procedure and test and the pros/cons of each) and anything by Ina May.  I agree with the points made in The Bradley Way book that Lamaze is very outdated and is more likely to hyperventilate you.  I've had 3 med free births and I never took a class- I really just read books and birth stories in Ina May's books.  I figure my body was designed to give birth, what could a class teach it that it didn't already know.  I surrendered myself to birth and I never felt unprepared or unable to handle it.  I've had water births and I've never tore. With my first, my midwife told me to try not to push during a contraction or I would tear and I listened.  My midwife feels that its her job to make sure a healthy baby is born and also that the mother remains healthy and intact during birth as well. 
  • Check out the Bradley Method.

    I would be surprised if actual data showed a greater likelihood of tearing with an unmedicated birth.
  • A bunch of my friends did the Bradley Method and so I am taking their recommendation and have signed up for a series of classes that start in April.

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  • Rather than have women provide what they are doing, I would look each method up and see which philosophy is most consistent with yours. I am doing hypnobirthing and have heard WONDERFUL things about it, but it doesn't work for everyone. Similarly, some people LOVE Bradley and others dont like the concept of your husband or birthing partner essentially telling you what to do rather than listening to your own body's signals. The point is you are going to hear negative and positve things about each of these classes but that's fine becasue all that matters is what works for YOU. 
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  • mrsd0930 said:

    I asked my OB the same question last appointment.  She said that the only recommendation she would give is Lamaze.  She said that she didn't think hypnobirthing worked (which surprised me because so many people on TB talk about it) and the other methods she disliked because it made people feel guilty about having an epidural if needed. 

    My other question was about episiotomies and tearing.  She said that she can help minimize tearing better with an epidural patient than someone going natural because when you are in a lot of pain, you push hard and want the baby out. She said with an epidural, at the very end, she can have me give a "half push" and guide the baby out gentler.  For this and other reasons, we decided to plan for an epidural

    What is your plan if the epidural doesn't work?  She did tell you they aren't 100% effective right?  
  • joules235 said:

    I suspect this would have been a lot harder had there been people holding my legs back, yelling push and counting...all while not breathing and not being able to feel anything.

    @joules235‌ : I just want to point out that I've done a med free birth & one with an epideral. I found pushing to be just as easy with the epideral ("not being able to feel anything") as without. So while it might be true for some, the epideral actually allowed my labor with DS to continue to completion.

    I am definitely in favor of med-free birth if that is an aim for the MTB. However, meds to aid with pain are not an impediment to pushing/labor all the time.

    Also, with my lower lumbar fractures it was a blessing to have others brace/hold my legs so I could push. Without that type of support it would have been more difficult.

    Med free birth is awesome & I am not downing it, but epiderals can make an experience more pleasant & reduce stress on mother & baby in certain circumstances. Having experienced both I feel the need to say that.


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  • mysticl said:
    mrsd0930 said:

    I asked my OB the same question last appointment.  She said that the only recommendation she would give is Lamaze.  She said that she didn't think hypnobirthing worked (which surprised me because so many people on TB talk about it) and the other methods she disliked because it made people feel guilty about having an epidural if needed. 

    My other question was about episiotomies and tearing.  She said that she can help minimize tearing better with an epidural patient than someone going natural because when you are in a lot of pain, you push hard and want the baby out. She said with an epidural, at the very end, she can have me give a "half push" and guide the baby out gentler.  For this and other reasons, we decided to plan for an epidural

    What is your plan if the epidural doesn't work?  She did tell you they aren't 100% effective right?  
    Then she gives birth without an epidural? She didn't say that she would never deliver without one. It's a plan, not a guarantee. Nothing in her post indicated that she thought otherwise.
    Obviously then she would give birth without an epidural because that is really her only option in the United States (assuming she is here).  But what will she do for pain management?  The post sounded like that was her only plan.  So is she going to take the doctor endorsed Lamaze class as a back up method or is she going to just white knuckle it through?  I asked if the doctor informed her if they don't always work because no one ever told me that.  All the doctors and nurses make it sound like a 100% effective method.  I didn't want one and didn't plan for one but plans change.  I was induced and experienced contractions that didn't stop so I changed my plan.  The first epidural numbed my legs but no my abdomen so I was in horrible pain but unable to move to relieve it.  That's when I was informed an epidural may not work.  They were able to place a second one that did work (until they started pitocin) but it took a while for that to happen.  

    If a doctor isn't giving you all the information it is time to consider a new doctor.  That is one of several reasons that if I have another child my prenatal care will be provided by a different practice and I will give birth at a different hospital.  I also question a doctor who is pushing epidurals as a way to avoid tearing and episiotomies.  
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