Want to educate DH on NB...?

jlovesky

I did some research during my first pregnancy and went in to labor with a "lets give this a shot" attitude. Needless to say, I was not prepared and did indeed get an epidural. This time around I really want to educate myself more and go all in during labor in hopes of keeping it all natural. DH however does not really understand why I would do this when there is relief available. I do my best to explain the benefits but he is not fully getting it. I want to know that I will have a good, strong support during labor so I was going to see if anyone could suggest some good resources I could show him that might help in getting him to understand the health and safety benefits to me and the babe if we go all natural.?

mb314

DH and I watched the Business of Being Born together.  The movie is slanted, but even as such, I think it opened DH's eyes to some of the "standard" practices at hospitals and helped him come around to being comfortable with natural birth.

We also took Bradley Method classes.  If you have a 2 year old, it may be hard for you to commit to taking 12 weeks of classes.  However, I found them to be really useful for DH, as they focus on husband-coached birth and they go into detail about when interventions may or may not be necessary, and how to handle it if an intervention is being suggested.  If you don't think you can do Bradley classes (or another natural birth class) you could ask your DH to read one of the Bradley books (mainly "Husband Coached Childbirth" or "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way." 

jlovesky

Thank you! I will definitely look into all these

mb314

Also, my husband liked the idea of a smaller hospital bill if I didn't have pitocin, an epidural, c-section, etc.  Sometimes you have to frame your choice in a way that they understand.

jlovesky

I DO love to save money! Do you happen to have a guesstimate of what can be saved on the bill if none of those come into play?

aylafsu88

dearfoam said:

I would second just having him read the Bradley book. My DH already thought some of the L&D practices seem excessive, so he was an easy convert, though we still both are flexible on accepting necessary interventions if and when they are truly warranted.

I agree. My H was not on board with a natural birth in the beginning. He figured if drugs/medication is out there then way no use it. The Bradley classes really changed his mind. It made him see that birth is normal and not a scary event like it is portrayed in movies. The classes also educated him on what to expect and how to help me. The class completely changed his mind and he was my biggest supporter.

jenn43

jlovesky said:

I DO love to save money! Do you happen to have a guesstimate of what can be saved on the bill if none of those come into play?

I know at our hospital the anesthesia department charges $800 for a natural birth, and I think double that for a C-section.