If you had a med-free birth...

LoveBryce

...what did you do to prepare?

My epi failed with dd and my OB said there is a good chance it was due to the shape of my spine and won't work this time either. If the drugs aren't going to work I don't really want the side effects. Plus going med-free has always appealed to me.

I would love any advice or reccomendations regarding books, methods etc.  

 

 

mags2041

I had a labor doula with me who was fabulous in guiding me through my birth (she did all the things that MH wouldn't have known what to do).  I also took a natural birthing class that helped a lot, too.  I also read a book by Ina May something about natural births.

r9stedt

I had an accidental pain-med free birth. The anesthesiologist (sic) didn't get there in time because I progressed rapidly. I'm so glad that I went in with the mind set that I was unsure whether I wanted an epi or not. I would like to go epi free again. Breathe, focus, breathe, focus. Counting helped a lot for Me. So did saying the ABCs. Gl! You can do it!

AZ_Erica

I'm posting to bookmark this post. 

 I had an accidental med free birth..sort of.  I progressed to fast and then they tried to give me and epi and the very end and it didn't work, so it was essentially med free.  I was not set on getting an epi in the first place and would like to go without one this time.  I am hoping you get some good recommendations.  I didn't really do anything to get through more or less just grinned and beared it.  

jayhawk25

I took the generic childbirth class at my hospital and learned some deep breathing techniques.  I just used those and stretched out on a big exercise ball to try to help turn DS (he was face-up).  DH also massaged my back a lot because I had back labor.

annak23

Lot of breathing through contractions! Hot shower, birthing ball, distraction touch, just being able to move around & not be stuck in bed. DH was awesome during it all. 

jennmichael

I had an accidental med free birth..  I progressed to fast -my 2nd dc-I  got to the hospital I was 8/9cm and then only 20minutes of pushing.(pushed 3hours with my first)

I strongly suggest the ina may book. it is amazing to know how many woman do this all the time med free. Watch the buisness of being born that ricki lake produced, and get either a nurse , a friend who has had a child or a labor coach. my husband was totally useless both times. the nurses helped me to focus, breath and stay in control.

this was my own thing- I took a good hard look at a sign on the side of the road that says speed limit 20 mph  and locked in the size, of that number zero- to represent how my vagina would be big and round and open and dilated. . than while i was in labor i kept saying to myself over and over, i will get big, i will open up for the baby to pass through, i will get big, and at the same time i visulaized that number zero. Okay I know totally weird but it worked.   I was so close to getting a c-section because I was stuck at 7cm for like 2 hours, and on the final check it was either going to be time to push or time for a c-section. I got to push.

good luck

Baby4OT

I took Bradley classes. If you can, I'd recommend them. DH and I are now going through the workbook from our classes (exercises, relaxation techniques, etc) again to get ready for this birth.