So if you don't get an epidural ...

crystaldh

what is the best way to deal with the pain? Bradley Method? Hypnobirth? Lamaze? Something else?

mamaluzi

I'm reading a book right now called "Easy Labor." It talks about all the different kinds of pain managment from all different views, both medical (ie epidural, IVs, etc) and homeopathic/natural (hypnobirthing, water, Bradley, etc.). It's supposed to be a guide to choosing any and all types of pain management, not just subscribing to one view. I was interested in it mainly because I do not plan on getting an epidural or other completely numbing type of meds (the "big guns, if you will), but I still would like something(s) to take the edge off, such as IV meds, water laboring, etc. so I wanted to explore my pick-and-choose options....looking for something in between all-natural and totally medically-assisted for my own personal birthing experience. I suggest this book if you're looking for the same - it's a great read so far and very informative!

Loopyseven

I don't think there's a best.  It's not a one size fits all kind of thing.  What works to get one woman through the pain is just going to annoy or piss off someone else.  I was induced with my first and pit contractions are another form of hell (from what I've been told) and I'm so glad I got the epi cause it was still 17 hours after that before I had him.  But I think knowing something of many methods will help you try different things if one way isn't working for you when you're in the thick of things.

MuchlyGen

I didn't do a specific method. What helped me most was reading tons of birth stories while pregnant, seeing what other women found most useful, and spending lots of time visualizing my birth. It really helped me feel confident and believe that I could do it.

In the moment, what I found worked best for me was humming through the contractions - moaning, when they got more intense - keeping the sound low and my mouth and jaw relaxed.

Some people find it really helpful to have a focal point - a special statue, or a candle, or a plant or picture. 

I also labored in a birth pool for my first labor, and found that while it didn't totally relieve my pain exactly, it made it possible to relax completely in between contractions and gave me valuable respite. 

&thencomesbaby

I'm using the HypnoBirthing method as well as the Yoga Birth Method.

Lmoist

Nubain was a life saver for me with my first also! I will consider it again for this one. When I was on bed rest for 2.5 months with my first, I did a lot of research into all birthing methods. I ended up practicing hypnobirthing and thinking that I would do that in labor. Once labor started I didn't remember a thing I researched or practiced and just fell into my own thing. For me, laboring in the tub worked well and calmed me as well as hubby massaging my feet and back.

crystaldh

@lissydee One of my friends told me a similar story: she took a Bradley Method class and hired the instructor as her doula, but during labor she ended up kicking her out of the room because she just wanted to be alone and found her presence annoying! 

mrsodonnell12

Water is amazing during labor. It really reduces the pain.

crystaldh

@aluzitano I just ordered the book!

rahkitt

I've had two natural births and Bradley didn't help at all (the last thing I wanted to be doing was laying down and breathing deeply).  You just don't know what will work for you, so what you need most is an open mind and the conviction that you can do it. 

crystaldh

@mrsodonnell12 I'm hearing lots of good things about laboring in a tub, so I think I want to try that!

kikimeemee

A friend of mine had natural childbirth and she read a book abt allowing the contractions to approach and not tighten up and resisting the pain but letting the pain come like a wave. Each wave that comes, ride it out, don't tense up. I'm sorry I don't know the title.

It's an interesting school of thought but personally I will likely welcome the epidural, I think. :-)

abbyful

rahkitt said:

I've had two natural births and Bradley didn't help at all (the last thing I wanted to be doing was laying down and breathing deeply).  You just don't know what will work for you, so what you need most is an open mind and the conviction that you can do it. 

Huh? This is the exact opposite of what I learned in Bradley Method classes. There was a huge focus on being up and moving, laboring in different positions, etc. And that laying on your back is the worse position to be in.

That being said, I loved the Bradley Method classes. I think they were a major contributor to me successfully having a natural birth. And a big confidence-booster as well.

2ndGeneration

 I've had 5 births, never had an epidural (the idea of that freaks me out far more than birth lol). I didn't use any particular method, but really just tried to breathe and not tense up, and to remember that it will pass and baby will be here soon. Moving around can help, rocking chair, leaning over (like against something) standing in a warm shower, never used a tub but that sounds great too.

 I also like it quiet, my dh is a quiet type, supportive but not pushy-that would bother me if he was. And I'd NEVER want an audience of people talking and using phones, lol! Not for me. Just leave me alone to do my thing : )

rahkitt

abbyful said:

I've had two natural births and Bradley didn't help at all (the last thing I wanted to be doing was laying down and breathing deeply).  You just don't know what will work for you, so what you need most is an open mind and the conviction that you can do it. 

Huh? This is the exact opposite of what I learned in Bradley Method classes. There was a huge focus on being up and moving, laboring in different positions, etc. And that laying on your back is the worse position to be in. That being said, I loved the Bradley Method classes. I think they were a major contributor to me successfully having a natural birth. And a big confidence-booster as well.

We spent a lot of time in our Bradley class lying on our sides and breathing deeply to relax.  Our teacher emphasized that short "lamaze style" breathing was bad and any position that made part of your body tense up was bad.  I spent my first labor on our stairs clinging to the bannister and the only thing that helped the pain was taking quick little breaths.  I can totally see that different teachers can present the same material in really different ways.  

CariLS8

I really want to labor in water when my contractions become more intense. I've been reading Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth and I swear its opened my mind so much. She talks a lot about a mind and body connection during labor. Some people think it's funny, but I find it so empowering. Just knowing what my body is capable of makes me feel like women are super hero's if you set yourself up to think about the pain then yeah that's what you will expect lol. I'm a FTM, but I feel like I'm so ready for it. It's obviously scary still, but think positive!

momtojad

I didn't follow a method, I just did what was instinct in terms on movement and pain management.  I had a tub available, birthing ball, stool.

mb314

I did Bradley training, and we learned a variety of positions, relaxation techniques, the importance of being active, etc.  But for me, the way I dealt with pain was with water.  At home I labored in the shower, and at the hospital, I labored in the tub they had.  The water was awesome for pain relief, and I never asked for an epidural because I didn't want to have to leave the tub.  I highly recommend a tub or shower!

PSA - make sure you keep your bathtub clean at home if you want to labor in the tub before the hospital.  I went into labor like a week before I thought I would, and I had planned to have a cleaning lady come and do the bathroom (because who wants to clean a tub when 39 weeks pregnant), but DS came before she was scheduled to come.  I was sufficiently grossed out by my bathtub to use it at home - but the shower was a decent substitute 

highbornhunter

CariLS8 said:

I really want to labor in water when my contractions become more intense. I've been reading Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth and I swear its opened my mind so much. She talks a lot about a mind and body connection during labor. Some people think it's funny, but I find it so empowering. Just knowing what my body is capable of makes me feel like women are super hero's if you set yourself up to think about the pain then yeah that's what you will expect lol. I'm a FTM, but I feel like I'm so ready for it. It's obviously scary still, but think positive!

I also read that book and I think the positive birth stories at the beginning were so helpful. I've got a list of things I want to try when the time comes that I know some may work, some may not. I feel like the most important thing is going into this experience believing that I can give birth without drugs, that this is a thing my body is made to do.  I had a thought early in my pregnancy that went something like "This is the most important thing that will ever happen to my vagina.  I want to be aware of it when it's happening!"  Also I'm very scared of the thought of having a c-section, and from what I've read and some of my friends who are recent new mom's stories, once you start down the road of pain relief/epidural/pitocin/etc - the chance of ending up having a c-section is much more likely.  My husband hates to take even a Tylenol if it's unnecessary, so he is completely on board and supportive of us having a natural birth.

Things I'm planning to try - using a birthing ball, laboring in a tub, chanting/singing, listening to music, different breathing techniques, moving/walking/changing positions every half hour.  

lil_shocker

I had all sorts of techniques and tricks in my head when I had my son, and I did none of it. I had iv pain meds to help take the edge off of the pain, but my labor was about 80% back labor so that thew me off guard. I had the iv, and then counter-pressure really helped. I spent most of the night in the tub with the lights off drinking apple juice and not really talking or llistening to anything. I just tried to relax and focus on the contractions passing. My husband slept through labor, and I still don't know if that was horrible or a blessing in disguise, because I kind of think he would have just really annoyed me.

Definitely not how I imagined it to go. But you never really know what will help you until you get there.

jillybean7582

I agree with PP's who mentioned laboring in the water and moving around, different positions. I mainly labored in the tub at the hospital but also used the labor ball and walked around some. Sitting/laying in the bed when they started monitoring DS' s heart rate more frequently at the 22-26hr stretch was the worst.