Jan Check-In: Unmedicated / Low-Intervention Birth

ec1212

Hi Mamas -
I think we intended to have a monthly check-in on this topic, but no longer have the member who was leading it. Being a FTM who's never had to actually refuse an epidural  I'm definitely not qualified to lead this discussion, but I can absolutely kick off the thread so we can stay in touch on these things:

• what we're learning on our own (podcasts, new books, convos with other moms)
• different strategies we're considering
• anything we're learning from care providers we're working with this time around
• questions for mamas who've done this before

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December thread: [link] 
November thread: [link] 

ec1212

I'll kick us off with things I'm learning from our doula. She shared the links below for our childbirth class last month. 

The "Miles Circuit" (third bullet) is how she works with clients whose babies are breech or otherwise not ideally-positioned. 
Double hip squeeze is something she wants DH to practice so they can alternate or work together on doing that for me if it winds up being something I find helpful. 

• Labor positions: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/l25025610/16-birthing-positions-for-labour-images
• Labor positions in hospital: https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/how-to-use-a-hospital-bed-in-labor-and-birth
• Miles Circuit: http://www.milescircuit.com
• Double Hip Squeeze: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3H1e_1bBMc

My questions: Has anyone done the Hypnobabies virtual course? I'm reading Hypnobirthing now, and given that I already have a meditation practice to call on, I'm wondering if it's really worth the $$ to also do a course.

mrosek91

Thank @ec1212 I was thinking we should start this, and then I forgot.

• what we're learning on our own (podcasts, new books, convos with other moms) - I know I've said this before, but I highly recommend the birth hour, every episode another mom comes on and shares their stories, you can hear stories that cover a whole range of birth experiences from c-section, vaginal, vbac, epidural, unmedicated, hospital, home, birth center, etc. and each mom shares their resources, so if any of the stories speak to you you can follow up with the tools they used.
• different strategies we're considering - A DOULA, I don't think I would have made it through any of my births without my doula, she is amazing. The other main things I did was to take it 5 minute at a time, and not be committed to anything. I kept saying I don't want an epidural now, I'll reevaluate in 5 minutes if I need to.

ckmb_1250

@ec1212 I was looking at the hypnobubs virtual
course & decided against it. Although I did find a hypnobirthing teacher who will do a 2.5 hour “refresher course” for me so I am going to do that. However in my last pregnancy I read the hypnobirthing book and was able to apply a lot of the ideas, visualizations, relaxation techniques into my regular yoga practice and never did a course, and I was fine . So you may be absolutely fine just reading the book yourself, especially since you have a yoga/meditation practice. Maybe see how you feel once you get through the book? I just started re reading it myself!

I also recently re read Natural Hospital Birth and man it’s so good. I don’t remember appreciating it as much last time but her descriptions of the emotional stages of labor were really accurate for me. And I know I said it before, but one of her main focuses in that book is staying home until you’re like 6-7 cm, and I really felt like staying home late was key for me. 

ccmrc143

My doula teaches hypnobirthing and our class starts on Thursday. We’re not paying separately for it since I already hired her for doula services and this is included. I’ll come back to this thread on Friday to share how it goes! 

littlelibelula

I follow a couple doulas on youtube and IG and that has been really encouraging for me. 
• setting up your birth room (house or hospital) Twinkle lights (for a dim not dark atmosphere), birth affirmation posters. (there are some cute online printables), essential oils, etc. 
https://youtu.be/PNoyTSgX5zA

• using water therapeutically, a bathtub or birthing tub

• yoga ball/peanut ball positions. 

I've been really afraid of talking to a doula for fear of sounding too cheap, but my favourite IG account is hosting the doula that posts the most amazing advice and its this Thursday. I'm super excited because they asked for questions and when I posted what I thought were dumb questions she said they were common questions and she'll get to them on the live. And better yet it's very location specific and with a local doula. 😍

brynn_mamaof4

• what we're learning on our own (podcasts, new books, convos with other moms) - I’ve really enjoyed the Instagram account badassmotherbirther ... the pictures are graphic and at first they scared me haha, even having three babies one of which I did completely intervention and medication free. Now I am in awe and more comfortable with the pictures and videos. I’m about to read some hypnobirthing books as well to be better prepared because I know meditation works for me. 

• different strategies we're considering - hypnobirthing. I’m researching the best birthing positions too.. I wish I would have known that with my first (I was 20) when I went med/intervention free but I didn’t, and I pushed on my back the whole time which probably was the least optimal position for that.

• anything we're learning from care providers - I haven’t had my birth plan discussion yet with my OB but she’s always super supportive of the way I do things. I won’t have a doula so plan to just prepare myself and prepare fiancé. 

ckmb_1250

@brynn_mamaof4 love that you found badassmotherbirther! Definitely a bit intense but I think something is really powerful about normalizing it for yourself. With that being said, sometimes my husband will catch a glimpse of my Insta feed and be like, is that what I thought it was? 😂

brynn_mamaof4

@ckmb_1250 I was actually disappointed at myself for being so shocked going through the feed! Lol I was like wth? You’ve had three babies! One all natural! I don’t know, I guess I’ve just never purposefully sought out the graphic (but beautiful) pictures of it. But I did realize the other day that I was getting more and more comfortable and gave myself a little pat on the back. 

I am the furthest thing from a prude btw, I think I was just thinking “ow!” At first and now I’m in awe. 

littlelibelula

@ckmb_1250 @brynn_mamaof4 Just checked out the IG, and just realized my favourite Spanish IG repost them a lot. 
Half of the content is "blocked" for sensitive content. 😁 Very interesting posts. 

ckmb_1250

I remember when I was pregnant last time they had just gotten through a big fight with IG to allow birth photos, and I was all about it 😂 We see more photos of c sections but never vaginal birth because it’s deemed graphic. So it’s interesting to realize that you actually have to seek it out to normalize it and become comfortable with it 🤷🏻‍♀️

ccmrc143

ok I’m back from hypnobirthing night one! I’m so happy to be in this class. My teacher (who is my doula) is slightly departing from the actual hypnobirthing book because she said part of it skews anti-hospital, anti-any type of birth that’s not like out in the forest 😂 But the overall concept of preventing your body from going into fight, flight, or freeze during labor seems logical. I’m not a hippie crunchy type at all but I do enjoy yoga, so if you can handle guided meditation you can handle the hypnobirthing concept. So far we’ve mainly just learned about birth in general, and just having the information of what’s going on in every part of my body is helping me feel confident. 

mimser

I have a sophrology session this afternoon and I will talk to my therapist about hypnobirthing. I think she is slowly getting into the hypnobirthing sessions now, I'll confirm with her if this is where it's going. I have all my sessions recorded, if anybody speaks French, I'm happy to share 😅 they're basically live guided meditation/breathing techniques sessions.

littlelibelula

So I went to a IG live with a doula last night and it answered a lot of my questions. So I'm meeting with her today to find out if we're a match and I can afford her. I'm really excited. In my mind I feel a doula could help me get through the process relaxed and focused. 

ec1212

@littlelibelula that's amazing news!! glad you got so many Qs answered and hope you both can figure out a way to work together if your styles mesh!

ckmb_1250

@ccmrc143 you mean you don’t want to birth like a cat hiding in the back of a chicken coop? 😂😂

Parts of the book like the authors description of her daughters birth are really anti hospital, and if anyone reads Ina May’s book it is the same way. They also gave birth in like the 60s-70s(?) and it sound like general anesthesia and forceps/episiotomy was forced on literally everyone even if you’re already crowning, so you definitely have to keep that context in mind.

Some of these books could definitely serve better being re written or updated!

ec1212

Yeah, I read four of the books recommended in our first unmedicated birth thread over holiday break and I agree @ckmb_1250 @ccmrc143! On the one hand, I appreciate all the info and understanding of options around avoiding interventions and working with my body, on the other hand I felt like there were definitely propaganda-like vibes in a lot of the books. 

I want to go into labor and birth knowledgeable, but I don't want to show up at the hospital feeling combative and on the defense or suspicious of anything they suggest for me and baby.

ccmrc143 I have a Q for your doula! My used copy of Hypnobirthing comes with a cute CD with the hypnosis tracks. Haha. I'm wondering if she recommends any tracks publicly available on a Spotify or similar? I searched "hypnobirthing" and a lot of stuff comes up but I'm wondering if any of it is official. No pressure to ask just for me, but if it comes up in your training, I'd love to hear her recs! I am going to try to avoid taking a course since I've already invested a lot of time and $ in our doula and self-education. 

ckmb_1250

@ec1212 that is a really good point, I think it was Natural Hospital Birth that talked about the importance of finding a care provider where you won’t, or more likely won’t, feel like you’re constantly defending your birth preferences 👌🏻

littlelibelula

ec1212 said:

I want to go into labor and birth knowledgeable, but I don't want to show up at the hospital feeling combative and on the defense or suspicious of anything they suggest for me and baby.

I've been really afraid of this. I've always trusted doctors, but during this pregnancy I've started to feel that I can't trust them and I need to fight for what I want. I don't like that feeling.

@ckmb_1250 Exactly, in a lot of the talks I've been to or advice I've been given, this has been repeated. The most important thing to do to ensure your birth goes the way you want it to is to find a doctor who believes in that method. Not a doctor who said, sure I can do that. But one who can tell you often he does it or the last time he assisted a mother who had that kind of birth. 

ckmb_1250

@littlelibelula if your doula works out, they are a really good resource for this! I switched OBs at 20 weeks during my last pregnancy based on suggestion from my doula and it was a great decision. They’ll also be so knowledgable about your local hospital policies and that may make you feel more comfortable, or they can reassure you based on positive experiences they’ve seen there. 

littlelibelula

@ckmb_1250 The meeting went really well with the doula, but she said it was still early especially with my variables, so we'll meet again once I pass 30 weeks,to see if there is any changes. But the price is as high as I thought so there's no way my husband will go for it. 

The real reason why I want a doula is because I don't think I can find doctors at the public hospital willing to support me and I'm afraid to go against the doctors. So thdefinitely e doula can help me labour at home in a relaxed environment and then I'm on my own in the hospital hopefully at least 8-10 cm dilated. 

(I'm definitely going to do a cost analysis comparing our spending on my DSs birth vs this birth. We're definitely spending less on doctors appointments and ultrasounds, less than the copago I think) 

ccmrc143

@ec1212 what you said about wanting to feel empowered but not combative/against the doctors is exactly how I feel. I’m higher risk because of my blood clotting disorder and I take shots every day—I very much trust my medical team and western medical practices. Before hiring a doula I asked my OB if that would bother her 😂 

As for the hypnobirthing tracks, I’m actually waiting on an email containing them. And if they’re not publicly available I’ll ask her if there are any on YouTube or something like it that she recommends. I’ll let you know! 

ckmb_1250

@littlelibelula I would think this doula would give you some Dr referrals even if you aren’t using her services 🤷🏻‍♀️

littlelibelula

@ckmb_1250 Maybe, but to be honest, if I could find a supportive doctor I wouldn't spend the money on a doula. Because my fear is based on feeling like I'm going against the doctor's advice. But I don't have money for a private hospital and there are very very few supportive doctors here. And possibly none in the public hospital. I need to find out exactly how the public hospital works. I'm assuming I'll get the on call doctor. But, I made the mistake of assuming for my DS and regretted some of those assumptions later. 

ckmb_1250

@littlelibelula I’d totally ask that doula about good doctors or hospitals, especially if shes on social media & is local to you, just send her a message. You shouldn’t have to pay for that info 🤷🏻‍♀️

I just assume I’m going to get the on call dr from my practice because I’m waiting to go to the hospital. So it was important to me to go to a hospital that follows the most up to date standards vs outdated practices. 

Sorry that there are not supportive Drs where you are 😕

littlelibelula

@ckmb_1250 I started researching, before I even took the pregnancy test. And you're right, it has been doulas that have given me the best information about VBAC minded doctors and the hospitals where they work. But the list was short, about 2 or 3 well known doctors and one was home births only. At least there is still time to keep looking and asking questions.