XP: Natural Labor Moms or those who planned to be..

sanchela

....so yes I am stupid and I am TRYING (key word there is trying) to have a natural birth. I think it is too late or probably too much $ to take the Bradley Method classes so what did you all do to prepare? I looked up the Bradley method student workbook that apparently they give to you if you sign up for the classes and it was over $100 on Amazon!!! That is crazy. I can't believe no one has tried scanning it and put it on the internet. Anyway I digress, what books or articles or movies did you read to prepare yourself? If you read the manual or took the class, was it worth it? And for those of you who had labor already did it work?

Deegirl322

I took Bradley classes, watched The Business of Being Born & read plenty of articles on the benefits of a natural labor. Just have faith in yourself, you can do it! I recommend hiring a doula too.

djandkellen

I did Hypnobirthing (by Marie Mongan). ?It was really good! ?If you have any questions about it, you can PM me or email me at kellenmiller@mac.com. ?Good luck!

sunnyday016

I ended up going natural, but hadn't really planned on it. By the time I asked for the epi I was dilated to 9 cm! Anyway, I'll tell you that (at least for me) my nurse was incredible in showing me how to breathe and relax and let my body do the work on its own. I don't think a $100 book will really help that much-it's going to hurt a lot whether you spend that money or not! I don't think you're "stupid" for trying to have a natural birth at all! You can do it, your body was made to do it Good luck to you.

pregolili

I used the bradley method and didn't take the classes. My husband and I just read the books and we practiced the breathing and positions at home. It really did work! I had a completely natural birth and I plan to do it again... so it wasn't too traumatizing!

 

"A Husband Coached Birth" is one of the books we read I can't remember the other title but we got them at Barnes and Noble online.

 

Hope this helps! 

sblalande

I read Ina May Gaskin's book and birthing from within...both has A LOT of natural birth stories. My midwife had me read these to prepare. I also checked out Lamaze something-a-rather...I went to the library and searched their selection. I did a waterbirth, but I will tell you, I had a quick labor and my contrations were sooo painful I couldnt move out of the corner of my bed! I also had a great nurse who helped me breath throught the contractions!

BohoIslandBaby

We took the Bradley class and read Husband Coached Childbirth. ?The class was 12 wks long and we were there for 2-3 hours per class. ?While we were going through it, we dreaded going to the class every week....it was a long time to be sitting uncomfortable on the floor! ?But while I was in labor, my DH and I both agreed that we were really glad we took the class. ?We felt really prepared for the experience. ?I was able to labor naturally for 27 hours, but ended up having an emergency C-section. ?:( ?I would recommend the class, but if you don't have time for that, then check out the Husband Coached Childbirth book.

Sam78

I planned to go natural until the pitocin kicked my butt - I could hear my yoga teacher in my head coaching my breathing while I was still trying to avoid the epi ... but anyway, I checked out a number of books from the library including ones one yoga breathing and another theory (hypno maybe?).  Have you tried the library?  For me, it was all about the breathing, so whichever method you read about, just make sure you understand it.  Good luck!

LittleEgypt

I took an 8-week class series from a local instructor that was not affiliated with a particular method. I really enjoyed it, and I felt better prepared for having taken it. I also like the book "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth". If you're planning a hospital birth (I was using a birth center), make sure you are very familiar with their protocols and procedures ahead of time. Coach your DH very well and/or consider hiring a doula.

FWIW I ended up with a c-section due to 'surprise breech', but I was fully dilated before they got the spinal in, and I felt prepared for the pain I had.

chasingamyandmatt

I took lamaze.  I wanted to try to go natural and planned all of the following:

rock in rocking chair during labor, walk the halls, breathing exercises, bounce on yoga ball, shower, etc....

once in hospital, it never once occurred to me to get out of the bed and do any of those things (though, looking back they may have helped).  my doc reminded my about the shower, which was awesome.  but the rest of labor was spent starting at a tiny white spot on my hospital gown and blowing hard (like at a candle) through each contraction. 

ineveitably you will find and do what works for you...it just may help to know your options.  whether or not you remember them and actually get releif from them is a different story.  just remember people have been doing this for millions of years without "methods".  you'll be fine!  good luck.

ncbelle

I really didn't do anything - aside from pep talk myself a lot prior to labor and get my DH and midwife very on board with my birth wishes.

Mrs.V

I didn't do any training, I just knew I really wanted to do it and I spent alot of time doing prenatal yoga during my third trimester.  I went with the plan to continue moving, rocking, etc. and no laying in bed.  By far the most important thing is just to find a way to focus and breathe.  You'll figure out what works for you once you're in labour.  I didn't use some positions etc that I had thought about before hand because its impossible to know what you'll need during labour so go in with an open mind and don't worry about feeling unprepared, just take it in small chunks of time and rely on your partner for lots of support! Good luck! I'm so happy that I chose to have a natural birth!

BananaPancake

SpringPeeper:

sblalande:

I read Ina May Gaskin's book and birthing from within...both has A LOT of natural birth stories. My midwife had me read these to prepare. I also checked out Lamaze something-a-rather...I went to the library and searched their selection. I did a waterbirth, but I will tell you, I had a quick labor and my contrations were sooo painful I couldnt move out of the corner of my bed! I also had a great nurse who helped me breath throught the contractions!

oh yea! I also rec. Ina May!

 

DEFINITELY check out Ina May's books, esp Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May's Guide. As for Bradley, I liked Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, I think it was called. We didn't take the class, but that book was awesome. Husband Coached Childbirth was good, but no pictures! 

brideofaussie

I hired a doula.

best.thing.ever

I NEVER would have made it to 7 cm before I got my c/s w/o a doula.