**For the Natural Birth Mommies**

dcunningham2

This is a XP from 3rd tri and Birth Stories:

How many of you had a home birth or med-free birth at the hospital? Since this is my first child I'm not sure I'm comfortable delivering at home, however I still need to research the local hospital's policies. I would like to have a birth with minimal interventions-only if absolutely medically necessary.

Natural birth mommies, can you recommend any reading material or classes you took to prepare? I saw the movie Business of Being Born which has motivated me to do more research. You can reply to this post or PM me. TIA!

DoubleDiamond

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth was HUGE for me. 

I had a natural birth with a MW in my local hospital. I was able to labor how ever I darn well pleased (eating, sitting in the tub, walking around, on the ball, etc) and it was wonderful.  GL!

DoubleDiamond

Although I was not allowed to eat while walking on the ball in tub.....

B.astards. 

lovesazzie

I had a natural birth at a free standing birth center with a MW. It was sooo awesome and I think that would be a great option for you if there is one in your area. I used Hypnobabies to prepare but also read tons of other books - Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide to Better Birth, etc.

robbie3982

I had a med/intervention free (except for having my water broken which I ended up requesting) birth at a hospital.

I second getting Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.  I found the stories to be so inspiring.  They actually made me excited for L&D.

DH and I took Bradley Method classes.  I didn't really end up using the relaxation methods we learned in class, but I still found the class to be invaluable.  It really taught DH and I how to work together as a team during labor and taught us so much about the options we'd have during labor and after DS was born.

ETA:  I had an OB who was very supportive.  I was initially worried that I would be fighting a Dr. to leave me alone, but it wasn't like that at all.  I think whatever type of care provider you choose, you need to make sure that what you want is inline with their philosophies.  

b.heather

I used Hypnobabies home study course to learn hypnosis, which worked wonderfully for me for the first 33 hours of my labor. I ended up having to get an epi due to sever preclamsia, but until that point had turned down all other medical interventions (iv, pitocin, induction, breaking of waters, etc). I highly recommend hypnosis for childbirth.