Attachment Parenting
minority
I was the only one in our entire prenatal class at the hospital planning on going natural. There were at least 30 women in the class.
The worst part is then all she did was talk about labor with epidurals because that's what everyone was going to do. and then every now and then she'd be like "unless you're going to go natural" and she really stressed getting an epidural to relax your body so it do the work.
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Re: minority
Well, obviously she had to cater to the majority. Most US women do get epidurals, so a class with tips for natural childbirth would really be a waste of time for them.
You'd probably have better luck at a Bradley class, or hypnobirthing.
I looked into Bradley but I physically can't do it. They stress a lot of exercises and physical ways to accomodate labor and I'm disabled.
I wanted to do hypnobabies but it was so far and with DH's commute we just couldn't do the time. I think I'm going to order the book though.
Natural birth is definitely the minority! From my own personal experience and from what I've learned in doula training, I think it's really really important to attend a childbirth class directed toward natural birth if you're planning a natural birth. So many women choose to get an epidural that hospital-based classes almost have to teach that. With out being pushy, if you want some natural birth reading recommendations or websites to check out, I'd be happy to offer some! Good luck with your natural birth!
maybe i'm in the minority of natural birth people but I actually feel prepared for labor. I suffered through severe gallstones for 8 years (and no one ever told me what was wrong or what they were) so I dealt with the paralyzing pain. I also had a major chest surgery and have dealt with that pain for 3 years, I also have a disabling bone disorder and am in a severe amount of pain daily. I guess I feel I've got some great coping skills already. I do plan hypnobabies but from what I've read about them it seems like I already do a lot of that. Meditation and relaxation, going to another place, music, mental focus
If you've dealt with the kind of chronic pain you describe, birth should be a breeze! I also have a chronic illness that causes really intense pain when I have flare ups. While I definitely felt every single contraction, knowing the contractions would last for a limited time and that I would have a baby in the end was so much nicer than when I've felt illness-related pain in the past and only been terrified that my body was totally breaking down.
You might also want to look into hiring a doula. Good luck to you!
I think it's sad. Truly sad that women don't think they can have a natural birth. Maybe it's just the way the world is now- why do the work when a pill can make it better? Ugh...I'm tired and this makes me feel grumpy.
I read the hypnobirthing book (skimmed it really) and did some baby body birth (i think thats what it was called) classes. I felt ready and determined (not that I had a choice) to let my body do what it was designed to do.
Good Luck with you natural birth....you CAN do it, don't let anyone pressure you!!
I don't know that you NEED to a do a birthing class to be prepared to go natural.
I do think it's good to know all the options and possible events as I doubt many women are in a space for learning new info in the middle of labour.
I planned to go mostly natural, and did a general ante-natal class. It did cover some tips for managing pain during labour as well as all the general info on epidurals, inductions etc etc.
I ended up using gas during the pushing stage, but in hindsight I think I could have managed without it if I'd made myself. However I was most open to using gas and was anti pethidene or an epidural (although again was open to using them if it got to that).
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
I'm sorry you've been through so much, but you definitely sound prepared. Good luck and let us all know when your LO gets here!
This was SO me going into childbirth (and I made it all natural except for 1 pain shot with a life of an 1 1/2 hours).
I had 2 knee surgeries, 02029404903940239 ovarian cysts, and fibromyalgia. I do pain on a daily basis. And honestly? Labor didn't hurt as badly as when I injured my back Oct 08.
I attended a labor workshop class that was taught by a doula in our local APleaning store. She taught us a lot of breathing techniques and different laboring positions. SUPER helpful (although you could probably research them online). Honestly, it gave my hubs the information he needed (he's not a reader) to be my main support system.
I ended up doing my own version of hypnobirthing. I completely meditated myself down to where I COULD.NOT.OPEN.MY.EYES. I laid against DH's chest, and he breathed for the both of us.
My only recommendation is to do the 'baby turner' exercise daily. It's where you get on your hands/knees and rock back and forth to make sure baby stays in an anterior position. I didn't do this through my pregnancy because I thought she was always anterior. I was sooooo wrong, she was posterior, and I had complete and total back labor until I flipped her when I started pushing. Back labor is from Satan.
Good luck! You can do it Mama!
If you want a natural birth and can't go to classes, I recommend a doula or a birth coach other than hubby, unless he is super commited to going natural. I wanted to go natural and was actually 7 cm before I got the epi. But DH was late getting to the hospital and the nurse kept pushing the epi and being in a lot of pain with no support I got it even though I wasn't sure that I should. DH was also wishy washy and told me just to get it.
I regret getting it because it slowed my labor down and then I ended up getting pitocin, they used a vacuum and I got a 4th degree tear. Plus the epi wasn't that effective and after a couple of hours, I was in constant pain, not just during contractions, but nonstop! I can't be certain that all those things wouldn't have happened anyway. But after I delivered, all the nurses and doctors said that it was typical if you have one intervention, like the epi, you often end up with more interventions! I was so mad! Why didn't anyone tell me that?! So next time I'm definitely getting a doula!
I have had two drug free VBACs and I only attended standard hospital birth classes and read the Bradley book. Even if you think you can't do Bradley type excercises- You should still try to get your hands on the book just for the info in there - I found it so helpful. And yeah... the book was called "husband coached"... my DH totally was not a player in the labor, and no where near a "coach" (I did have a doula for support) The book is great for info about the labor and birth process- you don't have to use it as a manual. I wish there was a hypnobirth class near to me- but I live so far from everywhere- getting out to do classes like that is a real hardship.
Best wishes to you for a safe and joyous birth!
My cousin took a class at her hospital and they showed two videos of childbirth, one with epi, one without. Of course in the one without epi the woman was screaming like she was being murdered or something...and every single woman in the class decided to get an epi. Sigh. I think the hospital staff really want you to get one b/c it's easier on them.
When I told people I wanted to go natural, I was shocked at how little support I got. I got a lot of dumbfounded looks and some people in my family even made fun of me, telling me that I'd cave in the moment.
Crazy world we live in!
From my experience if you have dealt with great amounts of physical pain you are mentally prepared for childbirth.
I didn't take any classes and had a wonderful med-free birth at home. I was once a full time athlete and getting through contractions was just like a very intense sprinting workout.
I did read the Hypnobirthing book and it was a great refresher on some of the focus and meditation techniques from when I was an athlete (some of them were the same!).
Will you be able to labor in water? I think if I were unable to stand/sway/squat as I did the tub would be a great place.
Have you looked into getting a doula? Ours was excellent and really helped my DH help me.
Good luck! You will do great.
I took Hypnobirthing classes and read the book/listened to the CD but I think what helped me the most was the book Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. It was so inspiring and told so many stories of women going through natural childbirth.
I didn't have a doula, but I did have a husband that 100% supported my desire for natural, and MWs who knew my original goal was a natural birth at their birthing center (I had to be induced due to low amniotic fluid and high BP). I really felt I could breathe through and meditate through the contractions until they upped the pit to the point where there wasn't a pause between contractions.
But before that... I saw it as a life ritual, and almost worked it like a dance. My husband and I were like one, he knew when to apply pressure to my back, when to turn down the music or turn it up. He knew what my moans and grunts meant. The room was kept a level of light and temperature that I knew I would like (lights off, just light from the windows, room cooler than normal). DH kept the discussion and interruptions to a minimum and I was given space. I let go and went into my body and it was really a spritual experience. Painful, but in an awe-inspiring way.
And then they upped the pit and all heck broke loose and I lost control. But it made me realize that if I had another chance... I have the knowledge now to keep out of such a situation and I know my body could do it without need of meds.
This was my experience. The Ina May book is incredible, and really took away a lot of my fear...which I think is one of the biggest barriers most women have to natural childbirth. If you're scared of the pain, you can't relax and open up the way you need to.
Everything is so exciting when you're one!
This is the reason I chose not to give birth in the hospital!