s/o One Born Every Minute. Question about the natural birth couple

LIAngel

There was a couple on the show who wanted to do a natural birth.   They kept going into the shower.   How come?  Was it to help with labor pains?   Sorry if it's a dumb question. 

epphd

Yes, going into the shower and the tub are good ways to relieve pain - it helps mom relax and it's somewhat distracting, which is a good coping mechanism.

I felt like they got a bum rap on the show.  I do think they were too wedded to a birth plan, but they weren't crazy.  Moaning, showers, different positions - those are all common and effective in natural labors. 

One thing that I want to yell at the screen all the time on that show is "get up!  walk around! Move!"  Having to lie on my back during labor (because I had magnesium) was so sucky.  I really wanted to be upright to let gravity help me along.  Hopefully this time I'll be able to go without meds

emmyloustu

I haven't seen it yet, but during my labor the MW kept encouraging me to get in the shower. It always helped - both to relax me and to get the contrax going in a nice steady pattern.

SeaSoul

I spent a lot of time in the shower during my med-free birth.  I don't remember my MW suggesting it, I just wanted to.  I had a lot of back pain and thought the hot water pulsating on my back would be helpful, and it was.  It also helped to get my contractions going again after I was stalled at 9cm for 2.5 hours.  I even started pushing in the shower!

Yeah, shower = good.  I also spent time in the tub but it was very uncomfortable for me.  And hot.