Natural birth without a birthing method?

kristin172429

I started looking at different birthing methods and the more I think about it, the more I am feeling comfortable about just going with my instincts.  I know my body and how I react to pain.  Though I won't try and compare anything to birth since I don't know what that is really like, I did experience an acute gallbladder attack, which is a lot of pain in its own right.  I have used focused thought, breathing, and a semi-meditation-type state to calm myself through painful situations.  For whatever reason, I just have this ability to center myself and focus, not on the pain, but releasing the pain and moving through it.  

I am not planning on going in uneducated.  I am reading everything about the birth process, including what the body does in each stage.  If I understand the stages clearly, I can use that to focus my mind on guiding my body through each stage.  I am starting to feel more and more comfortable with the idea of trusting my body and myself to get through the birth process without having to worry about some technique to remember.  

I would love to hear from those who have gone through birth without a birthing method.  What was your experience like?  Did you feel like you needed a method or were you able to guide yourself through it, following the cues of your body and your own focus?  Any input is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

tokenhoser

I didn't use any particular method. I read a lot of books. I did hire a doula, and she was great. I would much rather spend my money next time on a doula than spend 30 hours in a classroom listening to stuff.

pinksweetpea2

For me having a supportive and knowledgeable MW and giving birth in a place where I felt safe made a specific method unnecessary.

I did read over all the various methods, but never practiced anything.  

diamondcks

pinksweetpea2:

For me having a supportive and knowledgeable MW and giving birth in a place where I felt safe made a specific method unnecessary.

This was very true for me.  As soon as I got to the birth center I was able to be calm and focused.  I didn't want to feel like I was failing at following a method if it didn't end up working or me.

For me the most helpful was reading lots of birth stories.  Like you I wanted to know about the range of normal labor progressions.

[Deleted User]

I didn't learn any specific method for birth, because I figured it would all go out the window when I was in labor.  I don't know if I was right, but I had a great experience, so I don't think I missed out.  

We took a childbirth class that focused on natural birth, and got a lot of information and practice with positioning and breathing techniques.  I also found the sections in The Birth Parter which talk about finding a rhythm and creating a ritual REALLY helpful.  Letting my body and mind find their rhythm is really what got me through contractions.

kristin172429

Thanks, ladies!  This is comforting to hear.  I have to say, even though I have an OB instead of a MW, he is incredibly supportive of natural birth, so that is a comfort.  Plus, he just has the best, easy-going manner and is really encouraging, so I feel comfortable and empowered in his care.  I mean what more could I ask for from a doc?  

I also have been researching and getting feedback on the hospital where I will deliver (birthing centers are pretty much non-existent around here).  They have really embraced natural birth.  They even have a team of nurses there that are assigned for natural births.  After hearing about that and talking to a few people who have delivered there, both naturally and not, I am feeling even better.  Everyone has had a great experience and they all say the staff there is really wonderful (and they seemed it when I visited my SIL recently who just delivered my niece).  

I don't know if it's strange or just because it is still a little ways away, but I really am not scared of labor and delivery.  I feel like a hippie saying it, but I really just have this sense of peace and calm about the whole idea.  People look at me cross-eyed or with that whole "you just wait" thing, but I'm really not worried.  It just seems like one of the most natural things your body can do and to fear it seems both silly and counterproductive! 

Sawyerplus1

Yep, I had 2 natural births without using a method! I didn't feel the need for one and was willing to do what my body needed to do. With DS I had a very long labor (30 hours) and coped how my body was comfortable. DH and I went on some long walks, he held me while I rocked my hips, I used a birth/exercise ball, and ultimately got into the birthing tub and had a water birth. The one thing that helped so much was having DH apply counter pressure on my shoulders. So anytime I had a contraction, he would hold my shoulders from behind (I was in the tub so this was easy) and squeeze inward as hard as he could. It sounds weird, but it got me through. Poor DH, he was exhausted! 

With DD I had a hospital birth, so no birthing tub. I ended up being most comfortable on the bed, and vocalizing through the contractions. My labors were very different and my body required different things. I never planned on humming/vocalizing through my labor, but it's all that helped.

DH and I were very educated and knew what we wanted. We also took a prenatal class taught by a doula, so it focused on general natural birth pain-management techniques. I'm glad I did it the way I did, and plan to follow my body's cues again with #3. Good luck!

rjveldman

2 natural births, no MW or doula, both in hospitals - and no birthing method. I did do a little reading. The emotional guideposts from the Bradley Method were very helpful. I didn't read anything on hypnobirthing, but I'm guessing that my labor was probably similar to that method. Just relax - the more you relax, the less it hurts. If you tense up, it hurts like hell. 

Good luck.

MsCat19

Thanks for writing this post - this is all very much on my mind right now too!  What books can all of you recommend?  A friend of mine is a doula, so I'm pretty sure I'll be using her services (at a discounted rate... whoo!) but would love to read up more... thanks!

tokenhoser

There's a list in the FAQ (in my siggy).

moxie9

I had a home birth without using or thoroughly researching any methods (I thought I would use the Bradley method, but after reading a basic overview of what it entailed, I quickly did away with that notion). I didn't feel like I needed a method, and though I knew the stages of labor, it wasn't important to me when I was going through it. I focused on my "yoga breathing" and stayed in the moment, but that was as sophisticated as I got. With the combination of a wonderful midwife and trusting myself and believing in the baby, that's all I needed.

But, things were pretty easy for me since I was in my own environment on my own terms. If I had been planning a hospital birth, I would have researched my options during labor and ways to achieve the best natural birth outcome in the midst of hospital procedures.

SeaSoul

This is pretty much what I did.  I know myself and felt that for me there is such a thing as being too prepared...and that could backfire on me.  It worked out well.  I went in with an open mind, a lot of reading and time spent in a monthly class with other couples through our midwife practice, and a "plan" to just take take things as they come.  I was happy with the result (a natural birth.  difficult, but natural! 

funkymonkeyohyeahhh

This post is so reassuring. I've been struggling with a decision this past week as I feel like I'm getting to a point where I should start preparing and making decisions about the birth I want. (I know I still have plenty of time ideally, but it's just my latest thing to obsess over. Ha.)

I really didn't think a multi-week class (that's an hour away and a couple hundred dollars) would be my thing, but I've never given birth so the thought of going in "un-coached" freaks me out too. I would rather invest the money in to a doula than a class, and it seems like this would be perfectly reasonable!