Book recommendations

kmc84

Hello ladies! I am a FTM and am really hoping for a natural labor and birth. That said, I need to deliver at 38 weeks for medical reasons.  So, while I hope labor will start on its own, I know that I am likely getting induced. Even with an induction, I would like to go as natural as possible and I was hoping you might be able to point me in the direction of books that you found helpful. I'm sure this gets asked all the time, so I'm sorry for the probable repeat question! Thanks for your help!

iris427

The book that really helped me the most was Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.  I also like The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth.

When you get close to your induction date, try using a breast pump to do nipple stimulation.  There is some evidence that this can improve your Bishop score, making your cervix more favorable for labor or for a successful induction.  You can also ask about having your membranes swept.  GL 

kdjudd

I loved reading Natural Hospital Birth by Cynthia Gabriel. It was packed full of information.  

Mrs E in Oregon

I felt empowered by the stories of birth in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Ricky Lake's new book Your Best Birth.

Ask your OB about the foley bulb, it is inserted into your cervix if you are already dilated to 1cm, I think. It pulses your cervix open slowly to 4cm, at 4cms most women will go into active labor. Have lots of sex from week 36 on, your hubby's semen will help thin the cervix. The stress relief can't hurt either.

Annaeliz84

I also read Cynthia Gabriel's book.  It packed with information.  Don't get discouraged about what she says about trying to avoid being induced.  I think she was just talking about in a best case scenario.  I found everything she had to say very informative, comforting, and empowering.  Good luck!

Alliebooberz

Ditto the books that are listed!!

Very empowering and informative.

rachael_c26

I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I found many things she said in there helpful and encouraging. I only read about half of the birthstories though.

Also, other words of encouragement: I went in to labor at 38w3d "fairly" naturally. What I mean by that is I was on restricted diet/diet controlled GD and was trying to do whatever I could to avoid induction as well. Some things I did:

I did squats and lunges very regularly, as well as multiple stairs/daily at work.

I started bouncing on an exercise ball nightly/for at least an hour at 36wks.

Evening Primrose 500mg capsules. One capsule/3x a day. I skipped the one vaginally. I planned on starting that at 38wks, but wanted to wait until my 38wk appt to see if they were helping at all. This appt happened to be at 38wk3d when I went into labor anyway, so there was no time. However, at this appt I was a 3 and "very soft".

Lastly, at this appt, I had my membranes stripped which made the contractions that I was already having regularly (but couldn't feel) Stronger, Longer, and Closer together! I had my membranes stripped at noon on Friday and had my LO at 4:26am on Saturday.

Good luck! Stay Positive! Even if you do have to be induced, there are many women who still end up having a successful med free birth!

P.S. Any other reading I did were threads on this board!