Excited but nervous and its early

AlmostCC

I just watched The Business of Being Born and left it feeling excited and yet nervous. This is my first pregnancy and I'm only 12 weeks but oh my goodness. I have always planned on having a natural birth and this further cemented it but I feel like I know nothing. I don't even know what to read or what to do to prepare myself. Any thoughts?

 PS Super grateful my DH has been on board with this from the beginning as well.  

amberthehobbit

My number one peice of advice is surround yourself with like minded people. If you don't have support outside of your husband hire a doula. I would have been lost without my doula.

Read Ina May's Guide to Chilbirth and Spiritual Midwifery.

hollandmama

I'm FTM and also on board, I agree with PP about the people around you. I was super down when my mom started criticizing my natural birth plan and then my bro and sis joined her. What did I do?

Called my grandma and heard her birth stories (4 natural childbirths without epi) and now I feel even more empowered. Why? Well, if she could do it knowing nothing about it, then we can definitely do it because we can prepare for it a great deal: movies, courses, hypnobabies/birthing, Ina May's guides, yoga, etc.

I just got the hypnobabies course and I'll start it next week, hopefully I will feel even more ready. Just remember women have been doing this for thousands of years and now we are healthier and more knowledgeable so we have an advantage

bluefirekitten

Best wishes with your pregnancy & upcoming birth! I highly suggest using this breathing technique & believe it was what enabled me to deliver with absolutely no medication.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU1DP18pCBs&list=PLFAB7F181B15117C1&index=7 

Sorry, I don't know how to make it "clicky". I practiced it over & over until it became second nature, (I had 4 weeks of prodormal labor to practice with). I also agree with PP about building a support system. DH & the nurses were the only support I had & they were amazing! However, not all labor nurses are going to be that supportive; it was like I had a cheer leading team in my room & not once did they ask if I wanted meds once they learned I was determined to do it all natural. Best of luck!!!

NoeliaV

DH and I both liked the book The Birth Partner by Simpkin. It covered so much and really opened our eyes to the whole process.

We also took a Bradley course, and I think that really helped prepare DH for his role as my coach.

AlmostCC

Thank you all so much! It is so encouraging to talk with like-minded people. My sister had a natural birth a little over a year ago and one of my close friends ended up unable to have a natural birth due to some other issues but that was the plan and my parents on supportive. I'm so so grateful. Because I definitely have the friends who hear that is the plan and look at me like I'm nuts and why would I do that to myself etc etc. I still can't believe theres a baby inside!

aylafsu88

amberthehobbit:

My number one peice of advice is surround yourself with like minded people. If you don't have support outside of your husband hire a doula. I would have been lost without my doula. Read Ina May's Guide to Chilbirth and Spiritual Midwifery.

All of this.  I also recommend reading "the thinking womens guide to a better birth" by Henci Goer.  One of the big things I also recommend is mentally preparing for a natural birth.  It will be hard and contractions will hurt.  If you are prepared for this then you will not be surprised by the intensity of L&D. GL, you CAN do it!