Want to go natural this time, scared of what to expect!

*blue*flower*

Hello everyone!

I had my DD over 6 years ago after an induction at 41 weeks that was NOT an enjoyable experience.  I had all kinds of the classic issues that come with an induction (very long labor, fetal distress, muconium, episiotomy, baby lost "too much weight after birth" which surely had something to do with the at least 7 Liters of fluids I was given over 36 hours, chorioamnioitis that sent DD to NICU for the first 15 hours of her life, and my milk didn't come in for over 7 days again because of how much IV fluid I was given.)  It is no surprise I have every intention of avoiding induction this time around, and I would like to do it without an epidural (I went through 24 hours of my induction without one but it was just too intense and exhausting having constant painful contractions for so long I finally got the epidural so I could sleep for the first time in well over a day.

However, I am scared about how I will be able to get through the pain of labor this time.  There are so many resources out there I don't know where to start.  Any tips on your favorite books/resources?  If I can get a solid plan for coping with the pain long before labor I think I will be in a better place.  I just don't know where to start!  As long as my pregnancy doesn't have any complications I will have a hospital birth with a midwife.  I would like to avoid IV fluids this time, but would agree to a hep-lock IV catheter being placed just in case an emergency comes up.  I also would prefer to be able to be up and moving and not stuck in bed strapped to a ton of monitors. 

DH remembers how much relief the epidural gave me after being in intense pain for hours, but he is slowly coming around the more I point out how many problems there were with DD's birth that could have possibly been prevented with less intervention.  Are there any good books on natural birth targeted to the father's point of view and role in support during the labor and birth?

Dellie14

I attended the Bradley method classes, which was fantastic. They include your husband etc. I have had two natural childbirths with the same midwife each time. For me natural childbirth is the only way to go. I had wonderful experiences and I attribute it to the positivity of the Bradley method and the techniques they teach in the class. I am expecting my third and plan on using everything I've learned with the previous births. I had a duola both times, but plan to go it alone this time because I feel I am pro.

LokiLahve

I'm a FTM so take this as you wish :]

We are signed up for Bradley method classes to help prepare. I love that it includes DH as the birth coach.
My DH has mentioned several times he doesn't want to see me in pain. His only birthing experience was briefly visiting his sister during her labour. She had just received an epi and went to sleep so he associates the epi with making it so relaxing. I pointed out to him that he was not there for the contractions or the pushing that came after and I could guarantee her birth was not pain free even with the epi.
I also pointed out that I like to be in control [dont need the parade of scare tactics being used that can lead to the slippery slope of interventions] and don't handle authority very well [being constantly monitored, stuck in a bed and unable to eat] and this seemed to really put things in perspective for him.