hypnobirthing

bleusimp

I know I'm starting late, so I wondered if you had any suggestions. I'm 33 weeks today, am a nurse who works night shift and doesn't have a consistent day of the week off. I am almost done with the hypnobirthing book, just got the home study kit in the mail yesterday, and can't really get in to classes due to my schedule. Im also doing yoga. My ob is on board with trying a low intervention birth even though this is my first. I was in and taught martial arts for almost 20 years. My boyfriend is a commercial diver and we pray he is able to make it back in time for the birth. My mom lives about 2 hours away, but is also a nurse, so may have to take some time to get coverage before she leaves. I may be on my own for a good part of the laboring process. Any other tips on what to do to successfully have a med free hospital birth. FYI, I miscarried 6 weeks before this pregnancy, so it took me a while to go from am I going to stay pregnant to holy cannoli, I'm having a baby and need to get ready! Thanks in advance for your advice.

natalie202

Have you considered hiring a doula? If you can't swing the cost, you could look for a student doula.

skio

Good for you for prepping so thoroughly! I took the hypnobirthing course and loved it. I'm attempting a VBAC and feel very confident this time that it will be my birth experience, not a 'medical incident.'

Ditto on the doula. Finding someone nearby to call and have come over when labor picks up might ease some worry. But in all honesty, 2 or 3 hours is rarely a large portion of a first birth. I was in labor 8 hours before I went to the hospital and only arrived at 2cm. Your BF and mom should both have plenty of time to get to you.

That said, the best way to avoid intervention at the hospital is to stay home as long as possible. Don't freak out if your water breaks or if you're having contractions every 5 minutes. Take a bath, take a nap, eat a meal, go for a walk, watch a movie. Use your hypno techniques to stay calm.

Also, write up birth wishes and make sure you go over them with your OB and the nurse at the hospital when you get there. Don't be afraid of coming off as pushy or whatever; this is your baby and your body and you have a say. Your nurse and doctor should be happy to know you're prepared and knowledgeable about birth and should be happy to help you stay low intervention.

Lots of luck!

kirkie2023

Thought of the same thing. You may want to look into hiring a doula just in case your husband may not be there. I'm in the same boat and have been looking around our area for doulas just need to make sure you find one that you're comfortable with. :

bleusimp

I never thought of a student doula, I'll look in to that. I'm planning on delivering at the hospital I work at, and they've already told me since I help out in that unit from time to time, I'll get to pick my nurses. I've been scouting out the natural birth advocates. : thank you ladies so much for your suggestions!