Resources for attempting natural birth

boymamaco

OK, so I'm a little behind the game but I want to see what I can do in the next six weeks to prepare myself for a natural birth. We are taking the Birth class at our hospital but it is more traditional birth, not natural or med free focused. There's been no info on breathing and only one session on massage techniques. We've hired a Doula so I'll have her help and expertise but I feel like I should be doing "something" to prepare myself.

I dont have the bandwidth to go to another class. I'm hoping something I could read, watch, etc. that will prepare me for techniques for relaxation and breathing. 

Part of my fear is that they've already told me they wont let me go past my due date due to GD. And I'm also much "weaker" than I normally am as Ive been on limited/modified activity since 20 weeks due to PTL, so have not been able to do my usual yoga or other exercise to maintain strength and endurance, two things I imagine you need for a successful natural labor. 

thanks for any suggestions! 

tokenhoser

If you're paying a doula, you should use her and ask her this. She should be able to lend you some great books and help you find the best way to prepare and make a birth plan.

CLLDLL

I've actually read that the "strength" you need for a natural labor is different than the traditional strength you get from being physically active/fit.  So I don't think your modified activity should inhibit your ability to have a natural birth.

What I found most useful:

1.) Reading the first half or so of the Hypnobirthing book by Mongan.  I really got a lot from how it talked about what to expect and how not to be afraid of what is happening to your body. 

2.) Getting DH on board.  I talked a lot with him about what I wanted and why.  That way when it was crunch time he knew what I wanted him to do. 

3.) Not making a plan.  Rather than having a set idea of what I wanted birth to look like, I just read a lot of natural birth stories and got an idea of what it could look like.  Then I sort of when with the flow of what worked for me once I was in labor.

4.) Lurking on this board.

Really IMO, having a NB is more about having the right mind set, trusting your body and having some "luck" that you don't have something medically happen that prevents a NB.  Breathing techniques and pain relief methods help you keep the right mind set and keep you working with your body, but learning the "right" one doesn't just magically make a NB happen.  Conversely not practicing, learning, or reading enough before labor doesn't mean you won't be able to have a NB.  

KateLouise

For me the most important things was reminding myself to relax through each contraction rather than fighting them. But I didn't use any particular technique. 

I agree with pp that a lot of it is mindset and some luck.

FWIW I'm entirely unfit and relatively inactive, and pregnancy turned me into someone who lay around on the couch (obviously not so much with DD2). I had two very straight forward, issue free natural births. So I agree it's not about strength or stamina in the "fitness" sense.  

boymamaco

All helpful points. Thank you for taking the time to reply!

KateLouise - I had to giggle at your post. Doubtful you're too much of a couch potato with LO's running around! 

April!

PP have some great advice! I also read a lot of birth stories and sort of visualized how I wanted my labor to go. It didn't turn out how I imagined, but it helped to have an idea in place.i read Spiritual Midwifery and the Birth Without Fear Blog. The Birth Partner book is also good for your husband.

i was in the worst shape of my life when I got pregnant and was unable to do yoga or even walk much because of SI joint pain, but I still managed an unmedicated birth. You'll be fine, mama!