Ok, so with the mass of interest it has really taken me awhile to put the roster together. How great is this? I thought there was a few of us floating around and in just the first day we've gained 83 members! I'm very excited that we'll have this little group for encouragement, especially since it seems some of you are lacking that support IRL. I hope this helps.
I'm going to try to get the roster formatted in my bio so it won't take up a lot of space for each check-in. I'll gather birth story links to include with resources as well. Feel free to PM me any additional links you think we should include.
So far it seems everyone really has a great attitude about their goal to achieve a med-free and/or intervention free birth. With the confidence of education and practice while keeping an open mind for the unknown of what will come I'm sure we'll see a lot of success with everyone here.
For today's Question of the Day we'll start with the basics. QOTD: What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique?
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AuNatural Birth Mamas Check-in group
The purpose of this group is to motivate and encourage other moms
trying to achieve their goal of having a med-free and/or intervention free
birth experience.
I'll try to post a check-in everyday on the 3rd tri board with a link on the 2nd tri. Feel free to add links anywhere else you feel it might be useful. I'll post this again in the morning and I?ll start the check-ins tomorrow with a Question of the Day for everyone. If you have suggestions or a question you?d like to see the group answer PM and I?ll likely use it in the near future as I?m sure I?ll run out of questions.
If you're interested in joining the group just respond to any of the check-ins with your EDD, team and any information you'd like to share regarding your birth location or choice of method. If you have a birth story to share please send me the link too and I'll include that here in our roster information.
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November
SmallandNeedy- November 9th, Team Blue, Hospital with midwives (Bradley)
Shannon059- November 10th, Team Blue, Hospital
Schnookee - November 12th, Team pink, Hospital with Midwife
JillBMama- November 17th, Team Green, Home birth
Asmo0401- November 19th, Team Green, BirthCare Center with midwife
Dnh- November 20th, Team Blue, Hospital with doula
Anhella- November 24th, Team Blue, Hospital
Crunchymunchy- November 25th, Team Green, Home birth (second birth)
Aliciamariel- November 30th, Team Blue, Hospital with doula.
December
Coxity, December 1st, Team Green, Hospital (Bradley)
Babytime09- December 3rd, Team Blue, Hospital
Jdouglas84- December 7th, Team Pink, Hospital with midwife
Leap08- December 9th, Team Pink, Hospital with a midwife
JinglesChic- December 9th, Team Blue, Birth center
Kcjessieb- December 12th, Team Blue, Hospital with midwife (Bradley)
Aspen1319- December 21nd, Team Green, Homebirth with midwives.
T_banned- December 13th, Team Blue, Hospital
Lauren5841- December 13th, Team Pink, Hospital (Bradley)
Diamondchks- December 13th, Team Blue, Birth center with midwife
LittleMayBaby- December 14th, Team Blue, Hospital (Bradley)
MrsGarciatobe- December 16th, Team Blue,
Smileygirl75- December 17th, Team Green, Hospital
JLG95- December 17th, Team Blue, Birth center with midwife (water birth w/hypnobirthing)
Alfwisconsin- December 21st, Team Pink, Birth center with midwives (water birth)
AlanaK- December 21st, Team Blue, Hospital with doula (hypnobirth)
EmmyLouStu- December 24th, Team Green, Birth center with midwives (water birth w/hypnobirthing)
Sharmurph18- December 25th, Team Blue, Hospital
GershiGirl- December 25th, Team Blue, Hospital with doula (hypnobabies)
Xnbride- December 25th, Team Blue, Hospital with midwife and doula (second birth)
Avakani- December 26th, Team Blue, Hospital
*chris-erin*- December 30th, Team ?, Hospital with doula (Bradley)
Giannismom707- December 31st, Team Blue, Birth Center with Midwife.
January
1yeartogo- January 1st, Team Blue, Hospital (hypnobirthing)
Sweetkakes419- January 1st, Team Blue, Hospital with midwives
Berly11- January 3rd, Team Pink, Hospital (hypnobirthing)
Ella.mabel- January 5th, Team Pink, Hospital
Jen&Louie-January 8th, Team Blue, Hospital with doula
AbsoluteLM- January 9th, Team Blue, Hospital
Alexsmommy1- January 9th, Team Pink, Birth center in hospital with midwife
SLOmama- January 12th, Team Pink, Hospital with midwife & doula (second birth)
Bekahsch23- January 12th, Hospital with doula (hypnobirth)
IheartKevi- January 13th, Team Blue, Hospital with midwives (Bradley)
MotEve- January 15th, Team Green, Hospital
MrsHK- January 18th, Team Blue, Hospital, (Bradley method, second birth)
Gracey_Manor Maid- January 19th, Team Pink, Birth center
Sawyerplus1- Janaury 20th, Team Pink, Hospital
Krisx2- January 22nd, Team pink, Hospital (Bradley method)
72206Johnson- January 23rd, Team Pink, Hospital
Sevillababy- January 25th, Team Pink, Hospital
Lola?sDogMom- January 26th, Team Blue, Hospital
Soonerqt- January 26th, Team Green, Hospital with midwife
Elyshaswedding - January 26th, Team Blue, Hospital
Tara_liz- January 26th, Team Pink, Hospital with midwives (Bradley)
Kimisuejoia- January 28th, Team Blue, Hospital with a midwife and a doula.
Rhawkins06- January 29th, Team Pink, Hospital with midwife
Elizabe- January 29th, Team Pink, Hospital
February
Katiej23- February 4th, Team Green, Home birth (Bradley)
Intelgal- February 4th, Team Green, Birth Center with midwife and doula (water birth)
Kiki-licious- February 6th, Team Pink, Hospital (second birth), hypnobirthing
MrsStu- February 8th, Team Pink, Birth center
Glasgow_girl- February 12th, Team Pink, Hospital
Mrs.BoomBoom - February 18th, Team Blue, Hospital
KaliBali04- February 20th, Team Green, Hospital with doula
Aaronica- February 22nd, Team Pink, Hospital
Rebedell1- February 27th, Hospital with doula (Bradley)
March
ItaliannVegas, March, Team Green, Birth center with midwife
Jctewes- March 4th, Team Pink, Hospital
Mitcheltheojua- March 8th, Team Pink, Hospital with doula
MelBolt- March 12th, Team Pink, Home (water) birth with doula (Bradley and hypnobirthing)
Cawagstaff- March 14th, Team Pink, Hospital with doula
Vbarnie- March 21st, Team Pink, Hospital
X55centsxshortx- March 21st, Team Pink, Hospital (water birth)
Skyllinstadl- March 23rd, Team Blue, Hospital with doula (Bradley)
Anabell0920- March 24th, Team Blue, Hospital
April
Jordan525- April 1st, Team Blue, Hospital with midwife (water birth)
Bonnin507- April 10th, Team Green, Hospital
Cassianddavid- April 15th, Team Green, Hospital/birth center
MrsMoody2006- April 21st, Team Green?, Hospital (water birth, VBAC) https://tinyurl.com/yesy53x
Nicole9791- April 22nd, Team Green, Hospital (Bradley)
May
Pmeg819- May 7th, Team Green, Hospital with doula
Dcunningham- May 8th, Team Green, Hospital with midwife
Bkilbourn- May 14th, Team Green?, Birth center in hospital
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Re: *~*AuNaturals Check-in*~*
QOTD: With DS we did the whole Bradley study. I loved that it was really empowered us to seek out our options and make choices that were the best for us as individuals. We were treated as if every pregnancy was the same and everyone should follow the same route. Once in awhile I thought our instructor was a little too anti-doctor. We just shrugged it off and took some of the things she said with a grain of salt.
This time with everyone talking about hypnobirthing I've also checked out that book from the library. I'm still a big proponent of Bradley but I'd love to see what other things hypnobirthing has to offer as well.
Never too late to jump in!
What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? I'm taking a 4-part natural child birth course which really focuses on relaxation. I'm not really doing anything else. I watch epidural videos online and they make me cringe.
What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique? How am I supposed to relax when I'm in pain? I'm really not doing anything besides psyching myself up for going natural. Millions of women have done it, so I should be able to.
What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique?
We're working on our communication and relaxation techniques. Also, I've been practicing positioning and using my birth-ball. I bought a new favourite lotion that we only use during relaxing massage, I'm hoping that when we use it for massage in the hospital the scent will trigger relaxation.
I'm waiting for my copy of the bradley method to read, I hope I'm not too late.
Preparation: DH and I are finishing up our Bradley classes - which have been very helpful for us. We have one class left to go, and really feel like we have the knowledge and confidence we need to trust my body and the birthing process. I am also reading the Hypnobirthing book and have bought some recommended CDs.
Pros: Trying to avoid the cons that seem to come along with a landslide of interventions.
Cons: Pain!
MrsHK - Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together....looking at the group members, I know it must have taken forever to put all of the info together.
What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique?
DH and I just attended a childbirth class, and learned about different relaxation techniques that will hopefully help keep my mind off the pain (a little bit). I am also looking into getting a doula to help with the natural childbirth process. A con of this technique, for me personally, is just the unknown; I don't know what to expect or how much pain I will be in. A pro I believe is that the less interventions the better; I am concerned about taking pain meds and the side effects to me and the LO.
What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique?
We took a HypnoBirthing class. I try to practice my relaxation techniques and to think positive thoughts about the whole birthing process. I try really hard not to listen to or pay attention to "negative" birth stories. I've also read A LOT about natural child birth. I think there is a huge correlation between tension and pain, so I think being able to relax is really important.
Hopefully I won't be on the tri boards too much longer, but I'd love to join while I am still here. We are Team Blue, Due Nov 13th and planning a hospital birth using hypnobirthing.
I decided on a med free/natural birth kind of late in the game. We couldn't find any hypnobirthing classes in our area so we ordered the home study course. We've been listening to the cds and practicing breathing and relaxation techniques. The course has really boosted my confidence in my body and the birthing process and eased a lot of the fear I had about childbirth. This is my second birth and I am confident that it is going to be a much more calm and peaceful experience than the first time around.
February 17th, Team Green, Hospital, Bradley Method
So excited about this group!!
QOTD: What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique?
I am not taking any specific method classes. I have read a little bit about Bradley and would have liked to take the class, but there are none offered in my area (we live in a pretty rural area). Instead, I am taking yoga to learn some breathing/stretching/strengthening exercises that will hopefully help in labor and delivery. I am also reading/watching as many positive natural birth stories as I can. Also, I just keep telling myself that my body was made to do this, and that if I keep it positive I will be able to do it!
ETA: Oops, forgot the second part of the question... I think the pros are that it is the way nature intended for birth to be, and if I can avoid interventions, I will. Also, labor tends to be shorter and recovery faster for natural births. I think the only real con is that you feel all the pain/pressure.
Can I join this group? My first two were born med free and I plan to deliver baby #3 the same way. To prepare for the first I took hypnobirthing, a prenatal yoga class that was very pro-natural birth, and used a doula. I also LOVED reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I re-read it whenever I am PG.
Info: Due Date May 18th, plan to deliver with a midwife at a hospital, Team Green.
January 12 - Team Pink, in a hospital with midwife.
I'm reading Birthing from Within and working with my MWs on the natural birth. I'm a little bit scared to commit!
I have just read a lot, I guess. I read a book on Bradley method, as well as one on hypnobirthing. DH is very supportive of doing this natural. Although in his case it's more for his sake because he's afraid of needles and doesn't want to see one being stabbed into his wife's spine. Isn't he a gem?
I would love to hear about relaxation techniques and plans for labor positions as well as delivery positions!
QOTD: What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth?
DH and I just received our hypnobabies home study course today so we haven't actually haven't started yet. I've been reading through the workbook and I'm excited about the program.
What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique?
The Pros so far is that is recommends to use only this program and nothing else so it saves money and strives to build your confidence in the program itself.
Hmmm so far I have watched the Business of Being born, and read most of the book Birthing from Within. I plan on taking the Bradley classes....my Birthing center offers a modified version of it. Instead of 12 weeks it's 6 weeks because they have other classes that cover the same info that is taught in the beginning of the Bradley classes.
I have bought a prenantal yoga DVD for exercise and techniques but that is my weakest area so far.
Also, I enjoy drinking Raspberry leaf tea and plan to up my consumption of that and will most likely use the evening primrose oil when I am in the my last month.
I am feeling that the pain will be too much to handle and I will not be able to find comfort with any natural method... i.e.birthing ball and movement. I am worried that I won't be "fit" enough to squat for a long time for pushing or to even pace/walk for hours. I know you don't need to be a marathon runner however, I feel my 20 min of walking won't cut it when I need to walk for hours. I certainly don't walk miles each day so I feel I need to get crackin in the exercise departement.
What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique?
This is actually my 2nd (placed my 1st for adoption 13 years ago). Last time I took a class which was called lamaze at the time. It sounds like it may have been more Bradley though. This time, DH and I are taking the class the hospital offers but if I don't find it enough, we'll look into something else too. I also have the literature from the 1st time so we can refer to that.
I think it's all about having as much knowledge about what to expect and to think about your reactions and relax through it (because being tense just makes everything worse). I would love to have a water birth but my hospital doesn't offer it. I labored a lot in a tub the 1st time and hope that is available again.
Add me to March! Team blue, hospital.
This will be my 4th birth and hopefully, 3rd natural birth
This is my second baby, and I just recently decided to "go natural". With DD, I was given Pitocin (which made me feel like crap), Nubain (at a suggestion from a nurse, and a decision I wish I hadn't made), and finally an epidural (I don't really regret it after the first two meds). I would really like to stay med-free this time, but I don't have much of a support system as far as other moms go. DH is an RN in Boston, we live just outside the city and I don't know very many people. I've been reading up on Bradley, but other than that I don't know where to start. I'm hoping this group will help me out!
QOTD: I'm also using the Hypnobabies homestudy course and love it so far! I've already completed the 5 week course and am in "maintenance" mode now. I feel really confident that it's going to work for me and I can already tell that it's made a difference so far in how I feel about the birth! Before I started the course I was apprehensive about the birth, having nightmares about it, and not feeling very connected to my baby. Within a week my apprehensions and nightmares went away and now I can honestly say that I'm really looking forward to the birth! I'm also feeling a lot more connected to my baby and just can't wait to meet him
For anyone using hypnosis for birth (regardless of method), there's a great yahoo group also available, filled with lots of support and positive birth stories:
https://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hypnobabies/
march 14th 10, team blue, hospital
I missed this info before. I would like to join too.
Due Date Dec 29 Planning a combo of Bradley/Lamaze
Team blue-hospital
QOTD: What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique?
Read the Bradley book and taking a class. They're a little fanatic and anti doctor for me...that's the big con. The pro is definitely that the techniques are pretty smack in the head easy to use.
Can I be added?
Due Date Feb 11, Team Pink, Hospital
QOTD:
I'm mostly just getting myself in a mind frame for a natural birth. I won't feel guilty or like a bad mom if I just can't do it, but I think I can. I'll be laboring in a tub for as much as possible. I just get irritated with most of the books, I agree with LuckyAngel... a little fanatic and too anti-dr.anti-hospital for me.
I am super late to this post but I would love to join!
EDD is January 16th, Team Green and will be delivering in a hospital with a midwife. So far I've just been doing a lot of reading to prepare - I don't plan on using a specific method as of right now.
Thanks for putting this together!
Thanks again for doing this!!!
QOTD: We took a 6 week hypnobirthing class and did lots of reading - Ina May's Guide, Pushed, The Thinking Woman's Guide to Better Birth, and read lots of positive birth stories.
Pros of hypnobirthing: techniques are easy to implement and I love the soft touch techniques.
Cons: not sure the silent birth, no active pushing - just breathing down the baby- works for me, but we'll see!
Aww, I'm so excited for this group! I'm aokarma EDD- 4/15/10, no team yet, homebirth with CNM and doula
QOTD: We're taking a hypnobabies class. I read the hypnobirthing book as well, but after talking with my midwife about her experiences with both techniques, we've decided to go the hypnobabies route. GL!
EDD: 12/7, Team Blue, Home birth w/ midwife
What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? We've been doing the Bradley Method courses. While they are informative, most of the information isn't new to me, and geared more towards women having natural birth in a hospital, not necessarily a home birth.
What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique?
The cons for us is that we're doing a home birth, and most of the class seems to focus on how to get the birth you want in a hospital setting. Good for most people, but not really for us. I do like hearing the instructors talk about their birth experiences though, knowing what we might expect to happen, etc.
What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? DH and I have been taking childbirth classes with the doula who works the most often with the midwives I see. I've learned a lot about relaxation and what to expect, which is the scariest part for me (not knowing what's going on). I plan to hire her as my doula, if she's accepting possibly holiday babies!
What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique? I'm not really sure. I just have to take it as it comes, which I guess is what this course is teaching. Without it, I would probably be analyzing and freaking out more than just going with things and trusting my body.
i would love to be added to this group!!!?
EDD- January 4, Team Pink, Hospital Birth with hypnobirthing/babies/bradely combination techniques
?
Thanks for starting this group!
EDD: Feb.3, Team Green, Hospital Birth
What are you doing and studying to prepare for natural childbirth? We are taking a Bradley Method course. I've also done lots of reading on my own. I especially enjoyed Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. My mum had 3 natural homebirths with midwives so growing up I alway thought of that as how one would approach birthing. DH was 1 of 4 CS babies so his ideas on birth were very different from mine but as we've been taking the class he's really opened up to the idea of having the next baby at home with a midwife.
What do you see as the pros/cons of this technique?
Pros: You gain so much knowledge of what's happening in your body and that birth is not something to be feared. It's hard, no denying that, but something our bodies were meant to do.
Cons: It seems like you potentially have to fight for what you want.
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