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2nd Trimester
Talk to me about Natural Birth
I was in the room when I was 11 and my mom had my little brother naturally.
I'm seriously considering this option, but am interested in learning what kind of prep work is involved.
What kind of classes do I need to take? How often? How many?
Can you suggest any good books, DVD's? Guidance?
Just trying to start to learn a little more about this...
ANY advice is welcome!!
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Re: Talk to me about Natural Birth
I am reading Husband Coached Childbirth by Robert Bradley, MD (this is the original Bradley Method book). We will be taking classes starting in Jan. for 12 weeks (one class each week). I found an instructor on the official website: https://www.bradleybirth.com/
I don't have any first hand experience since this is my first, but the info in the book seems to make sense to me so far. I also have The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer that I haven't started reading yet.
I would start researching it on the internet since there are a ton of different ways to go about having a natural non medicated birth. There is the Bradley method, Hypnobirthing, doula, etc. Just find what you think would fit best with you.
I personally before I decided on a non medicated birth watched The Buisness of Being Born it is very sided towards home births but I found it interesting.
I am having a doula (labor coach) to help me achieve having my son without any meds. I will be taking childbirth classes with her since she will be the one with me during my labor.
Sorry I'm not much help. My idea of "natural" birth is "of course naturally i want the epidural"!
Your doula should be a great source of info.
For me, prep work was more mental than anything else. Learn all you can to help build confidence and trust that your body was made to have a baby. I hired a doula, she was great. I highly recommend a doula. I took the hospital's class, and it was mostly about c/s and epis, so not even close to what I was looking for. I read a lot, but did not take any other classes. Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth was my favorite.
In the end, I had to be induced so did not go 100% natural. Birth story in bio if you are interested.
EXACTLY this. I came to same conclusion after watching "The Business of Being Born" although I was already leaning towards having a more natural birth. Watching this moving definitely made me even more passionate about having a natural birth.
We too, have hired a doula who will be with us from the onset of labor until after the baby has been breastfed for the first time. We felt that this was the ideal option for us since I knew DH wouldn't be as "into" the whole natural process as I would be and since we would be delivering in the hospital, I wanted to have someone to be with me as an advocate.
I've also been reading some books about natural childbirth and will be meeting with our doula for three sessions prior to the birth.
Ditto this!
I did it with my prev 2 & would say that the breathing techniques I learned in childbirthing helped tremendously - as did having a good labor coach.?
I'm actually writing my history dissertation on the history of the pregnant body and medical interventions, so I would recommend first the Business of Being Born that everyone recommended. My husband loves that movie and is now as passionate as natural and specifically home birth just like me.
Also, anything written by Ida May Gaskin is pretty amazing. Elizabeth Davis Heart and Hands gives you a midwife's perspective, which is really interesting to learn about.
Even before I was pregnant, I decided I wanted a home birth with a midwife. I know too much about the medical establishment to feel comfortable in a hospital under the care of an ob. I'm not saying that hospitals are evil or anything. I'm very happy they are there if there is an emergency. Pregnancy is a natural occurrence and we should treat it as such. I go to the hospital when I'm sick, not when I want to bring a baby in to this world. Just my opinion....
As for classes, my husband and I are taking on specifically for home births by a local midwife. I would suggest Bradley or hypnobirthing though. Those techniques emphasize relaxing your mind to let your body do what comes natural.
Good luck with your decision. The beauty of today's world is that every woman has options and gets to pick what is right for her.
Hope that helps!
I went natural with DD (well, induced due to PIH, but pain med free). I took the childbirth classes at the hospital and had a firm resolve. I wavered a little but was already crowning so too late to change my mind.
I plan to go natural again, but will have a small birth plan this time around. I got really tired of the nurses pushing me to get an epi. So, basically all my plan will state is that I am aware of my options, please don't feel the need to remind me every 2 freakin' minutes!