XP: Natural birth without classes or doula

agytay · January 2011

Hello New Moms and congrats on your recent LOs.

With less than 10 weeks to go, I am 99.9% confident that I would like to try to go with a natural med-free birth. I have ordered several books including Ina May's Guide to Child Birth, Birth Partner, and Hypobirthing (not the course just the book). In addition, I plan to do research on breathing techniques during labor.

DH has agreed to be supportive as possible so I am also making DH read Birth Partner, and we have taken the traditional 3-part series of classes offered by my hospital (labor & delivery, breastfeeding, etc.). I am also taking pre-natal yoga. Since I am giving birth at a traditional hospital with an OB, my plan is to labor at home for as long as I can.

Is this preparation ample/sufficient preparation? Can anyone share any successful birth stories given similar preparation (e.g., no doula, classes, traditional hospital with OB)? Any advice on tips on how to manage pain is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

ETA: Thanks for the responses, Ladies. I am being completely open-minded about this entire process and will not hesitate to ask for meds if I can't bare the pain. Also, everything will be done in the best interest of the child so if he is in distress in anyway, all of my plans are out the window and I will solely rely on the discretion of the hospital staff.

harleyjo · January 2011

Ha, I wanted a med-free birth and did nothing to prepare. I only told my DH and Midwives about my wishes, but kept an open mind. My only plan of action was to labor at home as long as possible and then once at the hospital, labor in the tub.

I did exactly that, and achieved my goal for a med-free birth. (Didn't even have an IV placed.) The tub was AWESOME. And having my Midwife there who was on the same page as me, to "coach" me, helped tremendously. I'll tell you one thing, if I had tried to labor in bed, it definitely wouldn't have been med-free. Laboring in the hospital bed is he!l. Good luck!

Carilyn · January 2011

I was induced with both of my kids, so not completely natural, but pain med free deliveries with both. I went in with a high pain tolerence, fear of needles in the back and fear of narcotics, and sheer will and determination. I didn't read any books (other than what I read about labor and delivery in nursing school) or take any classes. Both labors were completely different (I had horrible back labor with DD and a very intense labor with contractions on top of each other with DS). What ended up being on my side was short active labors (2hrs with DS and 4hrs with DD...she was sunny side up). So, it can be done without much prep

.

SpartanChick88 · January 2011

I was induced, had a doula, read all the books, maintained my normal Yoga practice and wound up with an epi so I could sleep (the pain I could have dealt with, the exhaustion not so much if I was going to push the kiddo out) and a c/s after 28 hours plus 2 hours pushing because DD was stuck and sunny side up.

Go in with the best of intentions, but also an open mind that the important thing is a healthy babe and a healthy mom.

Mrs.Backpack · January 2011

I was not planning on a med free birth but ended up with one. My labor ended up being SUPER fast. I had been having irregular contractions all day long and even went to l&d but was only 2cm and 50% and my contractions were getting further apart. We all thought since I was 10 days to my EDD that it was false labor. Later that night my water broke at 10:45 and we got to the hospital at 11:40. I immediately asked for an epi as soon as I got to l&d and it turned out I was already 10cm! 20 minutes later the baby was born.

If I had much time to think about it I probably would have freaked out. My pain was completely manageble until about the last 30 minutes. I had been laughing and having a great time on the way to the hospital until we were about 10 minutes away. I just made sure to breath through contractions and as soon as I was able to push I actually felt relief that it would soon be over. It gave me something "to do", ya know? 3 pushes later, he was out! It was a totally crazy experience but I'm so glad to know that I could do it.

Good luck!

MrsSeli · January 2011

I went med-free without much prep, but I went into it with the attitude that I would get an epi if I needed it. I took it one contraction at a time, and did what worked for me, which was pacing between contractions and squeezing DHs hand and breathing deeply during. I agree with pp that said labouring in bed was hell. When they made me lay down for monitoring and to break my water, i couldn't wait to stand back up again.

ILoveRunning · January 2011

I ended up with a natural birth turned c-section due to a posterior baby that wouldn't descend, however the first 50 hours were natural :P

It sounds like you are well on your way to preparing for a natural birth. I did take a 6 week childbirth class that was natural birth oriented, however it didn't follow any particular methodology. What I would suggest is for you and your husband to sit down and have a conversation about your expectations of him, as well as what you want from the birthing experience. If you have a birth plan make sure he understands what you have written down, or sit down and write one with him. In our childbirth class my husband learned how to ask questions regarding any procedures and interventions that might be needed (e.g., can we discuss alternatives, what are the risks of said procedure, etc).

With regards to managing pain. I found alot of what was written in Ina May's book to be helpful. One thing that I kept reminding myself of was to try to relax through the contractions (don't fight them) and to realize that they are productive. I also walked CONSTANTLY. It was the only thing that kept my back labor manageable.

Good luck! I'm sure that you will do great.

SpartanChick88 · January 2011

I want to pop back in to second the ball... that thing was so great!

Also, to the pp who had a posterior failure to descend... it sounds like we were in exactly the same position but 50 hours?!! Rock on sistah!

SammyJJo · January 2011

I had a natural birth with classes and a doula - so not exactly what you're looking for. But, IMO, the classes were nice but definitely not vital. If anything they were more of a confidence booster than actually useful. However, the doula was worth her weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. Dont' get me wrong, DH was a model coach... but he'd never been to a birth before, whereas my doula had been to dozens. She told us what was normal and watched for what wasn't normal. I

In my experience, staying at home as long as possible was the number 1 factor in succeeding in the med-free part. And I don't think I would have stayed home as long as I did if it weren't for the doula. She came over and said "Yeah you're in early labor, but you don't have to go to the hospital if you don't want to. Do you have a hobby we could do? Or why don't we watch a movie?" I felt ok relaxing at home with a 'professional' whereas I would have already been at the hospital if I was on my own.

zltaylor · January 2011

Ditto to the gal who said not to over prepare (what you're doing sounds like what I did--I swear by yoga). I took the generic childbirth class offered by the hospital. My husband read parts of the birth partner (I read most of it too--in hindsight, it was the most helpful of anything that I read). We had many "tools" for pain relief, such as massage and even a TENS machine, but when the time came none of those were necessary. I didn't have any back labor, which I had anticipated. I had planned to labor at home until it was time to push but my water broke hours before my contractions even started--so I did labor 100% at the hospital. I'm actually a nurse at the hospital (in a different department) so I felt more comfortable there (definitely a bonus) --I was able to communicate my desires with the nurses and they let me labor on my own for the most part, except for the occasional monitoring (I didn't bring any elaborate "birth plan," I just verbally said "I don't want an eipdural"). Really, just trust in your body to do it's natural job. I didn't practice breathing or anything like that--it was nothing like I had pictured and I don't think I could have planned for it (any more than being educated).

mishu917 · January 2011

I didn't take any classes or used books. I would recommend learning pushing methods, contractions can be talked/ screamed/ whatever through. Sounds like you have a supportive DH, so that helps a lot. Labor at home for as long as you can, until your water breaks.

kspies · January 2011

It can be done. We took Bradley classes, but they didn't help prepare for labor pain much. I appreciated them because they taught us what normal healthy labor is and how to advocate for ourselves to avoid unnecessary interventions that make medicine necessary. I have always been active and have done yoga for years, so I was counting on breath and meditation to get me through it as much as Bradley relaxation. Our culture terrifies women about labor pain, and I won't lie, it's tough, but it is completely something you can do.

I was induced (without Pitocin), and most of my 6 hours of active labor was spent stuck in the bed strapped to monitors. It was absolute hell. I feel like the hospital pulled a bait and switch on us at our tour and our brief PIH stay at 39 weeks--I was assured a lot of freedom of movement and natural birth support that I didn't get. Do whatever you can to get in a situation where you are able to move (wireless monitors, intermittent monitoring, long bathroom breaks, whatever it takes). There were things about giving birth in a hospital that I did like but that was the worst part.

Copernicus08 · January 2011

I took the three-part class offered by the hospital and that was it. No midwife, no doula, no excessive prep prior to. I just knew I wanted to give it my best shot for a med-free birth and that I did. It was just me and DH, a nurse and the OB.

If you can, labor at home for as long as possible -- in the shower, on the toilet, on your own couch, etc. When I got to the hospital I was able to labor for an hour in the whirlpool tub and that's what I credit my success to. I was actually able to relax and nearly fall asleep in the tub (while DH sat next to me playing Sudoku on his phone!).

Like what PPs said, just remind yourself that this is what we're built for! Going one contraction at a time helps, and just focus on the task at hand. The breathing really comes naturally and it helps a lot to breathe. Good luck! You can do it!

Jinsy80 · January 2011

DD1 wasn't completely med-free (pitocin induction with narcotics, but no epidural). I was on the fence about epidurals before labor, and decided just to go with narcotics. I was in labor for less than 4 hours. DD2 was completely natural. We barely made it to the hospital in time! Contractions started at about 1:30am, got to the hospital at 7:20am, baby was born at 8:06am. So, less than 7 hours of labor, it just got really bad for the last two hours. I didn't want an epidural this time around, but I sure missed those narcotics. I didn't take any classes. Maybe I should have, but those contractions were horrible with both labors. I can't see how breathing techniques could have helped when I had trouble breathing to begin with (contractions extremely close together). They were born at a birthing center...

Nikilea · January 2011

First and foremost: know that you can do it! Factors that helped me have a natural birth, in order of importance: 1) (As silly as it sounds), Mental Preparation - determining in myself exactly what I wanted to do and why, despite the pain of labor, 2)Supportive people surrounding me, encouraging me, telling me I was doing great, and 3)Knowledge: about the birth process and also about common hospital mindset/practices, many that are often NOT helpful in your plan to have a natural birth. Having loving encouragement and positive feedback around me meant everything: there was never a time when anyone in the room doubted I could do it, and their words of support made me feel like I was a rock star.

Knowledge and books aren't everything, but the best book I read in preparation for labor was "Birthing from Within". It's a little 'granola' at times, but it really focuses on helping women to see and birth for what it is: this incredible, transformative experience, not a medical event that requires lots of intervention. I would also watch "The Business of Being Born" if you haven't already seen it, especially since you'll be giving birth in a hospital. Drugs and modern medicine is great to have around when it's needed, but that movie is pretty eye-opening about how current medical practices have created a slippery slope of interventions that are often unnecessary.

Remember, your body was MADE to do this - you CAN do it! Just keep telling yourself on that day, "Today, I am Superwoman!"

BalancingJane · January 2011

I had a med-free hospital birth without classes or a doula. I read many of the books that you're planning on reading, and I felt confident going in. Having a supportive labor partner is vital.
I would say that the most important thing for me was being knowledgable about hospital policies and how they would affect my labor. I had to work hard to get some leeway with the policies (like having mobility). And some of the things I wanted, I didn't get (like intermitten monitoring). Knowing enough to decide what I was willing to fight for was important, and I am glad I read a lot to be able to make informed decisions.

FWIW, my full labor story is posted on my blog, which is linked in my siggy.

Good luck! You can do it!

lolomama · January 2011

Totally agree with this post, I too labored at home in my bathtub for 4 hours before heading to the hospital. 1 hour later gave birth med free starting in a hands and knees position on the bed.. Midwife was cool with this but the nurse was freaking out and trying toget me to lay down. I labored on my feet in the hospital, but let them fetal monitor for as long as I could bare laying on my back, that was the only time thru labor that it actually hurt... I took no classes, no doula and just got into the zone, i believe quiet and dim very dim lighting was the key. I was adviced this by a labor and delivery nurse, although they certainly were not practising quiet, I demanded it and the lights turned down and focused on abdominal breathing. Am no expert but abdominal breathing got me thru labor completely..

Good luck

Arielle27 · January 2011

I took a hypnobirthing course, read the book and practiced the CDs. I had a wonderful natural birth and the breathing and relaxation I practiced REALLY helped! I think it would have been fine had I just read the book and practiced the CDs.

My only other tip is - hot water!! I got in the shower when the surges became very close together and quite strong, and I swear it took away about 60% of the pain. I got in the shower again as soon as I got to the hospital and only got out because the pain was lessened so much I thought I was slowing down my labour - when in fact I had dilated from 5-7 in half an hour!

Good luck!!

VABride2008 · January 2011

I did it! I didn't read any books though. I went in with the mindset that pain is only temporary and I never feared the pain. In our traditional birthing (not focused around natural birth, though the instructor encouraged it) class they said that when you fear the pain, your body sends signals to your brain and it can actually make the pain worse than what it really is.

My advice is advocate for yourself! I was 1 week late and scheduled for an induction. They were going to start cervadil but I ended up not needing it (I was already at 3cm when they checked me in at the hospital). They were dead set on giving me pitocin, which I was not crazy about. They didn't want to let me eat, wanted to monitor me, etc. I did have a bowl of cereal at about 4 am when I woke up with pretty strong contractions (though the monitors weren't picking them up so they were still pushing for pit). I walked, sat on the birthing ball and did squats/lunges while waiting for the doctor. When the doctor finally came in to check me at around 8, they said I was at 5cm and wanted to break my water. I was hesitant, but did let them break my water and they immediately started pitocin, which really pissed me off because I didn't think I needed it. I only ended up getting 1 dose of pit before I had her. They finally took the monitors off of me because they weren't picking up my contractions, when I was CLEARLY having one. Just be educated on the hospitals policies and advocate for yourself. Also make sure your SO/DH knows what you want so he can advocate for you if you aren't in the right frame of mind. My husband was very active with asking the doctor's/nurses questions ANY time they wanted to do something. He drilled them like no other (which was probably annoying to them but had he not drilled them, they would have started pitocin without my consent, not let me eat, made me stay in the bed strapped to the monitors, etc.).

Even though it is hard, stay active for as long as you can during labor. After my water was broken, I was in the bed the entire time because I literally couldn't get up to walk. Stay calm and trust that your body can do this! Good luck!

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