Natural labor resources?

SWBs Wifey · May 2011

What are some books or websites that I can pass along to a friend that is hoping for a natural birth? She's already 32 weeks, so she can't start from scratch, really, but she's got her mind set on a natural birth without any real support, so she's very anxious about how the hospital will handle her wishes. I suggested looking into hiring a doula, but she said they just can't afford the extra cost of a doula right now. I suggested that even if she doesn't want to hire one, I was certain that a good doula would be willing to talk to her about her anxieties and give her insight into how a natual labor might be received at the hospital she's delivering at.

Any other words of wisdom for her? I told her that my one piece of advice was this (and to write it in sharpie and attach it to her hospital suitcase) : If you have to go to the bathroom, tell the nurses that you're getting out of bed and using a toilet. Don't let them make you use a bedpan... it is your right to be able to get up and use a toilet if you are physically able to do it. They legally can't stop you and it can make the entire labor and delivery SO much smoother to have an empty (or at least less full) bladder and bowels. And getting up every once in a while will help baby out.

MeggyJ · May 2011

I don't know of any resources. But I know up here a doula can cost as little as $500. Also, encourage her that the more she can be up and moving the "easier" labor will be. Laying down in the bed is the worst thing for contractions. Pack a tennis ball or rolling pin for back massages. Maybe have her check local classes. She still might have time to take one.

emathis2 · May 2011

The doula I used was willing to work with anyone who couldn't afford it. We paid full price but she asked if we were comfortable with the cost and said she even does it for free here and there. She also would take trade or let ppl could pay her back later. Some insurance also covers doula services so she might want to check her plan.

I can't recommend the Hypnobirthing book/cd enough. I listened to the cd everynight the last couple months. Also Birthing from Within was a pretty good read. It was a little out there but really motivated me to go natural.

Can she switch to a MW group? They will probably be better encouragement if she wants to go natural and not push interventions on her. I switched last time and they just moved my paid part of the deductible over to the new group.

Soyager · May 2011

Well...is this something she just thought of? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for women having natural childbirth, but, for me, it was something that I had in my mind from the get-go. I mean, I guess it would depend upon what she defines as "natural." Does she mean just not having an epidural? Not having Pitocin? No interventions whatsoever? Is she interested in labor management techniques?

I'm trying to think of any easy resources, and honestly, most things address natural birth from the beginning stages of pregnancy.

Certainly, anything from Ina May would be enlightening. I copied my birth plan mostly from my Hypnobirthing book... I guess I'm not sure what you're asking lol.

babyluv617 · May 2011

I read up on Hypnobirthing though I didn't do the courses or anything. I also like Henci Goer's book, I can't remember the exact title though.

littleanomaly · May 2011

Maybe she could find a student doula? They're usually willing to get experience for little to no cost.

I love the Ina May book. LOVE IT. My doula had me read The Thinking Woman's Guide and that was really good too. Like Ina, but less hippy dippy.

papagena · May 2011

Well, if she's a fast reader, my favorite natural birth books are:

Ina May's Natural Birth
Natural Birth the Bradley Way
Hypnobirth book

If she even has time to skim, I'd read the general information in the Bradley book and the description of what is going on in labor in the Hypnobirth book and read as much of Ina May's as possible.

Being able to relax & breathe deeply through contractions for me was key. I focused on relaxing all of my body, especially my jaw, throat and facial muscles - it's supposed to help you dilate easier, too. Other things to do is to keep moving around, get on a birthing ball, do 'hula hips' through contractions, and birth singing.

I'm all for staying home as long as possible, frankly! It's always a good idea to share your birth plan with your doctor to make sure they're on board.

Good luck to her!!

SWBs Wifey · May 2011

I think she's had in mind the whole time that she would go as naturally as possible with the fewest interventions as possible (really- she sounds like she wants a birthing center but doesn't know how to get one... and is a little scared of anything other than a hospital, if that makes sense... it does to me).

She has gotten almost all of her L&D information from her sisters who had hospital births (one on a military installation, so I have a good idea that that was VERY strict if its anything like the hospital here) and the other sister is the wife of a nurse who is also very "pro hospital birth" so she hasn't had many people to offer support.

Temp76535187505890 · May 2011

babyluv617:
I read up on Hypnobirthing though I didn't do the courses or anything. I also like Henci Goer's book, I can't remember the exact title though.

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Childbirth.

SWB- is she in this area? Where is she delivering (please don't say one the of the MTFs) Is she willing to take a childbirth class? If she does live in this area, I highly recommend the class that we took. I actually credit the class more than my doula getting me through DD's med-free birth (since it was so quick).

The biggest thing I think (especially if she's headed to either MTF) is to labor at home as long as possible. The less time you are in the hospital the less time there is to give in to pain meds or have interventions pushed upon you.

Again, if she's in this area, she could always give Heather a call and talk to her about everything. Heather can direct her to some resources and give info on the hospital she's set to deliver at. Heather does give military discounts and also has a sliding scale....although I don't know what her schedule looks like right now since she's in her third phase of midwifery school.

Temp76535187505890 · May 2011

ArmyQM:
babyluv617:
I read up on Hypnobirthing though I didn't do the courses or anything. I also like Henci Goer's book, I can't remember the exact title though.
The Thinking Woman's Guide to Childbirth.
SWB- is she in this area? Where is she delivering (please don't say one the of the MTFs) Is she willing to take a childbirth class? If she does live in this area, I highly recommend the class that we took. I actually credit the class more than my doula getting me through DD's med-free birth (since it was so quick).
The biggest thing I think (especially if she's headed to either MTF) is to labor at home as long as possible. The less time you are in the hospital the less time there is to give in to pain meds or have interventions pushed upon you.
Again, if she's in this area, she could always give Heather a call and talk to her about everything. Heather can direct her to some resources and give info on the hospital she's set to deliver at. Heather does give military discounts and also has a sliding scale....although I don't know what her schedule looks like right now since she's in her third phase of midwifery school.

Nevermind. I know who you're talking about and that she's not around here.

SWBs Wifey · May 2011

That was fast. Are you Facebook stalking me??

Temp76535187505890 · May 2011

SWBs Wifey:
That was fast. Are you Facebook stalking me??

Yes.

Temp76535187505890 · May 2011

She needs to find out what is typical at the hospital she is going to deliver at.

Do they insist on IVs? If so, she needs to insist on only a heplock so she is not tethered by an IV. There's no reason she would need anything unless she has a very prolonged labor.

What about monitoring? She needs to insist only on intermittent monitoring and not continual. She needs the freedom to get up and move as she feels necessary. It has been proven by many studies that continual monitoring does nothing to improve the outcome of the birth. In fact, it can be detrimental by not allowing the mother to move freely. Movement helps the baby descend through the birth canal and places pressure on the cervix which aids in dilation.

Jennicap · May 2011

I read Ina May's guide to childbirth it was amazing! and The Bradley Way which was the instructions to the Bradley Method. Both really reinforced my belief that our bodies were made to birth children and it would know what to do I just had to relax and allow it to happen. She has two months, if she reads a lot she can get both books done before hand. if she had to pick one over the other read the bradley way it had the methods on how to relax and allow nature to take its course.

And as far as her anxiety is her doctor/midwife open to the idea of a natural birth? for me finding the right practice in the begining was very important! they knew at my 8 week appt I was planning a med-free birth. I wanted a practice and hospital that was open and willing. Its not too late for her to change practices if need be! annoying yes but not impossible! As for my best advice, just know that your body can do it and move around as much as possible, do what ever is most comfortable to you and forget everyone else.

Soyager · May 2011

ArmyQM:
She needs to find out what is typical at the hospital she is going to deliver at.
Do they insist on IVs? If so, she needs to insist on only a heplock so she is not tethered by an IV. There's no reason she would need anything unless she has a very prolonged labor.
What about monitoring? She needs to insist only on intermittent monitoring and not continual. She needs the freedom to get up and move as she feels necessary. It has been proven by many studies that continual monitoring does nothing to improve the outcome of the birth. In fact, it can be detrimental by not allowing the mother to move freely. Movement helps the baby descend through the birth canal and places pressure on the cervix which aids in dilation.

Yes, these! I only had a hospital birth plan "in case" and NEVER thought I'd need it. I was so much in shock and just trying to get in a zone of acceptance that I allowed an IV and I allowed a monitor to be placed on me (you know, cause they did it right away). Once those things are on, they're not coming off. You can't move into different positions with a monitor on b/c it moves the baby/monitor and the nurses freak out. OMG--before I go down a path of hatred and resentment, let me just end by reiterating that these are good suggestions.

SWBs Wifey · May 2011

I mentioned both of these to her on the phone earlier, but I also C&Ped some of these responses straight into an E-mail for her too.

Temp76535187505890 · May 2011

Also, regardless of how "natural" birth-friendly her doctor is, s/he isn't going to be there for 98% of her labor. When she does finally check in to the hospital she needs to request the most pro med-free nurse they have on duty.

And her partner needs to be on board with her goals because he (she, whomever) will need to advocate for her when the medical staff starts pushing interventions. He will also need to be able to talk her down from the "ledge" many women get on during transition thinking they can't go on and want the drugs.

SWBs Wifey · May 2011

I may have only been in his presence a few times (that I can count on my fingers) but I've heard enough about him in the last [dear Lord has it really been?] nine years to know that he is probably the one that gave her the idea of a natural birth... and I can only hope he'll be more supportive in this than he's been with other things in the past. I really try not to judge him because I know I'm only getting part of the story and I don't know him all that well, but he seems like a selfish person. I know that's totally off topic but I needed to get that off my chest.

wendic22 · May 2011

I like this site https://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2011/05/embracing-the-pain-letting-go-of-fear-in-childbirth.html

And liked seeing the comments. She also has an earlier post on doula's

HTH!

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