First timer

mskaty86 · May 2011

This is my first pregnancy, and I feel extremely stereotypical when I say this, but I want to give birth naturally.

I want as little outside interference as possible. I want absolutely nothing to do with c-sections or drugs. I'm terrified that I'm going to be pressured into a c-section. I'm a full figured woman, and all of my siblings (including myself) were 10+ lbs at birth, which to my understanding requires a c-section. So I have a couple factors going against me already.

Being that this is my first pregnancy, and my first natural birth, I'd love any general advice. I don't even know where to begin or what questions to ask. I have my first appointment at 12 weeks at the end of June, so any suggestions on what to ask my doctor and whatnot would be helpful. Thanks, ladies!

Manderlin923 · May 2011

Welcome First of all a 10+ pound baby does not REQUIRE a c-section- you have to go on a case by case basis. There was a lady on this board (can't remember name) who delivered an 11 pound baby in her bathtub at home. My baby was 9 pounds 8 ounces. Big babies are delivered by all sized women, all the time.

I'd recommend you read as much as you can get your hands on. I think Pushed by Jennifer Block would be good as well as Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. There are also movies to get you started asking questions- like the Business of Being Born. The best thing to do is to take all the information you find from the resources and don't just rely on one thing, kwim?

I think you can find out what the c-section rate is at your hospital- mine is 26%. You can look it up online or ask someone at the hospital. Or you could look into home birth or a birth center birth (which is what I did)

You might consider some kind of classes maybe- like hypnobirthing (you can do a home study course- I will be doing that this time around) or Bradley. You can also look up doulas at dona.org to see if maybe that would help you reach your goal. I've heard great things about doulas. Finally, I think even if you know 100% you don't want drug or intervention, it is best to arm yourself with as much info as possible on each procedure/option so if it comes down to it you can make an informed decision. If I was in hospital, and needed the pain relief for this second baby, I know for example, that I'd prefer gas to an epidural. Bottom line- find out as much as you can and follow your own instinct as well Let me know if you have questions.

Texas77again · May 2011

first of all, congrats!

not all 10+lb babies need a c/s. i have delivered a 10lb 8oz baby to a mom with no tears, and an 11lb 11oz baby with a minor tear that did not require stitches. since you have a family history of large babies i would be viligent about your diet. in fact, this is advice that i give all pg mamas.

shoot for 60-80 gms of protein daily, plan for a salad at least once a day, drink tons of water (half your body weight in ounces per day, plus 30 oz for baby), plenty of fresh fruits and veggies and try to eat something every 2-3 hrs. go for foods that are lower on the glycemic index, google this if you need to. most ob's will not focus too much on diet, but i can promise you that if you follow a great diet you will most likely avoid pre-e, gd, swelling and a host of other complications of pg. also if you aren't already get yourself on a very high quality prenatal vitamin, not that walmart crap. i like rainbow light and solaray brand. you often need to go to a health food store to find them.

i would start now with lots of books about natural birth. have you thought of using a freestanding birth center or having a home birth with a midwife? get with other like-minded people and don't share your plans for a natural birth with haters. find a la leche league in your area and try to get to some meetings. it's good to go now and make connections with other women in your area that think the same way you do.

GET A DOULA!!! no really, get one.

i would ask any health care provider that you are going to use these questions, i'm sure others will come up with more great questions:

~ what is your opinion on diet during pg?

~ what type of vitamins do you recommend?

~ how do you feel about natural birth? (ob, hosp mw)

~ what is your rate of c/s and epidural?

~ what are other pain med options? (hosp birth)

~ what is your rate of episiotomy?

~ what is your protocol for a post dates pg?

~ do you use herbs/homeopathics? (if you are into using them)

i'm sure there are a million more questions, but that's all i got at this moment. read old posts, this question comes up a lot. GL!

seethesmiles · May 2011

I'm extremely petite and was able to birth a 10lb baby naturally. Don't let anyone say you can't do it! My best piece of advice is to choose your healthcare provider carefully. You want your provider to be on your side, not working against you or discouraging you. Midwives tend to be more pro-natural birth than OBs. And don't be afraid to switch providers at any point in your pregnancy if you feel it's not a good match. For some reason, many women reach a point (usually in the 3rd trimester) where they feel like it's "too late" to find someone else -- this is not true. With DS, I switched at 36 weeks and it was one of the best decisions I made. Good luck!

ridesbuttons · May 2011

10+lb babies do not require c-sections, also: nobody knows how much your baby weighs until after s/he is born.

Start reading books. Sign up for a prenatal class (a natural birth one if possible). Eat right, exercise (always good advice) and talk to people who have gone natural. It is not mysterious, it is the way the vast majority of women in the world go.

Best of luck and congratulations!

mskaty86 · May 2011

Manderlin923:
Welcome First of all a 10+ pound baby does not REQUIRE a c-section- you have to go on a case by case basis. There was a lady on this board (can't remember name) who delivered an 11 pound baby in her bathtub at home. My baby was 9 pounds 8 ounces. Big babies are delivered by all sized women, all the time.

I'd recommend you read as much as you can get your hands on. I think Pushed by Jennifer Block would be good as well as Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. There are also movies to get you started asking questions- like the Business of Being Born. The best thing to do is to take all the information you find from the resources and don't just rely on one thing, kwim?

I think you can find out what the c-section rate is at your hospital- mine is 26%. You can look it up online or ask someone at the hospital. Or you could look into home birth or a birth center birth (which is what I did)

You might consider some kind of classes maybe- like hypnobirthing (you can do a home study course- I will be doing that this time around) or Bradley. You can also look up doulas at dona.org to see if maybe that would help you reach your goal. I've heard great things about doulas. Finally, I think even if you know 100% you don't want drug or intervention, it is best to arm yourself with as much info as possible on each procedure/option so if it comes down to it you can make an informed decision. If I was in hospital, and needed the pain relief for this second baby, I know for example, that I'd prefer gas to an epidural. Bottom line- find out as much as you can and follow your own instinct as well Let me know if you have questions.

Thank you for all the advice. I'll ask my provider about a doula. We're military, so I'm not sure how that's going to work with our insurance.

I'm shooting for a natural birth, but if I end up needing pain relief, I won't deny myself of it. I'd be interested in seeing what my doc says about the gas option, I heard somewhere they don't offer that in the states. Getting an epidural would be a nightmare, that would be an absolute last resort.

And the books sound like excellent suggestions, I'll have to peruse the pregnancy section at the book store this week.

mskaty86 · May 2011

Those questions are perfect! That's exactly what I needed. I'm writing them down now to ask at my appointment......

Luckily all I've been craving are fresh things like veggies,fruit and salad, so I have that one handled! Haha. I have trouble taking prenatal vitamins in the pill form. I'm currently taking the Vitafusion prenatal gummies, they're the only ones that don't make me sick.

mskaty86 · May 2011

It's going to be interesting with my provider, because if I stick with an OB I won't necessarily have the same person throughout the pregnancy/birth. I pretty much see whoever is available. From my understanding, I'll have the same OB at my appointments (for the most part), but it could be a different person that delivers me. BUT, if I decide to go with a midwife, she'll be with me from day 1 and on. I could go to a civilian OB I suppose, but that's unfamiliar territory for me, and it makes me a little uncomfortable.

Texas77again · May 2011

you can totally have a natural birth in the hosp. it's just easier out of the hosp...cuz there are no pain meds!

in your case i would totally get a doula. she will really help you get through your labor and she will be an advocate for you once you get to the hosp. i'm fairly certain that tricare will not pay for one, that will be up to you. trust me when i say it will be well worth it. try to ask around to others that have used a doula for a recommendation. i also doubt that your ob will know much about getting you in touch with one.

doulas are truly a god send. they will meet with you a few times during pg and then come and be with you all during labor until you birth and then usually one or two visits after birth to make sure bf'ing is going well. assisting women during labor is their job and most of them are damn good at it. she will help you go one contraction at a time and she'll be able to provide pain relief techniques. that's what they train for.

you can do this! barring any medical problems the rest is mostly a mind set. if you are well prepared you can do most anything! also get yourselves to a birthing class that deals with natural birth. even if you are not going to use a mw for your birth often times they will still let you attend their childbirth ed classes. i know i always did, i even got some clients that way.

feel free to stick around here and ask lots of questions. also scroll thru old posts, a lot of times the same questions come up over and over.

stahlop · May 2011

I definitely recommend a doula. They are a godsend when you are in labor. But no, they are not covered by insurance.

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