Has anyone just winged it?

ateal2490 · March 2012

Just wanted to see if I was insane for not taking classes.

Has anyone ever just gone in and had a successful NB without studying a method or taking classes?

SHeins · March 2012

Yep, me, twice. I went in saying "I'm keeping my mind open about this, I dont know what I'm going to experience" and I was able to go through both labors without epi or many interventions. I had to have an induction with my second because of high blood pressure, and apart from the induction medication, didnt need anything.

A lot of my success, I think, has to do with a very supportive husband and communication. With my first I just kept refusing the epidural when it was offered. My hospital, it would seem, is pretty good to let you labor on your own, do what you need to do and they only really participate in the whole thing when its time to push. Works perfectly for me.

With all that said, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. This way worked for me, it doesnt necessarily work for everyone. I'm very lucky in that my labor and delivery has always been fairly short. I'm expecting my third in August and even with two NBs behind me, I still go in with the mind set that every baby is different and may require a different way of arriving. I do tend to encourage those that ask me that a class on breathing techniques wouldnt go to waste. That seems to be where things go wonky for me. I let the pain control my breathing the first time around and was really sick for a little while before transition.

It can be done. Big Smile

Sawyerplus1 · March 2012

I've had 2 successful NBs without taking or studying any 'methods'. DH and I did take a pre-natal class taught by a doula, but it was pretty basic re:the stages of labor and delivery, and some post-partum/newborn info. I went into both not knowing how I'd handle it (techniques, etc); just knowing what interventions I was ok with and what I wasn't. I was (and am) really passionate about NB, so it was definitely what I wanted. But I've had 2 friends just recently give birth (one for the first time, one for the 2nd time) without caring really one way or another about NB, just knowing they wanted to avoid the epi, and did so successfully.

AnaKat405 · March 2012

Since this is my first, I'm guessing winging it is the only option I have!

I plan to gather as much info as I can from books and methods and use things that may be useful to me when the time comes. Mostly I trust that I was made to do this and that I have a DH who is supportive and an experienced MW who will be there to witness and offer guidance when needed.

AmyRI · March 2012

I didn't take any NB classes or study any method. I did take the hospital course that goes over stages of labor, hospital policies, and the options for drugs if you want them. I was very good for us to take (especially DH, since he didn't know anything about pregnancy/labor) but it was a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon and that's it. No doula, no written birth plan, just a short discussion with my OB. I spent 0 time reading about NB, and a lot of time reading about the drugs because I have limited exposure to those types of painkillers and I'm allergic to Vicodin, so I was trying to figure out what I would likely be able to tolerate and what I should avoid. Thankfully, I just avoided them all.

I think that subscribing to 1 particular method is actually a bad idea. If it doesn't work, you have no other coping mechanisms. Keeping an open mind and doing what my body wanted to do is what got me through.

whitney1170 · March 2012

AmyRI:

I didn't take any NB classes or study any method. I did take the hospital course that goes over stages of labor, hospital policies, and the options for drugs if you want them. I was very good for us to take (especially DH, since he didn't know anything about pregnancy/labor) but it was a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon and that's it. No doula, no written birth plan, just a short discussion with my OB. I spent 0 time reading about NB, and a lot of time reading about the drugs because I have limited exposure to those types of painkillers and I'm allergic to Vicodin, so I was trying to figure out what I would likely be able to tolerate and what I should avoid. Thankfully, I just avoided them all.

I think that subscribing to 1 particular method is actually a bad idea. If it doesn't work, you have no other coping mechanisms. Keeping an open mind and doing what my body wanted to do is what got me through.

The bolded part was me exactly. I knew enough from reading birth stories on here that the most important things were to relax and breath/hum during contractions, some comfortable positions, and that transition was something to be concious of. Other than that, I just went in with a mindset that there would be no drugs or epi unless absolutely medically necessary. DH and my nurses were supportive and got me through it. I LOVED IT!!

doreo3 · March 2012

I didn't study anything specific, or take any classes. I did have a doula, and I read lots of general NB books, but in the end I really believe your body knows what to do to get as comfortable as possible, and if you just stay calm you can totally do it!

NewzieMom · March 2012

Yep. We have never taken a class. The first one I did end up with IV narcotics for two reasons...I had no clue what they were before labor and when you have a med pushing nurse it's easy to give in and my DH also had no clue and told me he thought I should get them. The other two have been completely pain med free. Defintiely possible you just have to have the right mind set going in.

LaurelBee · March 2012

Dh and I took the hospital course like Pp mentioned, but no natural classes. The hospital class was where I actually decided to deliver with out an epi bc it scared me. I was lucky enough to have a fast delivery, so by time I reached the point where I didn't think I could do it anymore without the epi, I was already 10cm. For my next birth, I plan to take a couple natural childbirth classes only bc I don't know if my next labor will be as fast and I want to prepare myself to deal with the pain of transition longer if needed. GL mama! It's totally do-able with the right support and mind frame.

krupkina26 · March 2012

I did with DS. I had an epi hat didn't work with my DD...it didn't numb at all, so i decided with DS to just see what happens. I knew I basically could do it, since I had already done it (not intentionally) with DD. I let the dr. know that I would ask for an epi if I needed it, but other then that I didn't have a birth plan or anything. I just went with the flow. Of course, I was at a hospital that supports natural birth and breast feeding...etc.

tokenhoser · March 2012

I did a lot of reading and did hire a doula.

I didn't take any classes. It didn't appeal to me to spend hundreds of dollars and many saturdays listening to the stuff I'd already read.

I had a great birth. For me, the doula was worth it. My doctor was pretty great, too.

mkflower3000 · March 2012

I'm only a FTM but I'm not taking any classes either. I'm doing a bunch of reading across different methods and basically will pick and choose what works for me. It seems like the running theme across all of them anyway is to simply listen to your body and do what feels right + try to focus and not allow yourself to become too stressed or distracted. I truly believe that as long as I remember that and let my body do what it needs to do as calmly as possible everything will be OK

(easier said than done, I'm sure, but a class probably can't force you to calm down either; if you're going to be worked up, you're going to be worked up).

annabelle.27 · March 2012

yup. I figured I didn't need a method (which seem to usually be invented by men- Lamaze? Bradley?) to tell me how to birth a baby.

JJbird86 · March 2012

This is what I'm doing, actually per my doctor's recommendation. She said it was important to go in with an open mind bc ANYTHING can happen, and when people get stuck on one particular plan it tends to slow the process and make things difficult. I have just been practicing my yoga breathing from classes I took in college.

pinksweetpea2 · March 2012

Depends on what you mean by winging it. I did not ascribe to one particular method, but I did do a TON of research, hired a supportive care provider, gave birth in a natural birth friendly location (home), and surrounded myself with support.

Truthfully, I think most of the people who plan to "wing it" (i.e. do no/minimal research and don't make an effort to have a supportive care provider) do not end up with a natural birth...especially if they are planning a hospital birth. Natural birth is an uphill battle in most medicalized environments and I just don't think most of these people are really prepared enough to deal with fighting for what they want on top of labor.

Jessimurph · March 2012

JJbird86:
This is what I'm doing, actually per my doctor's recommendation. She said it was important to go in with an open mind bc ANYTHING can happen, and when people get stuck on one particular plan it tends to slow the process and make things difficult. I have just been practicing my yoga breathing from classes I took in college.

Unless your doctor is a big supporter of NB I would be very weary of this statement. It sounds like she's setting you up for doing it her way which a lot of the time is a ton of interventions.

pinksweetpea2 · March 2012

Jessimurph:
JJbird86:
This is what I'm doing, actually per my doctor's recommendation. She said it was important to go in with an open mind bc ANYTHING can happen, and when people get stuck on one particular plan it tends to slow the process and make things difficult. I have just been practicing my yoga breathing from classes I took in college.

Unless your doctor is a big supporter of NB I would be very weary of this statement. It sounds like she's setting you up for doing it her way which a lot of the time is a ton of interventions.

I thought the same thing when I read this.

teresajean01 · March 2012

We took the basic hospital 1 afternoon class about the stages of labor, etc. and I was fine. You will find what works for you and it may not be what you thought. I thought I would love the ball and ended up sitting on it for less than a minute, throwing up, and then spending the rest of my labor in the tub and loving it. I should also mention that having my DH (and only him) there supporting me was very important so choose your company wisely.

aetg · March 2012

I dropped the hospital class after the first session, but it did help me realize that regardless of my own dr, I had l&d nurses to deal with who were not nb friendly. I only wish is done more classes just bc I think they would have been good for my husband who hadn't done all the reading that I had done.

ljanette85 · March 2012

i dont really plan on taking a class because i believe that i can do this. im staying positive, NOT thinking about the pain but the reward (my baby!) and staying fit. the doctors have been very happy about me working out, they believe that is one of the best ways to prep for birth. i have also been encouraged to read a lot on the subject and educate myself as much as i can. and have a support system. my family is great, but if you need to find a doula or someone else to support you it may not be a bad idea.

CocoBrynne · March 2012

I did. For me birthing classes and videos scared the crap out of me. I did read Ina May's book tho, and found it helpful, it reinforces that birth is a natural process and that the pain is a "good" pain, and it discusses breathing techniques and thought processes that helped me. It's worth picking up IMO. We live in the country so there aren't really any classes offered around here anyways.

happylady07 · March 2012

I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, but didn't actually practice anything or take any classes. I managed to go without pain meds, but barely, my DH and mom were incredibly supportive and encouraging when I was begging for an epi during transition. Next time, without question, I'm hiring a doula!

GoldenPeaches · March 2012

Yes. I read positive birth stories online, read about the stages of labor, and believed in my body's ability to do what it was made to do. After my birth center birth my MW asked me what class I took because she thought I handled it very well.

Meganellen · March 2012

This.I didn't take a class but was very determined to go all natural anyways. My aunt was at the hospital with me and helped me with my breathing even though I hadn't done a class. We were both rockstars at controlled breathing. Which is almost key. As soon as I started focusing on the pain instead of steady breathing I would start freaking out.

AppleMomma · March 2012

Nope, no classes here. Didn't matter much with DS (LO#1) he was induced (pre-e), not much I could prevent there.

DD? Home birth, and I just let me body work on it's own, afterwards I love looking back and feeling this amazement at how natural birth really is, the way my body helped me, I didn't have to do much!

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