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Natural Birth
Pumpkin_Princess
member
New with some questions
Pumpkin_Princess
member
Hi! DH and I will be TTC our first over the next several months, and I am an obsessive planner. I never really considered a natural birth because everyone I know had an epidural. I watched "The Business of Being Born" and started doing a little research online, and now I am leaning toward a natural birth just because of the increased side effects and possible complications with drugs/c-section. I was looking for a new doctor anyway because my current doctor has priviledges at a hospital that I don't like, so now I'm tossing around the idea of seeing a nurse-midwife and going to a birthing center. If you see a midwife, can you describe your experience with her vs. an OB?
I've also seen a lot of natural childbirth classes mentioned. I know that massage, moving around, and relaxing in a tub can help with pain. Are the classes really necessary? Also, do you still need a doula if you are using a midwife? Thanks!
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Re: New with some questions
I started with a midwife, but then had to switch to her back up OB's office due to GD. For me at least, there was not a huge difference in the care I received between the 2 but I was extremely lucky bc the 3 OB's were all very natural birth friendly as was the hospital my son was born at. I chose it for that very reason, even tho it was the next town over. I did not have a doula and I didn't do classes of any type either, but we live in a semi rural area where a lot of that stuff isn't offered (I think the nearest Bradley class was an hr away).
I did however, read Ina May's book, and found it very interesting, especially the first half which is just a collection of birth stories of women who have been there, done that, and lived to tell
The second half can get a little dry at times, but there is loads of good information, without scaring you, that I took with me and I feel helped me out. Good luck with whatever your decision is!
Welcome! It's never too early to start thinking about these things, so it's great that you are already considering all of this.
When I was pregnant with DD I saw a team of 8 CNMs. They practiced in a hospital and they shared rooms with the OBs, so I think my experience was not what most people would expect when seeing MWs. Probably in large part due to the fact that they were practicing in a hospital and the OBs had the final word. I guess the major differences were that my appointments were longer than if I had been seeing an OB, they were more 'hands off' I guess (I only had one u/s), that type of thing.
The short answer to whether classes are necessary would be 'no'. Women have been having babies long before classes were available
I did Hypnobirthing and I have to say it would not have been as pleasant of an experience had I not taken the class. I actually look forward to doing it again and attribute that in large part to Hypnobirthing.
A MWs primary job is to 'catch the baby', they can and will offer the emotional piece, but they are coming from the more medical side of L & D. A doula is there for the sole support of the mother and couch. So many people do hire a doula even if they are being cared for by a MW. You can count on your doula being there for you the entire time. You can not count on the same thing from a MW, she will perhaps have other patients, phone calls to return, etc.. I was at the hospital for 7 hours and saw my CNM three times. So a doula is not necessary, I did not have one, but if you are counting on having someone other than your partner for emotional support it is a good idea.
Check out the unofficial FAQ in my siggy.
I delivered with a doctor, but I've heard a big difference between dr and midwife care is the length of appointments (midwives will spend more time talking with you). Personally, I was pretty happy with my experience with my family doctor - but I think it's fairly rare to find a GP that delivers babies in the States.
I didn't do classes, as they just didn't appeal to me. I read a ton and had a doula, though.
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Click on the link in my siggy to my homebirth blog. I've had one birth with an OB in a hospital, another where I planned hospital birth with midwives for most of my pregnancy, and this one has been planned homebirth from the start. I compare/contrast all three experiences in the blog.
I'm planning to do posts soon (possibly this week) on childbirth classes and doulas. In short, I have found both to be immensely helpful, regardless of birth location and provider.
Mommy to DD1 (June 2007), DS (January 2010), DD2 (July 2012), and The Next One (EDD 3/31/2015)