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Feeling like a novice...

k8edgertonk8edgerton member
in Natural Birth

Well, I am a complete novice.

I am 34w6d pregnant... Nearing the end and excited to meet my little peanut! I decided fairly close to the beginning that I was going to go "natural" -- To me what made the decision was the fact that pumping myself full of pain medication that my baby will feel the effects of as well wasn't worth it. Plus, the fact that once I get that big scary needle in my back, I will be bed bound. No walking, no showers, nothing. 

Therefore, I bravely said that I wanted to opt for natural birth -- the only way I would have an epidural would be if I needed to have a c-section. Which in my mind would be a last ditch effort to get the baby out safely. Because in the end that is what is most important. 

Well... That is pretty much where I stopped. I have a good mindset about it -- I truly believe in that "can do" attitude. Other than that, I haven't really looked into other pain management methods. I figured I will go to the hospital and huff it out. 

Am I crazy? I haven't done yoga, hypno birthing (what's that?), meditation, acupuncture, etc... 

So, am I setting myself up for failure by not really worrying about it? Just wanting to fly by the seat of my pregnant pants? I know its going to hurt like hell but in the end the pain will stop and I will have a beautiful baby in my arms. 

Any tips... thoughts... crazy lady slaps? 

Enjoy your Sunday -- TIA

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Re: Feeling like a novice...

  • Loo52Loo52 member

    11 hours of drug free labour (no training, just flew by the seat of my pregnancy pants) and about 6 good pushes and I had my beautiful son in my arms and nothing else mattered. 

    The only thing I remember about the pain was from about 6cm to fully dilated was tough. It feels like you can't do it. But guess what, you totally can.

    I'm 4wks along now and the only thing I plan to do different (maybe some classes but I doubt it) will be to stay at home for as long as I can. It'll be more comfortable.

     Good luck!! 

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  • cattyninecattynine member

    I was kind of in your position. We took a childbirth class (non-hospital affiliated) and I think it was pretty helpful. I read some Ina May books and tried to psych myself up by thinking about contractions as positive things that were bringing my baby to me.

    Visual imagery (thinking about being on the beach) and positive affirmations helped for the earlier stages of labor, but when things got rough in transition it was counting that helped me get through each contraction. My friend who had a med-free birth last month had casually mentioned that the most painful part of each contraction was really only about 25 seconds and you could do anything for 25 seconds. So when each contraction started getting painful I would start counting outloud to 25 and usually by 20 the pain was starting to subside and I could think straight again. DH was really great about helping me count too and towards the very end when I was starting to seize up and forget to breath, the counting really helped me to remember to keep breathing.

    I also found moaning to be helpful and tried to remember to always keep the tone low.

    Good luck! You can do it!

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  • cwm11985cwm11985 member
    I'm the same way.  I use TheBump as my birthing guide ;)
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  • annabelle.27annabelle.27 member
    I didn't do any specific training either. I figure if any of these methods actually worked for everyone as promised that everyone would know about it and it would be THE method to use. I did learn about different positions to get into to work with your body that are supposed to relieve certain labour pains (many of them didn't do squat for me but I know they've helped others, so definitely try lots of things to see what works for you since it seems that everyone responds differently), and a few different basic techniques (bath, birth ball, etc). I really felt that having a supportive person nearby was the best "pain reliever" available. With my first labour I kind of went into "the zone" and was really able to calmly focus on my body and labour once I found a position/technique that helped (for me, it was sitting on the birth ball in the shower with the spray aimed at my back).
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  • jennadoll87jennadoll87 member

    I guess I'm a novice too when it comes right down to it. Its my 2nd pregnancy, but my first natural birth and first home birth as well. I don't think there is any ONE good way to prepare there are probably dozens of things we could be doing to "prepare". But I've read a couple books been watching birth videos which has been really encouraging. Aside from my own traumatic birth experience I had never seen another birth in my life. In our society we rarely have the opportunity to SEE a normal birth so that has been helpful to me as a fellow novice Smile.

    I think someone else on TB mentioned it recently, but i checked out the birthingwithoutfearblog.com and it was a good place to see videos and pictures.

    EDITEDEVERLYBEAUTYSHOT565923_751707052852_1602485043_n_zps74c305a1 photo EDITEDEVERLYBEAUTYSHOT565923_751707052852_1602485043_n_zps74c305a1-1_zps6c64b4ff.jpg Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • gingerbabegingerbabe member
    I'm pregnant with my first, so I can't say from experience, but I come from a big family of natural births. I say the more you learn, the better your chances are at having a successful natural birth. I find the more I learn, the more motivated I am to do it naturally, because our bodies were made for it. According to my mother, hospitals don't always make it convenient for you to go natural, so its best to come prepared. Knowing the benefits of various positions (to help ease the pain, or to help labor progress or slow down according to what is needed) and having a supportive husband (or other supporter) is key. I'm making my husband learn everything along with me so that he can help me carry through a natural birth. We opted out on birthing classes because its just not our style, and there is not one particular "method" I cling to. I've read lots of books (various methods), and have discussions with my mom about it a lot. I know I would be scared to death if I went into the labor room without a plan.
    Baby #1 DS born August 2012
    Baby #2 DD Born January 2014
    Baby #3 ?? Due June 5 2015


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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member

    I took a med-free oriented birthing class, and read a few books, but I didn't use any method or really train my mind or body in any way.  Like you, I had a good attitude and never thought much about the pain or whether or not I could do it.  I was just damn sure I could.

    It was good to read about different interventions, if only so that if intervention had become necessary, I wouldn't be completely relying on information from the hospital staff (which I would have barely been able to comprehend in the moment).  I felt good going in knowing a little about drugs that might have been used.  If you want to read up, it's certainly not too late.

    In my opinion, classes and methods are helpful, but in the end, your body and mind will find its own coping mechanism and its own rhythm.

    I found the sections on relaxation, rhythm, and ritual in The Birth Partner very helpful.  It also has lots of great information on positions and techniques to relieve pain in labor, and a good overview of how to deal with not-so-uncommon complications.  Of the books I read, I would read it again if I only had time to read one.  I read it and bookmarked pages that I wanted H to know.

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