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Natural Birth
tabbyandaaron
member
In a panic
tabbyandaaron
member
I am totally freaking out, it it my first birth. I had previously thought I would get the drugs and probably have a csection, I am small. 5'2 110lbs. After reading everything and watching the business of being born, I want a water birth and a midwife or at least an obgyn that will birth how I want to. I don't think that the hospitals here offer water births and I also think it is too late to find a midwife or new doctor. I see my obgyn next week. I am concerned she is going to think I am crazy when I say that I am going to stay home in my tub until the very last second I can. I don't want to be confined to my back on a bed, my biggest fear is tearing. I feel that my body will do what it is suppose to, but I have a fear the doctor won't let it. Any words of wisdom?
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Re: In a panic
I can completely relate to feeling limited on options.
*It is not too late to get a midwife or new doctor.
*In my town we don't have birthing centers, and midwives only do home births. For various reasons, I would not like a home birth so I'm stuck in a freaking hospital with an OB. Unfortunately hospitals here don't offer water births.
*I talked to my OB about wanting a natural birth and she advised me to stay home as long as possible when I go into labor to avoid interventions. She was supportive of me laboring while walking around, and not being constantly monitored or hooked up to an IV.
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It's possible to have a fairly natural experience in a hospital with an OB - this is what I'm really hoping for ! It's an uphill battle, but possible! Good luck to you, I understand what you are going through. It sucks having limited options..
First of all, Congratulations!
)
I started my research on all this natural birth business around 14+ weeks, so I remember this feeling...especially after we watched TBOBB. I started researching the crap out of epidurals, pitocin, all of the possible interventions and how bad they can be for mom and baby.
The more I talk with our midwives, the more comfortable I get. I learned that our hospital is VERY natural birth friendly...they just don't get a whole lot of women who choose to do it that way. Every time we go to the office, I feel a whole lot better when my newest questions are asked.
The BOBB movie is AWESOME in getting you the real initial "what you should know" about some of the newest research done, but it really makes hospitals look "bad." It's understandable since they made the movie really to promote home birth (which I totally support, but we've chosen to give birth in the hospital).
As soon as I let my midwives know that I wanted as much as an intervention-free birth as possible, they were completely on board. Go ahead and ask now, and your OB may be able to give you more info about NB classes in your area. S/he may be more supportive than you think.
Good luck, girl!
)
Even if some hospitals don't offer water birth, they might have laboring tubs. That's what I'll be doing. I have to get out for the actual pushing, but if I want to, I can spend the rest of the time in the tub.
There are a LOT of natural birth options out there. It isn't just a choice between the tub and being confined to a bed. Start researching common techniques and see which one feels right for you. The hospital might even offer classes. I'm doing hypnobabies myself.
Talk to your doctor now about what you're thinking and see if she's receptive to letting you have some control over the birth. She may even be able to suggest some resources for you. You're early enough that if she isn't receptive at all, you can still find one who is.
It is not too late to switch providers. I would talk to your OB first though, not all OBs have the same philosophy and some are more "natural birth" friendly than others.
This! My hospital had 1 room with a tub and I was allowed to labor in it, just not deliver there. Ask your doctor about the options.
Also, I just had a med-free birth on Wednesday (going to post my story sometime soon hopefully) at a hospital. It is possible! Don't panic. You still have plenty of time to prepare.
It's not too late to switch but research your hospital and OB because you might be surprised. Mine are both really natural birth friendly, which really shocked me. If your hospital/OB isn't, maybe you could find another one that is.
Some sources, like BOBB, and some of the popular literature out there, situate hospitals as being more adversarial than they necessarily are. Coming from someone who went to film school: I do not recommend relying on documentaries for unbiased information. They are not educational films. Documentarians are taught that films should further agendas and they learn techniques to do just that. They are great for getting you to question things and inspire you to do research, but take them for what they are.
TTC since October 2009
2 failed IUIs with Clomid
IVF #1, ER 10/29/2011
ET 11/3/2011
One embryo transferred, four frozen
11/12/2011, BFP, 11/13/2011, BFP, 11/14/2011, BFP
First Beta 11/14/2011, 499
Second Beta 11/16/2011, 893
Third Beta 11/18/2011, 1510
Lost my dear husband, October 3, 2012. You are the bear of my heart dear, and nothing can take that away.
I'm in NZ so I really can't comment on the MW vs hospital birth situation that many women seem to face in the US.
I just wanted to comment on the tearing thing. It was my big fear the first time. It was my big fear the second time. I think it will continue to be my fear until I'm done having children.
DD1: 9 pounds and 2 stitches. DD2 10lbs, no stitches slight graze.
When in labour the "ring of fire" really did make me feel like I was going to tear from one end to the other. I didn't but I did have to be encouraged to push past that feeling and push LO out with my first.
I didn't realise that fear was so intense until I was in labour.
So I encourage you to talk that fear through with your MW/obgyn. With my second we talked a lot about how if you let your body do it's thing and work with it rather than forcing baby out it allows your body time to stretch etc.
Good luck.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
We didn't decide on a home birth until about 28 weeks. We didn't meet with the MW until 30. I ended up giving birth at 38. I had another friend who's OB wanted to induce at 39 weeks (she was 38), she switched to a home birth MW and had the baby at 41. It is never too late to change.
First of all, talk to your doctor. You don't know what they will tell you. Many OB's are okay with natural birth.
And, for what it's worth, my MW delivered and 11 lb baby to a 5'0", 100 lb woman with no problems.
Do you live in vegas or is that just a random screen name? I live in Vegas and there is one doctor here that will do a water birth that I know of.