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Natural Birth
Best Tips On Staying Calm
Please send over suggestions of things you used to stay calm during labor. Although I'm only in my first tri. I had my other two children (10 and 6) totally natural at a birthing center...and I KNOW what I am in for. Its just all coming back to me.lol
And I think thats its because of that, that I am starting to panic ALOT. I remember that being in the water didnt help at all. i was thinking this time I will try to put my headphones on, crank up the music and try to zone out but I dont know.
ANY suggestions you have will be helpful.
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Re: Best Tips On Staying Calm
I'm pregnant with baby #2, and I think you have the right start to thinking already! It's important to be realistic about the process. Yes, it is GOING to hurt. That is inevitable. The way I see it, is that every contraction brings you closer to being DONE and meeting your new little one. Breathe, trust your body and trust the process. I've also heard some great things about Hypnobabies, that may also be worth looking into!
I ended up having a c-section, but I did labor for over 16 hours and showed up to the hospital at 8+ cm, so not sure if my experience will help you who has actually delivered naturally, lol.
I listened to the Hypnobabies cd early in labor to get myself 'in the zone'. For each contraction I focused on relaxing every part of my body from head to toe. It gave me something to do during them. And I remembered something I either read in a book or heard during my Bradley class - the contractions don't last forever. so rest in between instead of anticipating the next one. And once they started I also looked forward to reaching the 'peak' because I knew the pain would only go down from that point.
Maybe that will help someone? I'm actually looking forward to labor less this time as I kind of know what's ahead of me - except for pushing and I'm scared of tearing!
Thank I will be putting those all to use. DH is very good at keeping me calm so I know that will help.
One question though did most of you experience "rest periods" between contractions? I hope that this time I get too, because I think that would help immensely! With my first two I would get what I called contraction "waves", it was like a long stretch of pain and the in between that would be sharp stabbing pains.
I do think that it made mt labor progress quickly though. I was in labor for about 5 hours with the first one and 2 with the second. I'm wishing for a 45 min labor this time around. lol (like that's gonna happen)
I planned on listening to music, using the birthing ball, things I learned in yoga...
Before I went to the hospital, the best thing I did was to ignore it between contractions. I started cleaning the house. I was waddling around the kitchen with a rag wiping down the beadboard and chair rails because it was bugging me, and the distraction totally worked. Moving also helped eliminate the short, sharp pains between contractions so I was more relaxed and could handle the long drawn out pressure.
Once I was at the hospital, I had a harder time being distracted, but still tried the best I could. Talked with DH about something un-baby related or about why the hospital was asking me the same questions that were on my pre-registration forms. I think I ended up ranting about that for longer than was reasonable because it was really bothering me to be trying to answer questions about my health insurance card number when I only got 2 minutes between contractions. Towards the end, as I was getting tired, I could finally lay down and began sleeping between contractions. I just did whatever it was my body felt like doing in that moment and it got me through.
I found a comfortable spot close to a bathroom (I was drinking a lot of water) and pretty much stayed in that area until it was time to leave. I had everything I needed at hand (water, bathroom, a fan for those hot flashes and chills) so I didn't need anyone coming and going from my space. The more bustle and noise around me the more distracted I got. In fact, it was wonderful that I labored virtually alone for most of that time and when my doula arrived she just sat with me. No talking, no movement, nothing.
Did you have an at home birth? I would love to do that.
I think I will try the birthing ball this time too
DS, May 2011
Have you tried prenatal yoga before? It really helped me to learn how to do focused breathing. Maybe look into the book "Birthing From Within" (some areas have instructors in it, too) - it might be good to sort out what you're stress about beforehand.
FWIW, my second labor was so much more familiar, that I only freaked during transition.
hth!
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
Breastfeeding and pregnant!
This will be my first and the most useful thing I've read so far was Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method.
While the visualization techniques may not work for me (I've dabbled in a variety of meditation / creative visualization practices over the years and mantra based meditiation or moving meditations (Tai Chi) seems to be what is most effective for me), I really liked how the book explained the physiological effects of the birthing process. That is, what is actually happening during the sensations you feel. It gave me a way to reframe things for my logical / analytical mind and I think that will lessen the chances of panic due to not understanding what is going on and allow my intuitive mind to focus on staying calm and relaxed and taking the experience as it comes.