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36 weeks and just now considering a med-free birth?

jw87jw87 member
in Natural Birth
This whole pregnancy I was unsure the route I wanted to take, I go to a practice with midwives and OB's combined.  The hospital I'm delivering at has a birthing center down the hall from L&D that is actually considered a separate facility from the hospital and is designed for a home birth experience with a kitchen and queen bed and giant tub for waterbirths, etc.  I have the option of starting there, and if I change my mind... can to go L&D. 

I have not studied the Bradley Method or anything, but have googled and seen videos and was actually a support person at my sister's natural birth when I was a teenager.  I have also studied meditation books and self-relaxation techniques in the past but not related to childbirth. 

I guess I'm nervous because I'm not sure I'm prepared since the Bradley Method is a three month thing that is building up for childbirth and I feel like I maybe unprepared.

Any advice or thoughts?
I was hoping to find a cliff notes DVD of the Bradley Method on netflixs for DH and me, lol... but didn't have much luck. 
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Re: 36 weeks and just now considering a med-free birth?

  • JcrabJcrab
    The birth center option sounds great. I think the most important thing is to be convicted in your decision, know why you want a NB and believe that your body can do it. Probably reading Ina May Gaskin's books would help and doesn't take all that much time. You can do it! GL!
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  • tokenhosertokenhoser member

    It doesn't take 3 months to prepare for a natural birth. If you want it, you've got lots of time. Personally, the most useful thing I had was a background in yoga. It sounds like you've got a background in relaxation and meditation - those skills will serve you well.

    I really like "The Birth Partner" for a practical book that it's wrapped up in experts and methods. Great for you and DH.

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  • kami1977kami1977 member

    I agree with the previos posters it's really you level of conviction about doing a pain med free birth that makes a huge difference.  I think it's helpful also to make sure your partner is on the same page as you.  During my first labor I actually requested an epidural from him because I was on Pitocin and the contractions were so bad and I didn't think I could make it all day.  He kept me from getting one and I was pushing 30 minutes later.  I was so thankful that he didn't call the nurse for the epidural when I started pushing.   During my second labor while at home, I thought I was going to need an epidural because the contractions were so bad and it had only been an hour.  That turned out to be a three hour labor and we barely made it to the hospital in time to push her out. It turns out that when I go through transition I start to doubt my ability to give birth naturally and I need encouragement and somebody who won't call the nurse the second I start doubting myself.  It's important that your partner understands how important a pain med free birth is to you and you discuss when he needs to encourage and try and hold off the epidural and when he needs to get a nurse in there.  From my understanding my experience is quite common, they even talk about the self doubt sign post during labor in the Bradley books.

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  • HyalineHyaline member

    You don't have to go Bradley Method to have a natural birth.  Your study of self-relaxation techniques will probably be pretty helpful since it's likely made you more aware of your body and how it relates to your mental state.  I've loved "Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn" and "The Birth Partner" for childbirth prep--it has all the technical info and lots of good ideas for natural pain management.

    PS Your hospital sounds awesomesauce and I am jealous. 

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  • julyjenniferjulyjennifer member
    Go for it!  Your past experience with meditation, etc will help, turning inward and being able to focus on relaxation can be really helpful.  I second reading Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, and practicing relaxation before going to bed now till the baby comes, talking with your partner, etc.  You could probably get "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" from the library, that's a good one, kind of workbook style.
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