Some general "natural" info please!

HappyMama30 · October 2012

So, for my first babe I had 4-5 doses of fentanyl and laughing gas. For my second babe I only had time for one does of fentanyl plus the gas between pushing. For my third... well, I hope to make it to the hospital on time! Ha! Anyway. I am looking for some advice... websites, books, advice... ??? I would like some advice on breathing and focus, so I can get through the next babe with less screeching than the first two. I am just not sure where to start. Thanks in advance!

nosoup4u · October 2012

Prenatal yoga! Look around and see if there are classes in your area, or else you can easily find some DVDs (and it might be available on Netflix streaming).

mystrana · October 2012

Prenatal yoga is wonderful for helping you to find the best ways to relax your own body! Everyone is always a little bit different. My favorite position is half-moon, although when I was pregnant, I had to lean against a wall to modify it.

You can also practice breathing through any pain or discomfort that your pregnancy gives you. I would lean over a table or desk, close my eyes, and scrunch up my fists. Then as I relaxed them, I imagined my back relaxing as I breathed in and out. Breathe in - imagine the tension. Breathe out - imagine the tension relaxing further with every breath.

Just general things like that will help you find what best relaxes and keeps you calm during labor.

Anxiousmami · October 2012

Through my most recent labor I did a lot of humming which the vibrations helped get me through the "transitional" phase. I do a lot of standing and swaying back and forth I keep my eyes close and literally picture the baby moving down w/ every contraction. That way you stay motivated. I also noticed humming songs keeps you distracted from the pain cause once I would get off a beat I tend to focus on my pain more. Jet tubs are a god send even if you cant birth in a tub try to labor in one! Just keep your eye on the prize and youll pull through

Also:My first birth I only labored roughly 6hrs and was induced by Pitocin and had my bag of water broke. I also had a dose of a local ansthetic which i THINK was stadol? idk for sure was like almost 8years ago. No epi

2nd birth was 3 hrs labor water broke at home and went hard and fast. I was in standing position the entire 3rd phase of my labor as being in any other position killed me. The standing helped bring her down and prevented me from tearing when she came out. 100% Natural

3rd birth was about 6hrs i'd say and did the ball, tub, breathing, walking etc. The only thing was an antibiotic cause I was GBS+ 100% natural, no tearing

Haley.Beth · October 2012

I did yoga before I was pregnant with dd, so I just kept up the basic exercises I could still do. However, what helped me the most was the breathing exercises I learned from it, and using them to relax specific muscles.

Also, don't feel like you have to be silent during labor! I wasn't loud, but I was very vocal the entire time. When I wasn't singing along with my iPod, as I breathed out, I moaned very low, it helped release the tension I was feeling as things got farther along (screaming does the opposite, so that is a good alternative). You don't want to know the funky things I screamed at the nurses while I was pushing, though (but the hospital I was in wasn't very NB friendly and they kept trying to force my legs into stirrups WHILE I was pushing!), and I'm convinced if I had been allowed to maintain the same composure and low moans while pushing I wouldn't have torn at all.

Everyone deals with pain in different ways, just find what works for you!

thetwistedwillow · October 2012

There's nothing wrong with being vocal in labor - it is actually helpful to open up your mouth. Look up the "Law of Sphincter" by Ina May Gaskin and get some of her books. It will inspire you!