Natural Childbirth?!

cnsjns08 · January 2013

I am a first timer. I am seriously considering trying for a natural childbirth. I just wanted to know from other mothers who have had a natural childbirth what techniques in managing the pain worked best for them... books you read... classes you took... so on. Thanks in advance!

aylafsu88 · January 2013

The best thing for me way laboring in the tub and having my H/doula pour hot water over my back. I had intense back labor and the tub was the only thing that helped me relax. When I was in triage they used a lot of counter pressure which was great. You will find what works best for you when you are in labor. I thought I would labor on a birth ball but the tub was the oly thing that worked. The books I would recommend are Ina Mays books and The thinking womens guide to a btter birth by Henci Goer. We took the Bradley classes and loved them. They got H involved by showing him how to be a good coach and educated him on L&D in general (since he is not into reading books on childbirth). I would highly recommend them. A doula is a great option as well!

pdilly2b · January 2013

I second the Henci Goer and Ima May books recommended above. I think the most important thing is having a care provider that is used to seeing natural birth and is supportive of your plans. For many people, this means a midwife. I had a midwife birth at a hospital and it was a wonderful experience. DH and I took Brio classes (similar to Bradley) and they were really helpful for learning techniques for coping with pain, for knowing what to expect, and for knowing what interventions to avoid or when they may be wise to accept (Henci Goer book focuses on this).

Many people watch the Business of Being Born (Netflix) to get started on the natural birth path, and to get significant others on board.

Good luck!

angelacez · January 2013

Ina May is always wonderful, some people like birthing from within(I'm still working on that one). I read as many possitve natural birth books as possible. I also watched the business of being born and pregnant in america, I think is the second one. Lots of research was the key for me. I'm going to try hypnobirthing this time as well, I did bradley with my others and it was good too. I got a midwife this time since I always flt I had to "fight" with my providers about it. Maybe a doula would be good for a hospital birth.

danuli8 · January 2013

Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth is excellent, as is The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth and The Business of Being Born (movie). I hired a doula and am seeing a certified nurse midwife as my care provider. I am delivering at a fairly NB-friendly hospital and am planning to use one of their tub rooms. I also started my Hypnobabies home study course this week.

In short, educate yourself (read and research a lot), hire a doula, choose an NB-friendly care provider (I dumped my OB when she refused my request for delayed cord clamping), try a Bradley or Hypnobabies prep course (DON'T do the one offered by the hospital), and go to a NB-friendly hospital or birthing center--or heck, plan a home birth. If I were younger I would probably go that route. You can do it!!!

bornmommy · January 2013

We took Bradley classes. Moving worked best for me and the best position for me turned out to be standing while leaning on DH, the bed, etc. I thought the shower would be awesome. It wasn't. I was just wet and in pain. Stick out tongue

nicu1999 · January 2013

I really wanted to do natural childbirth, but my husband and my mom were trying really hard to talk me out of it. At first the contractions were mild, like a cramp you get with your period. There was no pain or discomfort for me in between contractions. Then the contractions started getting a little more intense, and I didn't really want to talk during them. I just breathed deeply and thought to myself, I am strong and I can do this. Women have been doing this for eons. Then my water broke with a contraction and I was totally dialated. So when I felt a contraction start, I pushed as hard as I could and pushed his head out. I had a second to rest, tell my husband I was ok, and then I said a little quiet prayer in my head to make me strong. Then when the next contraction came I pushed again and the rest of his body was born. The actual birth was painful, but it happened so fast and then it was over. I was so happy I had gone natural because I was able to walk around before and I think since I could feel everything I was able to actually push. I have friends who couldn't push since they couldn't feel anything and the births took forever or even turned into emergency situations because it took so long. It's funny because everything I had planned ahead of time (music, entertainment, distractions, etc) were not used at all. My prefernce for everything changed. I really just wanted to be in the quiet room with no music, relax, walk around when I felt like it, and I really didn't want company. I ended up asking all family to leave except for my sister in law because she actually had a very calming voice. She would tell me I was amazing and strong and soon I would have a strong and amazing son. She was like a soothing cheerleader.

abell77 · January 2013

We took Bradley classes and read Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCuthcheon and Husband Coached Childbirth. Both are required reading if you take Bradley classes. I think the McCutcheon book is good regardless, but I wouldn't bother with the other book unless you decide that Bradley is the route you want to take.

lolabeans1 · January 2013

With my first DS I took an all day natural birthing class. I found it very helpful. They had you practiced lots of different postions to labor in. I did find I used some, but I also just listened to my body. I was best standing up and swaying, walking and I loved the shower in my room. The hot water felt so good. My DH was also a huge reason I know I succeeded in accomplishing my goal. He was so supportive and loving and encouraging. It was a great experience. I hope this round will be just as great. Good luck to you

bripratt2 · January 2013

take lamaze! real lamaze not the fake stuff most hospitals offer. theyll usually just tell you what they want you to know not everything you need to know. second its seriously not the horror story people make it out to be they just let it be. you dont have to let it be horrible. be prepared!

NoeliaV · January 2013

danuli8:
. In short, educate yourself read and research a lot, hire a doula, choose an NBfriendly care provider I dumped my OB when she refused my request for delayed cord clamping, try a Bradley or Hypnobabies prep course DON'T do the one offered by the hospital, and go to a NBfriendly hospital or birthing centeror heck, plan a home birth. If I were younger I would probably go that route. You can do it!!!

This. Learn as much as you can about the process and be sure your H is on board. I couldn't have done it without my H's support. He would say that the classes were the best way for him to prepare, with The Birth Partner book Simpkin being 2nd.

Mrs E in Oregon · January 2013

We have to deprogram from what we see on TV and all the tales from friends of horrific births. You never hear about the joyous births it seems, only the bloody and scary. Seek out women and websites with natural birth experiences. Read books like Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and anything that talks about gentle birth choices. Watching natural births will help too. A movie I really like is called Orgasmic Birth. It is on Netflix or you can stream it from their website for a fee. (orgasmicbirth.com)

Unknown · January 2013

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callthewind · January 2013

I definitely recommend having access to a tub. I loved it towards the end of my labor as well. I took a Birthing from Within class that I think helped me get completely in the right mindset. And read a ton of Ina Mays!

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