Am I too late?

Re: Am I too late?

• nodito member

  July 2013

  Think of all the women throughout the world, throughout history, who had no classes available, no library books on the subject, and no choice in the matter.  Throughout history, women have been able to birth their babies naturally.  Our bodies were designed to do this.  

  I'm new to the game too (31 weeks and just now starting to think about a natural delivery) but it's reassuring to me to think about the millions of women throughout the world who have done this before me.  I think it's a little different for us because our system is set up to offer us medical interventions, but I figure God designed us well and with enough resolve it should be achievable by any woman.

  I'm hoping someone with more experience will step in with some advice that I can steal for myself.  Good luck with your pregnancy and delivery! 

   

  

  
  

  
  

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• menriques member

  July 2013

  This is my third birth. Both of my first two were home delivered by my mother who is a midwife. I didn't take any classes or read any books. It is true, your body knows what to do. I am delivering in a hospital this time because I don't live near my mother any longer and home births are not allowed in the state I live in. I think the only thing harder about being in a hospital setting is that you will be offered medicine unless it is very clear in your birthing plan that you don't want it.
  
  Don't be too hard on yourself if you do end up accepting pain medicine or even need an emergency csection. Do what is comfortable for you. I made it through two births already so I'm pretty sure I won't have any issues this time but you never know! The important thing is a healthy baby. I think you can do it , we all can! Good luck guys !

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• bleusimp member

  July 2013

  nodito:

  Think of all the women throughout the world, throughout history, who had no classes available, no library books on the subject, and no choice in the matter. nbsp;Throughout history, women have been able to birth their babies naturally. nbsp;Our bodies were designed to do this. nbsp;I'm new to the game too 31 weeks and just now starting to think about a natural delivery but it's reassuring to me to think about the millions of women throughout the world who have done this before me. nbsp;I think it's a little different for us because our system is set up to offer us medical interventions, but I figure God designed us well and with enough resolve it should be achievable by any woman.I'm hoping someone with more experience will step in with some advice that I can steal for myself. nbsp;Good luck with your pregnancy and delivery!nbsp;nbsp;

  
  
  This! I'm late too. With 2 miscarriages so close, I was afraid to get my hopes up, and am now just doing what I can and trying to not stress out about what is not in my control.

  

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• aylafsu88 member

  July 2013

  nodito:

  Think of all the women throughout the world, throughout history, who had no classes available, no library books on the subject, and no choice in the matter.  Throughout history, women have been able to birth their babies naturally.  Our bodies were designed to do this.  

  This was a huge motivating factor for me.  I told myself this almost daily in the third tri.  I also told myself that L&D would be the most intense thing I had ever done and it would be painful.  By accepting that L&D would not be all puppies, kittens, and rainbows I was mentally prepared and was not surprised when a contraction took my breathe away or when I had horrible back labor.   I would also suggest having an additional support person there (either doula, mother, friend).  I know your H will support you but labor can be long.  Having an additional person will be a huge help.  I would also have your support people be positive an encouraging.  My doula told me over and over again what a great job I was doing in L&D.  It made me feel like a rock star and got me through some tough contractions. GL, you can do it!
  

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• tmrchi member

  July 2013

  I know a couple people that got to the hospital without enough time to get the drugs they planned on and did a natural birth with no prep whatsoever.  Of course, having some time to prep physically and mentally should help even more.

  

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• ash484 member

  July 2013

  I decided last minute as well! I'll be 39w on Monday, but I decided about 28 ish weeks to go natural which I felt like was last minute. But, I looked into the hypno type classes, even the Bradley, and to be honest, I just don't have time or money for classes! I borrowed the hybnobabies material from a friend, but it's just not my style. I feel like I benefited more from this board and reading birth stories online. Everyone is different though! That stuff worked great for my friends! For me, I just made a list (I'm a list maker for everything in life) of all the benefits and positives of going natural for DH to remind me when I get to the point where I am in too much pain. That's just how I stay motivated! I figure, my mom did it natural with me (I was a 9lber) and all of her other 6 kids, my grandma did it natural with her 6 kids. I just remind myself that we're built to do this and have been doing it since the stone age! Some people (including my OB) think I'm crazy that I think I'll get through this without classes, but all the more reason to push and prove people wrong haha. Good luck, you can do it!!

  

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• BunnyCookie member

  July 2013

  You can do it!

  With my pregnancy a c-section was expected, but they decided at about 37 weeks to do a vaginal delivery instead. My water broke and I was induced at 37 weeks 6 days, so I had NO preparation for a vaginal delivery but decided to go med-free, and I got through it. With a couple of weeks of checking out books and internet you'll be fine! 

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• knottie92178cc45b4fccea member

  July 2013

  Thanks ladies! I was really feeling doubtful but now feel much more confident! I hope we all have safe, healthy natural deliveries that we plan for!

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• shiway member

  July 2013

  I highly highly recommend hiring a doula. She should be very prepared and usually does prenatal visits and she can give you lots of ideas and information to get prepared. It is NoT too late. You can do it! But doula would be so helpful!

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• A37licia member

  July 2013

  You can be ready. Read that book, be familiar with how labor may go and what to expect during the time of labor when you would otherwise have an epi. KNOW that it's going to be hard then and be prepared for how you will have your support help you get through that time instead of going for the epi.  Practice saying no to pitocin and other interventions.  Know the things you need to decline in order to keep a natural birth in your court. You can do it!

  Don't be in a hurry to go to the hospital - if you read the book and pay attention, it'll teach you how to know when to go in. Staying home for longer than other women might is a good strategy for having an unmedicated birth. If your water breaks first, you do NOT have to go in. Check the color and notice baby's movements. And stay home until your labor pattern indicates you're in active labor. 
  

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• ClaireBear90 member

  July 2013

  If you are able to find and hire a doula, I can't recommend that enough. We hired our doula at around 37 or 38 weeks. She actually cut her normal price significantly for us because she usually provides support earlier on in the pregnancy as well. I wasn't sure if I would want or need a doula, but she was worth every penny and then some. Having someone experienced to support and help you through a natural birth could make all the difference.

  Even though I had birth classes, I really didn't feel "prepared" when labor started, but we made it through! Good luck!

  It's a boy! Born 42 weeks, 2 days.
  

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