Natural?

Adam-n-Emily · January 2014

Anyone thinking about natural childbirth? Hypno babies? Bradley method? Doula?

I know we are far away but is anyone looking ahead and preparing?

Daisylola11 · January 2014

I'm planning on going natural and doing hypnobabies. I probably will end up doing a home study since the classes are pricey and my DH schedule is unpredictable. But I'm really excited! This is my first so I do realize it will b hard and I might change my mind so ive kept an open mind about things I can't control

Nuclearcupcake · January 2014

I'm planning my second natural Vbac, no hynobabies,no dula. The staff at the hospital were awesome when I had my son and I'm looking forward to having that again.

jendem8 · January 2014

I would love to go natural... my mom did it twice. I have to look up methods, but I'm definitely keeping an open-mind in the long run. I've known too many people who ended up with emergency C-sections to not realize that it (or requiring medication) are definite possibilities.

MandMLeona · January 2014

All natural here.

My first was hypnobabies homestudy course and DH never touched it. I had no pain! To the point that no one was here when I gave birth! I knew I was in labor, but thought it was very early since I could talk through them without any difficulty. I had called people, but everyone agreed that it sounded like I had plenty of time. Then my body started pushing and I was catching a baby standing in our shower. I know that sounds like every FTMs worst nightmare. I know I was worried about not knowing when to go in while taking our classes. However, having done it, for me, it was the best experience! I spent my second pregnancy worrying because my second birth wouldn't be the same...no two births are.

Second one I didn't make time for my hypnobabies, so it hurt from the first contraction. Everyone was on high alert after my first, so my midwives got there in time. She was born 4 hours after the first contraction in a birth tub at home. Even though the contractions hurt during the second one, I still never regretted not having options for pain medication (and I have fibromyalgia). I had one contraction laying down in bed and that was aweful! Honestly, I don't know how women labor in bed surrounded by strangers in a cold hospital room! I'll take all by myself over that any day! Movement is so key for me. I go where my body says it needs me to and it's all over very quickly. I know that doesn't work for everyone, but it does for me.

I've already dug out my cds. I'm kinda holding off until the second tri as it gets a bit repetitive when you start too early. I actually purchased the course before I was pregnant with my first hoping I could use them to help treat my fibromyalgia. It was so pregnancy specific in the scripts I couldn't work through them until I was pregnant.

novameh · January 2014

DS was a natural birth with no "technique" (we took a standard birth education class). I plan to do the same again but am considering doing a hypnobabies home study because I feel that the only way I could have improved his awesome birth was with some mental stamina (40some hours). Thanks for the reminder that I need to get on that.

mdarmetko · January 2014

I plan on doing Hypnobabies AND having a doula. I'm waiting for my 12 week blood work results to sign up, but the classes start in June. I want to do the classes instead of the home study course because #1 it's my first time #2 it's how I can get my husband to commit the time and #3 it ensure that I will also commit the proper amount of time. With the course cost, a doula sounds so pricey. My SIL has a friend who just became a doula, so I may be able to get a good price as she builds up her client base.

Adam-n-Emily · January 2014

I will be VBACing. With my first I had a csection due to induction with a unfavorable cervix and lack of knowledge and trusting my body.

I am looking into a doula and hypnobabies. I just receives the hypnobabies VBAC cd and am waiting on DH to upload it iTunes.

I do think from experience it is best to go in prepared and Knowledge is power in a L&D situation. I had "plans" but I caved to each medical intervention one at a time.... I wished I had a doula there reminded me of what I wanted instead of giving in.

missmiss307 · January 2014

I attempted a med-free birth last time, but with all the complications in labor and delivery it just wasn't meant to be. I will try again this time and will likely be using a friend of mine as a doula. I need to brush up on the Bradley method between now and then. I don't really have a choice about birth location (will be in a hospital), so I will plan to wait as long as possible before I go. Should be interesting after a really long, intervention heavy labor last time.

Alaska_Bride · January 2014

I would love to go med free as well. I'm really interested in the Hypnobabies home study course, but it's so damn expensive! Has anyone read Hypnobirthing? Is it just not as in depth as Hypnobabies?

1stComesLove421 · January 2014

I'm having an all natural at home waterbirth

happylady07 · January 2014

I went pain med free with DS but had far from a natural birth. I was induced, had a vacuum assisted delivery and episiotomy and recovery was hell. This time I plan to hire a doula, and am at a much more natural friendly hospital with a lower intervention rate and much lower csection rate.

While things do come up in labor and delivery that necessitate intervention, the best way to avoid anything unnecessary (because let's face it, 33% of women in the US getting csections is NOT necessary), is to educate yourself on birth, your rights as a patient, find a care provider who you really trust that won't bully you (that was my mistake), and have a good support team.

No, you can't guarantee that you will have a specific birth experience, but you can do your best to lower your chances of unnecessary interventions, and have a caring provider who will treat you with the respect you deserve and help you make your own choices that you are comfortable with.

Raclla · January 2014

LoisLayn23 said:
Motion to call it "med free" rather than natural.

I second.

ljraff29 · January 2014

I plan to go natural.. aka med free. I've gotten a lot of slack from some people I know that got an epi etc. I do have a friend that went med free and used the Bradley Method. I plan to sign up for one as well. From what I've read about them they teach you how to listen to your body and manage the pain.

Nuclearcupcake · January 2014

ThoseThreeWords said:
@nuclearcupcake Did you have any classes or 'training' for your first natural birth? Anything a fTM should know?...because right now, I'm just going to go in and if all goes well, have a baby without any extra help. I think I may be naive.

In order to do my Vbac I had to take a class on Vbac v csec so I knew all of the risks an could make my decision. After that I took a birthing class just because I hadn't before and the hospital offered it for free, I didn't take much away from it othe than some good ideas for birthing/laboring positions. I did a lot of reading, pretty much whatever I could get my hands on. I supported a friend through her birth center water birth and that was helpful. Though I didn't have a water birth, laboring in the warm bath tub really helped me. I pretty much walked around and bounced on the labor ball, then transitioned in the bath tub, when it was time to push I got out and pushed in the bed. I also had a very supportive staff who were nice and encouraging and an awesome support system. Good luck!

daisymama · January 2014

I had a med free birth with my first son and I plan on doing the same with this baby. I read the Bradley method book, read A LOT of positive birth stories (even ones where things didn't go as "planned" but were still positive) and also just kept reminding myself that this WAS going to be hard, but worth it in the end. And it was

I think it also helped my mom had 5 out of us 6 kids med free and at home. So I was able to have a realistic idea of what med free birth looked like

dogperson11 · January 2014

potterowl said:
We will have a doula. I am not sure about method yet. I am not set on natural versus drugs. I don't want to be disappointed if I change my mind. That is just me. if I have a plan, I would be disappointed if I didn't follow the plan.

I am more interested in making sure LO doesn't get formula AT ALL and gets as much skin to skin time with us immediately following birth.

This is my plan as well, minus the doula. I'm a big planner and know that I'll be really disappointed if I don't/can't stick to my plan. I also have back and hip problems (my hip actually slides out of place) so I'm not sure how that will play into my birth process. My friend just had a pain med free birth over the weekend and she said her main recommendation to me would be to stay home as long as possible before going to the hospital.

Raclla · January 2014

I'm so glad the hospital I use is very encouraging and listens to what the mother wants. They completely clear out the room for a full hour for just the parents after the baby is born.

I read everything I could get my hands on about med free birth last time. I knew how beneficial it could be. I chickened out though. I'm such a wimp. I got the epi but I still had a great experience. My hope is to at least wait longer for meds this time. I don't think it was the pain last time but the anticipation of more pain that made me panic.

dogperson11 · January 2014

Raclla said:
I don't think it was the pain last time but the anticipation of more pain that made me panic.

This is what I'm afraid of. If you could tell me this is as bad as it's going to get and it'll be over in 3 hours, fine, I can mentally deal with that. But not knowing how much worse it will get and how much longer it will take has me the most concerned.

inawe07 · January 2014

I went natural with DD and have intentions of doing the same this time. I had a doula with DD which was very helpful for getting through the stronger contractions. I needed someone that was a calming influence but also a cheerleader if that makes sense. It actually was easier than I thought it would be. I don't know if that's because I laboured at home for a very long time so there was no other option or just that it was less intense than with DS. And the labour ball was a god send. I pretty much leaned on that baby or rocked on it the whole time.

I really found Ina Mays guide to childbirth helpful. A lot of the book is a little too hippie for me but it helped prepare me and gave me some good pointers to try come labour.

I don't think there's any one right method or way that works for everyone. I know there was no way I could have done hypnobirthing myself but it has worked for a lot of my friends. Just being prepared and having ideas and options will help you to achieve your goals.

shevaCC · January 2014

My DD was born med-free in a hospital, attended by midwives. I did everything I could to increase my chances of a successful med-free birth -- I chose that hospital for their midwives group and their pro-BFing policies, I hired a doula, and read a lot of positive birthing stories to prepare. We also did pre-natal classes that were more or less Lamaze-based. We're hoping for a similar experience this time around.

I think that the doula was key. She really helped me to focus and find ways of coping with the contractions. I've already gotten on her calendar for Aug. 2014 . It also helped me a lot to ignore any nay-sayers (including SIL) and only listen to/read positive med-free birth stories in the weeks leading up to delivery. That really helped me to know that I could do it.

Raclla · January 2014

dogperson11 said:

Raclla said:
I don't think it was the pain last time but the anticipation of more pain that made me panic.
This is what I'm afraid of. If you could tell me this is as bad as it's going to get and it'll be over in 3 hours, fine, I can mentally deal with that. But not knowing how much worse it will get and how much longer it will take has me the most concerned.

I kept thinking this hurts at a level 7. But what if this is actually a 3?! I just couldn't calm my brain down enough.

MandMLeona · January 2014

I don't think pain med free or the lack thereof defines natural birth for me. In fact, I don't think it even enters into the equation. To define this wonderful process solely by the type of pain remediation method is really wrong to me.

Sorry, I'm a bit of a birth fanatic. I hate being pregnant and struggle post partum, but am really sad to know this will be my last birth.

schnookee · January 2014

Adam-n-Emily said:

I will be VBACing. With my first I had a csection due to induction with a unfavorable cervix and lack of knowledge and trusting my body. I am looking into a doula and hypnobabies. I just receives the hypnobabies VBAC cd and am waiting on DH to upload it iTunes. I do think from experience it is best to go in prepared and Knowledge is power in a L&D situation. I had "plans" but I caved to each medical intervention one at a time.... I wished I had a doula there reminded me of what I wanted instead of giving in.

Have you been told the success rate for a VBAC with your situation? I was induced with my first because I was 10 days past my due date and then ended up with a c section due to fetal distress. The cord was wrapped around my daughters arm and her heart rate was dropping. The oerinatologist told me my success rate for a VBAC is around 50%. I was a little surprised at that considering the reason for my c section. He said that it's because they won't let me go pass my due date and since I didn't go into labor naturally or progress well last time it lessens the chance of it happening this time. I don't know if I should get another opinion. I would love to have a natural VBAC.

FrodaBaggins · January 2014

So far all I have in place is that I hired a doula. I live 5 minutes from the hospital, so I plan on laboring for as long as possible at home, then heading to the hospital. It has really nice birthing suites with jacuzzis, birthing balls, showers, room to walk, etc. I'd like to go med-free, but also trying not to make too firm of a stand on that in case in the moment I want to go that route. I'd also really love to give birth squatting/kneeling/on all 4s since most of the reading I've done has stressed that this is a much easier position for baby to come out in - and I know I'll need to not have an epidural for that. I wrote up a birth plan that explains all this, and also that I'd like to avoid a c-section and episiotomy. I want to do skin-to-skin contact right away, etc. It's kind of a mixture of so-called "natural" preferences and "whatever happens in the moment happens." I don't really know any other way to approach it at this point.

ungraceful13 · January 2014

I planned to go natural with my first and hired a doula. At about 7-8cm's I got the epi. I plan to attempt natural birth with this one with no regrets if I get the epi again.

Saxec89 · January 2014

I start my Bradley classes in February! I really would like to do a home birth and water birth, but right now the plan is hospital with no meds.

happylady07 · January 2014

schnookee said:

Adam-n-Emily said:

I will be VBACing. With my first I had a csection due to induction with a unfavorable cervix and lack of knowledge and trusting my body.

I am looking into a doula and hypnobabies. I just receives the hypnobabies VBAC cd and am waiting on DH to upload it iTunes.

I do think from experience it is best to go in prepared and Knowledge is power in a L&D situation. I had "plans" but I caved to each medical intervention one at a time.... I wished I had a doula there reminded me of what I wanted instead of giving in.

Have you been told the success rate for a VBAC with your situation? I was induced with my first because I was 10 days past my due date and then ended up with a c section due to fetal distress. The cord was wrapped around my daughters arm and her heart rate was dropping. The oerinatologist told me my success rate for a VBAC is around 50%. I was a little surprised at that considering the reason for my c section. He said that it's because they won't let me go pass my due date and since I didn't go into labor naturally or progress well last time it lessens the chance of it happening this time. I don't know if I should get another opinion. I would love to have a natural VBAC.

You should get another opinion. VBACfacts.com is a great resource with hard statistics, studies, etc. Birth without fear, evidence based birth, and improvingbirth.org are also excellent sources of encouragement and information.

I recently attended a vbac class with a friend (because I'm a total birth nerd, I haven't had a csection myself), and your chances of having a successful vbac are much improved when you have a truly supportive provider and hospital. Not one that says, "sure as long as you meet a, b, c, non evidence based requirements". (And saying you must deliver by 40 weeks, or that "they won't let you go past 40 weeks" is one of those bogus requirements)

With a truly supportive provider, your chances of a successful vbac is about the same as any first time mom's chances of having a vaginal birth, which is much higher than 50%!

Get another opinion, do tons of research about the best option in care provider and hospital with the best vbac success rates, and go from there.

Jentech84 · January 2014

I'd liiiike to go natural. We have a midwife and will hopefully be at their birth centre as long as things progress well. I know they have techniques for easing pain, but nothing like an epidural (which I'm not interested in at all).
We'll see how it goes!

FrodaBaggins · January 2014

flinton said:

I went med-free at my midwives clinic. Pain was almost non-existant. Ii felt like period cramps that turned into my body pushing with very little to no pain. I may be an exception but labor and birth was awesome. I had my DH rub my back while I laboured on a ball. My labor was 5 hours and I pushed for 2. In the end I did need an episotomy to get her out but it was not that bad and I felt great after, no ice packs needed.
I will be going med-free again for sure! This time we are in a hospital but I hope for the same experience.

Were there any specific breathing techniques you were using? You're describing the exact experience I'd like to have (minus the episiotomy of course!)

meggyski · January 2014

Great thread, thanks for all the useful info and perspectives, ladies. We're trying to decide between birthing at a birthing center with a midwife, or birthing at a hospital with a nurse midwife. I'm leaning towards the nurse-midwife model because this is my first pregnancy and I have no idea what to expect for my labor. Ideally I'd really like to do have as natural of a birth as possible, but I also want to be prepared for any complications that may derail those plans. Also, in our state, there are some insurance concerns/ issues if you do have to transfer from a birthing center to a hospital, whether for an emergency or for fatigue/ late decision to use pain meds, etc. Anyhow, I'd appreciate hearing from anyone that has worked with a midwife, nurse-midwife, or both.

On the language discussion, I'm using "natural" because while it's not a perfect term, it does seem like a more holistic way of talking about the birthing process I am aiming for than just med free vs. medical management of pain. @elbug, I don't think that the terms "natural" or "med free" imply that either is better than other methods / strategies. There are, as you say, many valid approaches to birth. I don't think this should stop us from discussing all of those options and using appropriately descriptive terminology in doing so. While many of the women on this board will likely make decisions that are the best for them individually, I'm not sure that's true for the country as a whole. C-section rates are approaching 40% in some areas, which means that many unnecessary c-sections are being performed. To me, this shows that there is in fact a great need to talk about different birthing options, so that more women can feel informed and empowered to make the right choices for their own personal birth processes.

sjs1013 · January 2014

I am planning to have a med free birth, in a hospital. I know too many people who have had side effects and permanent complications from Epidurals.

I am beginning to research the different methods to find which one will fit me best. I found a Bradley class that is very close to home. I haven't looked into Hypnobabies as much. My hospital is about a mile from my house. I plan to labor here for as long as I can before going.

novameh · January 2014

I wish there was a term for natural birth that didn't offend so many ladies and didn't lead to such snarkiness.

For real, it's more than just med free.

abirdd9 · January 2014

We're planning a home birth. I've always known I wanted med/intervention free natural births ever since I became interested in pregnancy and birth as a teenager.

With all of that said, if something becomes necessary to save my baby or me, bring it on.

Adam-n-Emily · January 2014

I changed providers and am seeing a midwife group in our hospital. They said my chances are "great" and that they will measure my scar thickness at 36wks. She said they will allow me to go the 42weeks pending no complications in pregnancy and that they can even do a slow trial of labor with certain induction agents if needed. However that is their last step.

I was induced to do gestational diabetes but I was borderline diabetic and stayed diet controlled. The midwife said even if that repeats itself and I stay diet controlled I can go to 42 weeks pending normal NST.

bootsandgames · January 2014

FTM and planning on going natural/med-free. Have been researching options and Douglas but haven't decided. Wishing we could use the birth center near us or do an at home birth but being high-risk I don't think those options are available any more. Boo!

Planning on only having DH and my two BFF's who delivered naturally be in the room/at the hospital with us so they can help me get through it. (I think i will feel pressured to hurry things along if family is waiting outside.) Talked with my doctor who has agreed to immediate skin-to-skin contact and the cord clamping being delayed if our birth allows it. So not exactly what I really want but close!

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