Natural Birth: How are you going to prepare? or how did you?

baileymama3 · February 2014

I am planning to have a natural birth, but wasn't planning to take a specific class. I have been taking prenatal yoga with the focus on natural birth and working through contractions. I also have been reading Ina Mays- Guide to Childbirth and The Birth Partner (for DH and me). We are taking a childbirth class (but its an all day overview on birth in general--not a natural birth specific). AM I crazy to not take a natural birth class? Do you recommend a certain one? What are you all doing? Or have done in the past?

Not sure if this discussion has been posted...

Thanks!

reginahcampbell · February 2014

I plan to do a natural birth as well and am reading Ina Mays book too. I've only taken the general birthing class my hospital offers and will be taking their"Comfort Measures for Labor" class, which is just a 3 hour class on additional birthing techniques for a natural birth. I personally don't want to take too many classes about it. I workout, do yoga, and stretches daily. And think that if I get too much information about labor I'll scare myself and have issues (based on what I've been reading in Ina's book, I'm very much lead to believe the power of the mind).

Additionally, I think my body will know what to do and the less I know the better. My body was made to do this. I might be naive, but everyone is different and this is what i'm doing.

RedDawnsRevenge · February 2014

I am trying to walk more and spend less time on the couch. Couches causes c-sections, it's said. Midwife wants me on my hands and knees 3 times a day for 15 minutes each to hopefully avoid another sunny side up baby. Need to start doing hip circles on the birth ball to loosen up tight pelvic floor muscles. With DD I read all of Ina Mays works. Now I just read research and articles on VBAC.

joyfullyfound · February 2014

I had a natural birth with DD, and am planning a home birth this time around. With DD, DH and I took a general childbirth class, but it was clients of midwives, so had a bit more of a natural focus to it. I didn't, and won't, be taking a more specific class though. I also read Ina May's books and I'd say they were my biggest inspiration in preparation for my birth with DD... I'm planning on reading through them again as my due date draws closer. I also stayed active, which I think is so important for having the muscle strength necessary for the work ahead... I wasn't an exercise nut or anything, I just took an hour-long hike every day with our dog who needs that walk anyways, and I think that did just the trick. I'm still hiking every day, but now with a 27 lb toddler strapped to my back, haha.

In short, no, you're not crazy. Not taking any natural birthing classes worked for me, and I had a wonderful, easy, birth with DD. However, the ease of your labor will totally depend on your pain tolerance, your personality, and the specifics of your birth (like if there's complications, it's drawn out, there's unhelpful nurses present, etc... there are a lot of contributing factors), and you may find yourself after your birth wishing you had taken more time to prepare yourself. Most likely, though, I think you'll be just fine

Birth is natural, and women have done it, and are still doing it around the world, with no classes or access to pain medication. Man kind hasn't gone extinct yet

Oh, and I'll say that one of the most important things about achieving your birthing goals is having a support team who are 100% on board with your plans. Being surrounded by people who are encouraging you to achieve your ideals is a powerful, powerful thing!

newter135 · February 2014

I'm taking a Lamaze class doing prenatal yoga as well as bar method which focuses a lot on breathing through pain. I also told my husband his main job is when I ask/scream for drugs that his job is to say no or lie and tell me it's too late I basically do anything to keep me from getting them.

luvU2theMoon · February 2014

I am a FTM planning a natural birth too. i have honestly not done much to prepare other than being active stretching and some prenatal yoga. I dont excercise nearly as much as i would like but i have been reading ina may and i think in my opinion its all about trainning your mind. I know going in there i will have no idea how strong the pain will be but setting my mind on the positive and knowing this is what we were made to do will get me through it. i have also been showing my boyfriend ways to help me through it and i have been expressing to him how important it is to me so he knows to be 100% supporitve. Dont think to much about it, i am in no position to give real advice as i am a FTM but this is just what i have been doing to prepare myself. WE CAN DO IT!

luvU2theMoon · February 2014

RedDawnsRevenge said:

I am trying to walk more and spend less time on the couch. Couches causes c-sections, it's said. Midwife wants me on my hands and knees 3 times a day for 15 minutes each to hopefully avoid another sunny side up baby. Need to start doing hip circles on the birth ball to loosen up tight pelvic floor muscles. With DD I read all of Ina Mays works. Now I just read research and articles on VBAC.

I had no idea alot of couch time can lead to c-sections...i love couch time!! i need to get my butt up and find alternative things to do other than being on the couch!

baileymama3 · February 2014

Just found a good article with a couple interesting tips: https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/prepare-for-natural-childbirth/?page=1

I am concerned about the exercise/endurance part...definitely not been my forte during or BEFORE pregnancy!!!

RedDawnsRevenge · February 2014

luvU2theMoon said:

RedDawnsRevenge said:

I am trying to walk more and spend less time on the couch. Couches causes c-sections, it's said. Midwife wants me on my hands and knees 3 times a day for 15 minutes each to hopefully avoid another sunny side up baby. Need to start doing hip circles on the birth ball to loosen up tight pelvic floor muscles. With DD I read all of Ina Mays works. Now I just read research and articles on VBAC.

I had no idea alot of couch time can lead to c-sections...i love couch time!! i need to get my butt up and find alternative things to do other than being on the couch!

Yeah, I can't remember who the quote is from. I remember hearing it when pregnant with DD, but I guess I spent to much time on the couch. I had a c/s and even though I hurt like hell with the SPD/sciatica/rib flaring I'd do anything to avoid another c/s.

Edit: I found the quote! It's from Spinning Babies!

cjpell0 · February 2014

We took a general childbirth class, h is reading the birth partner. I believe mindset is a huge part of it. I believe I can do it, h believes I ca do it and is 100% supportive. He's been practicing massages and we're going to practice some of the breathing/rituals as well as imagery.
I'm a runner (not so much anymore) normally so I think those mental tricks I use will be helpful.

Lacynduck · February 2014

Thanks OP for this. I was freaking out about it. Tried to take the only Monday birthing class they have in my area and the instructor got bronchitis. Going to start reading those books and getting more info. Pretty much think there will be no birthing classes for this FTM.

Cecilbear · February 2014

...and now I'm going for a one-hour walk. Thanks for the inspiration, ladies!

To prepare for a natural childbirth, I'm doing many of the things previously mentioned. But I'm also working with a doula and looking into switching to a hospital that allows water births. I'll do all I can to achieve a natural birth, but in the end, if I opt for medication to manage the pain, I am going to be just as happy--as long as this little girl is here, healthy, and safe.

nikki912 · February 2014

Lots of meditation and focusing exercises. Commitment, affirmations, healthy lifestyle.

I suggest hypnobirthig or hypnobabies too.

baileymama3 · February 2014

thanks everyone! A mantra we repeat in my yoga class that really resonates with me:

beautiful, bountiful, blessed

In case anyone needs a positive affirmation to repeat during labor.

absmama · February 2014

Honestly, I didn't prepare at all and I went natural at the last minute because I dilated too fast to get an epidural (which I was counting on). I didn't take any kind of birthing classes although I did a lot of reading online which anyone can do. I think you're already doing good by reading and involving your husband because he is there to support you and hopefully you have good nurses because they will be the ones leading you through the process. I don't think you're crazy at all for not taking a natural class--like I said, you can read about it on your own. Put your mind to going natural if that is what you want to do but don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work out. You never know how the birth is going to play out

snmetz7 · February 2014

my dr told me that if you are a good book learner, an in person class is not necessary. She rec'd Ina Mays book as well as Natural Birth: the Bradley Way

momofmanyinthemitten · February 2014

I just ordered the hypnobabies home study. I'm not necessarily going for a natural birth, just a better experience than I had with my first 2. Plus, I'm an uptight person in general and I thought the relaxation techniques could help with other areas in addition to childbirth.

alittlelibrary · February 2014

I just finished a Hypnobirthing class, which I loved- hope it proves helpful! Also read Ina May's books and am sporadically doing yoga/Pilates. Definitely need to step it up, though!

Rrrrrachel · February 2014

I think how valuable the class is really depends on what kind of person you are. Some people do really well with self study and some don't. We really liked our class, but the birth partner is an excellent book and information wise we probably didn't learn much that isn't in there.

rbrouillard · February 2014

baileymama3 said:
I am planning to have a natural birth, but wasn't planning to take a specific class. I have been taking prenatal yoga with the focus on natural birth and working through contractions. I also have been reading Ina Mays- Guide to Childbirth and The Birth Partner (for DH and me). We are taking a childbirth class (but its an all day overview on birth in general--not a natural birth specific). AM I crazy to not take a natural birth class? Do you recommend a certain one? What are you all doing? Or have done in the past?
Not sure if this discussion has been posted...
Thanks!

I'm doing the same. The Bradley method classes are supposed to be good but they were all Sunday's in my area and 12weeks and my hubby was gone to often to go. I think it should be enough as long as I keep practicing. I have had a lot if BH and also had a kidney stone. I practiced breathing through it and other things like for birth.

MamaFantastic · February 2014

with kiddo in 2010:

took the full hypnobirthing class with my husband
took another shorter class that was just about natural/mindful birthing
breastfeeding class
infant care class
we had a doula and intended to do a water birth, which didn't happen
we wrote a natural-friendly birth plan
delivered via a midwife in a birth center within our local hospital
didn't do too much reading... a bit from the companion hypnobirth book to our class, but not that much.
(and all that to say... i was successful in having the drug-free vaginal birth i desired)

this time around:

no new classes (other than kiddo's sibling class... aww!)
dabbling a BIT in the birthing without fear book.. i might pick it up more as time gets closer
really reflective on my birth story - pulling elements i WANT and want to AVOID from that, and using those desires to inform our awesome birth plan this time around.
using the same doula, delivering at the same hospital
in general, doing less physical preparation and more reflection and mental preparation for the process. for me, it's all about taking what i learned from my first birth process and using it to inform and empower myself as i approach this next one.

i feel equally calm and "prepared" (if you can feel prepared!) for both births, but i do feel more informed about myself and my goals this time around. i feel like i'll be more proactive and less reactive this time - really adjusting as necessary in the moment, reevaluating what's working and what's not working, putting myself and my needs first instead of letting others around me influence me or distract me, etc. i hope so, at least!

Jessimax · February 2014

Probably an UO but I think people really over think this. Woman have been giving birth naturally for, well ever, without books or classes. DS's birth was natural and did not require any prep work. On the contrary I believe if you want an epidural you need to do more associated research. With natural, the baby just comes out naturally. And I gave birth in a hospital with an OB.

angelaluisa · February 2014

FTM here & although I've never given birth I feel like you'll be fine. If you're already reading and taking prenatal yoga you already know the basics. You should be able to use the breathing techniques you know and different positions they teach.

What I'm worried about is the part AFTER birth: bringing home a newborn!
:-/

CosmoAnne1 · February 2014

My epi didn't work with my 2nd child and it was very painful. If I would have read some books or even practice some breathing options it wouldn't have been so crazy. This time I'm not taking any classes but I have been reading a lot and I know what to expect. If everything goes ok I think I will make it! Good luck you will do great!

samjen2010 · February 2014

FTM here. I just finished "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" (I found really helpful) and am now I'm reading "Childbirth without fear". I'm also trying to do yoga/stretching a couple times a week and walk on a regular basis.

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