Natural birth books or videos

maryxc1 · June 2014

Since natural childbirth seems to be a popular topic today, does anybody know of good books or videos. I got a couple natural birth books last time but they were more how to mentally handle it. I am looking for labor positions, exercises/stretches to prepare you ahead of time, etc. I feel like last time I was okay mentally but I didn't know what to try to help with the pain.

animalcrckr · June 2014

Have you considered taking the Bradley Method Class? It covers all of that in 12 weeks.

stellasoo · June 2014

Every MW we've met with has recommended the Ina May Gaskin books. I haven't read them yet so I can't say whether they actually are helpful.

Spinning Babies keeps coming up when I talk to natural birth people or read things online. https://spinningbabies.com/more-info/for-pregnancy/what-to-do-first. She has daily and weekly exercises you can do to help prepare your body for labor and to get your baby into the "right" position for labor. I started the exercises on Saturday.

modernfairytale8709 · June 2014

I second the Ina May Gaskin rec.

Also, check out www.birthwithoutfearblog.com for some awesome birth stories and resources. Many are natural, but she is in the business of supporting all women, no matter how they chose to birth.

I've been hooked on her blog since we started TTC.

bookworm982 · June 2014

I'll cast a third vote for Ina May!

maryxc1 · June 2014

animalcrckr said:
Have you considered taking the Bradley Method Class? It covers all of that in 12 weeks.

I thought about it but we don't have anyone to keep DS for 12 classes so both DH and I can go.

KateAida · June 2014

maryxc1 said:

Have you considered taking the Bradley Method Class? It covers all of that in 12 weeks.
I thought about it but we don't have anyone to keep DS for 12 classes so both DH and I can go.

The book (Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way) is very similar to the classes, though of course you don't have the hands on experience and the ability to ask questions, but it gives exercises in each stage of labor.

wintersong139 · June 2014

I read Ina May Gaskin's book, and I did NOT like it. It is just not my style--it's the kind of book that is not for everyone. It was just too---odd for me. The birth stories were good, but some of the other descriptions and advice colored the rest of the reading experience for me.

ForeverAmberNicole · June 2014

I read the Bradley birth method last pregnancy and practiced all i could on my own since we couldn't afford the classes. It helped me out allot.

FlowerPower16 · June 2014

KateAida said:

maryxc1 said:

Have you considered taking the Bradley Method Class? It covers all of that in 12 weeks.
I thought about it but we don't have anyone to keep DS for 12 classes so both DH and I can go.

The book (Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way) is very similar to the classes, though of course you don't have the hands on experience and the ability to ask questions, but it gives exercises in each stage of labor.

I also read the book and thought it was very helpful, especially with relaxation/breathing techniques.

LilTiger15 · June 2014

I recommend www.hypnobabies.com They offer classes and if you don't want to do a class or don't have one close to you, you can order the home version. The book is awesome, has tons of info about pregnancy in general and then obviously everything you would want to know about birthing. Hynobabies is great if you want to do a med-free birth. It teaches you how to have a birthing experience with very little pain and for many, no pain at all. I was skeptical about this at first, but after an OB mentioned it to me, that she had delivered a baby whose mother had used this technique and it completely blew her mind, I became more interested in researching it. I plan to start practicing again around 5 months. Practicing involves listening to a CD and lying in bed. It is a great excuse to relax! My birth for my son was 20 hours, no meds--just used the hypnobabies techniques. He was 9 lbs 5 oz. No tearing.

stellasoo · June 2014

@heartbot What issues did you have with the Bradley Method? I'm trying to decide between that and the Hypnobabies. I meditate regularly and the goal is to be in the present and fully aware of what's going on. I feel like I would need to untrain myself to do hypnobabies but I've heard so many good things about it.

lilrubberduckie · June 2014

maryxc1 said:

animalcrckr said:
Have you considered taking the Bradley Method Class? It covers all of that in 12 weeks.
I thought about it but we don't have anyone to keep DS for 12 classes so both DH and I can go.

I know where we live there is a weekend class. You can get the whole course in one weekend.

Eta. I love the ina may books. Also the birth partner.

lizzybean · June 2014

DH and I watched The Business of Being Born and it really helped convince him that unmedicated was the right approach for us. It is very one-sided in support of non-medicated birth experiences, but I thought it had a TON of awesome information.

WanderingA · June 2014

Another vote for hypnobabies. DH and I did a class when I was pregnant with Addie and it taught really good relaxation techniques. I still use some of the techniques when I am having trouble sleeping or just feeling stressed.

If you can't do a class than you can usually find the book and the relaxation CD fairly cheap.

Boehrig2 · June 2014

Another thought is to hire a doula. A well-trained doula knows tons of positions and tricks to help with pain. And since many of us find ourselves "forgetting all we learned" during our nine months of training, a doula is a wonderful person to be that "memory"- to recall poses and remind you of techniques, etc. invaluable. Won't birth without one

lilrubberduckie · June 2014

Loved the business of being born aswell.

SNail312` · June 2014

I loved that documentary too. It actually got me researching MW and I was convinced after that. I had DH watch and to my surprise he's totally on board now too!

tlc4mama · June 2014

I've had two unmedicated, unassisted births and I can't say enough how important a doula is.

Watch the Business of Being Born and More Business of Being Born. Read Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake. Read Birth by Jennifer Block. Read anything by Ina May Gaskin.

Hire a doula. Stay mobile. Hire a doula. Hire a doula.

annagrya · June 2014

https://www.growingslower.com/p/positive-natural-birth-stories-project.html

This ebook was written by a blogger that I follow. It's 32 positive natural birth stories to inspire and encourage you.

wintersong139 · June 2014

lizzybean said:

DH and I watched The Business of Being Born and it really helped convince him that unmedicated was the right approach for us. It is very one-sided in support of non-medicated birth experiences, but I thought it had a TON of awesome information.

DH will never forgive me for having him watch this. He says the image of Ricki Lake's nipples are seared onto his brain. That being said, it is way biased, like most documentaries, but it is interesting.

LilTiger15 · June 2014

@stellasoo‌ if you meditate a lot already, hypnobabies is definitely for u because u can already relax easy. Although it is hypnosis, u are definitely in the present and know what is going on. The Bradley method has no way of being pain free, as it doesn't teach hypno anesthesia. That is what made my decision an easy one when deciding between the two. My best friend chose Bradley and ended up with an epi --i didn't.

Irishcurls · June 2014

wintersong139 said:

lizzybean said:

DH and I watched The Business of Being Born and it really helped convince him that unmedicated was the right approach for us. It is very one-sided in support of non-medicated birth experiences, but I thought it had a TON of awesome information.

DH will never forgive me for having him watch this. He says the image of Ricki Lake's nipples are seared onto his brain. That being said, it is way biased, like most documentaries, but it is interesting.

I just added it to my Netflix, because I intended to watch it awhile ago. I'm not sure I'll make DH watch it, he's very "it's your body, and you're better researched than I am" about the actual birthing.

stellasoo · June 2014

@LilTiger15 @heartbot I'm definitely going to look more closely at hypnobabies. I would not be cool with weird gender dynamics and religious stuff as part of birthing, or the judgy-ness, in the Bradley Method. Thanks for your insight!

amt0312 · June 2014

I read a few books and here is my honest review of alot of them. You need to be able to read the book and garner the techniques out of them without believing the propaganda that the authors preach.

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way book was so hokey and cheesy. The language the author uses was so annoying that all I could do was get pissed off at the book. Seriously, a uterus is called a Big Bag of Muscles repeatedly throughout the book. Someone stab me in the eye, please.Plus? Totally dated in its facts about modern day childbirth. Do yourself a favor and don't read that book. Total bullshit. The exercises are decent, but the next book was way better in terms of exercises you can do.

This next book, Active Birth, was my favorite because it was more clinical and not filled with hokey bullshit. Also, I liked the exercises. The facts are pretty dated, but all in all, a useful book. It also said you can have a natural birth in whatever setting you wanted: home, birthing center or even a hospital. Don't believe when other people tell you that a hospital birth is a horrific experience. It's not. I am proof of that. I did my last birth med free, "all natural" in a hospital and it was amazing.

https://www.amazon.com/Active-Birth-Approach-Giving-Naturally/dp/1558320385/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403892973&sr=1-1&keywords=active+birth+by+janet+balaskas

Ina May's book is also more propaganda against any kind of medical intervention. Sorry but she pissed me off and used the term toxemia- ummm, its not called toxemia anymore. That is a dated term and way to update your book to a more modern context.

Birthing From Within was decent, but also dated and many factual errors.

Seriously, why are all these natural birthing books so dated? Oh! Probably because they don't have much modern research or proof that natural is necessarily better. I'm sure it was better pre 1970's when labor and birthing was a horrific experience, but its not like that anymore. The authors are trying to scare-monger people into thinking their way is the best way and its simply not the case anymore.

If you want a med free birth, go for it. None of these books are gonna really help you do that. The only thing that will get you through is a good breathing technique, the ability to focus on something other than your pain and a husband, SO or friend to beat the shit out of when a contraction comes along.

nove1198 · June 2014

Natural Hospital Birth helped me tremendously in my plan to naturally birth my daughter, even though I was induced. I felt as equipped as possible and confident in my body, which made a huge difference.

lilrubberduckie · June 2014

The birthwithoutfear website is amazing for reading birth stories. And techniques.

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