Anyone read "Birthing from Within"?

Re: Anyone read "Birthing from Within"?

• mrsmikey

  January 2009

  Yes and no.  I didn't look at the book, but the hospital does kinda impose their rules on you, and you don't necessarily HAVE to birth that way.  But, I think for most people it's really no big deal.  Most hospitals these days are pretty open to alternative methods of birthing anyway, to the extent of their resources.  I know at ours they have bathtubs in all the rooms so you can labor in the tub (if your water hasn't broken), you can bring in a birthing ball, or they have a birthing bar. 

  My laboring experience kinda sucked because I was stuck in bed.  Since DS was early I was hooked up to IVs and had to constantly wear the fetal monitor.  I really wanted to get up and move around, but couldn't.  But that was only b/c he was early.

  Have you taken any birthing classes at the hospital where you are delivering?  I would suggest that so you can learn about how they do things and what your options are.

  
  
  
  
  

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• ECUGirl2004 member

  January 2009

  I have it.  I read it, but only focused on certain parts.  A lot of it was too, uh... earthy for me (and I'm pretty earthy). 

  Are you aiming to have a natural birth?  If so, you should check out Ina May's Guide also.

  I haven't had a hospital birth (I delivered at a birth center), but the girls who had hospital births in my Bradley class all managed to go natural (except for 1 who ended up with a c-section).  I think that if you read up, labor at home as long as possible, prepare yourself for a natural birth AND get the nurses on board, it's possible to do it successfully at a hospital.

  One of the girls in my Bradley class said that the nurses at Rex were all super supportive and excited for her natural birth because they see them so rarely.  They said it was probably the last natural birth they'd see all year (and that was in March!).  From what I understand, having a good relationship with your nurses is key.  If you don't like one, ask to have her replaced. 

  I do think these books go overboard in the "evil institution" perspective, but I have also read a lot of birth stories where unprepared people end up going through a lot of stuff that probably could have been avoidable.... which is why I read those books & probably why you're reading them too.   

  

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• cate1119

  January 2009

  I would recommend a class at the hospital as well.  I had my 1st one and point blank asked the question about what was available.  They hospital I'm delivering at has birthing balls, a shower (although they don't allow water births, they do allow you to get in there up until the point your water breaks, and a bar.  She also stressed the fact that you need to talk with your dr and nurses at the hospital to let them know what you do / do not want.  She suggested having a plan and making sure you DH knows the plan as well so he can help you enforce it.  Obviously though - the best laid plans don't always work out so you need to be prepared for that as well. 

  

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• becki777 member

  January 2009

  I'm undecided about natural birthing yet. We tour the hospital on Monday & have our classes in the beginning of Feb. I'm just starting to gather information before I decide on what I want.?

  Caleb is 3! 101 in 1001

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• amyisacat

  February 2009

  hey - sorry for this oh-so-late two cents - but i read this thread a while ago and thought about it and how it was different from my experience of reading the book and taking the classes. But I didn't respond right away, because I knew that I myself hadn't wanted a hospital birth. I am working on becoming a BFW teacher/mentor and was in touch with Virginia at Birthing From Within and asked her about it and I thought this might be helpful:

  "BFW is not about achieving a particular birth outcome, though many "natural birth junkies" read it that way. More about seeing many possibilities, and not being limited by pre-conceived notions of what birth should be, or how women should act, sound, move, etc...in labor.
  
  BFW IS about helping pregnant women and their partners to prepare for the unexpected events of birth and parenting. the focus is not on creating a list of "shoulds" in birth. But rather being informed about various options, learning ways to develop a respectful relationship with care providers, and not being filled with regret, guilt or shame about what happens in birth.
  
  BFW is also about building a pain-coping mindset: about building the mental fortitude to cope with the intensity of birth (natural or not, there can be discomfort, anxiety, exhilaration, fatigue, etc.) Sometimes the epidural doesn't work right, sometimes a homebirth transports to hospital for cesarean, sometime labor begins with a 3 day induction."
  
  from personal communication with Virginia Bobro, Managing Director of Birthing From Within

   Again, I hope this might be helpful.

  Amy
  

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