Waterbirth, hypnobirth, etc

kqualls5 · November 2015

Let me start with saying I have 2 younger siblings, my older sister has 2 kids, and my older brother has 1, and I was there in the room for all of their births. Some of my friends have babies. Aunts. Cousins. So this isn't me just being an idiot about childbirth.

I've always just assumed all labor was the same in terms of laying in the hospital bed, getting the meds/pain blockers if you need/want them. But now that I'm pregnant I'm seeing all this stuff about water birth and hypnobirth and people hire doulas and some women go through midwives. Like I literally had no idea any of this stuff existed, & my OB's never brought any of it up.

Anyway. Waterbirth. Hypnobirthing. I'm interested. I've googled. But I wanna hear if people actually do things like this. And if they recommend them.

Sorry if this post sounds ignorant. Maybe I am ignorant to things outside of the norm that I'm around. But I really am curious if these methods are what some of you STM's & beyond would recommend.

nz113 · November 2015

I haven't given birth yet and I'm a FTM so I don't have experience but I took hypnobirthing classes and I found them to be fantastic. I feel a lot more prepared and confident to give birth. I definitely recommend it.

SarahFoley725 · November 2015

My best friend had a water birth at a birthing center. She loved the experience!

mvhyde · November 2015

A lot of the options are child birth education, and not necessarily something that your OB will address. You could go to the hospital and just rely on the L&D nurses to guide you through everything, but there is a lot of time you may spend laboring at home, so child birth education is something you should look into.

At the very least you should take a tour of the hospital. They can address things like waterbirth or water labor (if the hospital doesn't have built in tubs or provide tubs this won't be an option at the hospital). This is not the same as taking the hospital's childbirth classes. The childbirth classes with probably go over techniques like Lamaze for pain management and give you information about when to go to the hospital etc.

Doulas are great for support, they can be your labor coach completely or assist your SO in coaching you by giving them breaks or just providing an extra hand.

I am doing a homestudy course with Hypnobabies, but I am not a FTM. I have taken hospital delivery classes and if an epidural is the route you want to go for pain management, it may be sufficient. The Hypnobabies courses are designed to be a complete pregnancy and childbirth education courses. So it goes over healthy eating, exercising, the processes that happen to your body once you begin to labor and of course the use of hypnosis for relaxation and creating a 'natural anesthetic.' I think it is very informative but if I was a FTM I would probably find a Hypnobabies instructor to take group classes with.

Hypnobirthing is another hypnosis system (also called the Mongan Method) but they are not the same as Hypnobabies so I cant comment on it.

The Bradley method is another system that some of my friends have used. It is also a comprehensive child birth education system with information on nutrition, child birth preparation exercises and pain management.

I wish I had a doula with my first birth. My husband is great and supportive, but was slightly useless as a birth coach, which honestly I don't know why I expected him to remember pain management techniques for me. He was busy trying to get me to the hospital in safely and then when things got a little rough with the labor we were both stressed out and I think a doula might have helped be a calming influence.

HTH!

kqualls5 · November 2015

@mvhyde thank you! I didn't think about doing the hospital tour simply because everyone I've ever known has given birth there, so I know the hospital like the back of my hand. But we might do it now just to hear the info they have. We decided birthing classes weren't for us, and my SIL was a little distraught when we told her, so she she said she'd give me the notes she used for her second that she took when she did it with her first. I have one book on things you can do to prep for labor, but I might look into the HypnoBabies because that sounds beneficial.

As for a doula, the role they play is the role my mom will be. But I bet for someone who doesn't want/isn't able to have their mother in the room, it'd be helpful.

MississippiCatfish · November 2015

With my first baby, I decided to go with the flow and get an epidural if I couldn't take it. I was induced and almost immediately felt like I couldn't take it;) But my epidurals (3 tries) didn't work, and it was, unfortunately, a very negative experience. I won't go into any more detail because I don't wanna be that girl, but it was awful. So with my second birth, knowing that it may just be the case that something in my spine causes epidurals not to work for me, I prepared for an unmedicated birth using the HypnoBabies home study course. I was in the tub for the majority of my birthing time, except the last 30 minutes when I got out to be checked and was almost fully dilated, pushing a few minutes later, and baby here a few minutes after that. With that birth, it was completely manageable until I got out of the tub. I don't know if it was a physical or mental thing, but I went from completely comfortable and in control to quite painful - but, heck, I can handle about anything for just 30 minutes!

Anyways, baby #3 is due in February, and I am repeating my Hypnobabies home study, and this time planning for a waterbirth (at the hospital) if all goes well. I'm hoping that staying put in the tub will help me to remain relaxed all the way through. Good luck with your decisions and your birthing time!

ETA: If you decide to look into hypnobirthing, google "hypnobirthing vs hypnobabies" and it will bring up a few different resources about the differences between the two. I chose hypnobabies because it teaches medical-grade hypnoanesthesia where hypnobirthing does not. I'm sure there are people out there who've had positive and negative experiences with either, but its always good to do your research before making a decision!

Mousie93 · November 2015

I'm going to try for a water birth. I find water very soothing anyway, and after lots of research into the pros and cons I've realised there really aren't that many cons! My friend had a water birth and she is very petite, gave birth to a 10lb baby with only gas and air. She claims she has a low pain threshold and could barely cope with the blood tests in pregnancy! The water is very relaxing and providing you get into the pool at the right time can speed up labour. It stimulates the production of oxytocin which is the hormone you need to make in floods to successfully birth the baby and it's also a natural pain relief. And if you can't cope you can always get out of the pool and ask for something a little stronger

I'm really looking forward to my water birth experience

you can also combine it with the techniques of hypno birthing which is something I'm also looking into. All these alternative methods are about empowering your mind to relax and roll with the pain - your body is designed to give birth to your baby. Good luck!

Kiek · November 2015

I had a pretty standard birth with my first. Hospital, epidural all that. This time I'm going threw a midwife and having a water birth at a birthing center. So far I've loved every second of my experience with a midwife. I was miserable my whole first pregnancy and felt like I wasn't being heard. I k ow that has a lot to do with my OB at the time. But with my midwife my appointments are and hour long of her complete attention. We discuss everything in great detail. All my questions, concerns, nothing is dismissed. She's given me many tips, resources and advice to help prevent lots of typical pregnancy issues like GD and strep B. I can't say enough good things about my experience so far! I'm actually very excited about my water birth

sahmrey · November 2015

My first 3 were "regular hospital births" with epidurals. With my very first I went in thinking I would just see how things went. They started pitocin and I got freaked out and immediately asked for the epidural. I didn't really prepare for my birth at all, other than a quick "Birth in a Day" class DH and I took. Anytime I mentioned during pregnancy that I was considering going med-free, I got no support. DH supported me, but with a "but IDK why you would go through that if you don't have to..." My SIL's would tell me not to be a hero and I could enjoy it more if I had the epidural. It's hard not to have support. Then with my next two, I did the same thing b/c that's what I was familiar with.

This time around, we are trying hypnobirthing (although after reading some comments I will be looking into the differences b/w hypnobirthing and hypnobabies). I haven't told many people in my circle b/c I don't want any negativity, plus the few friends I've told (nicely) think I'm crazy. (Like you, in my circle, this stuff is not the "norm"). I do have my husband completely on board this time around which is such a help! At first he had the same attitude as before, but when he came around, it was like a weight lifted and I really started to believe I could do it!!! (Watching "the business of being born" on netflix really helped change his mind. I don't necessarily agree with every little thing, but definitely worth the watch and very interesting!)

I'd say if you think you might want to try a med-free method, then really prepare yourself. If you don't have the full support from your spouse, then I can see hiring a doula. DH and I plan on taking some classes this time around (even though it is our fourth) b/c of how differently we want this birth to go. I am feeling pretty prepared but mostly want DH to have the knowledge he needs to know to be a supportive birth partner. I know I'm really going to need him to be way more involved and reminding me of all these positive affirmations I've been listening to!

Anyway, this is way too long (sorry), I will just end with this. I haven't yet experienced a labor and birth with hypnobirthing but I wish I had prepared for this the first time around!

tmo51324 · November 2015

I had a water birth with my second. It was by far my most peaceful birth and the water really helped with the pain. X

Unknown · November 2015

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MississippiCatfish · November 2015

@sahmrey I am the same way. I didn't really tell anyone other than my husband about Hypnobabies last time. I felt like it was better to keep it to myself than hear others' negativity about it! This time, I know it works for me so I talk about it a little more, but I'm still selective about who I open up to. Nothing wrong with that!

Here's one of my favorite hypnobabies waterbirth videos! You can fast forward to the last minute or two and see the actual delivery (no crotch shots). I PROMISE it's not scary and will only make you feel more confident about childbirth! (I'm scared of most childbirth videos, so I just thought I'd give that disclaimer).

https://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=mUjEFIGRV8g

stacisaun · November 2015

I'm also having a water birth with a midwife and her assistant present. Ive been listening to hypnobirthing cd's and have a certified hypnotherapist meeting with me once a week my last month until I go in to labor. I'm pretty psyched about it, however most people think it's super strange so I don't share my birth plan with many!

Momona1 · November 2015

I am having a doula and midwife assisted water birth. It won't be hypnobirthing, but I am reading a book about it and will use some of the techniques. I honestly feel lucky to be in the UK right now (I'm from the States) because even at hospitals, they focus on birth being a natural experience and encourage mothers to let their bodies do what we're built for. It seems like in the US, birth shifted to being a medical emergency, with screaming, lots of pain medication, monitoring and chaos.

Just my .02. but I encourage you to look into anything that will make your birthing experience closer to what you want it to be for you and your baby.

jodisgardner · November 2015

I am planning a water birth combined with hypno birth. My best friend happens to also be my doula, and after being exposed to a great documentary called The Business Of Being Born, and viewing her birth video with her daughter, my mind has been made up about these decisions. I know it's impossible to plan your birth plan exactly, things change... But I really believe the more you prep yourself and your mind for a positive beautiful experience, those chances become more likely of having the type of birth you manifest.

Cornstarch7 · November 2015

I'm planning a hospital water birth, although I'm 41+3 today with no signs of labor so I might have to end up being induced instead. Then I couldn't do the water birth. My doctor and hospital are both really excited about water birth. They've only had the suite for a few years and said it doesn't get much use as it hasn't really caught on yet, and a lot of doctors won't deliver that way.

Anaelsea · November 2015

Most cultures dont lay on their backs, they walk around and squat so that gravity helps out

walkingwiththeking · December 2015

I've had 3 hospital births & 3 home water births with midwives & am planning another water birth in Jan/Feb. My hospital births were all between 5 & 8hrs where all 3 of my water births were only an hour each! (BTW my water births and hospital births were all mixed up in terms of the order it happened) The water makes its so much easier to relax & breathe through the contractions. I would recommend home water births to anyone who is able! Baby is passed straight to me, we take our time after the birth & it's just so much more natural & comfortable. I will say though that just like picking out an ob gyn picking out a midwife is also very important! They are not all the same. Its so vital that you feel comfortable with your midwife if you choose that way.

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