September Med-Free/Natural Birth Thread

PensiveCrayon · September 2018

Discuss away! What's on your mind re: birth?

tumbleweed-1 · September 2018

Thanks @PensiveCrayon for starting this up again!

In in the past month or so I’ve been reading Ina May Gaskins Guide to Childbirth, and thought about having a non hospital birth. We have both birth centers and legal home births in OR. I also went to an info session at the hospital I planned to give birth at.

I think the hospital is a good fit for us. Especially since I discovered at my a/s scan that I have a marginal cord insertion- that can increase some risks during labor. While I’m giving birth at the hospital, it’s a 3-5 min drive from us. It literally takes more time to find parking there than to get there. I’d like to labor at home as long as possible before we head up.

I’m also considering a doula may be worth the $ (I’m not sure my insurance will cover that). My SO is going to be little to no help because he’ll be equally overwhelmed and is also inclined to follow the advice of medical providers over my body/intuition. His mom works in the medical industry and he’s just been raised in it.

Interested to hear others plans/fears/hopes now that we are further along.

Activebaby · September 2018

I had an epidural with ds1 and ds2. I’ve been thinking that I want to go in without that as my plan. I told h and he doesn’t think I’ll do that. I don’t know what I’ll do. My first two I definitely knew I wanted an epidural ASAP.

PensiveCrayon · September 2018

@Activebaby My advice for going med-free is to go in with a strategy. So either a doula, or having taken some sort of birth class. Or both! (I’m doing the Hypnobabies online self-study course and love it.) I mean, you’ve been in labor before so you know it’s not a walk in the park

I really didn’t feel well-prepared for my first birth and had no idea how to relax and let my body do its thang. I’m hoping this next birth will be different.

So yes, re: plans/hopes/fears...I’m hoping for no meconium and a baby who comes out breathing!! I really don’t want to go 10 days over this time, because I’m terrified of being induced and I know H will be pushing for that. Sigh.

maureenmce · September 2018

I guess for me I am not sure where to start (and time is ticking, obviously.) I am very much not a "woo" person(no offense meant to anyone who is!) and I hate being touched while in pain/during labor, so I feel like Bradley method and Hypnobabies may not work for me, but I am pretty good at just going into my head and gritting it out through painful experiences - I don't suppose I should just wing it though. Any recs for just straight up breathing exercises/pain management tips that are not too woo and don't involve partner touching/help?

PensiveCrayon · September 2018

@maureenmce The biggest things I can think of are to be sure to eat to keep your strength up, and possibly labor at home so you're not bound to bed or an IV (depending on how your hospital operates). Other than that, it's pretty much just a matter of getting in your zone and taking it one contraction at a time. Definitely check out Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. Vocalization (low, not high, almost so you sound like a cow) and keeping your jaw and hands relaxed are two strategies she suggests.

Alsoooooo I recently read that clitoral stimulation helps with dilation. Not so sure I'm going to want to do that in the throes of labor, but there you go.

(Also I should add -- no offense taken! I have been laughing at myself with how deep into the woo I'm getting, what with all my chiropractic adjustments, Hypnobabies practicing, weird supplements, and my new Himalayan salt lamp which I swear I got only because it's pretty, not because I believe in the negative ions!!)

maureenmce · September 2018

@PensiveCrayon Oh I don't judge woo at all! Living in LA more of my friends are into it than not and I am usually in the minority! I just know, labor wise, if I'm not really on board with something deep down, it probably won't work when the pain really hits. I will check out Ina May and the vocalizing, hands and jaw stuff for sure! Thank you!

runrinserepeat · September 2018

@maureenmce you should have seen me almost cut a bitch when the nurse wouldn’t stop touching me during contractions. I actually credit my Bradley classes, in part, with giving me the balls to speak my mind.

They did do a lot about dh helping by rubbing my back and all, and when the time came I wasn’t about that. I felt bad for him, but he had learned to respect my wishes and support me in other ways. I am glad we did the Bradley classes before my first.

I just need to figure out what all I should be remembering before December. Im sure there were books that I could read. What I really need to do is just email my instructor. I’m sure I still have her contact info. Off to look that up now.

hannelorre · September 2018

@tumbleweed-1 @maureenmce I read Ina May Gaskin during the first trimester and it was pretty awesome. The birth stories in the beginning of the book and mind/body connection she talks about were thought provoking. I have Penny Simpkin's (another midwife) book on my to read list and I've been told that her birth partner book is great for partners.

I have my birth class coming up so I'm hoping to use that class to run through my options. I'm not against epidural but also dont want to go in thinking that I'm going to request it ASAP. I'm working with a midwife group so I'm hoping they'd have a lot of recommendations for pain management during labor.

@PensiveCrayon I checked out hypnobabies book from the library to see if I wanted to spring for the course but haven't read/listened to the CD yet. I'm glad you love it so I'll try to start that soon!

katy0990 · September 2018

@maureenmce My hospital has a natural birth class that was really helpful. That may be something to look into.

@runrinserepeat As others have said, I also found Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth helpful

AFM I’m really not sure what to expect this time. Last time, I was induced and after 34 hours I caved and got an epidural. If I hadn’t I would have had to be knocked out for my eventual c-section and H wouldn’t have been able to be present, so it worked out. This time, I would like to have a med free VBAC, but i am not a candidate for the birth center due to my prior c-section. I know I’ll need continuous monitoring and an IV because of the risk of rupture. It makes me nervous because the worst part last time was having the internal monitors inserted and then trying to move around and go to the bathroom 57465 times with all those cords, which they will require me to have again. Hopefully, I go into labor on my own this time and progress without my cervix swelling.

gorgeousariel · September 2018

@PensiveCrayon I *may* have a salt lamp in each bedroom and living room. Because they're pretty

AfM, I'm hoping for another med free birth. With DD, I went in open minded to meds. I really wanted to try the nitrous oxide and if that didn't work for me I would get an epidural. But my labor progressed so fast I did not have time for anything. ( I signed consent forms after I gave birth!) According to my Dr and midwives I should expect the same - if not faster. If by some reason it doesn't go that way I will be trying the nitrous oxide.

PensiveCrayon · September 2018

@gorgeousariel That’s cool that your hospital has nitrous on hand! I think that’s something that is still difficult to find, right? I want to say I’m totes jelly of your fast birth (mine was close to 24 hours) but I hear they can be pretty freaking intense, especially when you’re planning for an epidural and just don’t have time to get one. How did you feel about everything afterward?

tumbleweed-1 · September 2018

@hannelorre thanks for the other book rec! I’ll see if I can find a copy at my library.

gorgeousariel · September 2018

@PensiveCrayon yes as I understand it the hospital AND your Dr has to be in board with it. Looking back I am happy it went so fast but was definitely overwhelming. I checked I to the hospital at 9pm @4cm 90% effaced. At 10pm I was ready to push. DH had gone to the car to get my labor bag. I had to call him on the phone to tell him to get back to the room. I pushed for a half hour and she was here. I did have a bilateral periurethral tear so that was not pleasant. The only pain medication I had was when they were stitching me up . Even then they had to give me 3 shots of lidocaine because the first two weren't working. So basically I felt everything. The midwife that was on call was terrible. She had to undo one side and then redo it. The whole process of stitching me up took almost as long as my labor.

PensiveCrayon · September 2018

@gorgeousariel Oh my word, ouch!

runrinserepeat · September 2018

@gorgeousariel holy shiiiiit.

maureenmce · September 2018

@gorgeousariel Oh my god OUCH!!! I'm sorry that happened!

Jens_Hoes · September 2018

Idk if doulas do this or just OB/midwives but my OB did perineal massage as I was pushing and luckily I didn’t tear. I don’t buy into doing it ahead of time to stretch things out but it might be helpful while pushing. Or maybe I didn’t tear because I have an elastic vagina

runrinserepeat · September 2018

Hahaha, idk why I didn’t tear, and frankly I don’t think the answer is probably all that flattering so I don’t think about it much

PensiveCrayon · September 2018

I did tear, but it was a fairly mild 2nd degree tear and healed up well. I also pushed out a nine and a quarter pound kid so maybe that makes a difference

runrinserepeat · September 2018

Good point @PensiveCrayon. I’ll pretend it was my little children instead of a cavernous vag lmaooooo

katy0990 · September 2018

@gorgeousariel Wow! That sounds awful. Is that midwife still with the practice?

gorgeousariel · September 2018

@katy0990 I found out that the midwife is no longer in rotation. She wasn't with my practice but the Dr that my OB goes on call rotations with.
Like @Jens_Hoes said she did do a massage on my lower region. I think I tore upwards because I was on all 4s while pushing.

katy0990 · September 2018

@gorgeousariel I’m glad you don’t have to worry about having that midwife again

scaredunprepared · September 2018

@katy0990 are you able/ allowed to labor at home for as long as possible this time if you do go into labor spontaneously, or will they require you to go in immediately if contractions start or your water breaks?

@gorgeousariel that's pretty incredible how quickly you progressed. I'm so sorry about your awful stitching experience though! Ugh! Hopefully this time you get someone competent! What's the benefit of nitrous over an epi? I don't think my hospital offers nitrous, but I'm curious!

gorgeousariel · September 2018

@scaredunprepared the nitrous leaves your body almost immediately and you have to breathe it for every contraction. I have heard that it can take a learning curve on how to use it as far as timing with your contractions. Breathe it in as you're getting one and let off as its coming down.

katy0990 · September 2018

@scaredunprepared Unfortunately, due to the small ridk of uterine rupture, they will want me to head to L & D right away if my water breaks or my contractions are consistent.

liathelight · September 2018

I wanted to have a water birth or at least labour in water, but there are no birthing centers in my area (closest one is about 2 hours away) and the health university my midwife practices out of isn't designed for birthing tubs/pools so that's sadly not an option. I do have the option to be on telemetry I think is what's called (probably not lol) so I'll least be able to walk around. I'd like to go med free and have a natural birth, but this is my first child so I'm keeping my options and mind open.

scaredunprepared · September 2018

@katy0990 I'm sorry, it's a shame that you need to rush to the hospital right away, but yours and baby's safety is most important!

@liathelight I also wanted a water birth but my hospital doesn't support it, and my high risk status doesn't really allow for me to do the birth center thing. I plan to labor at home as long as possible in the tub if possible. But when I get to the hospital I'll be on monitors the whole time, but should still be allowed to get up and walk a bit. I'm going natural if I can, but also keeping an open mind. That's the best way to go into this! I'm in your boat.

shevsky · September 2018

I'm planning a natural hospital birth (highly recommend this book to anyone interested https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Hospital-Birth-Best-Worlds/dp/1558328815). FTM so obviously plans might change, but I have a doula lined up who I've known for a long time. She's going to be at home with me while I ideally labor for a large chunk of time until I go to the hospital towards the end to push the baby out.

I have a lot of close relatives who all had med-free births so they are going to be my inspiration and motivation when times get rough.

My biggest fear is not going into labor naturally and needing to get induced at 41+4 (how long my doctor will let me go until) and then if the pitocin is too much, needing an epidural and then just spiraling out of control with drugs and interventions and ending up with a c-section. Which obviously wouldn't be the worst if me/baby end up healthy, but just not my ideal birth scenario.

@gorgeousariel I'm envious that you went into labor naturally and had such a fast experience! But obviously not the best outcome afterwards...do they want you to go to the hospital the second you start feeling any contractions?

@runrinserepeat haha re: cavernous vag. Not sure I have one, but if it means no tearing, I'd take it!

gorgeousariel · September 2018

@shevsky yes as soon as my water breaks or first contraction I am suppose to go to the hospital. My first sign of labor was my water breaking so Im hoping that I'm in that 10% again and thats my first sign of labor. Problem is my hospital is 30-40 minutes away on a good day. With it being December ( in Florida) there are a lot of extra people on the road so it may take up to an hour depending on the time of day. I kinda joked with my OB that there is a fire station along the way and if need be I can just go there. He half chuckled and told me to get to the hospital.

krob · September 2018

@maureenmce one thing that we learned in Bradley class that worked before i ended up
getting epidural and was only mildly touching, was leaning and swaying. Think like middle school slow dancing almost. I would put my arms on H’s shoulders and rest all my weight on him and we would walk and sway back and forth. This was before hospital forced me into bed with monitoring and IV.

ScootsMcG · September 2018

Hello! I just reintroduced myself in the lurkers thread. I've have three babies med free in the hospital and I think all the above advice is very good. Two of my labors back pressure what I needed and the last one I didn't want anyone to touch me. I found Inna May's book very helpful as well. I wanted to add...don't forget the birthing ball! For me, that has been key in managing pain in the hospital without medication.

I think mindset has been very important for me as well. With my first, I just wanted to get away from the pain, and I honestly think my fear slowed things down. The next two, I got on my ball and focused on working through the pain...sort of feels like I'm facing the pain and using the contractions to bring my babies out.

runrinserepeat · September 2018

ScootsMcG said:

I think mindset has been very important for me as well. With my first, I just wanted to get away from the pain, and I honestly think my fear slowed things down. The next two, I got on my ball and focused on working through the pain...sort of feels like I'm facing the pain and using the contractions to bring my babies out.

I think this is what I need to keep in mind. My first was so much easier than my second, and I think I'd fallen into that, "get away from the pain" instead of working through it, like you mention. FX I can get into the right frame of mind this go-around.

PensiveCrayon · September 2018

@ScootsMcG YES. I think that's exactly where I went wrong with my son's birth. I was so scared of the pain and also really scared of becoming a mother and all the changes that go with it. I just don't have a great memory of the experience. As silly as it sounds, that's where Hypnobabies is helping me out -- there's a huge focus on total relaxation through each "wave". We'll see if I can apply the lessons while I'm actually in labor!

ScootsMcG · September 2018

Yeah, I was just thinking I need to crack open Inna May again to get myself back into the right mindset. It's so easy for me to start to doubt myself or think I can't do it...cause there's no way around it...it's tough work!:)

katy0990 · September 2018

Going along with what’s @scootsmcg said, I would definitely check with your hospital to find out what type of birth and balls they have and how available they are. Mine had a great selection, including peanut balls, but from what I have heard not all hospitals are as accommodating.

ab_canada · September 2018

@gorgeousariel
I will laugh at your "winter in Florida" comment as we are digging ourselves out of our house here in Alberta

But we also might not, it could also be like spring at that time - you just never know here

omnommer · September 2018

@PensiveCrayon Yes! Another hypno person! hahaha. It is very "woo", but I think it might help with the fear aspect of it for me.

I'm doing a hypnobirthing class and it's all about total relaxation and how when we're fearful, things tense up and tighten which can make everything more painful and more intense. (Think about it, if you're about to get hit by something, do you clench your fists and your jaw?) If you can relax instead, then it's more likely that your cervix will open successfully and your labor will progress faster without needing pitocin, etc. Not sure if what they say about tearing less when relaxed is true, but it's worth a try!

I'll be doing a natural, hospital birth with a midwife. My hospital also has nitrous oxide, so I'll be open to trying that before I opt for an epidural. (For some reason, the idea of a big needle in my spine and not being able to feel my lower half or effectively push is scary! Whereas the pain or pressure or whatever you want to call it of birth is not so scary to me... but we'll see in December! Haha.) So, I'm planning my "favorite" options and then want to be somewhere that I can get any option should it come to that.

CecilB93 · September 2018

katy0990 said:

Going along with what’s @scootsmcg said, I would definitely check with your hospital to find out what type of birth and balls they have and how available they are. Mine had a great selection, including peanut balls, but from what I have heard not all hospitals are as accommodating.

I tried the peanut ball with DS but it was so big that it pushed against my belly and made the pain worse! My legs were too short, but at 5'3" I don't feel like I'm THAT short...I can't imagine anyone smaller than me on the peanut ball!

This time around I'm hoping to remember the shower at the hospital, it has jets that point directly at your back to help relieve pain. I completely forgot about it last time, and DH was zero help whatsoever. I think he'll be better help this time, less terrified of becoming a parent lol. I'm just not sure how much I'll be allowed to do during labor since they have to monitor/control my blood sugar with an IV. I'm hoping to still be able to move around if I want to! I know DH is hoping I'll get the epidural immediately, he said he wants a "pro epidural" shirt to wear when I go into labor

maureenmce · September 2018

Nothing new for me here but I'm lol'ing at the idea of your husband wearing a pro epidural shirt @CecilB93

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