homebirth/birthcenter/unmedicated birth - august

mrosek91 · August 2023

This is a thread to connect Moms who are thinking of planning a homebirth/birth center birth or an unmedicated hospital birth.

I thought maybe we would make this a monthly thread so people could update as they research/refine their plans.

What type of birth are you hoping to have?

What worries/fears are you dealing with and what are you doing to cope?

If you're a STM+ what type(s) of births did you have?

Have you found any good resources/books on unmedicated birth?

Any questions?

k_simmons · August 2023

I have always been induced and had an epidural, but my last pregnancy i had the twins naturally, unmedicated, and baby B was double footling breech.

By far my easiest birth of all and the ability to do all the things immediately after birth and having zero restrictions - walking wise etc was SO nice. I didn’t realize how groggy the meds make you, until i had zero.

Our insurance won’t cover birth center or anything like that and i really love my OB, so we’ll do a natural unmedicated birth this time again, God willing!

I learned so much with my twin birth and pregnancy, bc they kept trying to force so much on me. Learning laws, advocacy for patients/moms etc. And that’s bc i worked medical field for 8 years and still had no clue allll the things.

hedgepig · August 2023

I am planning an unmedicated birth at the birthing center at our hospital. We are 90 minutes from the hospital, so homebirth isn't something I would do, and we only have 1 option for a hospital (and 1 out of hospital birth center that I would love to use, but they are way out of our price range). The hospital birth center is where I delivered both my other kiddos, and while it is a hospital, it's really quite nice. The care model is a midwife based practice with OBs who assist as needed. If all goes well, you only ever see the MWs and never even meet an OB.

Maybe at some point we can do a birth story thread? I won't go into too many details, but with my first I barely made it to the hospital - I was fully dilated when I arrived and he was born 30 minutes later. I went through transition in the car on the way down, for a grand total of 3.5 hours from first contraction to baby in arms. I wanted an unmedicated birth, and got it, but it was a pretty wild/out of control experience. I also hemorrhaged and had a partial 3rd degree tear due to the speed of delivery.

My second I was soooooo anxious that we wouldn't make it to the hospital and was starting to think about a 39 week induction, when I developed high blood pressure and I wound up deciding to opt for an induction at 38+4. I was already 3cm dilated, so I asked the MW to break my water (the only intervention), I went into labor a couple of hours later and baby arrived 2.5 hours from when contractions got regular. Also unmedicated, this time with a smaller tear.

I am hoping for another unmedicated birth similar to the others. I would really love to go into labor on my own again, but still have the same anxiety about not making it to the hospital. I am also pretty worried about my blood pressure and needing to induce again, and having it not go as well as it did last time. I have been trying to eat really well and exercise to help my BP stay low, but first trimester isn't making that easy 😅

Things that I am hoping for from this birth - for both the other births I delivered on my back/sitting up. I was offered other positions, but with a fast/precipitous birth everything is so intense/back to back, I didn't feel like I would capable of moving/changing positions. I would like to try pushing on hands and knees or squatting. I also felt like the pushing stage was rushed - I would like to wait for the fetal ejection reflex, or just push a bit slower and try harder not to tear.

Favorite book overall - Penny Simkin's The Birth Partner, great for partners and birthing people alike.

raebehr · August 2023

Hello! My first was born unmedicated in a Navy hospital. My second and third were both born at home. I plan on having another homebirth, Lord willing. My favorite resources are "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth," "Childbirth Without Fear" by Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, and books on both hypnobirthing and the Bradley Method. "Mama Natural's Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth" by Genevieve Howland is amazing too (as is mamanatural.com in general). I highly recommend mamas watch "The Business of Being Born" for a lot of great information.

farm_mama · August 2023

What type of birth are you hoping to have?
Ideally, a homebirth.

What worries/fears are you dealing with and what are you doing to cope?
No real fears or worries.

If you're a STM+ what type(s) of births did you have?
I've had a breech cesarean in active labor, an unmedicated hospital birth, and a homebirth.

Have you found any good resources/books on unmedicated birth?
I recommend Spiritual Midwifery and A Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin.

mamacricket512 · August 2023

What type of birth are you hoping to have?
Home water birth

What worries/fears are you dealing with and what are you doing to cope?
Nothing really right now

If you're a STM+ what type(s) of births did you have?
I've had all 4 of my kids at home so far. Planning on the same unless I risk out for some reason. Had the last 3 as water births, so I'd like that again.

Have you found any good resources/books on unmedicated birth?
Nothing in particular. Did a birth class with my midwife's assistant the first time that was very helpful. I like to read other people's birth stories and see what was helpful to them.

pocketrose · August 2023

What type of birth are you hoping to have?

A healthy one that ends with a baby lol.

In all seriousness and partially answering the second question - my first child I labored for 25+ hours after going 8 days late. Went into the hospital 5 cm dilated after laboring at home for 5ish hours with contractions 5 minutes apart and then opted for an epidural. Which failed. As did the next one. As did the third one. So I ended up with a (largely) unmedicated birth and long labor that had a sunny side up delivery of an 8lb 10 oz large headed child. 2nd degree tear which wasn't bad but felt like I had had my wisdom teeth removed from my vagina for like, a couple of weeks.

I've switched providers to a midwife group that exclusively delivers at a hospital where they also have midwives on call that you can request which I will since I imagine they'll be good at natural pain management. They also have gas/air at this hospital which I'd use.

If you're a STM+ what type(s) of births did you have? See above.

Have you found any good resources/books on unmedicated birth? In the pandemic I did the Birth Hour Know Your Options course which was solid.

Any questions? Is it worth considering the epidural again? Part of me thinks no but part of me is like MAN that was a long and trying day and maybe the hospital I was at just had 2 inept anesthesiologists and it would work and isn't my anatomy like they thought it was.

kmw611 · August 2023

What type of birth are you hoping to have? Home hoping for a VBA2C but a happy healthy baby at the end is all that matters. Still considering a homebirth, a birth center isn’t an option here if you’ve already had a C-section. If I stick with my ob and go with a hospital birth I’m going to a different hospital than my sons were born in.

What worries/fears are you dealing with and what are you doing to cope? I am worried about being pushed into another C-section/bullied by the hospital staff as I was with both my boys.

If you're a STM+ what type(s) of births did you have? DS1 was an unplanned C-section after 36 hours of labor. I was started in Pitocin 12 hours in for failure to progress, I made it about 12 hours on that before asking for an epidural. My contractions were coming so quickly at that time the nurse thought it was pushing time only to set the room up, check me and only be 3 cm😐. I pushed for 4 hours while being told repeatedly by the nurses I wasn’t trying hard enough. With DS2 I was a homebirth transfer after 30 hours because of meconium in the waters. My son was posterior and I was feeling FER but had a cervical lip that I tried for a couple hours to push him around. It was a whole mess. When we transferred to the hospital I was assigned whatever hospitalist was on call and he basically told me over and over just to have a C-section before I killed my son being stubborn. Had the C-section at 34 hours in.

Have you found any good resources/books on unmedicated birth? I took a local birth class at a natural parenting store nearby before my second was born that was really
helpful.

Any questions? None at the moment.

night_nurse · August 2023

What type of birth are you hoping to have? Homebirth, in water if time allows

What worries/fears are you dealing with and what are you doing to cope? Only worry is risking out of homebirth. Meditating and visualizing, both of which helped me immensely my last pregnancy as well.

If you're a STM+ what type(s) of births did you have? First was a hospital epidural birth- was okay. Didn’t go in until I was “9.5cm” per the admitting nurse. Immediately got epidural- was completely numb. Sat for 4 hours and got super swollen which led to a lot of tearing with delivery.

Went through a whole lifestyle change in the 4 years between my first and second babies. Knew I wanted something different. Wanted to experience physiologic birth and dove into all the research on why the outcomes for no-to-low-intervention birth are so much better for both baby and mom. Still delivered in a hospital for financial reasons. Homebirth is not legal or covered in the state I live in. Had a 3.5hr labor and delivered my baby in 4 contractions an hour after getting to the hospital. Had the most amazing care team at the hospital- all people I had never met before but were 100% on board with everything I wanted. It was an intense and fast labor and honestly the most empowering experience of my life.

Have you found any good resources/books on unmedicated birth?
Oh boy, so many. I am not a big reader, podcasts and blogs/instagram are more my thing.

Podcasts:
Birthing Instincts with Dr. Stu and Blyss
The Birth Hour
Evidence Based Birth with Rebecca Dekker

Instagram accounts:
Tranquility by Hehe
Evidence Based Birth
The Naked Birth Coach
Bad Ass Mother Birther
Built to Birth (she has great *free* youtube videos and meditations as well)

For birth education we did an in person Hypnobirthing course before our 2nd birth and I liked it. I feel like a lot of the information I had already learned through my own research but I enjoyed the Rainbow Relaxation and Affirmation tracks. Listened to them daily in pregnancy and for almost my entire labor. The visualization techniques and self-hypnosis were great coping techniques during labor.

Any questions?
Anyone else feeling so excited for birth? Truly can’t wait.

cioccolata16 · November 2023

Thought it might be useful to resurrect this thread as we get closer to the third trimester! Anyone's plans changed?

What type of birth are you hoping to have? Unmedicated hospital birth. I really want to avoid an epidural, as I am a very movement-oriented person.

What worries/fears are you dealing with and what are you doing to cope? Since this is my first, I only know what to expect from the online classes and readings I've done so far. Concerned it will be way worse that I expect and I won't be able to cope without meds. Contemplating enlisting the help of a doula to boost my confidence and help with positions and other coping mechanisms. And take some of the pressure off of DH, who I will otherwise rely on quite heavily.

Have you found any good resources/books on unmedicated birth? DH is reading the Birth Partner. I'm reading Why Did No One Tell Me right now (mostly about pelvic floor) and going through the resources on Pregnancy and Postpartum TV (e.g. positions for different stages of labour, painfree guide). Someone gave me a hypnobirthing book...particularly intrigued by the chapter on what we can learn from cats...

night_nurse · November 2023

@cioccolata16 my last birth was a hospital unmedicated birth. The unknown is the hardest part. I will say that it is far more mental than physical. Come prepared to advocate for yourself or enlist your husband to take that role. Physiologic, unmedicated birth is absolutely possible in the hospital setting and you may get lucky and get really supportive providers, but if not, having the knowledge of what is best for you and what is beneficial in progressing your labor is so helpful. It made me feel so empowered- like I could handle anything.

I did do an in person hypnobirthing course and relied on a lot of the coping skills I learned. The different breathing approaches for the different stages of labor were also helpful.

I wish I could have had a doula at my birth with me. I am hiring one this time around for our home birth. I think they would be an excellent resource for you.

Best piece of advice is to not get to the hospital until you are definitely in active labor. Consistent, close contractions, unable to talk or focus on anything while they are happening.

You can do it!

cmill828 · November 2023

What type of birth are you hoping to have? FTM hoping for an unmedicated hospital birth with a doula. We are taking Bradley classes starting in December and I just hope everything goes to plan! I would love to progress at home and limit our time in the hospital to as little as possible.

What worries/fears are you dealing with and what are you doing to cope? My worries are risking out, being induced, and the snowball of interventions that usually come thereafter. I believe in the power of our bodies, and staying in tune with what it needs throughout the process of birth.

If you're a STM+ what type(s) of births did you have?

Have you found any good resources/books on unmedicated birth? Our doula is amazing and I'm so thankful to have found her, she is also our Bradley teacher.

Like @night_nurse I'm a big podcast listener, so I love
-Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy
-Evidence Based Birth
-Birth Story Podcast
-The Birth Hour

Books
-No One Told Me About That by Ginger Breedlove
-Emily Oster's books
-Ina May Gaskin
I have some others on order, will report back lol

Any questions?
For moms who already went natural, what did you find most helpful as distraction tools? I've started a playlist, plan to have my doula bring aroma therapy and battery powered lights for a dim light setting. What did you find helpful to help you relax most?

farm_mama · November 2023

cmill828 said:

Any questions?
For moms who already went natural, what did you find most helpful as distraction tools? I've started a playlist, plan to have my doula bring aroma therapy and battery powered lights for a dim light setting. What did you find helpful to help you relax most?

I don't know if this will be the same for others, but for me actually not being distracted but really leaning in to the contractions and consciously relaxing with each one was the most helpful. I am also big on music.

cmill828 · November 2023

@farm_mama yes! I've been watching Built to Birth videos and she talks about the trust relax allow cycle of trusting your body during contractions, focusing on relaxing your muscles and allowing your baby to descend and that's been super helpful for the mindset I want to be in during labor.

night_nurse · November 2023

@cmill828 sounds like you are utilizing so many incredible resources. No doubt you will acheive your dream birth ✨

I really tapped in to my breathing and personal affirmations for my last birth. Lots and lots of trust and release mantras I’d repeat to myself, in my head. I had a constant flow of inner dialogue and things I would sometimes repeat out loud to myself.

”I trust my body and my baby”
”my baby is getting closer to being here”
”my body is working hard to bring my baby here”
”my baby is working hard to get here”
“Im working with my body to bring my baby to me.”
”each wave brings my baby closer to me.”

and during transition is was mostly “this has to happen, I allow this to happen.”

I think giving your partner explicit phrases to coach you with is a good idea too. Instead of “you got this” - maybe try “you’re doing it, you’re working so hard.you’re bringing our baby to us”

cmill828 · December 2023

So I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This week has been a doozy for me, between getting covid and now this. My fear now is that they will want to induce me at 39 weeks instead of letting me go into labor naturally, and all the interventions that could be needed should my body and baby not be ready.

Was anyone able to go farther than 39weeks with a gd diagnosis? I'm just looking for positive stories because I'm feeling pretty down.

farm_mama · December 2023

@cmill828 I think it is provider specific. My midwife still delivers at home after 39 weeks even with a GD diagnosis as long as it is appropriately managed without additional risk factors. Someone close to me went past 40 weeks with GD and no problems at all twice, once in hospital and once at home.

I am sorry you are getting hit with all this at once. My suggestion is to visit with your provider and ask what happens if you decline.

kmw611 · December 2023

@cmill828 I was also diagnosed with GD this week. No history with my previous pregnancies and didn’t see it coming at all. I have no advice but I’m right there with you worrying about induction/intervention and all that other stuff that comes with this diagnosis.

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@cmill828 @kmw611 Hate that you have to deal with it but I’m glad I’m not alone! I’m getting so sick of peanut butter.

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homebirth/birthcenter/unmedicated birth - august

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