For those who would like to give natural childbirth a try - what did you do to prepare?

Thank you!

Re: For those who would like to give natural childbirth a try - what did you do to prepare?

Not even thinking about natural birth here, but I would think that taking the Lamaze class would help tremendously and introduce you to other means of dealing with pain.

Re: For those who would like to give natural childbirth a try - what did you do to prepare?

I took hypnobirthing. Idid get the epidural but only had it in for an hour.

I also recommend the Bradley Method

Re: For those who would like to give natural childbirth a try - what did you do to prepare?

I did the Hypnobabies home study course (similar to Hypnobirthing). I also switched from an OB to a midwife, read lots and lots on natural childbirth (The Birth Partner is a great book for labor strategies), typed-up birth preferences, walked daily and prayed for a normal birth. Well, it all came together for me and, with the help of my midwife, L&D nurse, and husband, I had a wonderful natural childbirth experience.

Re: For those who would like to give natural childbirth a try - what did you do to prepare?

having been through childbirth 3 times and being a NICU nurse.. i have seen MANY MANY MANY deliveries.. some natural some not. here is my opinion... the pain of childbirth is very different from person to person. if you are the type of person who doubles over in pain when you get your period labor probably won't be any different.. the anxiety of giving birth to your first baby is enough without adding the pain. with that being said.. i had almost no pain with ANY of my children.. giving birth was more uncomfortable than painful to me. there is no preparation...just try to play it by ear.. don't set yourself up for disappointment.. if you need the epidural go for it! if not, great. HTH

Re: For those who would like to give natural childbirth a try - what did you do to prepare?

I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, and Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method. I also hired a Doula, went for acupuncture and to a chiropractor.

It didn't work out for me inthe end as Alexandra didn't want to even drop, but hopefully it will for you! Always best to be prepared...

Re: For those who would like to give natural childbirth a try - what did you do to prepare?

Posted by JTK

having been through childbirth 3 times and being a NICU nurse.. i have seen MANY MANY MANY deliveries.. some natural some not. here is my opinion... the pain of childbirth is very different from person to person. if you are the type of person who doubles over in pain when you get your period labor probably won't be any different.. the anxiety of giving birth to your first baby is enough without adding the pain. with that being said.. i had almost no pain with ANY of my children.. giving birth was more uncomfortable than painful to me. there is no preparation...just try to play it by ear.. don't set yourself up for disappointment.. if you need the epidural go for it! if not, great. HTH

Re: For those who would like to give natural childbirth a try - what did you do to prepare?

Posted by hbugalla

Posted by JTK

having been through childbirth 3 times and being a NICU nurse.. i have seen MANY MANY MANY deliveries.. some natural some not. here is my opinion... the pain of childbirth is very different from person to person. if you are the type of person who doubles over in pain when you get your period labor probably won't be any different.. the anxiety of giving birth to your first baby is enough without adding the pain. with that being said.. i had almost no pain with ANY of my children.. giving birth was more uncomfortable than painful to me. there is no preparation...just try to play it by ear.. don't set yourself up for disappointment.. if you need the epidural go for it! if not, great. HTH

I agree with you completely....you can only plan just so much.

As a BTDT mom I stilll dont know what to expect..even though Ive been through it 3 times before. Im just preparing myself to being open to what works.

Re: For those who would like to give natural childbirth a try - what did you do to prepare?

Posted by karacg

I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, and Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method. I also hired a Doula, went for acupuncture and to a chiropractor.

Same here... even took Bradley Method classes (for natural childbirthing) and when it came to game time, I did labor through naturally for 16 hours, had an iv, went into pre-eclampsia, had my cervix cut 3 times due to scar tissue, had a magnesium drip, and had pitcocin and because of the severity of the scar tissue I was unable to dilate properly and I ended up having a c-section

So, where you can "prepare" for natural childbirth, NO ONE can prepare you for what can really happen... right Kara!

Message edited 6/19/2007 5:06:21 PM.

Re: For those who would like to give natural childbirth a try - what did you do to prepare?

I am not doing anything special but psyching myself up naturally with positive thoughts that "I can do it!" "Mind over matter" "Its pain with a purpose"... those kinds of thoughts. We'll see if it works.

Message edited 6/19/2007 5:08:50 PM.