Some wisdom from the post partum set?

[Goniopal]

Sooo, I am at 36 weeks, and am trying to think of what would be most helpful to work on to prepare for labor . . .

For those who have been through it recently:
what helped most?
Did you use breathing techniques?
Did you try squatting to push- did it work?
Did you use water, birth in a pool better than on land?

Just, in general: is there anything you wish you could tell yourself at 36 weeks, to help you be more ready? I am just not really sure how to prepare, and my last birth seems so long ago . ..

TIA!

[texanatheart]

My labor this time around was just as intense as with ds1, but I had a birth pool (at home to use, which was 1,000 times better than being confined to the hospital bed...mostly on my back. Pushing went much more quickly (45 min vs 2.5 hours), though that could be because it was my second.

I never really tried squatting. My contractions were either leaning over onto my bed, on hands and knees on my bed or hands and knees in the birth tub. Pushing was all on h&k in the tub.

I didn't really use any breathing techniques. I practiced HypnoBabies most of the third tri, but really slacked the last two weeks. I didn't consciously use it, but I do think it helped keep me somewhat relaxed...as relaxed as you can be in a short, intense labor anyway!

Not sure that was much help, but that was my experience.

[corrie_cat]

Sending you good wishes for this birth! I'm sure it'll be exactly what you want (or close enough ).

So, I wish I'd had better control of my breathing! My doula and midwife did help me with changing my tone- rather than a high-pitched wailing :, they advised me (again and again) to 'move the sound down'. That helped a lot, actually. In the pushing stage, my midwife was advising me to 'move the pain down'. Amidst the discomfort, it's easy to forget what we're there to do - move the baby DOWN! I also visualized opening and moving her down between cxns, which I think worked well because I was more relaxed then.

I squatted with a birth bar to push almost the entire pushing phase (~2 hrs). Feet were sore the next day but boy did it work! My midwife helped a lot with the pushing by showing me exactly _where_ to push with her hand, and then having me put my hand there- ie, right down the vagina, not just willy-nilly all over the pelvic floor.

I tried water a few times throughout my 9 hrs, but it was mostly calming for between cxns. At the end the water was more irritating to me than relaxing, b/c I wanted it to take away my discomfort, but it couldn't, and it restricted my positions. I was all over the place- hands and knees with head down, bent over the bed, sitting on the edge of the bed, etc etc.

The thing I'm most glad about, about how I handled the birth, is that I did whatever I wanted and needed at the moment. And I know that following my own muse helped get her birthed as quickly as possible, in the ideal position, and pink and healthy!

Much love!

[baileyandmikey]

I used Hypnobabies, which I did well with up until like the last hour I squatted on the floor, and then on the bed, anything to get that baby to come down, because he was still up there a ways. Lying in bed was the worst!!! Standing up was much better for me. And be calm, don't be scared

[Devaskyla]

The water definitely helped. Hypnobabies didn't do anything for me, sadly. Suspected it wouldn't, though, since I've never been able to be hypnotized. Tried to remember to make 'low sounds' but it didn't really help. Labour was pretty fast & very intense.

Pushed in lots of positions. The closest to squatting was kneeling with my legs spread. Wound up delivering lying on my side in the pool & wishing I was still up on my knees.

[cairomama]

I just had my baby last night. I used Hypnobabies and a doula and was on my hands and knees most of the time. I was only in the hospital for 2 hours before she was born so there wasn't any time for showers or tubs, etc.

The doula was key. Her touch and encouragement helped me get through the contractions ONE AT A TIME. They don't last that long so if you take them one at a time, it is much easier to get through.

I was a VBAC so I was committed to drug-free birth because I didn't want anything hurting my chances by slowing down labor or causing fetal distress, etc. The doula, Hypnobabies and being able to choose my own positions really helped!

I wish you a quick and easy birthing time!

[Goniopal]

Thanks! I know I don't have time to really get in to hypnobabies, but maybe I can practice some relaxation, visualization stuff . . . good to hear those of you with a pool found it helpful. We are doing a "dry" run to see how long it takes to fill, etc this wkend.

Keep it coming!

[cyrusmama]

I had my son ysterday morning. I used hypnobabies too, but during the birth itself didn't listen to any of them. I just used the breathing, and focused on finding my peaceful bubble. I labored for 2 hours going from a 4-5 to a 10. I think it helped until the last 30min or so (when my body began to push). I was induced so labored all on my back in bed, it wasn't horrible but what would have made it better was the heating pad we thought we'd left at home (and found afterwards).

[Xiaguan]

Even having just had my 6th~ I still tried new things each time This time there was not time for any 'techniques' to try at the hospital but it was by far the best experience! I did not have to time to get 'scared' so it was not really painful. there was some pressure & so uncomfortableness but it did not really ever hurt~ Which was a relief since my 5th was the most painful delivery I had She is also my most stubborn so that might have something to do with it

So my advise is to try to stay relaxed, not have fear & somthing that has always helped with other labors is if I did lose it on a contraction to regroup & know it was OK & that I just needed to lose it on that one & go on

Birth ball really helped with another labor.

Pushing: I have always pushed in the same position~ I tried to squat more than one baby out but it was just so uncomfortable! I think a big part of that is my knees

Just enjoy the ride!

Melissa