Did you do "birthing prep" for your 3rd child?

[laurabfig]

My last birth was 6 years ago, and I'm feeling like I "forget" how to do it.
Did you take a class for your third (or subsequent) children, or just read up in books, or just go for it?
My midwife, thus far, has not really been a resource in this area, I feel. Maybe we will get into this some in our upcoming appointments.... I'm just now 28 weeks.

[MyFullHouse]

I didn't take any classes, but I did read a lot. #3 was only 13 months after #2, but it was my first 100% natural birth. It went great!

[Lisalee2]

My last birth was 6 years ago, will be 7 though when this babe decides to arrive. I have never taken chilcbirth classes with any of them, and just plan on reading more and reminding myself that I can do it! I just got the book Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, so that's a pretty fun read with all the birth stories, etc. Good luck with your 3rd!

[MaerynPearl]

Ive never taken a class, even with #1 or #2... but I am reading books and websites and talking to my midwife and husband... every birth requires some amount of prep. even #2 coming less than 3 years after #1... but this one is 5 years after #2 so I feel even more rusty on it all!

[RedOakMomma]

No classes, but before each birth I re-read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. They were the two most helpful books I found while preparing in previous births....I don't go all-out on the "methods" anymore, or the practicing, but I do find it helpful to remember how the whole process works, and to get in the mindspace of birthing again.

Dh also prepares by re-reading The Birth Partner each time. This will be his third read, his first time in four years, and he keeps mentioning how much he's forgotten since our last birth.

[Ruthla]

When pg with my 2nd, I didn't want to leave my toddler regularly to attend birthing classes again. I didn't even find them that helpful the first time around. Instead I did some reading to mentaly prepare myself.

With my 3rd pg, I did a lot of reading online and that was about it.

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by RedOakMomma

Dh also prepares by re-reading The Birth Partner each time. This will be his third read, his first time in four years, and he keeps mentioning how much he's forgotten since our last birth.

Ordering that for my DH now!

[laurabfig]

Yeah- I may have to just go ahead and buy Ina May's guide....I've been on the wait list at the public library for months! I did re-read Natural Childbirth the bradley way a few months ago.
I think what is key is what another poster stated: just reminding myself that I can do this.

[bendmom]

Originally Posted by RedOakMomma

I don't go all-out on the "methods" anymore, or the practicing, but I do find it helpful to remember how the whole process works, and to get in the mindspace of birthing again.

.

I read the Bradley method with my first 11 years ago. Each child has been 5.5 years apart, and I haven't done any practice breathing, etc. with any of them. Like the pp, I jsut found it helpful to read about the anatomy of the birth canal and what is happening. that way I'm familiar with the stages. There is a wonderful story in "womens bodies, womens wisdom" that talks about the mom going deep into the pain and staying there, making deep moaning sounds and feeling very primal, as apposed to screaching and hyperventilating. I keep reading her story and feeling like going deep is where I will be