UC inspiration?

[VeganEmma]

What do you do to get inspired for a peaceful, joyful, easy, and fast labor? I am trying to inspire myself for my upcoming birth (I am due March 14). So far, I am reading UC birth stories from unassistedchildbirth.com, resting, eating well, walking, drinking raspberry tea, and doing birth affirmations. What else can I do? What did you do to get ready for your birth?

[rainbow_mandala]

Hmmm...well, for me, it's not so much about having any sort of goal in mind (like the labor being "fast" or even "joyful") but just letting go more and more and allowing what is, is.  Allowing fears to come up, allowing emotions to be expressed and released, grounding myself in my body (deep breathing, meditation, being in nature), surrounding myself with supportive people, a beautiful, relaxing environment, and noticing any areas of tension that need to be worked through.  What am I resisting right now?  That question helps me a lot when it comes to preparing for labor and birth since so much of the experience of giving birth has to do with the way we're handling our emotions and relating to ourselves and the world around us. 

[dayiscoming2006]

I really don't do much of anything. But, with my last birth I was rather knowledgeable having planned for an UC (though it didn't work out.)

I just remained relaxed through the whole labor and pushing as much as I could. (was some interference from annoying docs and nurses that I couldn't avoid.) Anyway, I listened to music I enjoyed, stayed upright, listened to what my body needed me to do. One thing I found interesting, is toward the end I was in quite a bit of pain (transition probably) and I couldn't figure out a good position to avoid the pain. I had been sitting through a lot of the labor and realized that was making the pain worse, so I got up, walked for minute, got back on the bed in a hands and knees position to see if that would help with the pain and then all the sudden, I was pushing. That was so neat. :)

Anyway, my recommendations are, stay relaxed, do things during labor that make you feel good and happy (listening to nice music, reading, whatever - assuming you have time) and stay upright for gravity's help and do your best to listen to your body. 

[VeganEmma]

Originally Posted by rainbow_mandala 

Hmmm...well, for me, it's not so much about having any sort of goal in mind (like the labor being "fast" or even "joyful") but just letting go more and more and allowing what is, is.  Allowing fears to come up, allowing emotions to be expressed and released, grounding myself in my body (deep breathing, meditation, being in nature), surrounding myself with supportive people, a beautiful, relaxing environment, and noticing any areas of tension that need to be worked through.  What am I resisting right now?  That question helps me a lot when it comes to preparing for labor and birth since so much of the experience of giving birth has to do with the way we're handling our emotions and relating to ourselves and the world around us. 

thank you for this. I really needed to hear it. I guess I have been trying to think of birth as this wonderful experience that I was not noticing my fears of pain or intensity left over from my previous birth. I had a few lite contractions the other night in the tub and I felt myself panic a little. I didn't know if I could handle it all. I think taking an honest look at how I feel about birth and trying to be realistic about it all is helping me. I am also reading lots of birth stories which has helped me. 
 

[VeganEmma]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

I really don't do much of anything. But, with my last birth I was rather knowledgeable having planned for an UC (though it didn't work out.)

I just remained relaxed through the whole labor and pushing as much as I could. (was some interference from annoying docs and nurses that I couldn't avoid.) Anyway, I listened to music I enjoyed, stayed upright, listened to what my body needed me to do. One thing I found interesting, is toward the end I was in quite a bit of pain (transition probably) and I couldn't figure out a good position to avoid the pain. I had been sitting through a lot of the labor and realized that was making the pain worse, so I got up, walked for minute, got back on the bed in a hands and knees position to see if that would help with the pain and then all the sudden, I was pushing. That was so neat. :)

Anyway, my recommendations are, stay relaxed, do things during labor that make you feel good and happy (listening to nice music, reading, whatever - assuming you have time) and stay upright for gravity's help and do your best to listen to your body. 

your birth sounds like mine. I had planned for a UC but my fear sent me to the hospital with an OB who treated me poorly. I had to fight with them all but managed to remind myself to relax my whole body and I didn't tear. I am going to really try and enjoy my labor this time, having been through it already before I will deal with it better. I plan on listening to music during my labor and moving as much as possible. Thank you for the suggestions!

[Mamatoabunch]

i usually watch birth video's on Youtube and pray.

[dayiscoming2006]

Well, my fear didn't send me to the hospital (other than the fear of not being able to get a birth certificate or something) - I was stuck in Romania and living with my in laws at the end of my last pregnancy. Giving birth in a hospital there was pretty traumatic, honestly. I'm just so happy I'm not living there this time. LOL

The OB in Romania forced me onto my back toward the end of my pushing with the help of some nurses and my husband (bad hubby) after having told me I was a liar and that I could walk and roll on my back if I wanted to. I just wanted her to leave. After the birth, she yanked my placenta out, causing me to hemmorage and causing her to need to do an extremely painful D and C. 

Then they took my baby away from me for 14 hours and left me bleeding on a bed and I was way too weak to even move. They didn't offer food or water. (my husband brought some from his parent's) Then I had scheduled (every 4 hours during the day and a 6 hour lapse at night) feedings for my baby and they were upset with me that my baby wasn't happy. Stupid docs and nurses. They forced me to give him formula in order to release me from the hospital. I was stuck in that stupid hospital for 5 days. OK, all done ranting. Sorry. :) 

Yey for being free from scary people like that!!! :D That's inspiration enough for me. LOL
 

Originally Posted by VeganEmma 

your birth sounds like mine. I had planned for a UC but my fear sent me to the hospital with an OB who treated me poorly. I had to fight with them all but managed to remind myself to relax my whole body and I didn't tear. I am going to really try and enjoy my labor this time, having been through it already before I will deal with it better. I plan on listening to music during my labor and moving as much as possible. Thank you for the suggestions!

[VeganEmma]

Originally Posted by Mamatoabunch 

i usually watch birth video's on Youtube and pray.

I am not a religous person, but I think I am spiritual. I think I should make some time to pray as well. What videos do you like? US, homebirth? 

[VeganEmma]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

Well, my fear didn't send me to the hospital (other than the fear of not being able to get a birth certificate or something) - I was stuck in Romania and living with my in laws at the end of my last pregnancy. Giving birth in a hospital there was pretty traumatic, honestly. I'm just so happy I'm not living there this time. LOL

The OB in Romania forced me onto my back toward the end of my pushing with the help of some nurses and my husband (bad hubby) after having told me I was a liar and that I could walk and roll on my back if I wanted to. I just wanted her to leave. After the birth, she yanked my placenta out, causing me to hemmorage and causing her to need to do an extremely painful D and C. 

Then they took my baby away from me for 14 hours and left me bleeding on a bed and I was way too weak to even move. They didn't offer food or water. (my husband brought some from his parent's) Then I had scheduled (every 4 hours during the day and a 6 hour lapse at night) feedings for my baby and they were upset with me that my baby wasn't happy. Stupid docs and nurses. They forced me to give him formula in order to release me from the hospital. I was stuck in that stupid hospital for 5 days. OK, all done ranting. Sorry. :) 

Yey for being free from scary people like that!!! :D That's inspiration enough for me. LOL
 

yeah I see what you mean. I had a bad experience too. But on to better experiences :D

[Mamatoabunch]

Originally Posted by VeganEmma 

I am not a religous person, but I think I am spiritual. I think I should make some time to pray as well. What videos do you like? US, homebirth? 

I watch my own and UC ones, mostly, although I do watch a few HB ones. I just watch what appears on the search, nothing in particular.

[Tumble Bumbles]

I like to watch youtube UC videos as well, none in particular either.

I pray a lot as well -- VeganEmma -- if you're not religious, what I do in addition to praying on Scripture is to collect inspirational quotes, short sayings, short excerpts basically involving anything about how birth is natural, women are capable, pregnancy is not an illness -- stuff like that to read/meditate over. I will be printing them out in additon to Scripture to look at in early labor as well.

 Here are a few of my faves:

 

Your wise body knew how to create a human being from two single cells. Every day it builds these cells, organs, tissues. Amazingly, it will know when the work is done and the baby should be born, and even more amazingly, it will then know to produce the perfect food that only you can make for your baby. All of this happens without a conscious thought from you. All of it happens whether you have the tests or don’t. It is happening for women with midwives, and women alone in the rainforest. ~Kim Wildner in Mother’s Intention

There shouldn't be any "technique" for giving birth...women have been giving birth for centuries, without needing a label, a technique, or another woman's hand inside of their vagina, to do her body's job for her. -- Christine Fiscer, Birthkeeper

I recognize that many women find the presence of a midwife helpful in birth, and I hope that midwives will continue to be available - to those who want them. But birth doesn’t “belong” to midwives. Nor does it belong to doctors, the AMA or the state. Birth belongs to mothers and babies – and ideally to fathers should they choose to be involved, and it’s time this truth was recognized. -- Laura Shanley

Women do not need to be rescued from labor and birth. Women do not need to be managed during labor and birth. Quite the opposite. Women should be left to labor in the most respectful of environments, and not interfered with -- Christine Fiscer

The whole point of woman-centered birth is the knowledge that a woman is the birth power source. She may need, and deserve, help, but in essence, she always had, currently has, and will have the power.
Heather McCue

Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers ~ strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength. ~ Barbara Katz Rothman

I also do affirmations, mine mostly revolve around my religious beliefs but of course you can do non-religious ones too.

As far as physical things to get ready laboring/birthing, I plan on getting a spa pedicure a couple days before my edd or even in very early labor (last time I knew a day or two before that something was 'happening' but I was still able to go out and do things). I want to get my hair done, highlighted -- maybe a massage a few days before my "edd". Things to physically pamper myself and to celebrate my body and the awesome work it's about to do -- ymmv on the particulars but I think doing stuff like that is a nice way to honor ourselves before birthing :)

[VeganEmma]

This is exactly why I want to record my birth on video. I want to inspire others and inspire myself for future births. I have a playlist of some of my favorite birth videos that I love watching on youtube, but I find that the selection of UC births to be limited. 
 

Originally Posted by Mamatoabunch 

I watch my own and UC ones, mostly, although I do watch a few HB ones. I just watch what appears on the search, nothing in particular.

[VeganEmma]

WOW your quotes are beautiful and inspiring! I think I should go to the spa, I have wanted to this entire pregnancy but haven't made it and now I am so close I think that I should pamper myself a bit. Thank you so much for the advice and quotes :D

Originally Posted by Tumble Bumbles 

I like to watch youtube UC videos as well, none in particular either.

I pray a lot as well -- VeganEmma -- if you're not religious, what I do in addition to praying on Scripture is to collect inspirational quotes, short sayings, short excerpts basically involving anything about how birth is natural, women are capable, pregnancy is not an illness -- stuff like that to read/meditate over. I will be printing them out in additon to Scripture to look at in early labor as well.

 Here are a few of my faves:

I also do affirmations, mine mostly revolve around my religious beliefs but of course you can do non-religious ones too.

As far as physical things to get ready laboring/birthing, I plan on getting a spa pedicure a couple days before my edd or even in very early labor (last time I knew a day or two before that something was 'happening' but I was still able to go out and do things). I want to get my hair done, highlighted -- maybe a massage a few days before my "edd". Things to physically pamper myself and to celebrate my body and the awesome work it's about to do -- ymmv on the particulars but I think doing stuff like that is a nice way to honor ourselves before birthing :)

[rajahkat]

For my first couple of babies, I read lots of birth stories and watched uc videos online.  Even though it's not UC specific, Gloria Lemay's new Birth video is nice for showing normal births.

For my last 2 babies, I haven't really done as much of that.  I think I tend to focus inward now and try to ground myself.  My goal is really finding peace with whatever my experience is going to be.  So, lots of barefoot walks in nature (when it's not snowing!)  Talking out my feelings with close friends or my husband.  Spending time with and really appreciating my children and what our family is like RIGHT NOW before another member makes an appearance.

[VeganEmma]

Originally Posted by rajahkat 

For my first couple of babies, I read lots of birth stories and watched uc videos online.  Even though it's not UC specific, Gloria Lemay's new Birth video is nice for showing normal births.

For my last 2 babies, I haven't really done as much of that.  I think I tend to focus inward now and try to ground myself.  My goal is really finding peace with whatever my experience is going to be.  So, lots of barefoot walks in nature (when it's not snowing!)  Talking out my feelings with close friends or my husband.  Spending time with and really appreciating my children and what our family is like RIGHT NOW before another member makes an appearance.

I feel like that is how I have been now, really focusing on my son who is 21 months old and still breastfeeds. I almost feel guilty that I have not focused the amount of attention on my current pregnancy that I did with my first. I keep forgetting I am pregnant- it is not at the top of my mind.

I really love getting out and walking or riding my bike, it helps me. That was a great suggestion.
 

[ElizabethE]

I'm so happy to hear beautiful input from beautiful women. When I'm tired of hearing women tear each other down, it's nice to know that people like you exist. :) We can use each other's wisdom and grace to uplift, as I know I will use it to remind me of the strength and goodness in us.

[VeganEmma]

Originally Posted by ElizabethE 

I'm so happy to hear beautiful input from beautiful women. When I'm tired of hearing women tear each other down, it's nice to know that people like you exist. :) We can use each other's wisdom and grace to uplift, as I know I will use it to remind me of the strength and goodness in us.

agreed :)

[lizzie]

What a happy thread! :) And such enjoyable suggestions... it's so easy to get caught up in all of the details as we prepare for birth and forget how amazing it is and we are. I really like the idea of taking specific time to celebrate and reward our bodies and ourselves for what we've accomplished as we approach our births. I don't think I had the presence of mind to do that with my other two. Nice ideas, Tumble Bumbles!