Natural birth in a hospital......... - Page 2

[Shonahsmom]

Another medication free hospital birther.....

Some things I loved:

Lights off (except for the one emergency light that you can't turn off)

I was nude the whole time. Its more comfortable and its actually a great technique. It makes a lot of people unfamiliar with how women labour naturally really uncomfortable. They tend to stay away from you.

Hot compresses on my perineum during pushing (obviously too late for meds by the time you're pushing) was extremely soothing.

I preferred total quiet... I didn't want to talk or have anyone talk to me even if it was something comforting... I was just really focused and I didn't want to be distracted.

Definitely read Birthing from Within if you haven't already.

Birthing bliss to you!

[Village Mama]

Instead of focusing away from the pain I focused right on it. That way I knew its direction and didnt waste energy trying to get away from somthing that won't go away! It worked beautifully... P.S hospital births can be beautiful too! Good luck!xoxo

[nova22]

Welp, you asked for it! Tons of tips...

Having a doula would help tremendously. If you can't find or afford one a female friend who understands your desire for a NCB would be the next best thing.

Having the shower spray on your lower back during contractions would feel nice.

Use a birth ball if you can.

Tell your husband/coach/doula/whoever ahead of time to urge you to move around during labor. I would have been a big pile of contracting pain in the hospital bed for ten hours straight, had my doula & hubby not encouraged me to get up and walk around or use the birth ball.

Fill a tube sock with rice and heat it in the microwave. Apply it to your lower abdomen or lower back during contractions. Feels niiiiice!

You could also fill a sock or a small bag with flaxseed and lavender for a nice aromatherapy sack. I had one with my second labor and it was on my eyes whenever possible. It was very relaxing.

Put two tennis balls in a tube sock and have your partner roll them up and down your back. Also feels very nice!

I have to put in another vote for laboring at home as long as you can. I think that getting to the hospital too early can actually slow your labor, because there is so much going on and your body can tense up.

I also agree that the monitors SUCK. The belt they put on me made my contractions feel a hundred times worse. Ask if they can monitor you as little as possible and see if you can hold them on yourself, or have a nurse hold them on.

Have a water bottle filled and by your side at all times. Drink a lot of water and make sure you stay hydrated.

When you first feel like you're in labor have something to eat. You never know how long your labor will last or when you may lose your appetite. You don't want to go through this on an empty stomach! Even if you aren't up for a big meal at least have a fruit pop or something.

Make or buy a CD of relaxing music. When my water broke in my second pregnancy, I sat in front of my computer on a stack of towels putting together a mix CD that I never even got to listen to because the labor was so fast. :

Think positive during your labor. My first labor was long but steady. Everything was completely textbook. My second labor was short but extremely intense. The whole time I was thinking or saying over and over again, "she's going to be so beautiful. This is so worth it." I think that kind of attitude really helps get you through the painful parts of birth.

Have a mirror at your disposal, if possible. I got to watch my son be born in the mirror. Seeing him crown seemed to erase my pain. I was reminded of what I was there for.

Have your partner apply a warm, wet washcloth to your perineum while you push. It really does help a lot.

A natural childbirth in the hospital is definately possible! Make sure you have a birth plan (short and to the point is best, so your nurses have time to read it when you arrive). Good luck!

[RyansMom]

WOW mommies! Great tips! I am very thankful. One thing, how long do I wait after my water breaks before I go to the hospital? I was told by a Midwife last time to come in right then but of corse I was induced so it wasn't a problem. I really think I am gonna stick it out this time and go into labor on my own and stay at home as long as I can. I hope I can get through this this time. I broke down after 12 hours last time and got the darn epidural and I had him only 2 hours later! This time I hope to make it the whole way. Thank you all for the encouragement and tips! Keep em comin!

[saintmom]

I've read that WHO reccomends 48 hours after water breaks before induction.the cnm's around here say to come right in because of the risk of infection! seems like you'd be safer at home in such a case kwim?

[Geofizz]

Water breaking... Our hospital has a policy of being in active labor within 18 hours of it breaking. I called my mw the early in the morning that it broke, and she had me come in to triage at the end of the day (5 pm) if labor hadn't started on its own for the monitoring and to record the official time of breaking at 4pm. That way, I could wait until the next morning to be induced if necessary.

(Labor didn't start even after several walks. I went out to weed and water to tomatoes figuring we'd be gone for a few days. Bam! I had my first contraction at 9 pm with my feet tangled in the tomatoes. DD was born at 1:20 am the next morning...)

[christiab]

Accupressure was a godsend! I was having some intense contractions towards the end, and I had my DH pinch the webbing between my thumb and forefinger REALLY HARD!! It worked like a charm to make the contraction seem to dissipate. There are other points on the ankle and elsewhere, but that's all we could remember from Bradley class.

I labored on the birth ball and on the toilet for most of my labor. I'm a big germaphobe, so I had DH clean the toilet w/ lysol when we got there, so I wouldn't weird out about putting my butt on a strange toilet.

I brought a CD player and listened to nature sounds and relaxing music. I also brought lavender and peppermint essential oils.

Ditto for not going to the hospital too early. I followed all the rules-wait until 4 min apart for 1 hour. I told DH I wasn't ready to go, but we live 35 min w/ no traffic, 1 1/2 hr w/ traffic from the hospital. He wasn't about to catch DS on the side of the freeway. I ended up laboring there from midnight until 5:30 pm. Luckily, they left me alone. I slept, walked around whatever felt right.

Good luck on having the birth you deserve!!

[AmyB]

Originally Posted by RyansMom

One thing, how long do I wait after my water breaks before I go to the hospital?

I am cynical about this one. What I have read is that the internal exams are what will cause infection, not having your water break.

I simply didn't tell the docs when my water broke because I didn't want any pressure to go to the hospital and I was determined to avoid getting induced.

Of course, I'm not a medical professional, but to me it was well worth the infection risk to avoid the risks associated with induction.

--AmyB

[nova22]

Originally Posted by christiab

Accupressure was a godsend! I was having some intense contractions towards the end, and I had my DH pinch the webbing between my thumb and forefinger REALLY HARD!! It worked like a charm to make the contraction seem to dissipate. There are other points on the ankle and elsewhere, but that's all we could remember from Bradley class.

There is another point on your foot that works really well too. It is between your big toe and middle toe, down about an inch. You can feel your toe bones there...push hard right before they meet. When my husband or doula did that it made my contractions feel less painful.