[Mrs_CoffeeLa]

I had a natural birth with my first and we used the hypnobabies method. Just curious what my fellow Nov '09 mom's are planning on using!

 

[ShwarmaQueen]

I think Hypnobirthing. My MWs apprentice is a certified instructor and has offered to help me with it.

 

[Mizelenius]

Nothin' but my own self. I do better alone. And water-- I hang out in the shower a lot.

 

[Inspired007]

I tried the hypobabies home course last time and for me it didn't work. Once those contractions hit, I couldn't focus on the method. For me, laboring in a water tub was the only thing that made me feel better. I couldn't sit down while I was in labor, and I was so terribly exhausted that until I got into the birthing tub, I couldn't relax even one iota. Hopefully things will progress with the same speed (or faster) than last time. My water broke at 1:30 am and my first contraction hit at 2 am. Dd was born at 7:10 am.

 

[impromptukiss]

i don't really find it all that painful until the last 5 minutes when my water breaks & baby is making it's way out, so i haven't really needed anything. i found the birth tub more annoying than anything, lol.

 

[SunShineSally]

hypnobabies I loved it it really reguvinated me after and during contractions I did just take bits and pieces from the lessons and used what I needed and was willing to use at different times.

 

[belltree]

I have read the book "Babycatcher" recently and found it very inspiring to read all the different birthing stories through a midwives point of view. There are so many different ways how women cope with it.

This is my first baby, and so far, I am just trying to learn about the different options and ways women deal with it, and try to have a collection of ideas ready, which I can practice and possibly use, once labor starts.

My list currently includes:
* self relaxation techniques
* meditation
* singing, humming
* dancing
* talking
* music
* rocking
* swearing and yelling with a deep voice
* find distractions, keep myself busy
* massage
* bath/shower
* accupressure
* baking
* Concentrate on trivial things: the world around you, the wall, the tree with the branches and the birds in it
* "study" and analyze the pain
* being touched/not being touched
* encouragement from husband/midwife
* keeping in mind that the pain is intermittent and will end.
* prayer
* relax, but be strong
* imagine the babies point of view
* imagine the birth process
* warm compress
* drink and food

Some of these are more for the beginning, others for later on.

I am sure there are tons more, as I said, I am just starting to collect ideas

 

[sebarnes]

I did Hypnobirthing w/ dd and found it not to my taste at all. I did Birthing From Within with my ds and loved, loved, loved it so much. Not really the pain coping techniques, cause I'm more of a just take it gal, but the acceptance, the growth, the learning, the idea that 'your body already knows everything it needs to birth, you just don't know it yet.' What can I say, I'm a dippy, trippy, hippy

 

[Beppie]

I have never tried hypnobirthing. I've had 2 natural births, one in the hospital and one at home. My midwife did some acupressure points on me when the pain was very intense. I guess I just deal with the pain, vocalizing, etc.

My first baby was born 90 minutes after we reached the hospital (when we arrived, I was already 8 cm dilated...we had no idea!) But the second birth, a homebirth, was a lot more painful than the first. My water broke early (by early, I mean 1-2 hours before she was born), and after the water broke, the contractions were so powerful and painful!!! Yikes. I could barely manage. With this next baby, I just hope the water doesn't break until the end.

But what to do? We were happy to be at home giving birth. And it was over soon enough, I suppose. I don't think I would ever be able to do hypnobirthing or anything else. For me, once transition hits, every thought in my mind goes away. I almost feel like it's pure instinct. Work with the contractions, make some noise

and encourage baby to come out soon! For me, there's no rationality left after that point. Before transition, I do very well. Talking, eating/drinking for energy, etc. But after transition, I think all techniques are completely silly. It's painful, but it's a fruitful pain. The contractions come and go, and each one brings baby closer.

 

[belltree]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebarnes I did Birthing From Within with my ds and loved, loved, loved it so much. Not really the pain coping techniques, cause I'm more of a just take it gal, but the acceptance, the growth, the learning, the idea that 'your body already knows everything it needs to birth, you just don't know it yet.' What can I say, I'm a dippy, trippy, hippy

You made me smile

I got that book from my local library and started reading it, and it is just so not me. I am all about, that your body has some native intuition and instincts, but just the way the book was presented was way to spiritual for me. And I love to paint and I love music and I love to express myself, but the book and I just totally didn't match. So I am really glad, that someone else did like it and find it helpful.

I strongly believe, to read different books and hear about different techniques so you can find one or several that ring true to you. Everyone is different. The freedom we need is the freedom of finding our own ways. I love hearing from everyone of you, it is just so fascinating to me

 

[kirstenb]

I have no idea but am taking ideas from this thread of things to research. I had an epidural with DS but am going to a midwife this time so I can have a waterbirth. I haven't even thought about coping methods but I know that the birth center has a few classes so I will look into that for sure.

 

[Lily's_Mom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mizelenius Nothin' but my own self. I do better alone. And water-- I hang out in the shower a lot.

:

 

[oakparkveggie]

Just relaxation, deep breathing, water, and moving around as my body wants. That's what I did for my last two and wasn't ever in bad pain or misery.

 

[Mrs_CoffeeLa]

I've loved reading everyone's responses!!!!

 

[HeatherRD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs_CoffeeLa I had a natural birth with my first and we used the hypnobabies method. Just curious what my fellow Nov '09 mom's are planning on using!

I just ordered my Hypnobabies course! How did you like it? I really hope it works.

 

[Mrs_CoffeeLa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeatherRD I just ordered my Hypnobabies course! How did you like it? I really hope it works.

I really liked it! I had tremendous fear of childbirth and the course was amazing at helping me deal with these issues. By the end of the pregnancy, I was EXCITED About the birth! You have no idea how huge this was for me.

Now, I had a very long labor, (almost 3 days) and my baby was turned in a bad position, which caused back labor and 3 hours of pushing. Hypnobabies and a fabulous doula helped me have the all-natural birth I wanted! Don't get me wrong, I worked my butt off, but I really think hypnobabies helped me to get rid of the fear and I interpreted the contractions more like the pain experienced if you were competing in a triathlon....Hard work, but not scary.
I'm really excited to see how hypnobabies helps me this time! I look forward to pulling out the CD's....Will wait till 20-24 weeks probably to get them back out.

 

[belltree]

I have read and heard so much about hypnobirthing. My only concern with it is, that I wonder what happens, if it doesn't work during labor? Do you have backup plans?

 

[maisiedotes]

Thanks for this thread! I had a natural birth with our son but he was very small... then with my daughter i was induced and could not deal with the contractions at ALL. Dang pitocin! I had an epidural and I swear the anesthesiologist was a dingbat. It took him 35 minutes plus excessive yelling by the nurse (at him).. I would like to do a natural birth this time. I definitely need some resources... luckily my health insurance reimburses us for childbirth classes! Woohoo! I am going to see if I can find a good hypnobirthing class around here.

 

[rrs]

I had a natural birth with Carter, and will again with this baby.

I took a natural birth class, and it taught relaxation techniques. These helped a lot. My mom was my untrained, uncertified, but very knowledgeable doula. Her support was key. She did massages, talked me through transistion, etc.

 

[Mrs_CoffeeLa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by belltree I have read and heard so much about hypnobirthing. My only concern with it is, that I wonder what happens, if it doesn't work during labor? Do you have backup plans?

You know, for me personally,hypnobabies did not produce a "pain free" birth, but I do know people who have experienced that with it. I do think it helped me to deal with those fears, and deeply and internally accept that birth is natural and normal. I think so much of the pain from childbirth comes from our fear of it! So, since hypnobabies helped me deal with the fear, I think it did lessen the pain a great deal. As far as a 'back up plan', I had a doula, and it was wonderful! She was actually a midwife who also offers doula services, and having her there to tell me everything was fine and encouraging me was a must!!!! I was able to labor at home till 7cm, and then went to the hospital since I was not birthing at home. This time, I'll have a home birth with that same midwife.

The great thing about hypnobabies, it it allows you to be up and moving during your birth and still use the techniques. I NEVER layed down during labor.

But, really, if hypnobirthing or hypnobabies didn't work for you, you'd do what women have been doing since the beginning of time, you'd birth your baby!