[aimielee]

When I had my first daughter, I was an epidural girl. I didn't know anything about natural child birth. I've since started reading the Bradley childbirth book and Hypnobirthing book and I'm very excited to have a natural child birth this time around. However, I'm so not good at handling menstual like pain, so I'm worried about contractions feeling the same way. Any advice???

I plan to labour in a hot tub as much as possible, so I know that should help.

 

[caricandothis]

First of all, wtg mama for deciding to try to birth your baby naturally!

2ndly, imo, preparation is absolutely key to a successful natural birth. The more you prepare your mind and your body, the better chance you'll have at handling the rough times in labor.

The Bradley book is a great starting point, I learn something new everytime I read it...it's such a great resource to have.

Hey, I just realized who I was replying to, welcome aboard, Aimie!!

The ladies here are great and you'll learn so much from this place, I promise!

 

[fireflies~for~me]

not in your DDC but wanted to post too that Bradley materials are a great resource! There are some teachers who will do quick classes since you don't have time for a full series. Might want to check that.

I'd say Bradley training was our number one reason how we knew what to do. I remember this pie graph that represented PAIN (since yes, they will feel like super bad cramps) and we were taught pain coping techniques that take little pieces of the pie of pain out little chunks at a time until it is manageable.

Blessings to you!

 

[fireflies~for~me]

oh -one more thing that in both labors I mantra-ed to myself

"I can do anything for 1 minute" (because the start/peak/and finish of the contraction will probably only last about one minute each at the hardest part of labor.

 

[atljenny47]

just wanted to jump on the bradley class boat. if you can, i would try to find a class that is going on right now and see if that teacher will let you join in. i know our instructor allowed a couple to do that.

the classes are great because you learn and practice relaxation techniques, laboring positions, etc. they've been great for me and dh!

 

[mama_om]

We took a class that was taught in the "Birthing From Within" philosophy (there is also a book of the same name). Our instructor was great -- very down to earth and gave us lots of pain-coping techniques, but the main benefit of for me was the emotional/mental preparation that the class provided. I just felt much more ready to face labor having worked through some stuff beforehand.

IME, it really all is in your head (how you experience and handle the pain), so, in my opinion, no technique or method is sure to work until YOU feel ready and able to do it, so try to figure out what your needs are around labor and birth and find ways to meet those needs... and stay compassionate with yourself and with whatever ways your needs change from now through the moment of birth. We never do know what is going to happen or how we might respond!

I was prepared for labor to be the most painful thing I ever experienced but I fundamentally believed in my body's ability to do it (and had complete trust in my husband, my midwives and my doula/best friend). When the time came, I just sorta "left" my body behind to do the work. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't all blissed out orgasmic or anything (though I don't doubt that happens for some women) -- I was moaning and groaning and squeezing my poor DH to death -- but my head wasn't involved in the pain. I am not sure how I accomplished that feat, exactly, but I think it was the mental preparation I did beforehand.

Hope this helps -- best of luck to you on this journey toward your birth! Find the ways and ideas that resonate with you and go for it! I also recommend a class (in whatever method you choose) -- having the time to focus solely on the birth with my DH was invaluable.

Best,

 

[lab80]

Hello, I am planning a natural home water birth and just wanted to chime in. My MW has said to me that laboring in hot water will slow down your labor, just the act of sitting submerged in hot water, but sitting or standing in a warm shower would not. But near the end of labor once you are dialated a certain number of centemters (I think that is what she said) it would be ok to hop in the tub and labor could no longer be slowed.

 

[mamajody]

I wanted to add to Mama_O's excellent post. The mental side of labor really is very important. I also felt that, "left my body behind" sensation in the second stage of labor, and I have to say, time just flew past me. It was the most amazing feeling. I managed to achieve that state by totally surrendering to the experience. It was a very meditative kind of state. I didn't feel the need to vocalize, or even lift my eyes from my focus point.
My body took over and my brain got out of the way.

I also agree that you need to be compassionate with yourself during birth. Have confidence in your ability to judge what is right for your birth at any given moment, and don't be afraid to change your plan. I often felt shame that I needed a mild sedative at 7-8 cm. I was having intense back labor and could not transition because I was vomitting and couldn't concentrate. I needed to relax into the cntx in order to move forward. After 3 hours of fighting myself I had to surrender to that need. I realized after a year that I could not compare my birth to the perfect UC /homebirths my friends have had. None of them had either GD, or a posterior baby with such a large head. Good for them. I birthed a healthy baby, vaginally, with an intact perineum, in an institution that would normally have done an episiotomy and possibly a c-section due to failure to progress.

It is very ZEN, but I have to admit, my suffering came through my attatchment to an idea. Had I been willing to let go of the idea of birth I had in my mind and show compassion to myself, I would have sufferend less.

 

[aimielee]

Thanks everyone! I will keep studying different pain management techniques. And definitely remind myself that each contraction will only last so long and it's for a good cause.

I love hearing everyone's stories about their natural child births.

Hi Cari!!!!

Good to see you here. I just saw a post from Lisa too.

 

[AppleOrangePear]

One good thing about natural contractions vs pitocin induced is that natural contractions are like waves and increase, peak and decrease and you can enjoy the little bits in between each one.

We did the Bradley and enjoyed it however i think the MAIN thing is where your mind is at. I really went with the attitude that it wasnt going to last forever and in the end I would have a wonderful gift

Sure it can be intense but It will not be forever

It all has to do with the MIND! I did not fear labour at all I actually was able to welcome it and accept it.

Heck labour was quite exciting for me. it was like christmas waiting and waiting and finally the best part is about to happen

I actually cried after Kai was delievered and I was all settled. I was crying saying that all the other woman on the other wing of the hospital get to experience it all and give birth and i was done

Michele

 

[Peony]

I prepared alot with Birthing From Within and Bradley, but when it came to it, I just did my own thing. When it got really intense, which for me wasn't until pushing, I kept telling myself that women had been doing this forever and so could I. Sounds dumb but it was what I needed to know that yes I could do it.

 

[OMama]

To prepare, I took a hypnobirthing class, read two bradley books, birthing from within (and some others) and didn't listen to other people's "horror stories" or watch "birth shows" on tv. I tried to be really conscious of the way in which I thought about birth and I "believed" in it and myself. I think this is huge. As the earlier post said, your mind plays an enormous role. Whatever method you use to prepare, my main advice is to try to relax and let it happen. This is not always easy as things get more intense, but basically if you can relax more and more as it gets more intense, it will be easier and quicker. You can totally do it!

 

[Tori Gollihugh]

I'm in the middle of reading CHILDBIRTH WITHOUT FEAR by Grantly Dick-Read and it is soo helpful to my understanding of why I had so much PAIN during the middle/end of labor with my DD. This time circumstance alone will alleviate much of what I went through before, but knowledge is also super powerful and empowering! I HIGHLY recommend that book. Also, there are some really great books about midwife attended birth and unattended birth that can help with perspective and encouragement of/for the upcoming event.

GOOD ON YA for going natural! I'm sure you can do it. I did it with my first and I'm a woosy where pain is concerned - so if I could do it, anyone can!!!!

 

[LionTigerBear]

I highly recommend "Back Labor No More!!" It is a very quick read. Back labor pain is really hard to deal with and you are more likely to have it if you are short, have a short rise, have a posterior baby, or have had a back injury in the past. When I was in labor with my son, it was my lower back/tailbone where the pain was realyl unmanageable, and the contractions besides that would have been a piece of cake.

Personally I don't subscribe to the idea that birth should be/has to be painful. I also don't subscribe to the idea that when it is painful, it is all in your head. I think sometimes it is painful, and that when it is it is a WARNING sign that something isn't working right (like the baby is posterior or something) in which case there are (natural) things you can do to fix the problem and eliminate the cause of the pain.

I am taking the Hypnobabies home course and it goes over this stuff in much more detail. I am preparing for a pin-free birth this time around. Pain management is contrary to the Hypnobabies philosophy because the idea is to eliminate pain, not deal with it. And the success rates are impressive. I will let you all know how it goes for me!!!