Techniques

[Ms_CJ]

I am unfortunately unable to take a birthing class, due to lack of funds. But I'm planning on doing a natural birth...no pain meds, no epidural, nothing. I'm a wimp when it comes to pain though. I can't even handle needles half the time.

My body is naturally tense. I've tried to meditate or just simply relax my body, but it just doesn't work. My imagination doesn't work the way it probably should, so I can't even use that technique that my nurse suggested. I've been trying to practice it for weeks, but it just doesn't work for me... I guess I just don't know how to relax...

Could anyone offer any techniques or advice on managing to get through birth without anything the hospital offers for pain??? I'm really worried I'm going to cave... This is my first, so I'm going into all this completely clueless. Help!!!

 

[babyface15]

hypnobirthing!!
also let go of any fear you might have. Go on you tube every day and watch positive natural births and birth affirmations. Don't let anyone tell you any negative birth stories until after you've had your lo and don't watch any of those dramatic baby shows. Focus on surrendering to your contractions and relaxing through them.
umm.. this is all I can think of right now. if you can't afford the hypnobirthing course, watch YouTube videos and maybe try to dl a torrent. Although I'd say you can purchase the course materials on Amazon without having to take the course. hypnobirthing, hypnobabies or natal hypnotherapy, I've heard good things about all of them!
gl!!!

 

[babyface15]

oh sorry as for relaxation, it tales a lot of practice. go on YouTube twice a day and do a progressive body relaxation. I also did pregnancy meditations from YouTube. it'll get more and more easier the more you practice.

if you can have nitrous oxide it's a great option for pain relief as it doesn't effect the baby at all and is very short lived. I had this during transition and it made it very manageable. My baby was born with apgar scores of 9 & 10 even after a long labor and second stage.
again, best wishes. pm me if you need any more advice.

 

[MindUtopia]

Yes, look for the hypnobirthing CDs or another similar method where you can just buy a book and CD and practice at home. I used natal hypnotherapy, which is a British approach, but you might be able to get the CDs there too if you don't mind the accent. I did take the class, but it totally wasn't necessary. I honestly don't believe anyone can 'teach' you how to give birth easily. It's all about changing the way you think about birth (managing your fears, feeling relaxed about it, feeling positive, etc.). If you feel relaxed and don't have any fear of birth, it will be so much easier and no class can teach you that, so don't feel like you're missing out. I found using hypnotherapy was really wonderful. I went into my birth expecting it wouldn't hurt much, I'd feel happy, relaxed and in control and that it would go well and be pretty easy...and it was! Using hypnotherapy is about changing your perspective rather than learning any specific 'technique'. It trains your body subconsciously to relax when you have a contraction so you don't consciously have to do it. It's hard to make your body relax on command, but hypnotherapy helps your body figure out how to just do it without you having to make yourself do it. When I had a contraction, my breathing automatically slowed and deepened and my body relaxed, without me having to make myself do it. That's the beauty of it. You don't need a fancy class to learn that. I don't know how hypnobirthing (the Mongan Method, which is the main one used in the U.S. works) but for the method I used, I just bought the CD for £12 and practiced 3-5 times a week in 3rd tri.

Beyond that if you feel like you're someone who isn't very confident about coping with pain, read lots and lots of positive natural birth stories. Mine is in my signature (had a home birth, no pain relief other than a TENS machine). There's also lots in a sticky at the top of this section. Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth also has a huge section of natural birth stories (and the book itself is just fantastic and so inspiring! you have to read it if you are planning a natural birth!).

Also, look for an obstetric TENS machine. They don't seem to be used as much in the U.S. as here, but I know I used one for PT on my knee once (obviously not an obstetric one!) when I was still living in the U.S. I found that to be fantastic. You just have to put it on as soon as you start feeling contractions. It helped so much. I was relaxed, smiling, chatting quietly and breathing deeply through contractions with just that, all the way to starting to push before I took it off. Surely, you can find one on eBay or your midwife might be able to find you one.

And mostly, just believe in yourself and your body because you CAN do it!

 

[TriChick]

I'm doing the Hypnobabies Home-Study Program. So far, it's been VERY relaxing and I can definitely see where the techniques that I'm learning will help me immensely during labor. In fact, I have to give myself blood-thinning injections daily throughout my pregnancy, and have tested my new hypno-anesthesia a few times to see if I noticed a difference (I definitely do!). It's a 5-week program, however you can stretch out each of the 5 sections over multiple weeks if you want extra relaxation or have trouble squeezing in the 30-minute training every single day (like I do). The program comes with 6-8 CDs, including one for a birthing partner, as well as a bunch of written training material. In addition to the anesthesia training, the course includes tracks for fear clearing, as well as daily affirmations. If you go on eBay and type in "hypnobabies" you can usually pick up the program used for around 100 bucks (retail $160). I did this, and plan on selling it after I've been really impressed so far with how relaxing it's been!

 

[Toms Mummy]

Moving helps, when a contraction starts there can be alot of tension in the hips. If you circle your hips during one it can really help x

 

[Mimzy3]

I agree with doing a lot of reading on positive natural child birth. Ina Mays Guide to Child Birth is prob my favorite and I think a must read if you want to do all natural. Also if you can get a midwife rather that an OB I would do that. As they tend to be more supportive of natural childbirth. Most insurances cover midwifes as well. Another way to cope with pain is getting in the shower or tub and using a birthing ball. Also preparing for natural child birth is like preparing for a marathon. You have to make sure you stay active labor is just that labor, hard work but we can do it!! My midwife suggests 30 mins of moderate exercise a day. I just walk now that I'm in the third tri. But squats are also suggested to strengthen your legs and open your pelvis.

Best advice learn all you can on natural childbirth, there is actually a lot of info you can find on the web without having to pay for any classes.

GOOD LUCK YOU CAN DO IT, OUR BODIES WERE MADE TO DO THIS!

 

[Amygdala]

I second what pps said about hypnobirthing/natal hypnotherapy. But here are my top tips to get you started:

- Deep breathing. Sit upright or lie on your left, close your eyes and just concentrate on your breathing. Take a deep breath in through your nose, breathing right into your belly so you feel it rise, then open your mouth, relax your jaw and let the breath go slowly. Try to do this as slowly as you can, with little pauses between breathing in and out and between breaths. This alone will help you relax massively. In labour you can use this to breathe through contractions.

- Try to practise relaxing your jaw, shoulders and hands, the rest of your body will follow. Do some breathing as above and say to yourself "3, 2, 1, relax" and then focus on relaxing your hands, jaw and shoulders. It'll come with practice! In labour, when you feel you're losing control, tell yourself "3, 2, 1, relax" or tell your birth partner to say it whenever you look tense or overwhelmed.

- Teach your birth partner some massage
What helps will depend on what you like but generally, putting pressure or gently rubbing on your lower back, where your dimples are, brings a lot of relief. Lightly brushing down your back (like brushing away crmps but slowly) can be very nice as well.

- Take something to focus on to hospital
If you have a scan picture, maybe take that, or a special toy you have for baby or their first outfit. Have it near you in labour so you can concentrate on it and remind yourself that the contractions are bringing baby closer to you and will be over and forgotten very soon.

You really can do this!

 

[babyface15]

There is so much great advice in this thread! I know it would have been great for me to read before giving birth. Too bad this thread isn't in the 'labor and birth' section. There is so much fear of birth in the posts over there, it's really a shame

Ms cj if you are able, would you update us on your delivery, I'd love to hear how it went. Good luck hun, as the other ladies have said, you can do it!!

 

[Ms_CJ]

Thanks ladies! I appreciate all of your helpful advice! I've been talking to people who didn't use any sort of pain meds or anything, and hearing about their experiences. Even the ones that had horrible experiences said it really wasn't even all that bad, and swear that the epidural would have been worse. I'm becoming so much calmer about the whole experience. They also told me that most of the pain you feel is from the contractions...almost no pain in the vaginal area. Great news! If I can make it through the contractions (doesn't seem like that big of a task, despite how painful they're known to be) then I should be okay. I'm already practicing relaxing my body through the ones I've been getting now. I'll definitely be sure to update everyone on how my experience goes once my little guy is born. Thanks again!!!

 

[Amygdala]

Best of luck! Remember to keep breathing! I know it sounds dumb but when you're in pain, you tend to hold your breath, which means less oxygen for your muscles which then makes the pain worse (think sore muscles when running for a long time). Oxygen is your friend, get as much as you can! Plus it helps your baby stay happy.

 

[BunnyN]

I had a wonderful HB experience, no drugs (except paracetamol). I didn't do any classes but read a few books and lots on the net. I acctually found reading about what could go wrong made me feel more prepared and less fearful but lots of women prefer to stick to the positive stories. Movement was the key for me to cope with the pain. Walking, rotating my hips etc made the pain more than bearable for me. Contractions on my back were 10 times worse.

 

[Ms_CJ]

Well I ended up in the hospital Monday with a ruptured abscess (I thought I had a hemorrhoid until it started bleeding badly). The infection caused me to go from 1cm to 3cm in a matter of hours. And I was having long, hard contractions... Unfortunately his heart rate dropped to the 60's with each contraction, and it got really scary. They ended up scheduling me for a last minute c-section. My birth story didn't go how I planned at all whatsoever, but I'm just grateful to have my little guy here with me

 

[BunnyN]

Sorry it didn't go as planned but congratulations on the birth of your little boy!

 

[Calibeachbum]

I second what pps said about hypnobirthing/natal hypnotherapy. But here are my top tips to get you started:

- Deep breathing. Sit upright or lie on your left, close your eyes and just concentrate on your breathing. Take a deep breath in through your nose, breathing right into your belly so you feel it rise, then open your mouth, relax your jaw and let the breath go slowly. Try to do this as slowly as you can, with little pauses between breathing in and out and between breaths. This alone will help you relax massively. In labour you can use this to breathe through contractions.

- Try to practise relaxing your jaw, shoulders and hands, the rest of your body will follow. Do some breathing as above and say to yourself "3, 2, 1, relax" and then focus on relaxing your hands, jaw and shoulders. It'll come with practice! In labour, when you feel you're losing control, tell yourself "3, 2, 1, relax" or tell your birth partner to say it whenever you look tense or overwhelmed.

- Teach your birth partner some massage
What helps will depend on what you like but generally, putting pressure or gently rubbing on your lower back, where your dimples are, brings a lot of relief. Lightly brushing down your back (like brushing away crmps but slowly) can be very nice as well.

- Take something to focus on to hospital
If you have a scan picture, maybe take that, or a special toy you have for baby or their first outfit. Have it near you in labour so you can concentrate on it and remind yourself that the contractions are bringing baby closer to you and will be over and forgotten very soon.

You really can do this!

This is great thanks! It's like a cliffs notes for hypnobirthing!