Trying for an all natural

[Luvbug92]

Hello. Not sure where to start here. Expecting my first in December and trying to plan for the most natural means possible. I've been looking into water births as well. Does anyone have and stories tips and fact that may help me prepare. I'm exercising and doing keigls. Also planning Lamaze soon and trying to research as much as possible. My dr doesn't have the best bedside manner but she is helpful and told me to reach out on this site and really just lean as much as I can before to make up my mind. Anything helps. New to this site and would love to meet some other soon to be mommies or first timers as well.

 

[Tristansmom]

If you want to avoid intervention as much as you can, my best tip is to labour at home as long as possible!! With my first, I was sooooooo impatient and eager, I had a hard time sleeping once contractions started - but they can take a long time (as in days) to really get going... I wish I had stayed home longer!! That way you can move/walk around during early labour which will reduce the risk of needing further intervention like forceps, vacuum, or even c-section. Good luck!

 

[gingmg]

Look into hypnobirthing. I listened to a hypnobirthing CD every night for a month before hand and I swear it helped keep me in the right frame of mind. Also the book Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth was awesome.

 

[Luvbug92]

Tristansmom thanks for the advice. Other mothers have told me to stay in home as long as possible. I want to do just that. I'm nervous with it being my first time. I just hope I can be patient enough when the time comes to not rush to the hospital. Gotta have the right mind set.

Gingmg thanks for the advice I will definitely be checking both the book and cd out. I want to have that confidence going into things that I will have a all natural vaginal birth so long as I can.
Also another question to you both how long where your natural births?

Thanks again it's so comforting getting real answers to things that run through my mind.

 

[gingmg]

I labored for 27 hours total. That may sound scary now, but its a process and isnt all that painful at first. With the right tools it is certainly manageable. I found reading lots of positive birth stories to be helpful. For me knowledge was power.

 

[Luvbug92]

Yes I am the same way. If o can just get in the right mindset and be positive that this will as pain free andanageable as it can be. I like to plan too so that helps my anxiety a lot. Did you deliver in the hospital or in home? Thanks again.

 

[gingmg]

I delivered in a hospital with a midwife on a birthing stool.

 

[CertifiedOreo]

Yes, stay at home for as long as possible! Thats what I did and right when I arrived I was 10 cm dilated and ready to push. I had her out in less than an hour! Also your mindset is HUGE!! Think positive and listen to your body. I would have to get up and walk during contractions cause that kind of took my mind off of the pain, but everyone is different so its important to let your body be your guide. And don't fight the pain, accept it.
Ina Mae is great, I love her books.

 

[Tristansmom]

I delivered in a hospital - home births are much more difficult and costly to arrange where I live. But the hospital was AMAZING about supporting my wish for a med-free delivery. Near the end, I did ask about pain management, and my nurse (who knew how much it meant to me to make it without any pain meds) was able to support me through the last 2 cm without drugs.

 

[midwife1992]

I've had one baby and my labour was less than 4 hours from first pain to baby being here and was 8cm when got to hospital. I didn't use any pain relief, my birth plan was to use gas and air but to wait as long as possible so it helped me through the later stages of labour, however at the time I really didn't want it. I was breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth and obviously with the gas and air you have to breath in through your mouth so I felt it would disrupt my breathing pattern. I did end up with a forceps though because as soon as I started to push his heart rate dropped to 60 and didn't recover so remember to keep s completely open mind, things can change within seconds and it helped that I went in with an open mind, some preferences but ultimately the goal of a healthy baby and healthy me and what ever way we had to achieve that was the way it had to be. I try and concentrate on the positives looking baby even though I had to have forceps, my labour was quick, I did it without pain relief, I was ok and my baby came out screaming and healthy- was an amazing experience

 

[Wish85]

Best of luck xx

 

[ParisJeTadore]

Birth is such a unique experience and no two are alike but that all aside there are a few things I wish I had known the first time around. I've had two natural births in hospital and thankfully our hospital is very supportive of natural birth and never pushed anything on me (I think this is SO important).

With ds1 I had really horrible back labour. I will spare you the details but the pain was indescribable and without a doubt the most painful thing I have ever done. Turns out baby was turned the wrong way and was back to back. After his birth I assumed all natural birth was that horrendous and was terrified when I was pregnant with #2. I made a point of always sitting straight, not slouching (even while on the sofa), and using my birthing ball to "hug" while watching tv in the evening. By the time I birthed ds2 he was in a perfect position and the pain was: not so bad! Painful as expected but not unbearable. This is all to say: use good posture and a birthing ball to keep baby in the optimal position, if possible, and, if everything else goes according to plan, your natural birth will go terrific!

Also, hypnobirthing. Can't recommend it enough. Seriously, give it a try. It's SO worth it!