Birthing Methods

Nothing worked for me! Just try to focus on what will NOT make you freak out! haha j/k! Really though-just focus on anything in the room-and that should help a little. I didn`t want any drugs-for my first one-my second and third I had the intrathecal and Nubain! Does WONDERS!! With my first-because I told my Dr. no drugs-and then in the middle of a very long and hard labor--I begged for something-they finally gave me demeral-which didn`t touch the pain! Sorry if I`m making you nervous-but just letting you know.

We used Bradley method and had 2 midwives and birthed at home. Yes I know many of you will think that's crazy, but without interventions it was a WONDERFUL birth! My water broke while I was teaching piano at home at 3:30pm and at 10:50pm I had my son... no stitches.. no issues. I showered in my own shower around 11:30 and got into bed. Didn't go anywhere except bed basically for 2 weeks.

I have 2 friends doing a hypnobirthing with Janice in Oakland County right now and they are loving it!! I'd love to consider it for the next time, but will have to convince hubby of it.. he's open to a lot, but for some reason he's weird about hypnobirthing.

Stephanie ~
I'm an OB nurse....I would say at least take a class offered at the hospital that you're going to. Even if you don't remember all of the breathing techniques, you will have some idea what to expect, and what the process is at that particular hospital. The nurses will help you whenever you need help, whether it's breathing, positioning , whatever. Also, talk to your doctor. Find out if there is something that he always does for deliveries, or never does. We tend to be very supersticious...Don't walk in with a birth plan! LOL It seems that that writes you a ticket to the OR, for various reasons. If there are particular things you want, find out if they are reasonable with your doctor and the hospital policies. Sometimes they're willing to compromise on issues. The best thing is to be informed, and the internet is not always the best place for that (not that it's always a bad thing, but sometimes it's not realistic). If you are laboring and it gets too much and you want pain medications, that's OK. You're not a failure...labor hurts. Technology is not always a bad thing. I have seen all extremes...nothing for pain and an epidural for pain. I think your best weapon is knowledge! Knowing the process and what to expect helps alot. Pain can be controlled with breathing, soft music, etc (no candles in the hospital -- open flame), I've seen aromatherapy used. I've seen someone who had a friend of the family that was a massage therapist...she massaged her lower legs/ankles/feet...and the patient did fabulous! Some hospitals have jacuzzi tubs (our does, and we don't use them much...doctors have to order it, criteria have to be met, etc.) Move....birthing ball, shower, walking if possible...if you have to be stuck in bed, don't lay in one spot for hours...turn from side-to-side, use the bean bag chair for knee-chest postion. And if you end up with a c-section...once again, you're not a failure! It can be your pelvis (you have no control over your bone structure!), the baby could be large, or coming down a little crooked, or sometimes there is some distress. Our goal is ALWAYS a healthy mom/healthy baby...no matter which way they come out.
Good Luck!
D.

I used the Bradley method and had a wonderful experience!!!

The key is to have a husband who is on board and supportive of this decision. Mine wanted to be, but didn't quite get it sometimes. :)

We made it through childbirth with no medications and the only thing I would've changed was the need for using a vacuum extractor. I'd pushed for 3.5 hours (this is NOT normal so don't freak out ;)) and she just kept slipping back inside me. I had the choice of Vacuum or C-section, so was happy to use it. However it did affect my daughters ability to breastfeed (latching and sucking) properly and we had LOTS of problems.

Here's a quick run down of some of the basics. You learn to eat properly (they like you to get between 80-100g of protein daily, along with eating other nutritious foods), you learn to stretch your body and get used to being in a squatting position - as you will deliver that way, no matter if you're laying down, on your side, squatting, etc., You learn to relax your body. You learn how to breathe (this is NOT rhythmic breathing like in Lamaze or Hypnosis... more like a controlled focused deep breathing).

The BEST part of the class (its 12 classes, once a week usually, so start in your 2nd trimester if possible) is all the education about the birthing process. You learn about all the different interventions the doctors have available. The risks and benefits of each one. This helps you compose a birth plan that fits your belief system. You know what you want to have them do to you and what you don't want. You also can say, I'd rather do this then that, but if I have to do this instead... whatever. Its like a priority list. Anyway, you go over it with your DR and then your HUSBAND is the guard dog of the room and keeps the nurses from bothering you about, don't you want us to break your water, don't you want some pain medicine, we can help this go faster...blah blah blah... :)

I really enjoyed this method, and plan to use it for the next baby that's due in September. I encourage all my friends, even ones who don't want a natural child birth, to take the class just for the educational aspect of it. If you want medical interventions, know what they are and the risks etc...then you can make the right choice.

Best wishes as you check this out. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you might have. You can read up on it online, or check out the Bradley Method Husband Coached Childbirth book from your library or order on Amazon.

I chose to have a completely natural and drug-free childbirth. I didn't use a specific method but I did do a lot to prepare for my son's birth.

I read inspirational books about natural childbirth and talked to other moms who did it without drugs. I talked to my midwives a LOT and asked many questions. I wrote a specific birth plan of everything I wanted to happen and everything I didn't want to happen.

For the actual birth, I surrounded myself with friends and family members who I knew would be supportive of my every need. I had 9 people in the room for labor and deliver and they really took care of me. Everything from back massage, to feeding me ice chips, to putting cold washclothes on me. They were like my cheerleaders!!

I guess the closest method I came to using was hypno. I just trusted that my body knew what to do and I actually felt like I was in a hypnotic state. I kept the room dim and listened to relaxing music. It was almost an out-of-body experience.

I ended up delivering a 9lb 1oz baby boy with NO drugs, except the Pitocin they used to induce me. I felt like Superwomen and I was so proud to tell all the people that said I would be begging for the epidural!

My second baby is due in April and I will use the same method as with my first birth...hopefully she'll be under 9lbs!

Good Luck, you can do it!

Birthing method?? Here is how labor goes....it's very painful, you get to the hospital, decide wether or not you want the epidural ( I did, it was great), you push, the baby comes out. Why make it more complicated by trying to remember a "method". You are going to be there a long time...focus on relaxing and breathing and your partner should just help with that.

Hi Stephanie,

I went through the Bradley method. I really liked how they focused on the entire pregnancy and not just the birth. The classes really focus on nutrition and exercise and preparing yourself for labor. It isn't just a bunch of techniques on getting through labor. As someone else mentioned, it really gets your partner involved. Your partner plays a HUGE role in your labor with Bradley. I really appreciated this because I felt like I wasn't doing it alone. I really felt like my husband was part of the entire process.

Now, that being said, I did end up with a c-section. There was no way around it. My daughter ended up with the cord wrapped around her neck FOUR times and she didn't have enough cord to come down the birth canal. I did opt, after 17 hours of labor and about 8 hours of HARD labor (contractions right on top of one another with no breaks), to get an epidural. I am ok with that decision due to the outcome of my birth. Since, if I didn't have the epidural they would have had to put me out and I would have missed my daughters first moments in this world.

My point is, there are many good classes out there. Do some research and find the one that fits with who you are. I like to focus on overall health, so Bradley really fit with me. I will say though, it isn't for everyone. You need to find the class that will give you the information you are looking for and provide you with the support you need. In the end though, you need to remember birth is a natural process and things don't always go 'as planned'. My best advice to you is to be prepared for anything.

I really didn't even consider the option I might have to have a C-section or might even WANT medication. I really really wanted an all natural birth. So, the decision to get the epidural, at the time, was a very difficult decision for me. I was exauhsted. I had actually been experiencing prodomal labor fo 2 weeks prior to giving birth. My CNM and doula really felt my body was just tired. My CNM suggested the epidural so I could get some rest since I wasn't getting any breaks of any kind. She was afraid I would be too tired to push when the time came. Anyway, be prepared that your plan might just go completely out the window. ALL of it! Then, if things do deviate ... it won't take you by surprise so much. Now, I am completely OK with how everything went. I know there was a bigger plan at work. At the time however, it was very difficult for me to 'give in' to the medication. But, my daughter is healthy and happy and just celebrated 17 months. :-)

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I wish you all the best.

You've gotten lots of great tips here I couldn't read them all so I'll give my short 2 cents worth. I did the Bradley method and although I took 1 dose of pain med half way through it had worn off before the birth and it was a great experience I wouldn't trade for anything. I am so glad I didn't get an epidural or anything more that might have increased my chances for a c-section. From what I remember I think that Bradley participants who take the class have a 90 plus percent rate of natural births and I know that the 6 couples in my class didn't have an epidural (although I think we all asked for it at some point and took it back :) ). Good luck with whatever you choose but if you are looking for "success" with a natural birth this is the best I've seen. Oops I guess that was a longer answer than I had planned. Best of wishes to you however it turns out being a mom is a great great blessing! :)

I went in wanting a natural childbirth and I did it. I read how epidurals can have negative effects on you later on in life and how you may not feel when to push, etc. I am not against anyone who wants or got an epidural, I just did not. But when the pain hit, I was not sure if I could take it. I took an online class of the Bradley method and the only thing I remember was deep breaths and when pushing push like you are using the bathroom. But with that being said I had a wonderful experience. I started mild contractions about 7pm wasnt sure if it was real but figured I take a bath. About 8p they were the same, 9p a bit more so at 10p I called the Dr he said to lie down on my left side for an hour and drink cold water, if they did not stop, they were the real deal and I should come in. So I did and around 11p they were coming 5-7min and were getting intense...told Hubby lets make it. Got to the hospital at midnight and they checked me by now they were 3 mins apart and really intense. Dr said I was 8cm and 100% effaced...I couldnt believe it. So he got me into a room 30 mins later I was at 9cm asked me if I wanted my water broke...uh yea pushed for about 15 min and my lo came at 1:59am...I would not change anything with my natural 1st birth experience. The breathing helped somewhat and hubby kneading my lower back. Do what you feel is best for you, you'll know if you can deal with it and if you need an epidural dont feel bad about it.

Well I have 3 little girls and 3 very diffrent labor stories!
When I was pregnant with my 1st my husband and I took a birthing class through the hospital. They taught us relaxation and visulization techniques. They also taught us diffrent laboring positions to help with pain management. Every night during my 3rd trimester I practiced relaxing. It was very helpful.
My water broke before my labor began and since I was delivering at a small hospital they were a little more cautious and only let me labor for 19 hrs and only dialating to 3cm and then I had a c section.
2nd baby. Practiced my relaxation for about the last month or so of pregnancy. Water broke again before labor began and after 24 hrs of labor had an epidural and delivered a healthy baby after 27 hrs of labor and about 20 min of pushing.
3rd baby and favorite delivery! Got to the hospital, U of M, got settled with IV and 1st dose of antibiotic (strep B) and then settled into the tub for pain management. After only 6 hrs of labor I had a water birth! Loved it and would highly reccomend it! She crowned, my water broke and her head came out all in a matter of min! it was amazing. I did not have any pain meds at all and it was very manageable!
My easiest recovery was with my 3rd. I was told by a friend of mine who is a nurse that an epidural interfers with the natural hormones that help you forget the pain of childbirth. I really believe that it is true because even though I had an epidural with my 2nd I still felt most of the pain and remember it, but with my 3rd I know that I felt pain, I remember screaming, but I don't actually remember the sensation of the pain. It is kind of hard to discribe.
Many blessings as you prepare for the birth of your little one!
K.

I have had 2 kids.. both with epidurals..

I really dont understand why anyone would not want to recieve pain medicine during labor.

Labor hurts.. it really hurts..

I ask for an epidural the dr. came in - put int he epidural and then I was comfortable and much more the birht experience was much more pleasant for everyone..

I would absolutely recommend the epidural. It is hard to be pleasant when you are in horrible pain. If your labor is long the epidural will allow you to sleep.

I used the Bradley Method with #1 and am currently refreshing myself as #2 is on the way. I delivered at a hospital with a doctor and plan to do the same with #2. The Bradley method focuses on nutrition, exercise and relaxation techniques where your partner plays a major role. Bradley Method classes run 12 weeks and begin earlier in your pregnancy that a typical Lamaze class (usually close to the end). The benefits of Bradley - in my opionion - is you have plenty of time to prepare your body for this great event. An event by the way that needs much preparing. If having a drug free birth is something you are considering, consider Bradley http://www.bradleybirth.com/. It's like preparing for a marathon 5 mos before the event vs. 1 mo.

I found Bradly by taking a survey on BabyCenter.com. It asked how I wanted my prenancy/delivery to be and it said Bradley was the method for me. Whatever method you decide, go over what you want for your pregnancy/labor/delivery with your caregiver in advance. You want to make sure you have someone that shares or accepts the same views you have on YOUR pregnancy/labor/delivery.

I've had 2 kids - both natural births, one at a birthing center and one at home.

With my first one, I didn't take a birthing class. The midwives said they thought I had because I was doing pretty well. But with the second one I took some Hypnobirthing classes. I have to say that it was a HUGE difference.

The first time around, I tightened up every time I had a contraction, and every contraction went straight to my lower back. It was also a pretty long labor (27 hours). So that made everything harder. I was probably actively pushing for at least 4-5 hours.

The second time, using Hypnobirthing techniques, I was able to stay calm and relaxed every time a contraction came. And the best thing was, they didn't go straight to my back. My labor only lasted about 7 and a half hours. I didn't need to push until the very end, only about 5 times. When I said it was time to call the midwife, my husband said, "Isn't it still too soon?" because I wasn't in pain. I told him I thought things were opening up more and we should call her. The timing was perfect; by the time the midwife arrived and had her stuff ready, the contractions were pretty constant. My husband was telling me to squeeze his hand during the contractions, but I said no, I wanted him to lightly stroke my palm out towards the fingertips. For me, this really helped keep me from tensing up. I've realized that if I make fists, my whole body is tense. In Hypnobirthing, you're not supposed to need to push at all. I found that at the very, very end, I couldn't resist the urge to push. But it was still such a better birth experience than my first one.

I should add that I'm in Japan for a few more months and had both of my babies here in Japan. There was a woman teaching Hypnobirthing, but she was moving out of Japan about the time I wanted to learn it. I was a bit frantic and thinking maybe I could fit in classes during the week I was in Michigan, but she agreed to do 2 special sessions with me before she left because I was so eager to try it out. (I had bought and read the book.) Usually, you go for a series of 7 classes (I think).

I'll be back in Michigan and I plan to attend more Hypnobirthing classes before my next one. I highly recommend it.

My mom always talks about Lamazze and says Hypnobirthing is the same thing. I think they're probably very similar, except there's one big difference. I think that Lamazze has you focusing on a point outside your body during the contractions. Whereas, Hypnobirthing has you concentrating on your own body and the baby, and mentally going inside yourself. So the focus is internal rather than external.

I hope this helps! Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions you'd like to ask.

Good luck!

Sam

I used the...uhm.. well no "technique" per se that I'm aware of - but I did try to maintain a positive, peaceful, meditative state during delivery of each of my six children. Part of that is of course maintaining calming breathing, and part of that is focusing on positive, peaceful, uplifting things during the experience. I did have some Stadol during each of my deliveries, which actually doesn't do much as anyone who has ever had it can tell you. (The FDA is actually taking it's name brand Demerol off of the market even though it is one of the top perscribed medicines in the country because it is barely effective as pain control and has too many side effects possible for it's worth.) I think it's more of a placebo effect: you are getting something for "pain control" so you supposedly feel a "little" less pain. Even though I never really felt I got any benefit from it, I was afraid to go without, lol.

I definitely think that cultivating inner peace through meditation during the experience was far and away more helpful. It's when you are knocked off your "center" that you get lost in the grip of the pain, but staying calm, focused, and positive makes the whole experience much more rewarding. IMO

Best Wishes for your birthing experience,
Mercale

I can't say I used a "method" on any of my 3 not so little ones...
No matter what "method" you "learn" and plan to implement, when push comes to push :-) Your personality kicks in.
If your a calm breather, thats what you do, if your a stress freaker, you freak out...
Learn all that you can about the different methods and make your own method suited to YOUR personality and your coaches. If you don't have a coach, don't worry about it. The nurses help out lots. Really the coach is so nervous for you that the nurses end up doing alot of the reminding and work for them.
Good luck, relax, try the tub... (worked for a 9lb 7oz and 10 lber... all natural, no drugs at all.)
If you do want drugs, go for it... If you don't, keep the option open so that in the heat of battle if you change your mind you don't feel like you "failed". Any thing that has to be done to get the end result of healthy baby OUT... Its a success!

Wow, lots of GREAT RESPONSES. First- KUDOS to you for taking the time to look into alternative methods for the birth of your baby. I think it is important to really get to the heart of why you are asking the question. We all carry our emotional baggage through life and that includes into our birthing experiences. I did a lot of reading on the statistics involved with traditional "hospital managed" delivery and decided that there was a more natural and gentle way for my son to transition into this world. It was important to me that he and I both were not impaired or dulled by any drugs and we were able to connect and bond the crutial first moments of his life. I eventually used hypno-birthing and had a WONDERFUL --life changing delivery. HB helped me to release fear that I had been carrying regarding becoming a mother and visualize the relaxed and confident parent I wanted to be. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy. We had a natural delivery in a hospital. We had a detailed birth plan and the most accommidating and patient caregivers who were rooting me on. Our HB instructor Karlye was our doula and helped me with relaxation and focus during the delivery. It was an amazing thing. Now, what everyone wants to know...did it hurt. To be totally honest...in the way you think pain feels...no. The surges (contractions) were strong and powerful, but because I was able to breath and relax, my body did not tense up. They washed over me like a wave and I was NEVER overtaken with pain or fear. If you find nothing else in your discovery and research, do yourself the favor of focusing twice as much on the positive birthing experiences as the negative. We are women, created to birth our gifts from God, perfectly equipped since the beginning of time. Surround yourself with stories that encourage and uplift your convictions and say "delete, delete, delete" to the negative. BTW, my fiance thought it was a little 'granola' at first, but after learning a little about the anatomy and physiology he was more supportive. Now, he was never the "involved breathing coach" partner, I would have liked him to be, but he supported me by supporting my decisions. He is a SUPER Dad and we are already looking forward to getting pregnant and experiencing this miracle again. Our son is a laid back, funny, loving little 1 year old and I think his gentle transition into this world will shape the way he touches it. Best of luck, you are giving your baby a great gift by being an informed and invloved mom.

Be prepared, birth plans are like opinions: everyone has a different one lol

I learned lamaze and it has served me well. I chose to get an epidural with my first and it stopped working RIGHT at transition. Having the breathing I learned in lamaze to focus on really helped me make it through.
Since having my babies I find I use lamaze a lot. When I'm getting a painful shot, or other medical stuff.

I made sure I had a birthing plan all laid out to show my OB. I used the site http://www.happyhealthypregnancy.com/info/pregnancy_tools...
for a simple, easy checklist. Just remember: in a hospital, if your baby or you becomes distressed or in danger, all bets are off and the doc takes control.

My ob and hospital were sensitive to my requests to walk around, using birthing balls, showers, low lights, music, whatever I wanted. I was never shushed (and I can attest that no other women were either lol).
The bottom line is to find the hospital you want (if you want to have a hospital birth) and then make sure your OB has privleges there. Best of luck!

My birth plan was wanting an epidural. I took no classes and when it got to the point that labor was painful enough I got the epidural. That being said my labor was induced and painful very early on. I went from starting pitocin at 5:00am to delivering at 10:30am.

My best advice is to remain open. Having not been through labor before, you want to have all options open to you. Don't shut anyone down. Be open and study as much as you can.

Just remember that everybody's birth experience is different, even for each child.
We took the bradley method and the thing that I appreciated the most about it was the education of what your choices are before you get there. You don't want to wait until you are in labor to be asking these questions. This method tries to support you so that a natural childbirth is possible, but it does not at all say that you can't have drugs. It does tell you wha tthe pros and cons of each drug are before hand, so you can way the risks before hand.
Our teacher incorporated relaxation breathing, and visualization techniques, and other things, so we had a good choice of options for labor. Plus it really included my husband, who was clueless before hand. He felt calm and confident the whole way to the hospital when I was having major labor and pain medication wasn't even an option.
It was also nice to have these natural options when my third came along. he was born in the car on the way to the hospital. Not to scare you, but it wasn't really that scary, because we both knew what to do. But I also seem to have pretty quick labors.
I would definitely do it again

In less than a month I'll be having my third baby and each time we have used the Bradley method. After this one, two of my babies I will have had at home using midwives, and all three will have been natural births. I love being at home, laboring at home, recovering at home. And have never had any problems occur. The Bradley method does a lot to educate you on the whole process of birth which is excellent. No matter how or where you choose to have the baby, you should at least be very educated on the process of birth and all your options. It also does a lot to help with pain management, relaxation techniques, nutrition, and exercise. The other thing I really like about the Bradley method is that they really encourage the involvement of the dad. They go through a lot to help him understand his role and how he can help the laboring mother the best. There is a book called "Husband Coached Childbirth" that is excellent for dads to read. My husband has been so valuable during our labors and births! With our first baby's birth, we felt very ready because of all the knowledge we had gained. And for us it has been very successful. Good luck...hope you find the best one for you.

Stephanie,
My plan was to use hypnobirthing techniques, but that quickly went out the window when my blood pressure went up and they had to induce with pitossin (sp). But, I used their theories beforehand (she was 9 days late and my SIL was freaked out and I kept saying "She will come when she is ready"), and practiced most nights.

I also had an epidural, but I had back labor and with a disintegrating disc in my back it was quite painful.

Hypnobirthing really requires a commitment from a partner. My husband pissed me off repeatedly by forgetting to initiate practice (something we agreed on to make him feel more involved).

I would say the most important thing is to be flexible, whatever your "plan" is. Both of the other women in my hypnobirthing class used the techniques, but both said they did not have the quiet births they show you on video. One woman's midwife said most of the hypnobirths she has attended have been louder.
Still, I am going to try again with this pregnancy (7 weeks and already thinking about practicing).
K.

Honestly, after 4 kids, I'd look at all of them and learn everything you can from each. Each birth is different and what worked well for one of mine didn't always work well with the next. Being your first, you should go in with as many options possible. That way you can change it up if something isn't working for you. Make sure you pick an OBG/YN that is open to you deciding how you want to give birth and not what is easiest for him/her. Congrats on the baby and good luck with the birth!

Hi Stefanie,
I used HypnoBirthing two times for the births of my daughters and it was amazing. So much so, it inspired me to get certified to teach it to others. It was that great. I've taught HB to Moms who knew they wanted a totally natural birth and also with Moms who were not sure they could do it without medication. I've also seen Moms with special circumstances and needing pitocin to get things rolling and they sailed through the birth.

Go to www.YourPeacefulBirthing.com for more info. Please let me know if you would like more info. We could talk by phone. Just email me through my website. I teach classes in Rochester and W. Bloomfield.

Also, I am giving an informational talk about the Advantages of HypnoBirthing:
Sat. Feb. 14, 2009 - 11 am
WHOLE FOODS
1404 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills
Register:###-###-####

Good luck in choosing the best birthing method for you!
J.

When I was pregnant I signed up the birthing class at the hospital. It kind of covered the Bradley and Lamaze. I guess it was somewhat helpful, but to be honest I didn't remember much of it when in labor. I did remember to just breathe through the contractions. My labor went very fast. I didn't have an epidural or anything else. My son was delivered just 2 hours after arriving at the hospital, not at all what I expected with a first delivery. Just go with the flow and try not to stress about it. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be in my opinion.

Welcome to the Mommy club! Here is a movie one of expecting friend said was amazing. They talk about natural birth.

http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/

Best of luck! A. H