Girls who want a natural childbirth...

I've always wanted a natural childbirth.

For those who are planning this, are you taking any classes? Bradley, Hypnobirthing, etc?

Any good books or videos you recommend?

BTDT, anything in particular that helped you? I want to prepare myself and my body!

Re: Girls who want a natural childbirth...

I did Bradley & found it helpful. (2 natural childbirths).

Re: Girls who want a natural childbirth...

Re: Girls who want a natural childbirth...

I used Hypnobabies for both of my births and loved it. Here's the link to my birth story Evan's Hypnobabies Birth

I definitely recommend taking some sort of class and delivering with a doctor or midwife who supports natural birth.

My Hypnobaies births were so great that I'm actually teaching the classes now. FM if you have any questions.

Re: Girls who want a natural childbirth...

I am taking a Bradley course, but have only had one class so far, so not sure how helpful it will be yet.

Re: Girls who want a natural childbirth...

Im not taking any classes (we took Lamaze, which confirmed that I want to go naturally), but Im currently reading The Complete Idiots Guide to Natural Childbirth and find it completey easy to read, and informative! Its giving me the confidence I need to know that I can do this naturally! (I dont think I need to take a class for something that my body knows how to do, that women have been doing naturally since the beginning of time jmo)

Eta: My friends who have gone naturally have given me some good advice, including not rushing to the hospital, but laboring at home for as long as possible (1 friend got to 7cm dialted before getting to the hospital ), remember that each contraction will end, and then you will have some time to rest and relax in between, and trusting your body b/c it knows what to do!

Message edited 4/26/2011 2:27:40 PM.

Re: Girls who want a natural childbirth...

Posted by MrsECullen7319

Im not taking any classes (we took Lamaze, which confirmed that I want to go naturally), but Im currently reading The Complete Idiots Guide to Natural Childbirth and find it completey easy to read, and informative! Its giving me the confidence I need to know that I can do this naturally! (I dont think I need to take a class for something that my body knows how to do, that women have been doing naturally since the beginning of time jmo)

Eta: My friends who have gone naturally have given me some good advice, including not rushing to the hospital, but laboring at home for as long as possible (1 friend got to 7cm dialted before getting to the hospital ), remember that each contraction will end, and then you will have some time to rest and relax in between, and trusting your body b/c it knows what to do!

Re: Girls who want a natural childbirth...

According to my friend who did this, she stayed home until the contractions really started to hurt and were close together...I guess it also depends on how far you are from the hospital. She said she kept busy in between contractions, took a shower, went in the pool, etc, and when they really started to be uncomfortable she just closed her eyes and breathed through them. She never panicked about being in labor, which I think must be key (although prob really hard!)

Even at Lamaze they told us not to come until the contractions were so painful we couldn't talk through them, They said to call the Dr. when contractions come 5 minutes apart for an entire hour...by then you can be from 3-7 cms dialted. I was told that if I get to the hospital and Im not at least 3cms, they will send me home anyway...