[LisanAndy]

What did you all do to "prepare" for a natural birth? I had an epidural with Taylor at 3 or 4 centimeters and felt nothing, pushed for 2 hours, and had an episiotomy. With Rylie I attempted to get an epi that never worked and going through transition, pushing, and delivery was very crazy for me, especially when I had to try to keep the baby in for 20 mins while my midwife delivered another baby (she knew I was close but didn't think I was THAT close LoL), complete agony LoL. I felt like wow this is bad, I was scared and I honestly don't know how I got through it. It seems like a blur to me. I remember sitting there shaking at 7 centimeters and telling Andy OMG, this happened right before I needed to push with Taylor and I'm feeling pain and TONS of pressure... the epi was supposed to work LoL! I remember how much it hurts and I'm kinda freaked out but totally excited if that makes sense? After my accidental med free birth I felt so empowered and after the horrible things and pain that came after that failed epidural I refuse to have an epi ever again. I guess what I'm looking for is what helped you through? For me I was fine until I was around 6 centimeters, it was uncomfortable before then, but after it was like WOW, I feel like I'm being ripped apart from the inside out during transition! Because they were attempting to get an epi in then, I had to stay very still and focused, they tried 4 freakin times, it never even worked, and 15 mins after I got it I was 9.75 centimeters dilated. Anyway, so I'm just reading lots of websites on natural birth and I got on youtube and watched some hypnobaby births.. wow, is that really how it is?! LoL! There was never any screaming or anything involved with my last birth even though it hurt like crazy and I wasn't prepared for it AT ALL but those hypno moms are so quiet and chill!!

[greeneyes]

I did hypnobabies and hired a doula. Of the two, I would say the doula was the most beneficial. Which technique you choose to use during your natural birth really comes down to preference but I would recommend a doula to anyone, whether they are going natural or not. Doulas ROCK!

[Oriyan]

I was close to getting my med free birth and I think if I had a doula I would have been able to do it. I got all the way to 7cm's, 18 hours in, and only had the epi for 5 hours I think if i had more support, I woulda been able to do it. :-) Hope that helps! (I am hiring a doula for the next one I can tell you that!) I felt the pushing part anyway even with the epi. So why get the epi again when I was still in pain? LOL

[LisanAndy]

Well I was actually in the VERY beginning stages of looking into becoming a doula myself (stopped since this 3rd baby is on the way and Andy's working late some nights now) so I have an *idea*, not super knowledgeable yet obviously, of what they do. Andy honestly knows most of all that and we really don't have the extra money to hire one. He's a HUGE support in labor. He helped me in the shower during labor, on the birthing ball, massage, talking to me calmly about everything (with every contraction we're one step closer to meeting our daughter, think of her smell, nursing her, ect., getting me through pushing without the epi with eye contact and talking calmly with me, trying to make me laugh..). I guess I feel the closest with him and sharing it with someone I don't really know feels awkward and uncomfortable to me. Maybe I'm weird I dunno, I think doulas are awesome and as weird as it is that I'd LOVE to be one I just don't know if I'd want one for myself. I tend to want to be left alone and not messed with until I'm around 6 centimeters anyway, then I feel like I want Andy and it usually takes me about 45 mins to go from that to fully dilated. I know NONE of the natural childbirth methods because I never thought I'd have one I now know there's Bradley (which I think is coached by the husband?) and Hypnobabies which seems the most interesting. I've tried self hypnosis twice before and it worked like a charm but it just doesn't seem possible for birth because I've never done it

[**Jenn**]

I've done hypnobirthing with all 3 kids and I love it. Lila's labor was a little different because it was sooooo fast I couldn't focus on my hypnobirthing at the end because I was so panicked we weren't going to make it in time (and we almost didn't). But honestly I can say my labors with the boys were so great, discomfort but nothing I would labal as pain. Lila's was painful at the end because I was so panicked and trying to keep her in--so I was tense and therefore in pain.

I had to not push with Liam too (about 15-20 minutes) because my OB wasn't expecting me to go so fast and he wasn't ready. I told Ian I will never do that again, if I'm ready to push I'm going to and somebody better be catching even if I have to do it myself!

[szczepanski]

This might sound silly but...I just did it. I didn't use hypnobabies or anything like that. DH just rubbed my back, talked me through my contractions (this was key) and I did whatever made me comfortable. My contractions were one on top of another for 3 hours.

I did a lot of vocalizing - I moaned/hummed while breathing and that helped a lot. I know I got louder as my contractions got more intense towards the end. And I know I yelled really loud when I was pushing too, and while I was yelling I was mad at myself because I knew I was wasting energy by yelling and I wasn't sure how long I would end up pushing for. Thank goodness it was only 4 contractions, hahaha.

[.Brandi.]

Even though I had a c-section with Edward, I had the same problem with the epidural that you had Lisa. And when I was having a contraction, I had to focus on someone there (Chris, my mom or my grandmother) and they would look me in the eye and I would stare back at theirs and we would breathe in slowly and out slowly together. No lie, that's what helped! Now, when I have ANY kind of pain, that's what I do. I focus on one thing, and breathe slowly in and slowly out! Breathing was key for me!

[LisanAndy]

That was my original plan, to just do it. I thought I was the only one that felt that way and that everyone had some kind of plan I'm just nervous I'll start to panic when it gets really painful again, I was so freaked out because it was unexpected last time. I keep hoping that since I'll be going into it refusing drugs, I'm not even making it an option (unless I needed a c-section for some un-forseen reason) that I'll be more ready for it? I dunno LoL..

Cool Brandi, I'm glad the eye contact and breathing seemed to work for you too

[szczepanski]

Well generally the point where you think "I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE" is when it is about to be over. I stood in the middle of the room and yelled it....Nolan was born 11 minutes later, hahaha.

[.Brandi.]

Originally Posted by szczepanski

Well generally the point where you think "I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE" is when it is about to be over. I stood in the middle of the room and yelled it....Nolan was born 11 minutes later, hahaha.

Wow! You go Mama!

[~*Bethy*~]

Um I'm having a homebirth? Lmao! My midwife said there was more of a risk if I throw in the towel and demand to be transfered, than if I had an actual emergency! So throwing in the towel is NOT an option haha. I've never delt with real contractions, only pitocen induced ones. I've heard (as heather mentioned) that humming or singing through contractions helps a lot. So I plan to have my phone playing music and ill hum or sing to it. I also have a few hypnobabie tracts.

[LisanAndy]

I think a home birth would be awesome but sadly it can't be an option for me So, I'm going to have a midwife and my hospital is very natural oriented and there are testimonies all over about how women using my midwives achieved natural birth so I'm hoping I can be one of them too. I seriously can't wait to hear your birth story Beth!! I'm so excited for you

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

I did hypnobabies and it worked great for me. I never felt out of control, or panicked, and I was very quiet and focused and pretty much just wanted to be left alone. That said, I think there are still plenty of people "without a plan" who just go in determined enough to have a NCB and they accomplish it!

[ShannonMVT]

I did Hypnobabies and I think it helped for the early parts of labor and to keep me feeling positive but let me assure I was NOT chill during transition and I was yelling my head off. I had a doula and I LOVED having one. But it sounds like your Dh is a great labor support, so if a doula is not in the budget I bet you'll be fine with him as your labor coach.
Wow I can't imagine having to push and being told not to. Before I got checked and found out I was a 10 (it happened fast) I almost could not stand it, I was starting to push without even meaning to. I'd tell my Dh to go catch if the Dr wasn't there.

[soImarriedAnerd]

I had an amazingly supportive hubby and hypnobabies. Next time though I want a doula....I had a few things in mind (since *I'm* a doula( but they went out the window when *I* was the mom! I think I will brush up on hypnobabies but next time I will 100% have a doula! I think that my labor lasted so long (18hrs of active labor plus who knows for the early part! LOL) because I didn't have someone pushing me to walk/stand/etc. I need a bully
Oh and I was laughing and napping while in transition but I was pretty "vocal" WHILE pushing. But that feeling afterwards, after I did it.....OMG I have birthing-fever ALL THE TIME! I wish I could do that weekly....it was amazing

[Frozendesire]

I just winged it with Curtis haha same with Dustin but I kinda new what I was getting into except that I didn't know what it would be like using pit.

I hummed and grumbled and growled hehe. I spent most of my time with both pregnancies in the shower. James did everything I told him. He put the water on my back during a contraction and on my belly the rest of the time. I found it irritated my belly to have it on my belly during that time, I think, or maybe it was the other way around lol.

During every contraction I said "The next one I'm getting something for the pain" and then during every rest I said "nope I can do this" over and over and over again haha. And then came baby hahaha

My labors were really fast and I think that helps me lol.

[LisanAndy]

Thanks for all your words!

It seriously was the most excruciating thing in the world to try and hold Rylie in. My body was forcing her out.. it's just so hard to explain. The nurse kept looking out in the hall and finally yelled "someone needs to catch this baby, I don't know how much longer she can keep her in". I was tearing up, I was punching the side of the bed, begging for them to just take her out and Andy stayed so calm and even made me laugh a little inbetween contractions. He said "I find it so funny that you said the only way I'd ever have a natural birth is if it was an accident and now look where we are".. he was right and I started laughing LoL. The nurse kept saying don't push but it was impossible, I was like "I'm not trying but I can't stop it" and I was grunting When my midwife finally came in running I pushed twice and Rylie was born. It hurt but I felt like a new woman and it was such a relief to get her out of my dang birth canal LoL! Despite all that, it was an amazing experience and I want to do it again, I just don't want to be taken of guard and scared this time. I've also never gone into labor on my own. I was induced both times at almost 41 weeks for no real reason (shame on me... go ahead, slap my hand!) but they never used pit, just the gel. I saw mainly OBs last time and a few midwives off and on through my pregnancy but the OB induced me but a midwife delivered. Luckily I'm only seeing the midwives this time. Anyway, my midwife already said I won't induce you unless the baby is at risk or you hit 42 weeks. I'm nervous I won't know when it's really time even though I know the standard is "when contractions are 3-5 mins apart and painful enough it's hard to talk or walk through"

[.Brandi.]

Let me just say this, Lisa, when it's time you will certainly know! There is NO denying! I worried with Preston I wouldn't know even thought I went into labor on my own with Edward. But trust me, you'll know!

And I don't think they should make Mama keep the baby in! That's just torture!

[szczepanski]

Originally Posted by soImarriedAnerd

I had an amazingly supportive hubby and hypnobabies. Next time though I want a doula....I had a few things in mind (since *I'm* a doula( but they went out the window when *I* was the mom! I think I will brush up on hypnobabies but next time I will 100% have a doula! I think that my labor lasted so long (18hrs of active labor plus who knows for the early part! LOL) because I didn't have someone pushing me to walk/stand/etc. I need a bully
Oh and I was laughing and napping while in transition but I was pretty "vocal" WHILE pushing. But that feeling afterwards, after I did it.....OMG I have birthing-fever ALL THE TIME! I wish I could do that weekly....it was amazing

That is exactly how I feel...I'm like a birth junky. My eyes get all wide and glassed over when someone asks me about Nolan's birth and I get all giddy that I get to tell the story again, hahahaha.

[~*Bethy*~]

My midwife has said the same thing. I'm stuck till 43 weeks on my own lol. I was like whaaaaa? But I guess its for the greater good, and god only know my hips are big enough to push out 10lbs twins at the same time (being big does have its advantages lol) I did feel kinda bad for not doing the hypnobabies course, but then again ill have 2 midwives, an assistant for them (who doubles as a doula) my husband and mom, out of that lot I'm sure well figure out something lol! Not to mention ill have the birthing tub.

Would the birthing tub be an option for you this time around, Lisa?