Natural birth... help!!!

[Laranna]

Believe in yourself, you can do it!
I read the Juju book as well as Labour of Love by Gaby Targett which was really good, she has great affirmations you can write down and repeat to yourself. I also borrowed a hypnobirthing CD from the library and copied onto my iPod and listened to it every single day. I attended physio-run classes about breathing and positioning in labour and birth which gave me some great coping tools. At the time I picked about two different positions that worked for me. I used the shower and the bath alot and I also had a tens machine which was a dream until I was in transition stage where I didn't believe it worked because I couldn't pump it up any higher

But yep getting the right mindset beforehand helps ALOT, read lots of positive birth stories and books and affirmations. It's what we women are designed to do, trust your body, it knows what it is doing

[turtleschell]

Everyone has already given such good advice. For me, the breathing techniques really helped to relieve the pain, and I found the first 7cm to be such a breeze (in comparison to what I'd expected)
However, I got really tired after that, having not slept at all the night before, and didn't have the energy to breathe properly, and those last 3cm I just kept reminding myself why I didn't want pain relief. I kept imagining my darling DD being born all doped up from pethidine, or myself in 10yrs time with back pain (epidural) and that stalled me requesting any until suddenly it was time to push!
They say really working on your pelvic floor throughout pregnancy makes for an easier birth... I was way too lazy and didn't do any, and still managed to do it!
To wrap it up:
just take each contraction as it comes, think of it as not pain, but a natural body process.
Breathe in and out deeply with each contraction
When you feel like you just can't take it anymore, that's when you know you are almost there.

Try to get a good rest the night before, and eat well.

Oh also!! Request a catheter if you haven't peed in hours and can't do it yourself, this really made the contractions less painful for me.

[BellyBelly]

#1 - DOULA!

Doulas - What Is a Doula And Why Do So Many Women Want One?

There are many studies from around the world which have demonstrated very impressive benefits for the mother, father and baby, including:

50% less caesarean sections
Reduction in the use of forceps by 40%
60% less requests for epidurals
40% reduction in the use of synthetic oxytocin for inductions or augmentations
30% reduction in use of pain medication
25% reduction in labour length
Increased rates of breastfeeding at 6 weeks post-partum (51% vs 29%)
Higher self-esteem (74% vs 59%), less anxiety (28% vs 40%) and less depression (10% vs 23%) at 6 weeks post-partum

Need I say more?!?!?!?! She'll also teach you all of the above and more, and likely have on loan all of those books above and more

[BellyBelly]

Oh and these

Natural Birth - Giving Birth Without Intervention

Natural Pain Relief Options For Labour

[tellytubby]

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth = an absolute MUST!!!

I had a traumatic first birth, and I give full credit to the power of this book. Absolutely incredible!
I had my drug free birth, and it was the best experience of my life

[Ilithyia]

Hi there,

We all know that women who want to birth in the Birth Centre, are AIMING for a natural, drug-free birth. So with that in mind, when you applied to birth in a Birth Centre, some part of you must have felt that you could too. Please correct me if I am wrong.

The beauty of Birth Centres is that they are generally attatched to a hospital where there is a Birth Suite which has all the pain relief you want.

I think at this stage you should focus on educating yourself about natural birth and methods that can help you achieve one. The others have already suggested a truck load of great ideas. The best of all I guess is to have faith in yourself. And remember, there is always room for options.

I wish you all best!
x

[~clover~]

I agree that faith in yourself is a huge factor!
I had gas & pethidine with DD1, because I had no idea what I was doing, or what to expect. I was terrified of the pain & thought it wasn't normal, so was fighting against it. Tencing my body up to fight the pain, rather than let the contractions do what they were meant to do.
Next time around I knew what I did wrong the first time, so I was able to focus on this. I tuned in to each contraction. Rather than freak out from the pain, I kinda hummed through them, while visualising what they were working towards - my cervix opening.
I think just the fact that this will be your second birth is a good start. You know what is happening, you have a good idea of what to expect & even though its still very scary, you know what is happening IS normal.
There are alot of great suggestions, but the first thing you need is belief in you You can do it xx

[PollyA]

A non induced labour is SO much easier to deal with in my experience, so that may be a huge factor for you
I second reading Ina May. I read Spiritual midwifery. Loved it
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!
And also don't overthink things, just look after yourself, imagine a gentle meeting of you and your bub and soon you'll be holding them in your arms.
My second birth (a planned homebirth) didn't quite go to plan, with a 9cm transfer and 3 hours of pushing but it was still AWESOME to meet my son.
Good luck

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

it is natural to be wondering about all these things, i haven't checked all the replies but i def think a doula is worth looking into and also having a good chat with the birth centre about everything might help.

I too was far from fit with both my girls, i am 'technically' obese and was so so worried about the fact that i am normally the biggest sook in the world when it comes to pain.
I guess you just need to find something that makes you feel calm, surround yourself with people that understand your wishes and go from there.

Sorry i don't have much to offer except a big and the best of wishes, i had both of mine natural and without pain relief, it's the greatest feeling and i NEVER thought i would do it, DP and i joked that i am such a sook i would have every drug imaginable.... believe in yourself and your body and you will be fine!
Feel free to read my birth stories, they are in my sig...