Birth plans & drug-free birth - how much do you want it?

[Smoke Jaguar]

One thing I did fall for was thinking that the pain I'd be breathing through would be predominantly in the birthing phase...the 'surges' were a bit underrated in both HypnoBirthing and AN classes! These I found the most challenging to cope with. I did manage to remember the mantra "each surge brings me closer to my child".
Choco - sorry for shortening your name but this is a one handed job! New Active Birth is brilliant. Try also Waterbirth by Balaskas. Even if you don't plan to birth in water - it applies to labouring using water - water rocks!!
Liana - I feel that one of the biggest factors that goes unaddressed in AN classes is the fear-tension-pain scenario. Classes should aim at eliminating the fear rather than emphasising pain relief and 'complications'. At no stage was I scared or fearful about what was happening to me or what would happen. I decided early in my pregnancy that I was looking forward to the birth itself and savour my child's entry. This made a huge difference to my attitude throughout the pregnancy. People tried to scare me but probably out of some sense that I needed to be much more worried about it than I obviously was! I was too relaxed for many mothers' liking, as if they thought I was too naive and needed a dose of reality. I almost feel guilty telling the same people now that my first birth experience was great and that it was as 'zen' as I had half-joked it would be. How sad.

[BellyBelly]

I feel that one of the biggest factors that goes unaddressed in AN classes is the fear-tension-pain scenario. Classes should aim at eliminating the fear rather than emphasising pain relief and 'complications'.

1. Often they just don't know this stuff - they get taught medical things at uni
2. Like I said earlier, hospitals aren't there to create a warm and fuzzy process for you but to control a process. So I see them running these classes the way they do for a reason, which is why I promote private, independent childbirth classes. Birth is a life event, not a medical one. Seems to be the wrong way around at the moment though, big time...

[Liz]

People tried to scare me but probably out of some sense that I needed to be much more worried about it than I obviously was! I was too relaxed for many mothers' liking, as if they thought I was too naive and needed a dose of reality. I almost feel guilty telling the same people now that my first birth experience was great and that it was as 'zen' as I had half-joked it would be. How sad.

LOL.. I'm the same! Altho I wouldn't describe mine as 'zen' I'm almost tempted tho to tell other pregnant women that it really isn't that bad! LOL. I quite enjoyed it