What helped you get through labour and have a natural birth?

[nellnell]

Traveller and Polly have some great points, among others.

I have had 2 induced labours (both ARM and Synto) for medical reasons, and laboured drug free through both. BTW, I consider gas as a drug, but I know some don't.

You totally have to believe that your body is built for birthing and that millions before have done what you are doing, even though you feel like you are the only one at the time. Keep telling yourself that you are strong, healthy, willing to do this.

My midwives offered me drugs during both births, and my DH jumped in for me both times supporting my wishes and telling them that I wanted to do this by myself. Support is crucial. During my second labour (36 hour induction) I was starting to doubt my ability at the 33hr mark and nearly caved in. My DH was my rock and dealt with the midwives questions.

Hot water is wonderful - for my short period without being connected to an IV - the shower was bliss. I hate to think how much water I wasted in that blissful hour.

Try not to be scared. Being nervous is normal as you haven't experienced it before, but use this to your advantage and channel your energy into positive thoughts for you and your baby.

GL with it all.

[Babyluv]

Nellnell 36 hrs Wow well done! Did you feel at all like you were being pressured to hurry up? Was a CS ever suggested because you were labouring for such a long time? I want to be allowed to labour for as long as my body takes without feeling pressured to have a CS so long as bubs and I are not in danger & I guess I worry about wether or not the hospy might get tired of waiting if it takes a long time.

[belfie]

I'm subscribing so I can come back later and reply properly when I have more time...
Did i get a vaginal birth? yes.
Was it induced and assisted? Yes, induced, gas, epi, failed suction & forceps. So certainly not un-assisted nor drug-free
Would I do it again? in a heartbeat
What helped me not become a c-section? doula, doula, doula, doula, a million times over I cannot say it enough - words cannot express how truly brilliant she was in a team with my DH.

Back later with more!

[Junglemum]

pre-eclampsia, and nope no sign of it second time around. I was pretty disappointed first time around, but knowing that it was necessary to ensure the safety of my and bub i was at peace with it all, but the second labour was by far better.

[Junglemum]

i noticed you're in melbourne, i did a fantastic workshop with Rhea Dempsy called transforming pain in labour. It was fantastic, more-so for DH than i. I was pretty well informed, but it really helped bring DH onto the same page and understand my desire for a drug free birth. It made him a rock solid support person.

[Babyluv]

i noticed you're in melbourne, i did a fantastic workshop with Rhea Dempsy called transforming pain in labour. It was fantastic, more-so for DH than i. I was pretty well informed, but it really helped bring DH onto the same page and understand my desire for a drug free birth. It made him a rock solid support person.

Yes I am in Melbourne Thanks Junglemum I will google her, thankyou again for your responses today

[Cassius2]

I can also HIGHLY recommend attending a calmbirth course. DH and I have done one this pregnancy and we BOTH said how much we wished we had of done one the first time around. it explains the origins of the pain we feel in labour, what the sensations are and how we can work with the contractions, use them as our 'friend' (as opposed to something to anticipate with fear) that is helping to bring our baby into the world.

the techniques they teach you are amazing for reducing stress and maintaining healthy breathing (= oxygen = minimisation of stress = lessening of pain as muscles are open and working to full capacity itms). went to a great one here in Melb if you are interested.

simple little things that i used last time that helped me were to have 'reminders' around the room of why i was there...sometimes in the heat of the moment you can really lose focus, so i would fix my gaze on her little nightie during intense moments and on the bassinette that she would soon be lying in. this helped heaps in giving my mind something to think about while my body got on with the job and reminded me of why i was there.

if it's possible, like the others have mentioned try to labour at home for as long as possible. hospitals are very vigilant about dialation and if you can get there with good dialation (ie already in established labour) you are well on the way to getting less intervention that seeks to 'hurry' the process up.

also a good idea is to read up on optimal fetal positioning. many long labours that end up with intervention are due to bubby being in an awkward position (ie posterior). it is also something that many hospitals dont place much emphasis on in antenatal classes but is important as it can impact on the way labour progresses. for example it can make labour a more intense experience and also means that dialation is generally slower as bubby doesnt engage as 'neatly' on the cervix. also generally posterior labours (especially in first time labours) have a 'latent' phase around the time one would expect transition (so around the 7-9cm mark). this means that dialation really really slows down as the baby attempts to turn around and come out in a more traditional face down position. this is where hospitals can get a bit worried as you suddenly arent progressing at the same rate so they may offer to break your waters or, give pitocin to speed things back up again. not great when bubby is not in a good position. sometimes just being aware of what position bubby is in is enough of a helping hand to help you cope during labour. There are also some great strategies to help a posterior baby move to a LOA position before birth that i reckon are good to check out when the time comes (they recommend taking notice of posture and lying and sitting positions for this reason from 30 weeks onwards). I *think* spinning babies has some info, but google should come up with some good strategies...basically slouching back with your pelvis tilted back is a no no LOL!

sorry i have blabbered! but found this all so fascinating when i was doing my calmbirth course and attended an OFP session (i am planning a homebirth so really wanna avoid any extra hours and intense labour pains )

HTH

[Roryrory]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but having an OB as your main carer is probably the biggest thing in your way of having anatural birth. I am probably going to be shot down in flames for saying this, but I am only speaking from my experience here, and my journey has certainly been one of discovery.

When pregnant with my first, I saw an OB because I initially considered birth a life-and-death thing, and thought "If I am prepared to spend $2000 on wine in a year, then I am certainly not going to spend less on mine and my baby's life!" My DH thought I was insane - "Women have been having babies without OBs for years, we wouldn't have made it as a species if it was so dangerous", he said. But he went along with it. Then I read more and more about natural birth and got to know about the stuff on Bellybelly. And I went to a presentation by Rhea Dempsey on natural birth, and how the entire hospital system actually works against women in their quest for a natural birth. So I read and read and thought and thought and prepared myself for doing battle with the "system". At the back of my mind I was still terrified of birth and what it might bring.

My waters broke the day before my due date. My OB wanted to admit me right away with the promise of an induction in the morning. It took me saying, three times, that I wanted to labour at home, before he "let me" go home. That was a critical moment, because I am convinced if I had've stayed I would have ended up with a c-section. As it was, I laboured at home and didn't come to hospital til I was 9cm dilated (quite an achievement, in hindsight, as my son was in persistent posterior position right to the end). Luckily for me my OB was relatively hands off - after a synto drip after transition, an episiotomy and a managed third stage I pushed out my 3.9kg boy (while lying on my back!) without forceps or vaccum assistance. Sure I had stitches but I felt on top of the world - I could do anything! I dropped my private health insurance within a month - my next birth would be in a birth centre, because I could do it!

When I was pregnant with my second, I began reassessing my first birth. I distinctly recall getting quite annoyed with our own Bellbelly Kelly for daring to suggest that my first birth was not a "natural" one, but over time I came to see that it wasn't, and that there was a better way to do things. Like in the laxative ads, there is a "better kind of normal" LOL! I did a hypnobirth class and spent a lot of time delaing with my fear around birth, and my developing guilt - how could I have denied my first son good birth? How was it fair that my second child would be born in such a different way? Well, my second was born in a birth centre, with nary a vaginal exam in sight, completely au naturale. THAT was a good birth.

And now on the precipice of my third birth, I am booked in to the Sunshine Hospital homebirth program. I am planning on this being the "best" in a "good, better, best" progression of births. Sure there are still fears, concerns, worries - but it is oh so different now.

So after that great long ramble, what am I trying to say? I am not saying ditch your OB and run for the hills, as some would, because I think that a woman needs to approach and accept each birth with whatever is in her heart at that moment. Learn, read, worry, fret, rejoice, and do what you can to make this birth what you want it to be. But do not fear what it will become. It may be the first of many or your one and only. It may be your perfect birth or like my first, only the start of your journey of self discovery as a mother and life-giving goddess. As someone said "birth is about more than having a baby – it is about becoming a mother."

[onthefly]

Here are my thoughts, based on my own first experience, and as I face my second birth.
My first I went private, with an OB. I was induced (unnecessarily I believe) at 42 weeks. Ended up with a forceps delivery as my DS was in distress. I was incredibly lucky to avoid a caesar.

While we cannot plan for everything, and sometimes life throws us curve balls that no amount of preparation can get us past, I do believe that the choices we make are important.
I chose an OB. I didn't need one. I agreed to an induction. I didn't need it. I didnt' get the natural birth I wanted, but I pretty much got the birth I chose because nothing really came up to force these choices. If I'd had some complication that necessitated an induction, for example, and my labour & birth had been exactly the same, I don't think I'd feel so disappointed. In fact I'd probably feel pretty good about it all!

So all I can do now is look forward and make different choices. I'm going through midwifery care this time and plannign for a homebirth. I'm choosing a natural birth this time. I know it still might not happen, but it's probably far more likely this time round.

Speaking more specifically, things that helped me during labour
-Understanding the process was critical. It helped me to understand why I didn't want drugs. Why I needed to move and stay upright. And so on.
-Hypnobirthing techniques to focus my mind and to relax between contractions.
-Moving and vocalising during contractions.
-Doula & partner on same page as me

[AndiE]

Hi there,

I was in a similar frame of mind to you when pregnant with DS1 ... I very much wanted a natural, drug-free birth free of intervention. I ultimately came to the conclusion that I had to educate myself about how I could achieve my aim. Fortunately I've had two drug-free, natural births free of intervention. My births weren't overly long and were without complication, with both boys head down, bum up. I'm possibly one of the "lucky" ones to achieve what I wanted, but I think my confidence in my abilities, my determination that I wouldn't have any drugs and my understanding of what my body was doing helped enormously. And TBH ... one of my best mates birthed her bubs drug-free and I thought "if she can do it, I can too ).

How I did it ...
* Lots of reading up about the birth process, what happens to your body in all stages
* Hypnobirthing course - pure gold, as far as I'm concerned
* Ensured my DH understood totally what I wanted and was supportive (he was)
* Acupuncture weekly for 2-3 months prior to birth - I'm convinced this helped me during my birthings. DH also gave me pressure-point massage (albeit he's no masseuse - spl?) which complemented acupuncture.
* Made sure my Ob knew exactly what I wanted for my birth
* TRUSTED MYSELF and my body 110pc. I just knew I could and would do it. When other mothers pooh-poohed me for saying I wanted to do it drug-free (cos "that's what drugs are for"!!I) I wouldn't get ticked off - I just smiled nicely and said "well, whatever, but I'm going to do this MY way".

I agree that you have to be a realist about the birthing process though - sometimes there are hiccups and your birth may take a different turn to what you expected. Personally I came to an "understanding" with myself prior to my births that if I didn't have my drug-free, natural births - ie, an unexpected medical emergency - then that would be ok to. I didn't want to set myself up for a mental fall if my natural birth plans came to a spectacular end. Obviously your safety and that of your baby is paramount.

I had a terrific Ob who supported my birthing intentions - particularly so when I was pg with DS2, I guess because I'd "proved myself". But I do agree that in the throws of birthing, medical staff can have a huge impact on you. For arguments sake, my DS1's heartbeat was dropping off - lower than normal - during the final phases of my contractions. Fortunately by that stage I was 9-10cm and ready to push, and within half an hour he was born. However I guess if I wasn't at that stage, or my pushing phase was considerably slower it could have ended differently. Who knows? Anyway, the midwife (not the best in the word unfortunately) started making comments that the cord could be around the baby's neck (it wasn't). If I wasn't so inward focused and certain that I WOULD have my natural birth (I wasn't in the mood to argue ) then I might've become anxious/afraid etc. Obviously fair comments for her to make, but I'm just highlighting that words etc during your labour can cause a reaction in the birthing parents. We felt she should have kept her remarks to herself, and later my DH actually told her and another midwife to take a conversation outside our birthing room when they started waffling on about another birth in front of us. Won him big brownie points!

Main thing for me - trust yourself and your body and have a good support partner during your birth. You can do it ... trust me. My boys' births were the most empowered moments of my life.

[Gabi]

I've had two induced labours, and both of my boys started out posterior. What got me through?
1. My husband is an awesome awesome awesome birth support
2. I bullied my OB into doing it my way
3. I am totally afraid of having a needle in my back
4. Good luck - I was lucky that my boys turned, my midwives were supportive, and that any complications were minor and able to be overcome

My first labour I had peth and it was a total waste of time so I didn't bother with anything second time around.

[Nettie]

Sorry I haven't read through the whole thread (short of time tonight!), but I have two dot points...

• R..E..L..A..X
• The Pink Kit

If you can learn to consciously relax your muscles when a contractions starts, they are much less severe and easier to bear... that's how I got through (I only had gas that I wasn't sure was turned on!)

[nellnell]

Nellnell 36 hrs Wow well done! Did you feel at all like you were being pressured to hurry up? Was a CS ever suggested because you were labouring for such a long time? I want to be allowed to labour for as long as my body takes without feeling pressured to have a CS so long as bubs and I are not in danger & I guess I worry about wether or not the hospy might get tired of waiting if it takes a long time.

Can't deny that I felt the pressure but I put the pressure on myself, not so much doctor imposed. I birthed in a wonderful country hospital which has an Active birth approach. My doc was a GP but very well trained in obstetrics. He wasn't concerned about the length of time, more so the pressure on bub, so I was constantly monitored (which I hated) but I'd rather be monitored than have a CS. He told me we would review things at the 48hr mark. I'm probably pretty lucky I was in that situation otherwise I might have ended up with a CS a lot sooner. I suppose the best thing you could do is stay home for the max time you can. That way the hospital won't even know that you are in labour (if you dont tell them you're in labour) and they won't pressure you with time constraints.

[helle]

hun, i have some papers on accupunture pressure points during labour around here somewhere... i'm more than happy to send you a copy

[Faithful Mumma]

My last bubba was 11lb 2 oz, and I delivered him naturally with no drugs. The best advice I can give is basically never let your fear overwhelm you when you are in labour, this causes you to panic and you lose all control over how are coping. When you start to get fearful and feel it taking over you, try and use something or someone to bring you back to a point of calm, and take it all one moment at a time. Just concentrate on one contraction at a time, don't think about how long you have to go, just think about how well you have done already. Don't be afraid to ask questions, don't be afraid to assert yourself and ask for more time etc.

My fave things that got me through were:
The showerhead in the hospital that I could hold under my belly during contractions....bliss!

Walking around and swaying in early labour (even though I had a midwife telling me I MUST go to bed and get some rest!). I am sure this helped my labour progress quickly.

The bath during when I was starting to almost, sorta, kinda, maybe, yes, no might be feeling like I can start pushing!

The bean bag that i buried my face in while pushing on all fours. This is a classic example of why you can't plan too much. I had told DH before labour NOT to let anyone get me too push on all fours, I tried this with number one and hated it....this time it was brilliant!!! Pushing was almost enjoyable in this possy, and the bean bag muffled my yelling!!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

The best advice I can give is basically never let your fear overwhelm you when you are in labour, this causes you to panic and you lose all control over how are coping. When you start to get fearful and feel it taking over you, try and use something or someone to bring you back to a point of calm, and take it all one moment at a time. Just concentrate on one contraction at a time, don't think about how long you have to go, just think about how well you have done already. Don't be afraid to ask questions, don't be afraid to assert yourself and ask for more time etc.

That is excellent advice and very true!

I found when i let myself get worked up and upset i couldnt cope but when i had it my head that i can do it and i will do it, it made it so much more bearable. My DD was born in the posterior position so i had a horrible back labour which i did without any drugs. And the good thing was i was never offered any.

Walking, standing and swaying, hot showers and baths really helped me get through my labour.

But my honest opinion is that the contractions were the worst bit, the actual giving birth was nothing. Pushing actually felt really good.

[Cassius2]

Pushing actually felt really good.

:yeahthat:

[Honeybee]

Hi Babyluv

For me I think the most important things were to be very well educated and to make my position clear to my OB. I told him that of course I understand that the best laid plans can change at any moment, but given that all is well with baby and me, this is what I want. I set it out very clearly on a birth plan. I gave the hospital the plan at my preadmission interview, and they ended up following it very respectfully.

Also of critical importance was labouring at home for as long as possible. I also was only 5 mins from hospital, so knew I could leave it quite late. In the end I think I stayed at home too long, because I was in transition/starting to want to push when we left home and getting in and out of the car and up to the labour ward was excruciating. But when I got there I was fully dilated, so there wasn't really much they could do to me!

And I guess the last thing that was important was bl**dy minded determination, because it really, really hurt. Because of the pain and the shock of the whole experience, I think the birth plan was very important, because I was in no state whatsoever to be making decisions, so was glad to have agreed those things with my caregivers in advance.

Oh, and one last thing I did - I started acupuncture to prepare my body for birth a week before I was due. My greatest fear was going over my due date, and having to be induced with the whole cascade of interventions that often follows. I went into labour two days before my EDD, so never had to deal with the pressure to induce that would have started up a few days later.

But in the end, a lot of it is down to your body and your baby. I think partly I was well prepared and determined, but partly I was also lucky. My labour was only 10 or so hours, I'm not sure how I would have coped with a labour stretching over days. So I guess prepare for and work towards your ideal outcome, but don't hang all your hopes on the perfect birth. I ended up having an episiotomy because after two hours of pushing I was exhausted and just couldn't get my baby out. My pushes were getting very weak indeed. My OB left it until I said I couldn't do it any more, and then suggested and epi, to which I readily agreed because I was at the end of my strength. Part of me is disappointed that I didn't get the 100% natural birth, but I'm OK with it because it was the right thing to do at the time.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, it is such a wonderful and special time.