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RE: Natural Childbirth-support and discussion - 1/11/2008 8:37:21 AM
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lexie
Posts: 3059
Joined: 6/27/2005
From: Toronto
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quote:
It truly was because I lived in West Africa for a year and saw what those women did with no pain medications.
My MIL delivered her 7th child on her own AT the hospital. The nurse wouldn't believe her when she was telling her how far her labour was and wouldn't do anything until she had a urine sample, so my MIL ended up squatting in the waiting room and delivering her own baby.
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RE: Natural Childbirth-support and discussion - 1/11/2008 9:39:01 AM
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Room2Grow
Posts: 786
Joined: 4/20/2005
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With my first, I mostly labored laying down b/c I was exhausted (it was a 17.5 hour labor, starting at 11 at night), though I did spend some time in the shower swaying and squatting (which felt heavenly, but dh made me get out since I loved it so much- I was stalling out  ), then I tried sitting in a rocker for awhile, which I HATED (though dh made me stay there, b/c I was making a lot of progress which is why I didn't like it as much  ) Most of the time, I lay in bed sleeping between contractions- yes ladies, when you are that tired, you can sleep between! For my first brith, I think it went well- we were both rookies, and the only time I thought of getting meds, I was in transition and pushing about ten minutes later- pushing was pain free until she crowned- ouch. We learned a lot with that birth, including that I push really well in the "traditional" position- they tried the squat bar and pulling on a sheet- I did best in the docs favorite position, so that is/was fine with me. (Pushed for 1.5 hours, small episiotomy- will NEVER allow again)
My second- I had to be induced b/c of a problem with the placenta. I was already quite ready (1.5-2 dialated), so I think that is why it was so easy. I was not in any pain until 8-9 cm (probably b/c I was better able to relax this time). When contractions hit, I just closed my eyes, relaxed everything (including my jaw- thanks for the tip Sarah), and breathed. My husband was able to read/relax for the first several hours. Once they got to where I needed to moan, I told him to get ready, and he jumped into gear. For this labor, I had to be constantly monitored, so I tried a birthing ball for awhile which was nice to bounce and sway, but the monitors kept losing the babies heart rate, so the doctor came running in and made me get back in bed to make sure she was okay- and I had to stay there  For awhile, I was on my back, which hurt, but it also hurt to move, so I wouldn't let my husband roll me to my side- after discussing this, we decided that next time, he should overrule my "labor logic" and just roll me over, I'll probably be happier and will remember that I told him to while in my right mind, lol. I also had a harder time pushing this time and was too "into labor" to problem solve- we later realized that there were leg rests up- last time a nurse held one leg, dh held the other- this time, dh held one and the rest thing had the other, but it was not in the right spot- next time, he will not let them put them up at all. (20-30 minutes of pushing, no episiotomy, no tears)
Both were without pain meds- in my mind, these things are key:
1. A good partner who will support you
2. An " I can do anything for a day" attitude- rarely does it last more than a day (though it does on occasion)
3. An "out" plan- ie. If I think I can't do it, I will ask my husband for meds- he will say, okay honey, do you think you can wait (20) more minutes? Wait that long and re-evaluate- you might be done by then- if not, you can get the meds without guilt b/c it was not a knee jerk reaction, but well thought out ahead of time
4. Some type of physical touch BEFORE the contraction is felt- your body can only handle so much input, so if you are getting a backrub before the contraction hits, less of the "pain" reaction will get registered in your brain- on the other hand, if the contractions start first, you will feel all of them, and less of the pleasant sensation
5. Plan out some code words ahead of time- ie your husband will know if you really feel strongly about something b/c you are using the chosen phrase v. just "labor babble"
6. Controlled noise (low moans, vowel sounds) can be very soothing- much better than just screaming or yelling randomly
That's all I can think of at the moment- both deliveries were in hospitals (different ones, different states) with physicians- everyone thought I was a nutjob/hero for doing them without meds- both were wonderful and the only major thing I would change would be sticking to my guns about the episiotomy. If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to help any way I can.
4.
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Jennifer
Jesus knows me, this I love.
 Proud Moo Club Member
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RE: Natural Childbirth-support and discussion - 1/11/2008 10:33:01 AM
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EmilyAnn
Posts: 1195
Joined: 12/18/2005
From: Thomasville, NC
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quote:
JoyfulWife - I must say that this is one of my favourite topics too! And if I'm completely honest, I'll say that your labour/birth story was a HUGE encouragement to me to have a homebirth when our time comes
Me too!! Reading your birth story is what first got me interested in a homebirth and since then I have been researching and reading everything I can get my hands on.
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Baby David is here!!
6-13-08
9 lbs. 8 oz.
20 3/4 in long
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RE: Natural Childbirth-support and discussion - 1/11/2008 11:04:40 AM
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Royal.Fortress
Posts: 2168
Joined: 8/11/2005
From: Ontario
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quote:
Oh, and because Paul kind of dared me
LOL - I love it!!! 
Jennifer - great advice!
Eliana - I've read the Thinking Woman's Guide ... I'm so glad you're reading it! It's a fantastic book with great information - but fyi, it doesn't really go over comfort measures and labour partners. I think all pregnant mommas should read it!!!!!!!! It was such an eye-opening book to me!
Right now, I'm reading "The Birth Partner" (Penny Simkin) and it's an easy read that goes over EVERYTHING - supplies to take to the hospital, the stages of labour and birth (as well as what the contractions are like, what the mom is likely feeling, what the partner is feeling), positions for labouring, positions for pushing, comfort measures, strategies for difficult labours, the medical side of things (tests, technology, interventions, procedures, problems that can arise, pain meds, c-sections and VBAC) and postpartum issues and breastfeeding. I started reading it a couple days ago and am already half-way through. It's the book that I've asked my hubby to read, so I thought I should probably read it first! I'd highly recommend it!
Anybody else read some great labour "coach" books?
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Kim
my blog -> kim thru the looking glass
Proud member of the Moo Club
<- My beautiful baby girl!
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RE: Natural Childbirth-support and discussion - 1/11/2008 2:02:32 PM
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3cappuccinosmom
Posts: 2562
Joined: 4/12/2005
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quote:
What interests you about natural childbirth?
I just find the whole process amazing. Mind-blowing, really. I know there are exceptions and sometimes things just don't work, but the more I read and learn, the more I'm impressed with God's design. 
quote:
If it's very important to you, why?
On a personal level (IOW, nobody assume I'm applying this to anyone but myself  ), because I know that I'd be one of those women who really, really struggled after a c-section. I am already prone to depression and that could easily be a kick start for an episode. I struggled after Asrat's birth, even though that was a quick and comparatively easy one. The length and intensity of my labors hasn't been hugely different, but there were very different feelings after Gebre's and Biruk's births which were managed by *me* and not orchestrated by doctors with me as an onlooker. After Asrat's birth I was exhausted, relieved, glad to be done, happy to have a baby, looking forward to more, but inexplicably also unahappy. After Gebre's and Biruk's birth I felt confident and very empowered. I truly don't know how much it had to do with the actual births, and how much it was just because I was educated, I was making the choices for myself, etc. So, that is why it is important to me to keep learning and to continue doing whatever is within my power to give birth the way I was designed to.
I also believe that when medicine is used when it is unnecessary, there can be serious consequences, some of which we know, and some we don't yet. And a needle anywhere near my spine??? Oohhhh no. Nope. 
Obviously, if my baby's life is *genuinely* in danger, I will hop on the operating table myself. My big problem is that I have been told numerous times in the past that I was putting myself or baby at serious risk, when it wasn't true.
Now, on a broader level (though again I'm talking about me personally and my IRL friends), I do have several friends who were not able to avoid intervention and can give the smile and "I'm just glad to have a healthy baby" in general conversation, but when they talk about it describe atrocious treatment and regret that it got to the point of surgery. Not regret that the baby's alive but sort of a nagging feeling that it either could have been handled better, or could have turned out differently. The most recent one was pit-ed *three* times before labor kept going, then was talked into an epidural very very early, then kept in bed on her back, then labored 30 hours until the heartones got "non reassuring" (and no wonder!), then had a section. Another friend had similar "labor management" and then was told she'd always have to have c-sections or her uterus would explode. I don't blame women for wanting to avoid situations like that, but I sure wish more of those initial bad experiences could be avoided in the first place.
< Message edited by 3cappuccinosmom -- 1/11/2008 2:13:08 PM >
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RE: Natural Childbirth-support and discussion - 1/11/2008 2:10:26 PM
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Royal.Fortress
Posts: 2168
Joined: 8/11/2005
From: Ontario
Status: offline
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I forgot that book had suggestions in it ... duh!!! I might have to buy that one ... if we lived near The Farm, that's where I'd have my baby!!
What interests you about natural childbirth?
Hmm ... that's a very good question! Childbirth to me is the most amazing, beautiful process. I can't get enough of natural birth stories, pictures, and videos. Our bodies' ability to do such a powerful thing intrigues me.
If it's very important to you, why?
It's important to me to let 'nature' take its course. My husband and I try to eat more natural foods, we try to buy more natural products, we try to part with the 'natural' way of things as seldom as we can, so it makes sense to me to let labour and birth happen as God designed them! (barring, of course, medical problems, and in those cases, I have no problem with medical interventions)
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Kim
my blog -> kim thru the looking glass
Proud member of the Moo Club
<- My beautiful baby girl!
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) with Asrat. Miserable. With Gebre I labored a lot on a birthing ball, and then when I hit transition went to hands and knees, and pushed in that position. With Biruk I was either bent over standing up, or on hands and knees the whole time, because it was the only way I could cope. They were checking his heartbeat with me on my side once, and I could feel a contraction and literally panicked until I got back up to hands and knees. 
I've asked my midwife and doctor and hunted online and there isn't anything. 
my soldier! 
