Preparing For Natural Childbirth

Monday, September 15, 2014


Heather Hiding Photography

This is something I have been wanting to write about for a while, but have been very hesitant to do so until now! 

I am planning on giving birth naturally. I am not against managing labor pain with medication but for multiple reasons I have chosen to manage my pain without. Here are some questions people ask me when I tell them I want a natural birth experience.

QUESTIONS I GET FREQUENTLY:

What childbirth class are you taking:

Darin and I are taking the Bradley Method Childbirth Classes. You can learn more about the bradley method here. It is a 12 week long course but the teacher that we take it from teaches it in 9 weeks! So we decided that would be better for us. We wanted something different than just the hospital childbirth classes offered because those don't spend time focusing on natural pain relief techniques. In class we practice different positions for relaxation and Darin gives me massages. It's awesome :)

Also, I decided to supplement my Bradley classes with learning more about Hypnobabies as well. I was a little skeptical about hypnosis for childbirth at first, but as I have been listening to the scripts, it is really just a way to help completely relax during contractions to make childbirth smoother. I am not taking the hypnobabies class but rather doing the home study course which is a 6 week program.

Why would you want a natural childbirth:


  • Decrease my chances of ending up with a cesarean, needing pitocin, or other interventions
  • I want the freedom to move around during labor
  • I don't want to pee into a tube if I don't have to
  • Darin can be more involved in the process of helping to manage the pain
  • Less likely to tear 
  • I want to be able to feel when to push
  • Make breastfeeding a little easier for the baby 
  • I feel that for me and my circumstances it is safer for both baby and I 
Is your healthcare provider/hospital supportive?

Very! I go to a clinic where I rotate meeting with two CNM (nurse midwifes) for my appointments. They are very supportive of natural childbirth. Also, the hospital that they deliver at, which is where I will be having baby Hiatt, is awesome! They don't require that I be hooked up to an IV, they allow me to eat during labor, they have a Jacuzzi that moms can labor in (not deliver), and support skin to skin directly after delivery. I feel spoiled to have found such a wonderful hospital.

What does Darin think of it all?

At first he didn't take me very seriously because I myself wasn't even sure about it, but after attending the first Bradley class I could tell that he was becoming more keen on the idea. He is very supportive now and we practice our relaxation techniques and stretches everyday. He will be my rock through this whole experience and I am so happy to have him as my birth coach!                                                  

Will you be upset with yourself if natural birth doesn't go as planned?

Here is my outlook on my preparation for natural childbirth. When I was in college and I would spend countless hours studying and preparing myself for an exam, if I failed or didn't do as well as I had hoped, I wouldn't be disappointed in myself because I knew I did everything I could. However, had I under prepared and slacked off with my studying then I would usually be a lot more disappointed in my test score because I knew there was something more I could have done.

Same with labor and delivery. Things don't always go the way we want them to, but because of my preparation I know I will be pleased with the outcome. Also, the most important thing is that the baby is healthy!

Am I nervous for labor?

My whole life I spent fearing labor and delivery, I always joked that I would just adopt all of my kids to not have to go through the pain. Since educating myself on it all, I have no fears! In fact, I am so excited for it, which I know sounds so strange but I am no longer nervous at all. I am actually more nervous for breastfeeding and postpartum recovery, so if anyone has some kind encouraging words to share on that they would be appreciated :)


I will be writing a follow up post for those that want to learn what I am doing everyday to prepare my body for birth!

Love y'all! Less than a month until baby Hiatt makes his debut!

P.S. We are like 90% sure on his name now, but you'll have to wait until he's born to find out :) So for now, he's still baby Hiatt.




11 comments :

  1. I love, love, love this post! :-) About laboring naturally, you know I support it all the way! But, I also love your outlook on things in case you aren't able to labor completely natural. Just know that you can do whatever you set your mind to: if you really want to labor naturally, YOU CAN DO IT! :-)

    And as far as postpartum recovery and breastfeeding go, I was back to feeling normal and energetic about a week after Wesley's birth; I still have light bleeding, but it's manageable; your body, too, will recover quickly if you give yourself time to rest. And....I've read a ton more on breastfeeding in the past few weeks. Apparently it wouldn't have hurt as much if I'd learned to get a good latch from the very beginning. So, my advice is to get all the training, assistance, and help from nurses and lactation consultations while you are in the hospital; their suggestions will be with their weight in gold when you are back at home on your own!!

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    1. Thanks Heather for the kind words and awesome advice! You're the best!

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  2. (Almost) Welcome baby Hiatt!! Someday after I get married and decide to have kids I would like to go the natural route too- hopefully my husband will be supportive of that like yours. I mean, who wouldn't want a massage or two? :) Water birthing interested me also; I've heard it can relieve pressure and helps the baby calm down a bit.
    Stay strong, thanks for being so encouraging of natural birth/lifestyle, and CONGRATULATIONS!!

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    1. Thanks for your encouragement and support Ashlie! Water birth I've heard is great but make sure you choose a home birth for that because I don't know if you will find a hospital that will let you! They will let you labor in a tub just not actually deliver the baby there sadly. Thanks again for the congrats :) I appreciate it!

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  3. As far as postpartum recovery goes, it wasn't really that bad. I just made sure to take pain pills as needed and used a lot of Tuck's pads and dermoplast spray. Just don't overdo it too soon. And as far as breastfeeding - use a lactation consultant!!! I had one come see me in the hospital, and she was the biggest help. They generally all really love their jobs and really want you to be successful. It will hurt a lit in the beginning, but don't give up. Also, medela's lanolin really helped me. I still use it from time to time and we've going for 12 months now! :)

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    1. I bought Tuck's pads but still waiting to buy the dermoplast spray because I hear the hospital supplies it? I just need to buy it already! Thanks for the advice :) I appreciate it so much!

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  5. Thanks for linking up at the Manic Mondays blog hop! Your post is featured this week! Check it out at http://mommyatozblog.com/Get-Linky/. This week's post is now live...hope to see you there!

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    1. Wow thanks for featuring my post! That's awesome, and thanks for stopping by :)

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  6. Hi Stef,
    Thank you for sharing your invaluable insights and information --"Preparing for a Natural Unmedicated Birth -- at the
    Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. We appreciate it.

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  7. Thanks for sharing your view on natural childbirth! Thanks for linking up at WestCoastMama.net!

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