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Post by clementine on Aug 28, 2017 16:07:18 GMT -6
Anyone have experience with hypnobirthing or the Bradley method? I'm planning for a med-free hospital birth and I'm interested in learning about those in particular, but if you have other recommendations, let me know!
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sammysam
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Post by sammysam on Aug 28, 2017 16:15:46 GMT -6
I didn't do any birth classes at all so I'm definitely the wrong person to answer this. I went med free for 27 hours of labour +3 hours of pushing before I had an emergency c-section. I think I just screamed and begged for help over and over throughout labour...not sure what method that would be classified as...
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Post by clementine on Aug 28, 2017 16:53:42 GMT -6
I didn't do any birth classes at all so I'm definitely the wrong person to answer this. I went med free for 27 hours of labour +3 hours of pushing before I had an emergency c-section. I think I just screamed and begged for help over and over throughout labour...not sure what method that would be classified as... If you went through 27 hours of med free labor, then I'm open to trying your screaming and begging method.
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sammysam
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Post by sammysam on Aug 28, 2017 17:28:46 GMT -6
I didn't do any birth classes at all so I'm definitely the wrong person to answer this. I went med free for 27 hours of labour +3 hours of pushing before I had an emergency c-section. I think I just screamed and begged for help over and over throughout labour...not sure what method that would be classified as... If you went through 27 hours of med free labor, then I'm open to trying your screaming and begging method. I'm not sure I'll be marketing it any time soon...but at least the pain made the time pass quickly:)
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Post by katietopaz on Aug 28, 2017 23:12:49 GMT -6
Four of my RL girlfriends did Bradley. Two had unmedicated hospital births, one had an unmedicated home birth, and the other had an emergency c-section due to HELLP. I don't know a lot about Bradley personally, but I do know that my friends all really liked it. It can apparently vary in length (in terms of how many classes you do) but most of them were 10-12 weeks and they had a large workbook they were working through with homework week-to-week. I'll tag someone from my first BMB that I believe did hypnobirthing - lgsdesigner I think she had a positive experience with it and would have some insight! I don't have any personal experience with either. We did a general childbirth class through our hospital that I was very happy with and covered a variety of techniques from different methods.
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Post by calendula on Aug 29, 2017 6:50:05 GMT -6
clementine, with my first, we took a more general class offered by my hospital that covered the basics of all unmedicated birthing approaches. So it wasn't specific to any one, but we walked away with lots of different tools and ideas to use during an unmedicated labor. IMO the best part of that class was getting some hospital-specific info and also the detailed what-to-expect about labor and delivery, because while I already knew most of it, my husband did not and it was very helpful for him to get that learning experience. So definitely look for something that offers a lot of that info! I'm not trying to dissuade you from a particular philosophy, but I really liked the general approach. Half the stuff we brought to the hospital we didn't end up using, but we still had some strategies to get through my labor that helped. You don't know how your labor is going to go. I was as prepared as I could be for the labor I ended up having. Which for me, was about 24 hours of slow progress, with me barfing through each contraction from about hour 12 on. I don't really know what kind of breathing exercises could counter that, KWIM? I got an epi at hour 24, took a nap and painlessly had a baby 3 hours later. But I went into it all as prepared as I could be, and that's really what you should aim for. It can help take away the anxiety of the unknown.
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Post by sweetc129 on Aug 29, 2017 6:53:06 GMT -6
I never did any classes, which ended up not mattering because my 2 kiddos were both breech so I'm a c/s mama. My one girlfriend did Bradley and had 3 unmedicated births, 1 in a hospital and 2 at home. I know she raves about her experience and recommend Bradley to everybody. I have another girlfriend who didn't do any classes and had 2 successful unmedicated births.
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sammysam
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Post by sammysam on Aug 29, 2017 7:02:01 GMT -6
+1 to throwing up during the entire labour. They even had to give me a shot of something to stop me from throwing up on the operating table.
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cornpop
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Post by cornpop on Aug 29, 2017 8:00:35 GMT -6
Like calendula our class with the first was through my OB/hospital and wasn't really specific about any method. I also was (and still am) very pro epidural so I had noooo desire to try medication free. Not there's anything wrong with it, just not for me. The big thing I would recommend is try to make your H as educated as you are about what goes on/could go on during birth. I had a lot of knowledge in my head that I never transferred to my H and when things went sideways with my labor, i wasn't in the place to communicate to him or voice my concerns to anyone. Next time we are going to make sure he is much more prepared. ETA: My H did come to the class with me but the things I knew I found out from doing my own research and reading a lot of birth stories on TCF, not through the class. The class really was pretty basic IMO. Like It mentioned vacuums/forceps but just in passing and as things that are really rarely ever used. WE didn't think to do any of our own research on either and ended up needed a vacuum assist with my daughter.
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Post by babybean on Aug 29, 2017 8:47:52 GMT -6
I didn't do birthing classes but did some of the hypnobabies at home program. I found it too high maintenance for me but lots of people love it. I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and some parts of Birthing from Within and a component from each book provided me with what I needed for my home birth.
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snowmoon
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Post by snowmoon on Aug 29, 2017 8:47:57 GMT -6
We also did a general birth education class. It was run by a local doula so it was geared more towards people who were planning/hoping to have unmediated births. She talked a lot about coping techniques like breathing and visualization.
With that said, I did spend my entire labour screaming. I think I want to try hypnobirth this time.
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Post by clementine on Aug 29, 2017 8:51:29 GMT -6
Thanks for all the info you guys! I've heard the general birth prep classes at our hospital weren't super helpful in terms of strategies to get through labor. I definitely want MH to learn more about birth in general, so I'm considering doing the hospital one just for that info and then looking for a more specific class for actual strategies.
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Post by clementine on Aug 29, 2017 8:54:43 GMT -6
clementine, with my first, we took a more general class offered by my hospital that covered the basics of all unmedicated birthing approaches. So it wasn't specific to any one, but we walked away with lots of different tools and ideas to use during an unmedicated labor. IMO the best part of that class was getting some hospital-specific info and also the detailed what-to-expect about labor and delivery, because while I already knew most of it, my husband did not and it was very helpful for him to get that learning experience. So definitely look for something that offers a lot of that info! I'm not trying to dissuade you from a particular philosophy, but I really liked the general approach. Half the stuff we brought to the hospital we didn't end up using, but we still had some strategies to get through my labor that helped. You don't know how your labor is going to go. I was as prepared as I could be for the labor I ended up having. Which for me, was about 24 hours of slow progress, with me barfing through each contraction from about hour 12 on. I don't really know what kind of breathing exercises could counter that, KWIM? I got an epi at hour 24, took a nap and painlessly had a baby 3 hours later. But I went into it all as prepared as I could be, and that's really what you should aim for. It can help take away the anxiety of the unknown. Totally know what you mean. I love information and definitely feel like it helps reduce my fear when I know (at least some of) what to expect!
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auri
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Post by auri on Aug 29, 2017 8:56:02 GMT -6
I didn't do any birth classes, so I don't really have anything useful to add. I just wanted to say that I have the utmost respect for anyone that can go through labor med free. I made it 3 hours before asking for meds, and it was the most painful thing I've ever done.
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Post by clementine on Aug 29, 2017 8:56:03 GMT -6
I didn't do birthing classes but did some of the hypnobabies at home program. I found it too high maintenance for me but lots of people love it. I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and some parts of Birthing from Within and a component from each book provided me with what I needed for my home birth. I'll have to check out Birthing From Within. Thanks for the rec! I read Ina May's book and loved it.
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Post by clementine on Aug 29, 2017 8:59:49 GMT -6
Like calendula our class with the first was through my OB/hospital and wasn't really specific about any method. I also was (and still am) very pro epidural so I had noooo desire to try medication free. Not there's anything wrong with it, just not for me. The big thing I would recommend is try to make your H as educated as you are about what goes on/could go on during birth. I had a lot of knowledge in my head that I never transferred to my H and when things went sideways with my labor, i wasn't in the place to communicate to him or voice my concerns to anyone. Next time we are going to make sure he is much more prepared. ETA: My H did come to the class with me but the things I knew I found out from doing my own research and reading a lot of birth stories on TCF, not through the class. The class really was pretty basic IMO. Like It mentioned vacuums/forceps but just in passing and as things that are really rarely ever used. WE didn't think to do any of our own research on either and ended up needed a vacuum assist with my daughter. I feel the same way about MH. We've been trying to learn a lot of things together, but I've learned a lot from TCF and books I've read on my own. I have to remind myself sometimes that he doesn't know what I know.
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Post by alwayscheese on Aug 29, 2017 9:02:58 GMT -6
It will be interesting to see how many of us want to go med free or not, and how many of us actually go through with our plan.
I would like med free, but I feel like I have no idea what I'm getting into so I want to leave that as an option if I decide I need it.
I REALLY want to take a Bradley class with DH. More for his sake, it seems like they focus more on teaching the partner how to help than the general birthing classes I've heard. But our closest class is an hour away in the opposite direction of where we'll be delivering, so not sure if I can convince DH.
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Post by babybean on Aug 29, 2017 9:07:03 GMT -6
I didn't do birthing classes but did some of the hypnobabies at home program. I found it too high maintenance for me but lots of people love it. I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and some parts of Birthing from Within and a component from each book provided me with what I needed for my home birth. I'll have to check out Birthing From Within. Thanks for the rec! I read Ina May's book and loved it. From what I recall the approach is almost the opposite of Ina's, but theres definitely some good components.
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Post by babybean on Aug 29, 2017 9:11:34 GMT -6
alwayscheese even if you're planning on an epidural I think it's good to prep with some med free techniques because epidurals can fail or sometimes there's not enough time. If you're planning med free it's a good idea to research epidurals too because anything can happen.
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Rama
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Post by Rama on Aug 29, 2017 9:22:32 GMT -6
We'll probably do a general class at the hospital first. Then maybe look into more specific techniques either as a class or on YouTube. I'm just going to try to focus on relaxation techniques, because I know that's going to be my biggest hurdle.
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sammysam
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Post by sammysam on Aug 29, 2017 9:23:20 GMT -6
alwayscheese even if you're planning on an epidural I think it's good to prep with some med free techniques because epidurals can fail or sometimes there's not enough time. If you're planning med free it's a good idea to research epidurals too because anything can happen. So much this. I was actually begging my SO to get them to give me something after about 14 hours...but by then the anesthesiologist was in surgery so I didn't even have the option.
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Post by woodenshoes on Aug 29, 2017 9:35:18 GMT -6
I tried to take a birthing class through the hospital when I was pregnant with DS, but they all got cancelled so I never took one before giving birth. I doubt I will be taking any classes this time, because I would have to drive about an hour each way to take one. I only survived about 4 hours of labor before I asked for the epidural.
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Post by leatherpants on Aug 29, 2017 9:40:21 GMT -6
alwayscheese even if you're planning on an epidural I think it's good to prep with some med free techniques because epidurals can fail or sometimes there's not enough time. If you're planning med free it's a good idea to research epidurals too because anything can happen. OR THEY CAN FALL OUT JUST AS YOU START PUSHING AND YOU WILL FOREVER FEEL BETRAYED. I'm over it now obviously.
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Post by leatherpants on Aug 29, 2017 9:42:02 GMT -6
My friend did hypnobabies, clementine, and she loved it. I think it worked much better for her in her first delivery than her second. But I know she loved it. I suppose its like anything and you get out what you put into it.
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jewel
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Post by jewel on Aug 29, 2017 9:53:44 GMT -6
Are you planning on having a doula? I highly recommend this especially trying to go med free in a hospital. I planned to last time but LO was breech, and I ended up with an emergency C when my water broke rather spectacularly at 38 weeks. Our doula was allowed in the OR which was actually nice to have.
We decided to do private lessons/meetings with our doula before instead of classes for a particular method. It was really great because she could take the pieces that fit with my personality, etc and skip things I didn't like. I didn't end up needing much of it, my labor was just so quick and they were rushing to get me to the OR, but I felt mentally prepared.
I will be trying to go med free and VBAC again this time at the hospital and will definitely be using a doula again!
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rm2013
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Post by rm2013 on Aug 29, 2017 10:52:59 GMT -6
clementine I highly recommend Hypnobabies. I did it with both DDs and wasn't all strict with it, I just listened to lessons when I went to bed, and never used the workbook or anything. DD1 ended up an almost emergency c/s, but I had a great med free delivery with DD2. I also recommend having a doula, got one with DD2 and she was priceless! Since I was VBAC the plan was to labor at home for as long as possible to minimize chances of medical intervention. I had NO CLUE when I needed to actually go to the hospital, but she was able to tell us when we really needed to go. I did a group couples birthing class through the doula agency and it was very helpful. It basically lets your DH know what to expect, how he can help during labor, and how to support you. For the ladies they focused on getting over labor fears, learning calming techniques, and also how to advocate for yourself.
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Post by Leaf 🌱 on Aug 29, 2017 11:05:04 GMT -6
PRO-TIP: if your water breaks a home know that taking a shower could mean you wash all the amniotic fluid away. Our hospital couldn't confirm my water had actually broken and refused to give me an epidural until the test came back positive. The epidural was nice for the hour or so it was in 😑 at least it was in full effect when they stitched my poor vag back up.
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cornpop
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Post by cornpop on Aug 29, 2017 11:11:54 GMT -6
PRO-TIP: if your water breaks a home know that taking a shower could mean you wash all the amniotic fluid away. Our hospital couldn't confirm my water had actually broken and refused to give me an epidural until the test came back positive. The epidural was nice for the hour or so it was in 😑 at least it was in full effect when they stitched my poor vag back up. Oh...that's...interesting. My water broke and because I was GBS+ so I had to go to the hospital right away and I really regretted not taking a shower first. I was totally adding that to my Must Do list next time but maybe not a good idea. ETA: Actually, nevermind, I was still actively contracting out fluid when I got to the hospital so I probably would have been okay. Like there was a noticeable mark/trail from our car into the hospital that was still there when we checked out 3 days later. 2nd ETA: If your water does break at home, DEFINITELY take a towel with you in the car.
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Post by Leaf 🌱 on Aug 29, 2017 11:15:59 GMT -6
PRO-TIP: if your water breaks a home know that taking a shower could mean you wash all the amniotic fluid away. Our hospital couldn't confirm my water had actually broken and refused to give me an epidural until the test came back positive. The epidural was nice for the hour or so it was in 😑 at least it was in full effect when they stitched my poor vag back up. Oh...that's...interesting. My water broke and because I was GBS+ so I had to go to the hospital right away and I really regretted not taking a shower first. I was totally adding that to my Must Do list next time but maybe not a good idea. ETA: Actually, nevermind, I was still actively contracting out fluid when I got to the hospital so I probably would have been okay. Like there was a noticeable mark/trail from our car into the hospital that was still there when we checked out 3 days later. LOL my kids XXL head created a plug and nothing else could come out. I was PISSED.
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Post by calendula on Aug 29, 2017 12:14:14 GMT -6
alwayscheese even if you're planning on an epidural I think it's good to prep with some med free techniques because epidurals can fail or sometimes there's not enough time. If you're planning med free it's a good idea to research epidurals too because anything can happen. So much this. I planned for a med-free delivery, but it didn't happen, and that turned out to be just fine. The birth class I took was definitely geared towards "Natural Childbirth" (that's what it was called, but I fucking hate that term so much), but she briefly talked about epis and I read about them on my own so I knew exactly was I was opting for. clementine I think being prepared for all of it as best you can will help with being nervous about it all for sure. The other big word of caution I would give to anyone planning for a med-free delivery is to go into it with kind expectations of yourself. Don't take any class or listen to any instructor who will make you feel like if you opt for an epi, you're somehow failing yourself or your baby. Its totally fine to have hopes for what your labor will be like, and to prepare for your preferred approach to labor. Be as prepared as possible for everything! But nobody should feel like a failure or have guilt complexes because they opted for pain relief. How absurd is that? Its really easy to get carried away with some of the literature that's out there (looking at you, Ina May) and I just think it sets new moms up to fail, which is unfair.
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