How are you preparing for childbirth (not a fisting thread)

[imavera]

With my first, we took Bradley classes, and I read and started attending LLL meetings when I was about 7 months. I'm a preparer and knowing what was normal during labor was really powerful for me (example: throwing up in transition- I would have freaked out I I hadn't known about that). He was a hospital birth as well as my first, so I planned much more.

For my second, I read Ina May since I somehow missed it the first time. The horse lips is why my son was born before my midwife got there, I'm pretty sure!

I'm not doing anything this time. My last birth was only an hour of active labor, and I'm having another home birth. Status quo for me.

[yl]

My SIL gave me the Ina May book to read. My SIL is WAY crunchier than I am, so I wasn't thinking this was something I would get much out of, but since you ladies seem to like it maybe I'll give it a try.

I'm doing prenatal yoga, some childbirth classes, and lots and lots of denial.

[wifemomprof]

We did a series of classes from the hospital because I was terrified and wanted all the information I could get. I also watched The business of being born and read Ina May. From there, I explored the option of a doula, but since I had just finished school and hadn't started my current job yet was afriad of cost. I emailed a regional group of doulas for recommendations and was connected to an incredible woman who was free because she was still working on her certification. We were so lucky! She helped us craft a birth plan AND gave successful suggestions when we find out about two weeks before due date that baby was breached, so a c-section was scheduled then not needed. The doula was amazing, and I would recommend exploring the option if it is right for you and your family!

[junedear]

I get a little anxious when I start thinking about prepping. I plan on talking to my OB about it tomorrow. DH is very supportive but when it comes to medical stuff and me being in pain he sort of loses his cool and I'm worried I'll be more worried about calming him down rather than focusing. I can just see him being more "Is everything ok? Is this normal?" which will stress me out. So I've wondered if having a MW or doula will help keep things calm.

I also have the Ina May book. I read about 15 or so of the birth stories and I had to put it down. It was way over the top IMO and just did not seem realistic to me. I also got a little pissed that the one hospital story I read was from the 70s and described things such as the patient being restrained and having her baby taken away from her (in other words, not at ALL the norm in this day and age and not helpful or reassuring to the moms wanting a hospital birth). I plan on picking it back up again eventually and skipping to the second half, which seems like it will be much more informative.

[wells2010]

with my first, I was in my last semester of nursing school and did my OB rotation. That gave me a pretty good idea about what to expect as I saw 5 or 6 natural births and 2 c-sections. I obviously already had CPR/first aid and my husband does too (he'a an EMT).

This time, I am going to try and relax and spend time with DD. I will take care of myself and be healthy and happy. I will go for walks everyday until baby comes (just as I did last time).

I will pack less things for the hospital. I plan on bringing a nursing pillow, a bathrobe, 2 nursing tank tops, and slippers, plus something to wear home for me and baby. I might also pack snacks for after delivery since my blood sugar tends to drop and I'll need something quick.

[fortunecookie2014]

Um, picking out my anesthesia of choice?

No, I'll probably take a class at the hospital - I like to try to be as prepared as is reasonable. But I'm totally down with a medicated birth, and hoping that helps make the whole thing manageable. It kinda freaks me out if I think about giving birth so I've been avoiding thinking about it, hoping I'll feel differently later.

I still remember watching a birth video in high school health class, and when the baby came gushing out the giant football player sitting in front of me jerked back in his chair so hard he almost fell over. That's a bit of how I feel.

[tiamiaxx]

I did no prep last time except decided I didn't want an epidural which didn't cross my mind during labour anyway. This time I've been reading Ina May (trying not to roll my eyes too much) and it's made me think I might want to try controlling the atmosphere at least this time eg. Lighting, temp and music. With DS it was glaring white light in a freezing room with sounds of machines.

[catladymeow]

Jan 19, 2015 21:57:13 GMT -5 kissandglow said:

I don't really get the doula thing. I think people who have had them, rave about them. But seems like another thing that really doesn't matter come crunch time.

The classes are good, even if it's just a walk-through of where you'll be delivering.

I don't have family or close friends near me and I know my husband won't be a very supportive birth partner, he is grossed out by the whole concept of birth and he's actually the one that really prompted me to get a doula. He's going to be in the room, but it takes the pressure off of him. I'm going to try an unmedicated birth in a tub in the hospital (but if that doens't work out, then that's okay), and I really want someone with me who understands the process of birth and can be my advocate and support person. 

[slurpeelove]

Question: for those of you that did classes outside of the hospital and also classes in the hospital, do you think there was a valuable difference?

I really want to do the Bradley method classes, but they're upwards of $300. And I don't particularly like spending that kind of money if the hospital basically offers the same thing.

[junejuly]

I didn't do anything for my first. And by that I mean NOTHING. Just showed up at the hospital when my water broke, got an epideral ASAP, and out popped my baby 5 hours later. Planning on the same routine this time around.

[beachy]

My advice is that the best way to prepare is to be flexible. If you would like things to go a certain way start referring to that as "birth preferences." I HATE the term birth plan because people get so set in their ways, and then when it goes differently they say things like they are mourning the loss of their birth plan. Childbirth is something that you have no idea how your body will handle, how your baby will handle, or what can happen. By insisting you want to go med free your entire pregnancy (for example) you're setting yourself up to feel like a failure if come labor day you decide to get an epi. Have your preferences and be flexible.

[beachy]

Oh and I didn't do much to prepare. I meant to take classes at the hospital but kept putting it off. We did take the hospital tour and that gave a lot of great info. I'll take it again this time too just in case things have changed, rules on kids visiting, and to see how things are different with two babies.

I never read books, just got info from a lot of people on my BMB and IRL. My only goal was to get baby out as quickly and painlessly as possible so I wasn't looking to gain knowledge on certain methods or techniques or anything.

[mollykinnz]

FTM here too!

I have signed up for a class that goes over a bunch of things over a few weeks. I've been reading books and doing some research. I'm really enjoying finding out all of the different techniques that there are out there, this whole pregnancy has opened up a world that I didn't even know existed!
I enjoy blogs too, I see birth without fear pop up on my facebook every so often so I'll read what story is posted.
.
I'm trying to keep my body in shape (even though I have no motivation to do so, I kind of wish it was summer time so I could do some walking and get outside).

[cookiesandwine]

Jan 19, 2015 20:27:05 GMT -5 @justinslovo said:

My H and I took a full day child birth and infant care class at our hospital. The child birth somewhat became a mute point when we found out LO was breech, but they did go over what to expect with a scheduled c section and an emergency c section. So I had a vague idea.

The infant class was nice because it incooprated CPR and basic care. It also spoke about the ugly stuff on babies that you never really know why anyone told you about... vernix, excema, discharge...etc.

I took a breastfeeding class that I found invaluable.

Oddly enough I didn't read books. I found them overwhelming.

Same almost exactly. I did read one book, I think The Birth Partner, that I wanted H to read but he did not. I should not have mentioned the perennial massage before asking him to read it.

We did a full day birth class that was awesome. The stages of labor, the patterns of contractions, what happens at the hospital, etc. A second full day was half infant care and half breastfeeding, both wonderful.

Just don't get so wrapped up in preparing for birth that you forget about the end result - taking home a screaming, angry nugget!

[queenofcats]

Fisting.








....totally kidding.

I'm not thinking about it and pretending it's all going to be a magical experience.

[ahsile]

I did one class at the hospital with my first. It was a few hours and covered a little bit of everything, from labor to breastfeeding and newborn care. We also watched a lot of baby shows on TLC, and I read some reputable things online. It all seemed to work out last time, and I think we'll do something similar again. We are also taking DD to one of their sibling classes because she is excited about going to that.

[lynnyloo]

Last time we took childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant CPR classes. I think at the time the classes were reassuring, but looking back I think the only one worth taking for me was the infant CPR class. That may have to do with the fact that I had to be induced early and not feeling like I had much control over any of it. Our class didn't go over inductions and going from no contractions to contractions less than 2 minutes apart. The cervidil they placed for my induction did it's job and more since I didn't even need pitocin. The nurse tried to get me to take a sleeping pill and told DH he could go home for sleep because I likely wouldn't have the baby until late the next day or the following day. Luckily, we ignored her advice and I was having intense contractions only 3 hrs after.

This time to prepare I'm going to try to get adequate sleep and possibly join the local LL since I had difficulty bf last time. I'm also going to snuggle DD#1 as much as possible because I know the nb days will be hectic and stressful.

[queenofcats]

I now really feel like I should be doing more. We are going to take a hospital tour and they will go over some common childbirth techniques then.

[tla0623]

I haven't read any of this yet except the title, which almost made iced coffee come out of my nose!!!! 

K... Now, I'm going to read your thread!  

[yelah250]

This is my 3rd baby so I know what to expect, but it's been nearly 7 years since I've birthed (and I think I blocked out some of it lol) so I do need to brush up. I'm planning on reading some of my old birth books (Ina Mae, thinking womans guide to child birth) and taking my kids on the sibling tour of the hospital. I'll probably also watch some birth videos and read a bunch of birth blogs.

I live 2 min from the hospital so I'm planning on doing the majority of my laboring at home this time.  I was 30 min away last time so I was a bit paranoid about laboring at home.  We have a large whirlpool tub so I'll make sure that's clean (lol) and that kind of stuff for the actual day of labor.

[mackalack]

Jan 20, 2015 7:47:48 GMT -5 slurpeelove said:

Question: for those of you that did classes outside of the hospital and also classes in the hospital, do you think there was a valuable difference?

I really want to do the Bradley method classes, but they're upwards of $300. And I don't particularly like spending that kind of money if the hospital basically offers the same thing.

I think it depends on your hospital.  With DD, I did hypnobabies, and that wasn't offered at the hospital.  The childbirth classes that were offered were a summary of different things, not one method to help.  The classes at the hospital were good for learning the policies and procedures, seeing the rooms, learning how the epidurals work, procedure for if you have a c/s, etc.  The breastfeeding class was great, and they had the CPR and other ones.  

I suggest if you have a particular method in mind that you work it into your pre-baby plans.  

As far as this time for me, I'll probably pull out my Hypnobabies material and read through it, but I'm fully aware that the likelihood of me actually going into labor on my own due to my kidneys is slim to none.  My plan is the same: stay calm enough that my BP stays down so I don't have to go on mag, push through it as long as possible, get an epidural but don't let them put me out, have a beautiful baby.

ETA: By putting me out I mean feeling nothing.  I had them stop at a 3-4 level of pain.  I am a glutton for punishment!  OH!!!!  This time, I'm going to see if there's anything I can do to prevent the pooping - it gave me such bad fissures with DD that I had to have them surgically repaired.  :/

[dancinbeans27]

Only comment is the title of your thread was perfect.

[tla0623]

There are classes the hospital I'm going to birth at offers, so I'll take some of those. Right now, I have so much other stuff we're trying to figure out, I guess I'm assuming the baby coming out will work out on it's own, lol!

[kristhegirl]

FTM, but so far I'm going to read up on Bradley and Hypno methods, probably read Ina May's book since it's apparently a bible, and take the hospital class and some breastfeeding classes.

My area has very slim options for classes and I really don't feel like paying a few hundred for them. I think the hospital tour and class will be the most helpful for feeling prepared for my husband especially - and y'all using words like "fissures" in this thread are making me bury my head in the sand for the rest of it.

[mackalack]

kristhegirl I'm sorry, that's my fault. I have issues anyway and the pushing made them worse. I'm seriously tempted to take a laxative the night before (if I'm induced again) to clean me out.

[mehlaknee]

I'm preparing to know and accept the fact that it may not go how I hope. And I'm ok with that. My OB asked my plan. My plan is simple: get this baby out of me safely. Done.

[kissandglow]

Jan 20, 2015 7:36:39 GMT -5 catladymeow said:

Jan 19, 2015 21:57:13 GMT -5 kissandglow said:

I don't really get the doula thing. I think people who have had them, rave about them. But seems like another thing that really doesn't matter come crunch time.

The classes are good, even if it's just a walk-through of where you'll be delivering.

I don't have family or close friends near me and I know my husband won't be a very supportive birth partner, he is grossed out by the whole concept of birth and he's actually the one that really prompted me to get a doula. He's going to be in the room, but it takes the pressure off of him. I'm going to try an unmedicated birth in a tub in the hospital (but if that doens't work out, then that's okay), and I really want someone with me who understands the process of birth and can be my advocate and support person. 

My husband is pretty grossed out by the birthing process too. But there isn't much anybody can do. I played candy crush and watched law and order for 12 hours and then he held my hand for crunch time.

[natalie115]

That title made me literally snort, well done.

Not really preparing here. We took a childbirth class last time around that was really informative and great. However when I act went into labor DH forgot everything about how to support and help me, especially before we went to the hospital so I baically laborer alone for 24 hours at home. I'm contemplating taking the same course again as a reminder because it was only 2 evenings.

[brummy14]

No preparation here to be had. Best case, I'm an RCS between weeks 36 and 37. If history is any indication, I'll probably be an emergency c/s before then. The most preparing I'll do is have a hospital bag ready at, like, 28w. And, even then, all it'll include is a change of clothes, a few snacks, shampoo/toothpaste/deodorant and nursing bras, since I'll probably just live in the hospital gown the first day or two, anyway. That's it. 

I'm hoping I'm ultra boring this time around.

[catladymeow]

Jan 20, 2015 13:04:22 GMT -5 kissandglow said:

Jan 20, 2015 7:36:39 GMT -5 catladymeow said:

I don't have family or close friends near me and I know my husband won't be a very supportive birth partner, he is grossed out by the whole concept of birth and he's actually the one that really prompted me to get a doula. He's going to be in the room, but it takes the pressure off of him. I'm going to try an unmedicated birth in a tub in the hospital (but if that doens't work out, then that's okay), and I really want someone with me who understands the process of birth and can be my advocate and support person. 

My husband is pretty grossed out by the birthing process too. But there isn't much anybody can do. I played candy crush and watched law and order for 12 hours and then he held my hand for crunch time.

Well, each to their own though. If you don't feel like a doula is helpful that's cool. But personally I would like the support and that's cool, too. Different strokes for different folks and all that.