I do believe last I talked with you all about birthing choices, we were set on driving over an hour to get to a hospital so natural-birth-friendly that they had birthing tubs and doulas on staff.
And it was a great hospital. They answered all the questions right. Had everything I’d ever want in a hospital.
The thing is… I’d rather not spend time in any hospital, no matter how closely it meshes with my philosophies.
But homebirth is still out. (I knew your mind would go there.)
So since I have to be in a hospital, I’ll choose the closer one so I can do the majority of my laboring at home. If I had to drive over an hour to get to the hospital, I’d have to get there pretty early in labor. Which would mean spending a lot of time there.
I’d rather have another Benjamin Labor where I show up 9.5cm dilated and have the baby an hour later.
I may not be able to have a Home Birth, but so help me, I’m gonna have a Home Labor. The comfort, the familiarity, the distractions, the room to move, the things to do, the lack of intrusions…
So I’m prepared to have my baby in a hospital that’s not as prepared for me as I’d prefer. Don’t get me wrong, they’re prepared… prepared for emergency, prepared for pain medication, prepared for continuous monitoring, prepared for C-sections…
…But not so much prepared for me.
So I’m bringing my own support group.
Josh and I are enrolled in a Bradley class. We’ve already taken two classes and I love how much I’ve learned! When I told people I was taking a childbirth class, they were pretty much shocked. And, truth be told, I was embarrassed. This is to be my third delivery. Shouldn’t I know everything about it by now?
Nuh uh.
For example, I didn’t know spending too much time on a couch all hunched over could put baby in the position for back labor (ouch!). And tailor-sitting (Indian-style) on the floor helps baby get into the position he was meant to be in, along with strengthening the PC muscles which not only will help me not pee when I sneeze, but does great stuff during labor, as well.
And I’m all for not peeing while sneezing. It would be great if I could get back to that stage of my life…
Anyways… all that to say, we’re taking Bradley classes. Husband coached childbirth. Makes sense, doesn’t it? If they’re going to be there, coaching you, shouldn’t they should at least have to take a class about it? I’ll have to share more about the classes as I learn. So far we’ve only gone over exercises and nutrition. 🙂 Ten more classes to go!
The second part of building my support team is to find a Christian doula who can help us find our heads in the craziness of a hospital birth. Someone who can explain to us what’s going on, who can see thing we’ll likely miss (as we’ll be consumed with me, naturally). Someone who can be a constant in the sea of nurses coming in and out. Someone who is there in labor as well as delivery. Someone who not only understands natural childbirth, but also the desire behind it, and is passionate about helping me achieve it. Someone to give us ideas when our minds go blank (what? labor affects your ability to think?)
And I know you don’t have to be a Christian to be all of the above, but I also want someone who can pray for me. If there’s ever a time I need prayer, I think labor would be it. I want someone who believes God made my body to do this.
So that’s where we are. Who else out there is pregnant, by the way? What are your plans?
What a beautiful post. Good luck!
Sounds like a good plan. I would much rather labor at home. Plus if you stay at home long enough it will be too late for pain meds and other things they’ll try to push on you.
I am 4 weeks and some odd days pregnant. We lost one in December so I’m trying not to get my hopes up too much but I can’t wait for the birth. My first one had to be induced. I really hope this one can happen naturally.
I love hearing about your plans. Thanks for keeping us updated. It sounds like a great plan. And–no shame in taking a class for the third. I’ve had three and think I would love to take a Bradley class because I still feel so clueless about it :). Excited for you!
Yay, Bradley method! I took the Bradley classes as well, and it helped a great deal, I think.
I didn’t get to labor at home at all since my water broke and I was sort of on the clock. I was bummed about that, but it turned into a good thing. I had developed pre-e and they were able to catch it before it had time to cause real problems.
And, I had the calmest ride to the hospital ever! 🙂
I am so excited for you!
I am in for a repeat C-section. Not what I would really like but that is all the hospitals do around here once you have had on C-section. At least I know he last possible day that I will be pregnant and do get to plan things to a certain extent.
I keep meaning to respond about your birth plans. I actually just had a homebirth (after a doula assisted hospital birth) in Jan. It was a fabulous experience but if I couldn’t have a homebirth I would certainly use a doula. Our doula with our first (who actually was our midwife for our 2nd!) was fabulous and made it like hanging out with a good friend even if we were in the hospital.
I hope everything works out and you get a trouble free, quick and relatively painless birth! I’m interested to see how things go in your life with 3. I have a few years to go before I take that plunge, but I can’t wait!
I have never really done much research on the Bradley Method, but my husband and I also read the Birth Partner which is a fabulous book. A must read in my opinion.
We took a Bradley class with our first (we now have e). I did end up with a c-section with him, but the laboring up to that point was good. Our Bradley instructor even came to our birth to help in whatever way we needed.
Hoping you have the birth you want.
Sounds like your Bradley teacher needs a little update about baby positioning. We all use to teach that being in a semi-recumbent position in pregnancy caused a less than ideal position for baby which could result in back labor – but then research was done and baby’s spend a whole lot more time rotating even when labor begins then we knew and also a “posterior” baby doesn’t always mean back labor nor does an anterior baby mean no back pain.
Sorry. If you go to: http://pennysimkin.com/articles.htm and download the “OP Fetus: How little we know” you will see the research of what I referred to above.
I didn’t go to any classes for Bradley (none nearby), but I read the book and loved it! I did Bradley Method with my son and it was a dream. Well, a 42 hour labor, but a good one. It was mega helpful.
We have so many women come into the Pilates studio post-pregnancy who have absolutely NO bladder control. In fact, a lot of them have abdominal muscles that completely separated during pregnancy (diastasis recti). Not good. Best thing to do? Kegels, every day. Hold for 10 seconds, and repeat. Great for labor, great for post pregnancy, and great for overall health in the long run.
I’m planning (hoping!) for a VBAC in 7 or so weeks at a hospital 1+ hours away. Also thinking I won’t leave the house right away because they said I will most likely be in labor for quite some time (like a first timer). My options were only to go this far away, do a homebirth which I was nervous about due to the uterine rupture possiblity, or have another C-section.
we took bradley classes with our 2nd pregnancy… or rather i did. we couldn’t find a sitter for our then-1 yr old and let’s just say no one concentrated when he was at class, so DH dropped out. i loved learning about birth since i’d also had a c/s w/ #1 but i felt so unprepared for birth ad b/cs DH wasn’t my coach, i really wished i’d had a doula. i think we’re going to go the doula route this time,but i’m having to convicne the hubby to spend the $!! (oh, we’re 22 wks)
We took Bradley classes and learned SO much. They teach you so many wonderful things.
My labor with James was not good;) and we ended with a very necessary emergency C section but the Dr told us were the best prepared couple she’s worked with. She said that we did great as a team and made it longer than she’d have expected anyone to under the circumstances.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
This is my first… due May 18th, so that’s what…47 days left???WOW!. I have a desire to go natural as well, although I will admit I know very little about anything… All I do know is I don’t want to be pressured into using drugs for the pain. I’m praying for wisdom as I feel pretty clueless! So I am open to any research and opinions! Blessings for your pregnancy! I love your blog! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
http://spinningbabies.com/
I like your birth plan 🙂 If I had to do a hospital birth again, this is what I’d do.
Why are you not planning a homebirth if you love the home idea? Do you have certain complications that may make it not-so-ideal, or are you and your husband just not comfortable with the idea?
We did Bradley method also. Almost all of the no-drugs birthing moms I know have used it.
I loved my bradley book…and even though we didn’t take a bradley class, the instructor of the class we took is a Christian woman who is passionate about natural birth. We ended up hiring a doula – also a Christin – to help us achieve our natural hospital birth and had a wonderful, joyful, lightening labor. You’re right, being a Christian, while not necessary, was such a blessing for my husband and me. It was a 3 hr labor before an ambulance ride to an un-planned hospital with stranger doctors…and we we so glad she could pray us through it! You’ve been so blessed with your first 2 babes, this one will be beautiful as well. God bless y’all as you prepare!
We did Bradley and loved it! I highly recommend it. As well as having a doula… especially a Christian Doula. I remember while I was in transition, and sort of out of it, I looked down at our doula and she had her head bowed, praying. It was really cool! I mean, just to know that everyone on your team (my husband, doula, and doctor) were all supplicating to the King of Kings was pretty awesome.
I’d say “Good Luck”, but I don’t believe in it!
God Bless,
Nancy
We did Bradley Method for our first, and I think that it helped. It made my husband more confident and knowledgeable if anything else. My water broke at 35 weeks, so I had to go to the hospital to get an IV started since I didn’t have my strep test (not part of my plan . . .), but it was a good thing we got to the hospital because he was born just a couple hours later. The nurse said that I was one of the best patients she’d seen (as did the doctor). I was able to walk to our recovery room from the delivery room. The nurse said that was the first time it had ever happened. I’m hoping that it goes as well this next time around (well, hopefully this one will bake a little longer 🙂 I’m almost 7 weeks along.
Don’t be embarrased! The Bradley class is great and very empowering (which you will need when you face the hospital). I took it for our FOURTH when we decided to go natural for the 1st time. Make sure that your birthplan is written out AND read by the staff. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!