Natural birthers

What one tip would you give to someone wanting a natural birth? (I already have a doula lined up, so skip that one  ) Last time I thought I was prepared and I could do it, and then after a long labor with very little progress I got an epidural. This time I'm trying to go the route of potentially being overprepared, so any help would be great.

Also, for those of you who had excessively long labors, how did you deal with the exhaustion? I could handle the pain, but the exhaustion is what did me in.

I just kept telling myself that my body was made to do it....and if my Mom could do it 3 times, then so could I (my mom is a wuss -- lol)

My labor was 36 hrs.

Stay goal oriented. You get a BABY at the end. labor DOES NOT last forever.

Take it ONE contraction at a time. Don't think about the next 10 after that or the possible hours ahead or the pushing, etc. Just concentrate on getting through ONE contraction. ONE is easy. Then you get a break.  

As for energy, lots of clear liquids and ask your doc if you can eat during labor. Eating (or at least getting a glucose drip in the IV instead of just saline, maybe?) will help with energy levels. You're allowed to drink caffeinated beverages in labor too---my hospital served me coffee with breakfast on both days I was in labor (but not when baby was out and I was nursing, haha).

For me it was being at home, there was no other options. I had to do it, so i did. Active labour, doing what you feel most comfortable with, not letting people intrude on your space. Water helped me a lot. I think another part of it was preparing and understanding the birthing process, reading Ina May etc. Thinking of the end result is a good thing to help aswel.

Somehow I keep forgetting to ask my doctor if I can eat during labor! She's already okayed a hep lock though, and unless someone else is in the tub I'm having a water birth. I spent so many hours laboring in the tub at home last time and it really helped, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the hospital's only tub is free when I go into labor this time. I've read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Birthing from Within, Active Birth, and I just ordered Natural Hospital Birth- The Best of Both Worlds. There's also a Bradley Method book floating around here somewhere that I'll read once DH finds it.

I brought a cooler with me with stuff that was light but that would keep me energized (apple sauce, juice, cheese sticks, peanut butter crackers, honey sticks, etc) if any doctors ask just tell them it's food for SO.


I took Bradley method classes and they helped tremendously.

Quoting Samanthaaaa ♥:" I brought a cooler with me with stuff that was light but that would keep me energized (apple sauce, juice, ... [snip!] ... sticks, etc) if any doctors ask just tell them it's food for SO. I took Bradley method classes and they helped tremendously."

Ohhhh the cooler is a great idea! We don't have time to take classes because of DH's work schedule which sucks because I feel like they'd really help, so instead I'm making him read relevant information in the birthing books.

Quoting P Pickle Pants:" My labor was 36 hrs. Stay goal oriented. You get a BABY at the end. labor DOES NOT last forever. ... [snip!] ... hospital served me coffee with breakfast on both days I was in labor (but not when baby was out and I was nursing, haha)."

My hospital served me coffee in the mornings with my breakfast, even though I was nursing   I didn't drink it, because I thought that was a no-no.

Quoting TootsMcGoots:" My hospital served me coffee in the mornings with my breakfast, even though I was nursing   I didn't drink it, because I thought that was a no-no."

In moderation is fine. I drank beer and coffee occasionally the entire time I nursed my son. Although, i don't think I'd drink it in hospital (if they HAD served it) because my son had bad reflux and I'd want to see if he was sensitive to my milk/colostrum without caffeine and sugar and dairy added to the mix.

I plan to cut back on dairy the last couple weeks of pregnancy to see if that helps this baby out. then if she has no issues try adding it back and see how she reacts.

do what feels natural... and what feels most comfortable, no matter how silly you feel...just let go haha.
It wasnt until I didnt give a smurf anymore when I progressed.. I went from 2-10 in about an hour as soon as I got on all 4s and hollered my head off... after about 18 hours of labor before that.

also this tip helped me.. when you get a contraction, bear down a little like you are going pee...it took some of the pressure off.
and when you realize you are in early labor, REST... I know its hard, but don't over do it right away. Rest, eat, drink save your energy for active labor.

Honestly it is mind over matter, I had bronchitis when I went into labor with my second child. He was also stuck, but I kept pushing forward knowing it would end soon, I imagined my contractions were like an ocean wave a rode them away, its a nice thought when your in the moment lol...

Watch/read my birth story : )

http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about2451587.html

My labor was 22 hours long and I had a homebirth. I relaxed in the tub for a couple of hours and actually progressed from 5 cm to 9 and a half the 4 hours that I was in the tub. I took the contractions one at at time and when I relaxed and didn't tense up during a contraction they were so much easier to handle. I fell asleep on my bed between contractions during the transition stage. I remember telling everyone I can't wait to have my baby so I can go to sleep and get some rest without these contractions waking me up lol. You are making a wonderful decision by hiring a doula. My SO was the best birth partner I could've ever asked for. He had me in this relaxed state and would massage my temples. He also got me cold washcloths and was just totally involved in my labor process. He also read a book called "The Birth Partner" while I was pregnant and my midwife was impressed at how much he remembered and put to use.