re: Natural Birth Support Thread!

Hello, I would consider myself a growing CrunchyMama   and I posted a post before about currently being at a Gyno/OB and if it's possible to still have a Water Birth there with my own pool... answers didn't go so well. So I decided to contact a Birthing Center w/ a Midwife that my insurance does cover and I'm very happy. Only problem I'm having lately is the support of my family... they don't think it's safe and there having major doubts. My Boyfriend is VERY supportive and told me to do it anyways without their consent. I just want the great experience and support of my family because it matters to me and my growing family plus my Boyfriend said he would freak out on the Doctors if I tell them no C-section or Epidural and they still try to force me into one so he just considers natural as best. What can I do about this?? I'm staying at my grandmothers house for the last month and I don't want them driving me to a hospital when I specifically tell them the Birthing Center just because they're in a rush and they find it best. The center is beautiful and it answered the main questions I was searching for in natural but assisted with a Midwife and they're also Certified Nurses as well. http://www.nativiti.com/ you can check it out to tell me what you think.  

Quoting Grizzy:" Hello, I would consider myself a growing CrunchyMama   and I posted a post before about currently being ... [snip!] ... Midwife and they're also Certified Nurses as well. http://www.nativiti.com/ you can check it out to tell me what you think.  "

Who cares, what your family wants. It's not their labor. If they don't want to be supportive then that is their own problem. Just take a cab to the birthing center if you have to, or call a friend to take you, if you don't have a car. Chances are very likely that you won't end up giving birth on the side of the road on the way to the birthing center (unless it's like two hours away.) There is generally plenty of time to get there from the time labor starts to the time it finishes.

Quoting ♥ darah ♥:" Who cares, what your family wants. It's not their labor. If they don't want to be supportive then ... [snip!] ... it's like two hours away.) There is generally plenty of time to get there from the time labor starts to the time it finishes. "

I discussed this with my Boyfriend yesterday who said he was coming with me to make sure I would there get no matter what happens. This is important to me as a first time Mom. I'm extremely excited!

Quoting Grizzy:" I discussed this with my Boyfriend yesterday who said he was coming with me to make sure I would there get no matter what happens. This is important to me as a first time Mom. I'm extremely excited!"

Stick to your guns. with my first pregnancy I let everyone tell me what to do and how to do it. I wanted everyones support, and their was o much going on, and I just didnt want to upset everyone. It ended up making me feel terrible and like my pregnancy was not mine. Then I got pregnant this time around, and everyone started to do it again. This time I put my foot down and I feel a lot less stress and I am enjoying this pregnancy far more.

Quoting Adams Mommy:" Stick to your guns. with my first pregnancy I let everyone tell me what to do and how to do it. I wanted ... [snip!] ... started to do it again. This time I put my foot down and I feel a lot less stress and I am enjoying this pregnancy far more."

I've been standing up for what I want and why I do.. Cloth diapers? still going to do it. Water Birth? still preparing for it, Organic pregnancy and parenting? Haven't changed!   I know the great outcomes of my ideas and choices. I know that me being a first time Mother will approve because I already took the first few steps the right way. I've been reading a lot as well.. The Complete Organic Pregnancy, Better Birth (BornClear Method), The Essential Guide to Breastfeeding. It just seems the information that is acceptable for most pregnant women to obtain is.. advice, folk tales, and opinions from family and friends which is false. haha

i also am thinking about having a natural birth but everyone in my family that i tell they look at me and think im crazy. is it really that bad? im pregnant with my 1st so i have no idea what to expect...

Quoting Rebeckah179:" i also am thinking about having a natural birth but everyone in my family that i tell they look at me ... [snip!] ... i tell they look at me and think im crazy. is it really that bad? im pregnant with my 1st so i have no idea what to expect..."

It really is a big deal in our country... in OUR country. All other places still do births with Midwives or at home. You first need to choose what "kind" of natural birth do you want. Only Doula, Only Midwife, Both Midwife & Doula, at home, or birthing center, water birth, unassisted... there's various ways to do it. After you decided do research on it and learn some breathing techniques and/or yoga which I'm doing both so you can cope with the pain better. Remember, there are NO drugs just you, your intuition, and your thoughts of what you want to help plus assistance if you choose it that way. I recommend reading Better Birth (BornClear Method) by Denise Spatafora... very good and will help you with pain management. You really need to do one of these because once the pain really starts kicking in... if you can't cope or control that pain it will take over your whole labor and delivery, meaning it will be delayed, more painful, and anxiety plays a part to where it can also stress your baby making it harder for you to push or dilate.

Quoting Grizzy:" It really is a big deal in our country... in OUR country. All other places still do births with Midwives ... [snip!] ... more painful, and anxiety plays a part to where it can also stress your baby making it harder for you to push or dilate. "

I've been doing a lot of reading on it and im still trying to decide to which i really want. i know one thing i want is a drug free labor. thank u so much i will look up these things better to help to pick which i would want to do. at 1st i wanted a water birth but i just dont have the support from my family. my boyfriend supports me but everyone says its better to do it at a hospital with the pain meds they give you. i guess i have a lot of reading and research to do. once again thank u.

Quoting Rebeckah179:" I've been doing a lot of reading on it and im still trying to decide to which i really want. i know ... [snip!] ... do it at a hospital with the pain meds they give you. i guess i have a lot of reading and research to do. once again thank u."

your welcome  

10 yrs ago I had a vedry easy natural birth with my daughter Jasmine. Waters broke first, minimal contractions and approx 2 hrs of proper "labour".
I am now 18 wks preg with my second and am curious as to whether ppl have experienced shorter births second time around?? I was very nearly caught short with my first, delivering her in the foyer of the hospital......!!
Would like to know if I should rush off a little earlier this time??
All replies appreciated xx

Quoting Chelsee O'Keeffe:" 10 yrs ago I had a vedry easy natural birth with my daughter Jasmine. Waters broke first, minimal contractions ... [snip!] ... foyer of the hospital......!! Would like to know if I should rush off a little earlier this time?? All replies appreciated xx"

I would go with how you feel. I personally would probably stay home the same amount of time. I am all about not having to be in the hospital longer then necessary.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Chelsee O'Keeffe:</b>" 10 yrs ago I had a vedry easy natural birth with my daughter Jasmine. Waters broke first, minimal contractions ... [snip!] ... foyer of the hospital......!! Would like to know if I should rush off a little earlier this time?? All replies appreciated xx"</blockquote>




My second labor/delivery was 45 minutes. I think it's an old wives tale about secon labor being shorter but that's been true for everyone I know.

I had a home birth luckily or I would have never made it to the hospital.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Rebeckah179:</b>" I've been doing a lot of reading on it and im still trying to decide to which i really want. i know ... [snip!] ... do it at a hospital with the pain meds they give you. i guess i have a lot of reading and research to do. once again thank u."</blockquote>




Totally about you and YOUR labor not them. I read Ina may gaskins guide to childbirth pretty much memorized it. I labored by myself and almost had a unassisted birth. Remembering everything in that book helped immensely.

Quoting Brink:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Rebeckah179:</b>" I've been doing a lot of reading on it and ... [snip!] ... much memorized it. I labored by myself and almost had a unassisted birth. Remembering everything in that book helped immensely."

your so right its about me and my labor. everyone is trying to make my pregnancy about them and not me. ive been reading up on everything trying to prepare myself.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Rebeckah179:</b>" your so right its about me and my labor. everyone is trying to make my pregnancy about them and not me. ive been reading up on everything trying to prepare myself. "</blockquote>




Gently remind them you're the one doing the work. My labors go my way. Last time I didn't have a soul with me. Dh was in the front of the house and I was in the room by myself. It's what I needed no one messed with me they let me be and I enjoyed the whole labor.