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My husband and I took a Bradley method class...I didn't love the teacher and her teaching style but it was worthwhile since it made both my husband and I know what to expect. I really like the book Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way and I strongly suggest it to anyone wanting a med-free L&D.

I hoped for a med-free birth with my first so I took a natural child birth class at the hospital and although I ended up being induced and getting the epidural, the class really helped me cope through my second delivery which was med-free. My other suggestions are to make sure your practitioners are supportive (you could always switch practices if you have to or hire a doula for support) and do not have high c section rates. Good luck!

We took Bradley Method as well, loved our teacher and the class. My husband was a little bit bitter about the length/time requirement of the classes but in the end I think he thought it was worth it. We learned a lot and felt prepared for many possible outcomes.

I'd also recommend a doula!

I chose to birth with a midwife practice and took an Empowering Birth class offered in my area. It is Lamaze-based, but not the old style. Our teacher was great and really went over all the different interventions/pain medications we could be offered. We also read "The Birth Partner," which helped my husband greatly. I ended up with a successful med-free birth experience.

I took Bradley and learned a lot. It teaches your partner to act as a sort of doula/ support person. What I learned is that your partner has to have a certain type of personality for that role... DH likes to be told what to do for instance... and that is not ideal... who wants to be telling someone what to do in labor? If I wanted to go natural I would 100% hire a TEAM of doulas that are highly experienced in aiding a laboring woman in acheiving the goal of natural unmedicated, if that's your goal.

I also read Ina May's books and hired an amazing doula. I delivered in a natural birth-friendly hospital where there were tubs in every birthing room. I had a "swift" labor considering it was my first baby, which made the goal of having an intervention-free birth more attainable.

Haven't had my baby yet but I'm seeing a midwife group and taking Hypnobabies classes with my husband.

I had an unmedicated birth with LO2. I hired a doula and she (along with my husband) were really my biggest cheerleaders during pregnancy. She also 'got it' and provided me guidance on my birth plan. I read the Hypnobabies (Mongan method) book and this gave me the foundation for breathing during labor and I really feel like that helped get me through along with some other coping techniques my doula taught me. Also make a birth plan, but with the intent of educating yourself on pain management techniques and intervention (because not everything will go to plan!). As others have said, a supportive provider and ask for a naturally minded nurse when you check into the hospital.

For reference, I had an epidural with my first LO and eventually a csection due to poor positioning so I have kind of done both medicated and unmedicated. Let me know if you have any questions and good luck!

I read Ina May Gaskin's book, hired a doula and attended a natural birth class (well, it wasn't strictly a natural birth class, but the instructor leaned that way.) I learned about all of the medical interventions and why they were/weren't necessary.
I ended up with an epidural, but not until after 40 hours, so I feel like I experienced 'most' of what I'd planned for/learned about!

I also agree that so much depends on the labor you are given. For LO1 I hired a doula at my OB's recommendation and attended the hospital birth class. Labor was long and traumatic for me but I did have an unmedicated birth.

To prepare for LO2 last week I was less concerned about my pain tolerance limits and paid more attention to thinking about how I would respond to different concerns about LO (heart rate dropping, etc) and how I would respond to another long labor. By the time I had delivered LO1 I had been up for over 60 hours and I was not going to do that again.

I hope you have an easy labor.

I did a lot of the above suggestions but the best thing for me was the hypnobabies home study. It really, really helped me during labor. BUT I wholeheartedly agree that it depends on your labor, mine was quick and I basically started labor and hit transition thirty minutes later which meant my labor actually got easier instead of harder (once transition was over it lightened up *a little*).

I also read over and over that if you walk 2 miles a day up to labor that labor would be easier due to positioning. Who knows if it's true for the masses but it worked for me!