https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:45:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-50487 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:55:57 +0000 ohapostrophe 50487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good luck! I used hypnobabies and had a great experience (had complications post-partem but the birth was great!)...my son was 8lbs11oz and his delivery was pain-med free. I agree with the others who said it was really a mental thing. If you are interested, I wrote a really long birth story...it was helpful for me to read others' experiences! Link is in my profile. You can do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-50121 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:12:56 +0000 looch 50121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's mental attitude as well, so don't discount yourself and your body's ability to birth.<br /> Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-50103 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:52:32 +0000 SAHM0811 50103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You've got great advice so far! I went natural for #2 and this is what helped me: watching TLC birthing shows (especially the natural birth ones, but all the other ones had a lot to learn from too), the documentary Pregnant in America was motivating (on Netflix), a great support system at my side, snippets of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, and prenatal yoga.</p> <p>I relaxed my jaw a lot... I had read that helps to "open" your cervix... (I didn't totally believe it til I found myself doing it during contractions though).... Must've helped! I got to the hospital at 9 cm! I also did a lot of pelvic rocking, deep breathing, and counting. </p> <p>I've heard St. Luke's is a great place to have a med-free birth... You're in good hands...Best of luck and report back after you have the baby and some downtime! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-50054 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:21:32 +0000 cupcakemama 50054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, all you can do is react to your labour as it develops. It just depends on what kind of labour you have as there seems to be such variation. The most important thing is having a healthy baby.</p> <p>While it's awesome all of the research you have done and how prepared you are, also prepare yourself for how you will cope if things don't go to plan. If you have to have an epidural will you be ok with that? Or a c-section? The last thing you want is feelings of guilt or disappointment over the birth experience to be mixed in with the hormonal upheaval of being a new mama. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-49965 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:11:18 +0000 littleveesmommy 49965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! Approaching 38 weeks here and am anxiously waiting for signs of baby girls arrival. I'll let every know how it goes! =) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-49905 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:57:14 +0000 Coastinganon 49905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My biggest advice would be to only focus on one contraction at a time while it is happening. If you can make it through that one, than consider trying the next one and so forth and so on.</p> <p>Miriam mt Little G (10lbs5oz) and Ladybug (10lbs4.5oz) both born naturally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-45092 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:47:06 +0000 cyneswith 45092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try looking at bellydancing for childbirth - it helps relieve the pain of contractions and helps move the baby into position. It's also useful with hypnobirthing too. 'Course, I haven't had a baby yet, either. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-45077 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:28:58 +0000 lemondrop 45077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! My mom keeps reminding me that this will be like a marathon, but labor will end eventually- the baby can't stay in there forever! </p> <p>It is definitely daunting not really knowing what to expect. My mindset every time I start to panic about it: I just have to go with the flow, I'm going to do the best I can with labor and in the end will have the best reward ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-45034 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:49:18 +0000 runsyellowlites 45034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>^agreed! Your body has only so much energy it can use through each contraction.... if you're taking part of that energy to tense up, then it's going to your shoulders, jaw, etc and NOT your uterus.... stay focused and try and relax.... and have your partner remind you of that.</p> <p>Here's a good pdf I found that had lots of coping positions &amp; techniques! You can print it out and take it with you so that you &amp; your DH can reference it</p> <p><a href="http://www.childbirthconnection.org/pdfs/comfort-in-labor-simkin.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.childbirthconnection.org/pdfs/comfort-in-labor-simkin.pdf</a></p> <p>Remember to change position to find what helps and don't write off a position just b/c it didn't help at that moment... it may be the perfect position later. =) </p> <p>You CAN do it, your body is MORE than capable &amp; It WILL end =) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-45000 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:55:53 +0000 cyndistar3 45000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Remember that the pain WILL end. I had a 49 hour labor completely natural and I just kept telling myself that eventually it would be over. Don't tense up it only makes things worse and just go with it. I sat in the tub with a wet towel over my body and it was amazingly relaxing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-44990 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:32:35 +0000 littleveesmommy 44990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ lemondrop - Definitely! Both methods boasted relaxing will help our bodies do its job of naturally expelling the baby. I've been trying to visualize this, but without knowing what the contractions will be like it feels a little like walking in the dark. I told hubby to remind me to keep my body muscles relaxed, so hopefully that will help.</p> <p>This countdown is both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-44984 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:18:43 +0000 lemondrop 44984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not that I've been there yet (and I haven't prepared to the degree that you have either) but the one thing that I picked up is that contractions aren't your enemy- they are there to help you. They may not be comfortable, but if you can try to relax through them instead of tensing up, you will help them do their job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-au-naturale-with-3-weeks-until-edd-any-tips#post-44952 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:26:31 +0000 littleveesmommy 44952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still can't believe we only have 3 weeks left and cannot wait to meet LO! I will be at the birth center at St Lukes Roosevelt trying for natural birth without pain meds (hopefully, if all goes well). When I started preparing for natural birth, I started with reading Hypnobirthing and learning all the ways to relax and breathing techniques during rest / contractions. The tips in the book seem very helpful and I will be using them, but I've also begun listening to Hypnobabies CDs the past few weeks to get into the relaxation mindset. I admit I end up falling asleep most nights listening, which they say is ok. </p> <p>Mentally, I feel prepared and ready to embrace this experience with my whole body. I've managed to stay confident in my body throughout the pregnancy even after hearing moms tell me I'm crazy for trying or that I won't last. </p> <p>Besides practicing breathing, relaxation and visualization techniques, what other tips can you give a first time mom trying for natural birth? </p>