https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:36:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-78361 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:24:23 +0000 littleveesmommy 78361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@OhApostrophe - it's crazy how the body can just adjust by itself, isn't it? I had all these different scenarios played out in my head of how labor might be like but once I was in it, I was off in my own little world. When I was doing research on natural birth, your birth story and blog was one of the first ones I read and your birth story was very encouraging! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-78324 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:31:34 +0000 ohapostrophe 78324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElisaT: it's crazy how closely your descriptions here match my experience...different techniques for different parts. My experience sounds SO much like yours! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-78104 Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:59:13 +0000 littleveesmommy 78104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had prepped for natural birth by reading Hypnobirthing Mongon Method and listening to Hypnobabies tracks thinking I'd use a combination of both (mostly taking from them relaxation and breathing). When it came down to actual labor, I ended up just following my gut instincts. In early labor I breathed through them slowly using Hypno birthing while rocking my hips and having DH massage my lower back. When I got into active labor it required much more concentration on breathing and rocking and some humming. By the time I reached transition, I was no longer consciously choosing coping methods but just did what felt right. For me, it was deep breaths then a deep moan that almost get like it was coming from deep inside, a noise that I can't imitate now if I wanted to. DH was a HUGE help during late active labor and transition - I needed something to focus on to get through each contraction and I found staring him in the eye while he coached me through breathing helped distract me from the pain. To him, I must have looked like a mad person burning a hole into his pupils, but the hard stare helped keep me in the zone. We never really talked about how he could help me through labor but I just asked that he be strong for me and encourage me. The way he pulled through and coached me was way beyond my expectations and makes me appreciate him so much for jumping into tr situation head first. When we talk about my labor now, he said he was scared ****less. Lol if he was r sure did a good job of hiding it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-76327 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:55:50 +0000 Mama Cass 76327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hypnobabies does ask that if you sign up for their program that you only do Hypnobabies exclusively. This is because it's not only a hypnosis for childbirth program, but it's a *complete childbirth education* program. You are getting all the information you'll need to make decisions during your birthing time (including the benefits, risks &amp; natural alternatives to intervention options), but you're getting this information from a very positive framework that's supporting your hypnosis training. Before adding the complete childbirth education part in, they were apparently seeing that Hypnobabies students would hear how wonderful, easy &amp; comfortable birthing could be and then they would attend a hospital class and hear, "This is when you're going to want an epidural. It is going to hurt but it'll be worth it." These beliefs are in direct conflict with the belief system you're building in Hypnobabies. You have to truly believe in your subconscious &amp; conscious levels that your birth will be completely comfortable. This belief system can't exist alongside on that's teaching pain-coping or pain-management. Hypnobabies teaches pain-elimination. When you try to receive information from one class teaching Pain-Elimination &amp; another teaching Pain-Coping, your subconcious is forced to choose one belief system and it will automatically default to the belief that there will be pain.</p> <p>Personally, I believe there are so many great options out there that if committing to only do Hypnobabies isn't for you, just pick a different program entirely. You wouldn't be doing yourself any favors by doing Hypnobabies and then not committing to it 100% by supplementing with another class. Prenatal yoga and classes like that are totally fine; they just don't want other natural childbirth preparation classes involved since it will influence your perception of what birth will be like. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66475 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:05:16 +0000 Mrsbells 66475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah I agree with @ustechie: that a lot of natural birth methods are similar. I dont think anyone is going to make you stick to only one technique, you should be able to do whatever makes you comfortable as long as that hospital has the facilities for that. Some hospitals dont allow you to push in diffetent positions or give birth inside a tub, so it all depends </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66451 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:40:19 +0000 Green Thumb 66451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ustechie: that quote from her gives me chills every time I read it as I thought that to myself throughout the labor. </p> <p>OP: I took a 12 week Bradley class which really helped me to learn the methods that would work for me. I found that spiraling and vocalizing / buzzing my lips really helped me relax my bottom and I'm convinced that's one of the reasons why my labor went so well.<br /> I'm convinced if I would have been strapped to a bed with a bunch of monitors everywhere I would have begged for some type of pain medication. I labored / delivered in a free standing birth center (out of hospital) and was therefore the only woman there. I had free range of the whole place and was able to pace the halls and use the laboring tub to my advantage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66416 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:20 +0000 ustechie 66416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems as though the different methods really overlap. I've read Ina May's book, both Bradley books, and the hypnobirthing- Mongan method book. </p> <p>Although they do vary slightly in technique, the overall message is the same. They all seems to use relaxation and deep breathing through contractions, as well as having a coach guide you and make you comfortable in any way possible. Each method basically tells you that your body will know what to do when the time comes- just let it do its job. </p> <p>I love Ina May's quote: "Your body is not a lemon." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66343 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:42:25 +0000 looch 66343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a med free delivery and didn't do any methods whatsoever. I read the Mongan method (hypno birthing) but visualizing doesn't work for me. </p> <p>The only prep work I did was attending the midwife led hospital class and perineal massage to prevent excessive tearing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66295 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:01:48 +0000 sunshine44 66295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cyneswith: I was able to achieve a natural delivery, and I really just did what felt right in the moment. I used a birthing ball a lot during contractions that helped, and prenatal yoga and breathing exercises helped calm my nerves. To me, it was all mind over matter so I don't think you should pigeon-hole yourself into one single method. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66254 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:41:58 +0000 mrsjazz 66254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't given birth yet, but I'm planning on a natural birth. I'm combining Hypnobabies, the Bradley Method, what I've learned in my pre-natal yoga class, and anything my doula recommends. Hypnobabies doesn't recommend combining, but I don't care. I'm going to do what works for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66250 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:35:16 +0000 cyneswith 66250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Funnily enough, I got a little over 1/4 of the way through a book on the Bradley method, when I got to the point where it suggests incorporating all the things I wanted to do that were contraindicated in the beginning of the book (early labor vs second stage.) Yay!</p> <p>Now if only I can get my husband on board with this AND with not deploying as soon as I get a BFP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66073 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:34:28 +0000 ohapostrophe 66073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In hypnobabies (and I believe hypnobirthing too), they suggest that you not mix methods. But you can ignore that of course. I did hypnobabies and some methods I learned through my prenatal yoga class. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66067 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:03:01 +0000 skibobrown 66067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My plan is similar to yours -- just do what seems to work best and not follow a single "method". Our doula has experience with everything from hypnosis to yoga to massage. I'm hoping her bag of tricks will help me to make it through with no epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66061 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:56:21 +0000 pelikila 66061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't follow any one method. I took one class that was different techniques for laboring without medication and it included breathing, massage, movement, a ball, a bar, etc. I'd say do what you think is best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-66059 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:53:29 +0000 SAHM0811 66059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i didn't really follow a method. i just knew i wanted to avoid an epidural. i read different books, did prenatal yoga (we did "mock contraction exercises during class), hired a doula for support, talked to other moms about their births (all kinds), watched a lot of TLC birthing shows, and watched the documentary Pregnant in America. All these things helped me, prepared me and/or motivated me to go for it naturally. I don't think anyone is in any place to tell you what methods to use, not use, or not combine. I suppose if you've never birthed before though it's good to be prepared as much as possible about different methods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/natural-birth-methods#post-65905 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:43:07 +0000 cyneswith 65905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This question is for anyone who went with natural childbirth. I'd like to use elements of several different methods (movement increases my pain tolerance so I want freedom of motion, I want my husband to be involved if he wants to be, etc.) Were you allowed to combine methods? Was it even suggested that you HAD to follow one and only one? Thanks. </p>