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I had an accidental med free birth for LO2. I had planned on an epi, but I progressed so fast that there wasn't any time. I took a birth class with LO1, and the only think I could remember were some of the breathing techniques, and I counted in my head during the contractions. Nothing else would have helped anyways for me because it was SO painful that all I could do was lay on the bed. My whole L&D was only 45min!

Check out "The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin for lots of pain relief techniques and labor positions. You can probably get it at the library and photocopy relevant pages to bring with you to consult (and have your DH consult) while at the hospital. It's a really good book!

@Arden: I agree with this! With my first birth I went med free and I had back labor but my doula was a life saver and kept me alive and med free through my 48 hour labor.

Eta: aside from the doula, just keep focused on your breathing, try to take slow even breaths. I was fine until I let my breathing get away from me and started breathing fast, that's when I started to panic and it took a little while to get it back under control. I also spent quite a bit of time in the tub with a big wet towel over me, it was super comforting.

@lamariniere: 45m! oh crap, maybe I won't have as much time as I think I will with LO2!

I read the hypnobirthing book this time around, and would love to actually try this method since it seems pretty efficient. Unfortunately, the book wasn't available at the library until I was already 38w...The method definitely takes practicing and 2w just isn't going to cut it. But, if you have time, I would try it!

Move. Walk around. I couldn't stand to be crunched up since most of my pain was in my lower abdomen, and movement really helped me. I really liked having my husband ball his fist into my lower back as well to take the edge off, but that only lasted a few contractions before I was back to not wanting to be touched.

Also, pee after every contraction. My birth teacher told us that keeping our bladder empty would help with the pain. It also helps the baby to descend since you are opening up your pelvis by straddling the toilet.

ETA: I did not have a doula and labored at home for 11 hours. The nurses were excellent.

@jedeve: idk about the med free thing, but back labor doesn't mean an epi won't work... I had pretty much all back labor for days and then got an epi and it worked like a charm. If that's what you actually want I wouldn't count that out. Not to discourage you from preparing, can't hurt to prepare anyway.

@jedeve: I'm just wondering... Why is she saying the failed epi is due to the back labor though? I've heard of them failing due to previous back injuries/surgeries but not just because of back labor. I also didn't realize til now that you couldn't get it removed if it didn't take.. Eek. Sorry.

I haven't given birth yet so take this idea with a grain of salt but what about prenatal yoga? My instructor throws in tidbits about things that night help and had us practice breathing different ways so it might be a happy medium if you don't want to actually take a birth class. There are a few options near me that are drop in so that makes it much less of a commitment then a while series.

I think you gotta try different positions until you find what works for you. For me, with back labor, at the beginning on my knees with my chest to the ground and then later standing up leaning on my husband, sitting on the edge of the bed leaning on my DH or sitting on the toilet leaning on my DH all felt most comfortable for me. (My DH said he was glad he had worked out a lot before my labor lol)

Also for me it helped to keep my moans low and not let them get high pitched. My doula had to constantly remind me to do low moans.

Ack! Writing this out makes me not want to go through it all again!

@jedeve: seriously! I'm more scared and nervous this time because I know what to expect and I remember how freaking painful it was. Why does everyone say that you forget the pain?! I think they are liars! My DH says I should just get the epi but I'm scared to get it! just in my head I think that it wont' work or I'll get a spinal headache or something. So yeah, going to try and go med-free again.

Yes I definitely think leaning forward helps take pressure off the back. I remember I also hunched over the couch at times. Oh and I remember I labored down for awhile. I reached 10 cm and started feeling the urge to push. My doula told me to hold back that feeling until I can no longer hold it back. I guess that was what they call laboring down? So I held it back until I told her that my body was pushing whether I wanted it to or not. Then I only pushed about 30-45 minutes after that before my son was born. I think holding back helped me to not push for too long. Might be something to consider.

Haven't given birth yet (32 weeks) but am taking a natural birthing course! So far it's been lots of anatomy and explaining what labor is (still have 4 weeks left) but also about telling your partner what positive affirmations you need to hear during labor.

Also, I know this is a bit abstract, but they also said to remember that labor pain is purposeful. Not all pain has a purpose and an end result like a baby. So each one gets you closer. And once you get to transition that *should* be the shortest of the three labor stages.

We've also done some light massage and breathing and visualization exercises. The teacher said to not add tension to other parts of your body (super difficult) when you're feeling such pain in your back or wherever.

I'm super nervous about birth but going to do my best to go med-free!