Hellobee Boards

I did. Our hospital, however, had a natural birthing room, which probably made things easier. I would have had to transfer rooms to get an epidural. I suggest writing down a bunch of techniques you may want to try (yoga ball, massage, pressure points, etc) and go over them with your husband. I took my list of techniques/positions and a list of mantras to the hospital, and I feel like they really helped me feel prepared. I enjoyed the childbirth book by Ina May, but there are tons of websites as well. Good luck!

@ms. pug: The Birth Partner is a great book! I'd also suggest looking at Natural Hospital Birth.

@ms. pug: I was going to suggest reading The Birth Partner as well! It was really helpful for my husband.

I think it depends on who will be attending your birth, is it midwives?

We attended a midwife led class and basically, she walked us through what they did for pain management and birthing positions. Had we not attended the class, I do believe we would have had the same birth because the midwives were schooled in a particular method.

Hope that helps.

@Zbug: Do you have a list of mantras that you used or where you found them?

I did!

The Birth Partner was an awesome book.

Also - I credit it with holding off on going to the hospital as long as possible. We didn't rush there. When we did get there, I actually walked around the hospital grounds and got a sandwich there before I checked in! I was dilated to an 8 when I finally went to the check in desk. (though I didn't know it at the time).

Also - when they ask you if you want an epidural, the best way I found was to say: "I'm going for a natural birth - I will tell you if I want one, so don't offer it or push it please".

I think you can as long as you're well-informed and you're prepared for it!

"The Birth Partner" is a great resource, and so is this book: http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Hospital-Birth-Best-Worlds/dp/1558327185

I'd highly recommend just sitting down with your DH and drawing up a rough birth plan so you know you're both on the same page and he understands how to support you and communicate with the birth team when you're in the throes of labor.

Also check with your hospital/practitioner to see how natural birth "friendly" they are.

I did it without any classes. And I did zero research because I was high risk for a scheduled c until baby came early. I wasn't really committed to a natural childbirth either. But I had a quick labor, which helped. Still the pain was unfathomable. But it's possible to manage it without little prep! I would recommend reading a book about what to expect. That would have made things easier! I think the hardest part for me was feeling so out of control. It would have been easier if I had a better understanding of the process.

I don't think classes are a must (we had someone come to us for a day because my DH was in school long distance during the last 4 months of my pregnancy) but I read a lot about what to expect at each level/transition, listened to hypnobirthing tracks to try to mentally prepare. But I did have a doula and she was integral! Is there a reason you don't want a doula? With my husband and family out of town, I wanted to know for certain that someone would be with me! Best money we spent!

@namaste: I actually just googled natural birth mantras and positive birth mantras. I read a bunch and write down the ones that appealed to me

I did it twice (if you want to be technical... the second time I did hire a doula but she didn't make it to the birth in time)! The hypnobabies home course is awesome.

@ms. pug: yay!! Congrats, mama!