So my birthing center doesn't offer classes. I am trying to figure out some books or CDs or anything that can help me breathe and talk myself through labor so I can birth naturally. Is this a dumb question?
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I heard the Hynobirthing course is supposed to be great (I think Kate Middleton used it?). And I'm pretty sure they are a book/cds you can order.
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@lovehoneybee: I'll use anything a princess uses!!! Thanks
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We did the Bradley method. If you google it you might can find some in your area. Ours weren't offered at the hospital or anything.
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Does your midwife have any class recommendations? I'm not taking a hospital class, I'm taking an empowered birth class from a Doula. The class goes through The Birth Partner by Peggy Simkin (sp?).
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@anonysquire: I wasn't aiming for a med-free birth, but my epidural stopped working twice. I wish I had prepared myself better for the possibility of going med-free. The breathing techniques I ended up using on the fly during my labor are pretty similar to what I know of Hypnobirthing, but without the rest of the mental prep, which in the end I wish I had.
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@MamaJ: Thanks!
@evansjamie: I haven't asked that yet. All I know is that there are no classes offered there. And with this being my first birth, I don't feel comfortable not knowing how to breathe lol!
@lovehoneybee: Ya I would like to be prepared for whatever happens. It's cool that you knew how to breathe on the fly though!
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I read the Mongan Method, but it wasn't for me. Instead I focused on positions and massage techniques.
Eta: are you thinking breathing like panting, that used to be used in Lamaze?
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I read the Birth Partner and would highly recommend it, but most useful for me was a class with our doula about the different positions. For me it wasn't so much about breathing as accommodating and changing things up when one thing stopped working.
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I took a hospital class that was supposed to help prepare you for a med free birth but it wasn't that helpful. I think the other ladies had good advice, but I also want to let you know that the absolute most helpful thing for me was my midwife and labor nurse-- both of whom I just met that night. They were the ones who helped me with breathing and positions and such. So, I do think preparing will help but I think a great labor nurse or doula would be just as helpful. (I did not have a doula, but think I seriously lucked out with the midwife and nurse anyway).
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@anonysquire: I completely understand! My class is Lamaze based, but it's more than breathing, it's also about positions and preparing yourself and your partner for the realities of labor. We're both learning a lot!
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@looch: More like I have anxiety and when I think about my breathing I end up hyperventilating... I just need some techniques or anything to help me stay calm and calm myself down. I guess like to teach myself how to be a birthing coach in case my husband starts annoying me.
@Baby Boy Mom: Dang, do you think there is a book or anything to lean extra positions?
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@evansjamie: Ok now that sounds like something I need. I am going to call around to maybe the hospitals tomorrow to see what classes they offer.
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@anonysquire: Have you thought about a doula? If you have anxiety about the breathing and whatnot, I wonder if that would help, especially since you would meet her ahead of time and everything.
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@Foodnerd81: I haven't. I am planning on birthing at a birthing center with midwives. They did not offer doulas. Not sure how they would feel about a doula coming? I don't know but I better ask!
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@anonysquire: My midwives were very open to it (I was with a midwife practice in a hospital). I didn't have one but I hear such great things.
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Now I haven't had our baby yet but I think to recommend a few birthing books - anything that gives you an idea of what to expect. I have 'hypnobirthing: the mongan method" And so far, I think it's very empowering. I also bought "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" I'm not far into it but it seemed highly recommended.
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@anonysquire: The book has most if not all the positions but it was really helpful practicing beforehand. Would your DH be up to practicing them with you? That might work. If you can't hire a doula then the other thing I might do is set up a kit of things you can use during labor. I used candles (laboring through the night), music, a bag of rice, birth ball, lots of pillows, scented body lotion and probably some other stuff I'm not thinking of. Basically if one thing stopped working DH or I would suggested changing it up and it was good to have a variety of things to try.
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I used the Bradley method. They have private instructors, but I bought the book instead.
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I think a lot of women have trouble with practicing the breathing techniques. It feels very different in labor and you'll find your groove.
I downloaded the hypnobabies CDs when I was pregnant just to see what they were like. I found them very relaxing. Too relaxing to use as a birth preparation technique. Every time I turned on the CD I fell asleep. I never bought the program because I didn't believe the tracks would work in my sleep. I ended up listening to some tracks while I tried to rest during my long labor and I found it pretty helpful for that and sleeping 3rd trimester. I'm sure when the program is done properly, with the books or whatever, it works much better.
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I used the Bradley method. You can take classes or buy the books. I highly recommend it! I felt very prepared for my labor.
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I did the hypnobabies self-taught course (CD tracks). Even thought I fell asleep while listening to them most of the time like @corduroy mentioned, they worked for me. I had a med-free birth with my first son and labored for many hours while listening to the hypnobabies labor track. (Planned to use the same program with my 2nd but he came way too fast for me to even get the headphones out.) Definitely recommend!
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