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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.

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.

@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.

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.

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.

I love Ina May's quote: "Your body is not a lemon."

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

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!

@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!