Ok, so question to my mom friends out there. Does anyone have recommendations on books on birthing and natural childbirth? How about books on preparing your birth partner? I am hoping to go a long way without drugs, if not all the way, but I need all the resources I can get. What are your thoughts?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Pregnant Diaries: Childbirth...part deux
Well...I must say, childbirth class (now that Mike is there) has been a breeze. So much easier to cope in fake labor knowing he is there. I have yet to make life long relationships with any of these people, but they all seem nice and excited about having a baby. One girl, who is due a month before me is having twin boys. (She also looks about 5 years younger than me, but that's beside the point). It's interesting to see people carry differently, gain weight differently, and overall have a different pregnancy than others. My belly has grown a bit since last week, but I feel a little self conscious. I am sure my belly will expand after Thanksgiving next week!
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9 comments:
"The thinking woman's guide to a better birth" by Henci Goer. my fave, but it has its bias too. Justin loved it too. :) love you & your growing tummy. (I deleted my earlier comment to fix a typo) Yes, I am a goober.
Just use the drugs, man. Seriously! You don't need to be brave when something is coming out of you like that. :)
I didn't read a ton of different books, but I did like the usual What to Expect When You're Expecting. I know you didn't ask this, but as far as baby books The Baby Whisperer is pretty good for sleep and eating habits, and What to Expect The First Year is nice for all the medical questions... helps keep you from going to the pediatrician for all the little things.
i was delivered without drugs. 99% sure that's why my mother hated me.
go for the drugs.
I don't want to discourage you, but I agree, just go with the drugs. If your body is relaxed and you are not scared and stressed out, then the baby will come out easier. Trust me, 4 births and 1 was natural, not by my choice. In my mind, the natural thing is completely overrated; it left me feeling traumatised, and if it had been my 1st baby, she might have been my only. Also, the 1st labor is usually the longest and the hardest. Now, yes, you might be able to get through it without drugs, but I'd say it's more likely that you won't, and I'd hate for you to feel like you were letting yourself down. It's great to have a plan, but when it all comes down to it, you'll just need to do whatever you need to do in the moment. On the other hand, you have an awesome birth coach!!!!!
I don't have any books to recommend, Sorry!
Well...I am going against the grain here...BUT...you know how my labors went, quite fast and relatively smooth. Granted, I didn't even have time for drugs, but I planned on doing it naturally anyhow. You just NEVER know how it will be for YOU.
I went into it with the desire to go natural, but not ruling out the possibility of an epidural. I just wasn't going in the with my veins out saying, "hook me up". In my birth plan, I said "don't offer me meds unless I request them". Like I have said before, I wasn't out to prove my womanhood...carrying a baby for almost 10 months is weomanhood enough!
Ultimately, you have to do what is best for YOUR family!
Ali's book suggestion is a great one...I also REALLY enjoyed "The Girlfriends Guide To Pregnancy". Very funny, a bit of comical relief in the midst of the whole process. Markus used to have me read parts outloud to him...funny stuff.
You will do fantastic, whatever you decide. God made you to be able to do this! Rest in that!
I took the Bradley class from a really cool woman up here in San Jose named Nadia Rodriguez.
I'm not going to tell you whether to do natural or medicated. It's your choice. I was always irritated with people telling me what to do. For the record I was fully and completely planning on natural and then circumstances arose that led me to do medicated in the final hours.
The book that came with our class is called Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg.
I'm up for just about anything by Dr. Sears, so I'd check out whatever he has to say about it. With Gracie I delivered naturally, sort of without meaning to. I decided to go natural until I couldn't stand it anymore and then to go with drugs. However, when I got to the part where I couldn't stand it anymore, (can we say 'Big Ow'?) and I asked for drugs, it was too late and I was already in transition. At the time it was actually encouraging, because it meant that labor was progressing, and transition is right before pushing, which is right before the end. In retrospect, I think a little something to take the edge off the contractions wouldn't have been amiss. All I had was a sock filled with rice that Brad would heat up in the nurse's microwave until it was flaming hot-then he'd jam it into my back-yay back labor! If I knew beforehand that I would deliver with just a hot rice sock for pain relief, I probably would have passed out. But I did it! (And am doing it again, so that says something!)Can't wait to meet little Jack, however he comes out!
Hi honey-well I just hope I'm there (in the room) when the time comes just in case you have a C-Section! I have much more experience with it than Natural Childbirth and/or Labor! I want you to pay attention when they get to the C-Section part of the class--it's usually about 2 minutes long.
Haha-at least that's how long it was when I had you!
Love you!
Mom
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