What do I need to do to prepare for natural childbirth?

[OneFishTwoFish]

I would say more than anything you just have to be in the right frame of mind. Know that it will be painful, but it's a pain with a purpose. Don't be fearful and that will go a long way in how you perceive the experience.

I did exercise throughout my entire pregnancy. No special prenatal stuff, just continued my gym routine. I did loads of squats and I also took RRL capsules. Not sure if they helped or not, but I only pushed for 7 mins so they definitely didn't hurt!

[imnottelling]

Originally Posted by umphreysmommy Can you link your site? I would love to take a look

In my sig: http://www.a-natural-birth.com

(Feel free to PM me any suggestions. It's fairly new and I'm still playing around with the best way to organize the posts.)

[Laura-Jean]

I was ready and really REALLY wanted an all natural childbirth, but it was as far from it as possible... David ended up being almost 2 weeks late so after an ultrasound it was determined that I needed to be induced. Then after starting pitocin his heart rate started dropping and was not recovering. I was then rushed (RUN) down the hall to the OR for a C-section under general anesticia (sp?) because there was not time for an epidural. He was born minutes later but it was HOURS before I was awake and the next day before I could even hold him.
Throughout all of this, I felt complete peace! I will say it was because 1st off my faith but then because a childbirth educator told our class READ ABOUT C-SECTIONS! She gave the stats and said out of our group going by numbers alone 3 couples would be having one. I was SO GLAD I read up on them - so I wasn't terrified or unprepared. I was just disappointed, but my baby boy wouldn't have survived a vaginal delivery, so I wouldn't change it. I love my son to pieces and the C/S was worth it to have him! All that to say-
BE PREPARED! Just in case. I hope everything is smooth for you and you get to have your natural delivery!!!

Laura-Jean

[PinkLemonade7503]

It is in her signature.

Thanks for all of the ideas!

[umphreysmommy]

Originally Posted by imnottelling In my sig: http://www.a-natural-birth.com (Feel free to PM me any suggestions. It's fairly new and I'm still playing around with the best way to organize the posts.)

Thanks! I am on the app so there are no signatures, I kind of figured that is where it was

[sbond83]

Squat and kegels

[trying4more]

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea and/or Pregnancy tea.
Walking.

I have a hypnobirthing CD that I LOVE listening too. I'm going natural again (this time I'm planning it, last time it just happened that way) and it's really helping me mentally prepare for what's gonna happen in the next few weeks and "center" myself. Letting of the fear is key!!!

[mariamommy]

Check out www.spinningbabies.com for tips on optimal fetal positioning. If you have a posterior baby it will be much harder to get out.

[cjslater1]

I did alot of stuff reading, hypnosis, all that stuff, when I first pregnant. Now that I am a few weeks away I realize you just have to accept it is gonna hurt, and that you can make it. Hope that helps.

[seacat]

Yoga was really helpful. I labored for about a day between my exercise ball and on all fours and I think it was really helpful for positioning the baby. I only pushed for 12 minutes or so. Spinning babies as pp mentioned is a good site. My first was OP and the labor was horrible.