Natural birth types, where is the best place to research more?
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Spinning babies have some great tips about how to optimise the position of baby pre labour and throughout labour. Some things you can do if labour slows down such as side lying release etc. would highly recommend practicing these positions in case they're needed
You could birth in a bath, if the hospital birthing rooms have this option. A tens machine and heat packs can also be good for pain relief. Acupuncture/acupressure can also help with inducing labour (if overdue) or to help manage pain during contractions.
Have a look for some books on hypnobirthing. I wrote it off in my first pregnancy as just hippy mumbo jumbo but someone gave me a book my second and omg it transformed my birth experience 🙌🏻
I did a calm birth course and listened to a lot of podcasts from Australian birth stories - pregnancy massage and acupuncture pre labour and tens machine in labour - learn lots of pain management techniques… water, combs, decide what’s not too weird for you and talk to your birth partner about the options you want to try before medications :)
For me, I applied for the midwife group practice at my local hospital and got approved around 20 weeks. The best way to have a more physiological birth is to give birth in a birthing centre rather than the hospital. Or even a home birth like I am considering. The midwife group practice is included in Medicare for me, but some people don't have one locally and choose a private midwife. Other things I am doing: -Hypnobirthing course -Listening to podcasts (the great birth rebellion is a great recourse). -Reading books by Australian authors: Gentle birth gentle mothering by Dr. Sarah Buckley A modern women's guide to A Natural Empowering Birth by Katrina Zaslavsky These books have given me a great insight into natural birthing and has given me more confidence and less fear around birth :)
I read a book called “Natural Hospital Birth”. I felt it really helped me prepare mentally. I’ve also heard high quality hypnobirthing is helpful too. I would just keep in mind anything can change. I went in strictly wanting to do all natural. I got to 6cm with intense contractions every minute …sons heart beat wasn’t reacting well to the stress of it..and finally I gave in , got the epidural, and had a beautiful experience still (still vaginal birth). Good luck to you!!