I did all that and laboured for 3 days! For me, even with all the tips I could get, I practiced the breathing exercises, used birthing ball, I was active before and during pregnancy but the pain was too much to cope with without medication. And I had an emergency C-section after it all. I just want to say, doing all of this is good but it doesn't guarantee a natural labour in reality. It's good to be prepared if things don't go as you expected. I wish someone told me that, that's why I am sharing my experience. All the best for all mummies expecting ❤
I had a similar experience. I didn't have a c-section but I did have a medicated birth (epidural). I did all these things but an old tailbone injury literally made the pain excruciating. And my water broke at home and I had to rush to the hospital because I had meconium in my water. And my contractions started hard and fast from the start. Because of the meconium, they had to monitor my baby's heart rate, so I kind of had to be hooked up. I'm actually thankful I got an epidural because it eased so much stress for me and my baby and my body were fine after. And even though I was monitored and medicated, I only labored 10 hours. 🤷♀️ None of those things slowed my baby down one bit lol. My birth was just stressful and hectic. Even though I tried to do these things, there were some things that were just beyond my control that prevented me from having a natural birth and that's ok. These tips are great and I'm glad they help other women, but you're right; they're not a guarantee that you'll have a natural, calm birth. I wish that was something that was mentioned, as well.
My last baby I had my knees on an office chair with my hands on the table twisting, plus I stayed in the shower as long as possible laboring, my husband said we're going to relax and not worry like we had with previous births... I had used myrrh earlier that day. I didn't make it to the hospital that time lol
Hi Bridget, I can't thank you enough for all your videos. You and Pregnancy and Postpartum TV really helped me during my pregnancy and I'm recommending your channels to everyone. I gave birth to our beautiful daughter 5 days ago ❤ My labor was natural, at home (I live in the Netherlands), but I planned to go to the hospital. At the end I felt so confident I decided to stay at home. Things were progressing very fast, maybe because of the dates and raspberry leaf tea, maybe because of the exercises. I was also doing your breathing exercises, but at some point when we were alone with my husband I forgot about it and it was really hard for me to concentrate, my husband was helping very much but I think this part could be easier if I breathed better. My midwife went to check up another delivery when I was 7 cms, she thought I will be longer in labor but after not even 2 full hours since she left I started pushing phase with another midwife that we had to call, because our first one was stuck in the another delivery. This part was very hard, super painful and very stressful, next time I think it will go better. Maybe we will try the birthing pool. I'm very satisfied with how it went, I have only 1 degree tear because she was born with the hand close to her face, but overall no medication. They wanted to give me oxitocine because I was bleeding, but we managed without it. Early labor started at midnight, but they count it from 5:30 when my water broke so I was in labor for about 9 hours in total. I think it's good for a first timer! Overall an amazing experience ❤
Using these tips again for my second birth. If anyone is giving birth soon, definitely take her tips. Especially, the breathing! I was pressured & scheduled for an induction by my doctor & I still managed to get through it without an epidural thanks to her breathing technique! So thankful for you!
I am so sorry that you felt pressured into receiving care you did not want or feel comfortable with. Maternity care so often goes against the mother and it shouldn’t be that way. Glad things went well for you regardless, mothers are so strong and powerful ❤
The only thing that sucked was my water broke before my contractions began so I really didn't have the option to labor at home. Everything still went perfectly and I had the exact unmedicated natural birth that I wanted at the hospital. It is also about having the healthcare workers around you that will support you and a family or friend who will advocate for you 🖤
@@RestorationAcresTN technically if I wanted to go against what they told me, sure, but I went off of the advice from my aunt who is a nurse as well, who also said to go in. It was my first baby so 🤷 next time around I will probably wait for a few hours
I had the same with my first, but had I chosen to wait a few hours with my first, baby would have arrived at home or in the car (long drive to hospital). But, I had a precipitous labor with my first and was pushing 4hrs after my water broke and only 3 hrs after first contractions. I do wonder if it would have been even faster had I been home!
You could have labored at home. The only reason that there is a risk of infection is when you go to the hospital they do regular cervical checks. Your water can break days before you give birth and there is no risk. My water broke at 7pm and I delivered my son at 4pm the next day.
My water also broke before I had co tractions for both of my babies. Both times I still had no contractions after 12 hours and had to use Pitocin. I managed to labor through 12 hours with my first before an epidural and then I got through the entire labor without an epidural for my second. That natural urge to push is the most incredible thing I have ever experienced. My daughter got stuck after her head was born, we had shoulder dystocia and she was stuck like that for two minutes, but we got her out with no injury to either of us. Staying calm through the whole ordeal is what aided in that most. Thank you for your videos, they helped me so much in both of my pregnancies/deliveries
I labored at home in 2022. It was amazing! As soon as I got to the hospital I completely lost my focus. Thank goodness I showed up 9 1/2 dilated. Baby came out very fast. But I absolutely panicked and I believe that caused the baby’s heart rate to drop, which lead to the delivering Dr to vacuum baby out. 🥺 I’m a third time surrogate, working on another natural birth. I’m really focusing on staying in control during the entire time. I’m really excited!
Due date is tomorrow. Went to the hospital for 5-1-1 contractions and as soon as we got into our hospital room my contractions stopped. So discouraging, we ended up going home 5 hours later :/
I have no idea when to go to the hospital. My son was born 2 hours after first contraction. I don’t want to go prematurely but would rather not have another car baby 😅
Is there a significant difference typically between a standard sized tub and the birth pool? I found contractions harder to get through in the tub and didn't even try with my third. But I'm curious if a larger pool would have been better!
I had my first baby in 2021 and I watched so many of your videos. My water literally broke while watching one laying in bed. (I didn’t feel contractions beforehand but lost my mucus plug that day) then I went to the hospital and HELD MY BREATH. Like you told us not to but I did 🙃 eventually I started singing my abcs and tried breathing through it but after 11 hours I cracked and got the epidural then the hospital gave me Pitocin without even telling me let alone asking and said “well you can’t feel it”. She was born 2 hours after the epidural. Here I am pregnant with number 2 now. Watching your videos and let’s try to listen this time.
I never experienced the fetal ejection reflex. It was horrible and hard. I still birthed at home and was SO grateful to be there. 37 hours and I would do it all over again. My little guy was never in distress so my angelic midwife just didn't see any need to transfer me.
This was my labor. Body total took over and pushed on its own. Probably TMI but it was like having food poisoning and ya body is trying to get everything out.
This is completely unrelated but I love your shirt 😍 looks warm but not too thick. I'm actually going to write/print out a birth plan (with your tips/tricks) this time so I actually remember to use them, and stand up for what I actually want in my labour.
Found out today I have to be induced next Wednesday at 37 weeks because of preeclampsia. I have to change my entire birth plan. 😢 I wanted to labor at home until my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and I didn’t want and induction or pitocin or an IV
I feel you on this ❤ I just want to share a positive experience with a pitocin induction (which I didn't want either.) I was able to use meditations to keep calm throughout the majority of the induction and found utilizing a birth comb through some contractions really helpful. Having someone who keeps you centered (I wish I'd had a doula with my pitocin induction) really helps. I had my husband and a nurse who moved me through some different positions to try and being supported through that made a big difference. Wishing you a smooth, positive induction experience.
Hi Bridget, thank you for your great content. How would you handle a twin pregnancy? I hear the benefits of unmedicated birth, but wonder how to best prepare in a multiple pregnancy, given the increased risks of manual intervention on baby #2, or even C-sections. Thank you 🙏
Hi dear, have been following you slot and am now 39 weeks and 2 day.thanks for all your efforts and I can't wait for that day to come.thanks again dear.
Any advice on advocating for yourself when wanting a VBac? My Ob said ok but I’m scared soemthing will come up and they will pressure me into a C-section
I'm on the same boat. They say "yeah we will keep monitoring u as weeks go by" but I want to hear "YES of course your body can and we will do our best to achieve that"
Look for a new provider. There are providers out there who are actually supportive and not just tolerant. You want a team on your side that you can really trust.
So is it ok to takes breaks when pushing??? How long is too long to be pushing? With my first I was so tired they kept making me push over and over again .
Yes you can take breaks!!!! Every contraction works to push baby down and out so you will actually have your baby eventually even with zero pushing. I had my second with zero pushing and with my third, I just wanted him out 😂 so I pushed straight for 2 minutes to get him out. I can't believe that I didnt tear with my third and how I pushed but I had labored for so long I think it was all ready for baby to come out 😊
It’s better to wait for your body to feel the need to push on its own. Many providers don’t wait for the fetal ejection reflex to kick in and instead make you start pushing as soon as you hit 10 cm. Without that reflex, pushing is much harder on your body. Let nature work with you.
In the hospital they told me its bcz if you need to have an emergency c section, you cant eat bcz its an operation, and operations are performed on an empty stomach, wich doesnt make Sense, bcz when People have lets say a car accident and they need emergency operation,they dont ask the patient if they ate something
Ask your ob/gyn about your specific hospital. Some hospitals will let you eat in labor if no epidural. If epidural only 'clear' liquid. In case emergency c-section needed. It is supposedly because of anesthesia.
Because if you have a full stomach and then have to be unconscious for surgery there’s a risk of you choking on your stomach contents as they lie you flat.
I’m 38+3 and going for a VBAC. My midwife said to labor at home as long as I’m comfortable before coming in. She just said to come in immediately if I have any sharp pain around my scar or if I saturate a pad with blood.
Love your videos. Do you have info on precipitous labor? With my second I labored for 3 hours and delivered him in the ambulance. I’m currently 31 weeks with my third and worried whenever I feel anything similar to contractions.
Hi, I had placenta previa with my second pregnancy and it never moved up, had to have a c-section. With my fourth baby I also had low placenta but it did move up around the second trimester. If by 36 weeks it’s still low I’m not sure it will go up enough.
I heard you could feel false urges to push, that feels like you are going to poop. How can you tell the difference? Well could be they feel it before they’re fully dilated that would make sense.
I love this video and well informed. However my hospital is a 45 min driving. God forbid heading there while rush hr. Not sure if I will be calm at home.
I’m 5 days postpartum but still watching for next time 🫶🏼 I did not want to change positions but luckily my midwife really encouraged me! It worked! I also experienced the fetal ejection reflex, it was wild!!! But I can’t imagine pushing without it.
So is it ok to takes breaks when pushing??? How long is too long to be pushing? With my first I was so tired they kept making me push over and over again .
If you wait your body might push for you, mine did! And my body naturally took breaks with the fetal ejection reflex. The more I surrendered to it, the longer they would last but when I needed a break or deep breath it would stop. My advice, don’t be bullied into coached pushing!! I’m currently 5 days postpartum with my first 🤍
@asana_awakening Hello, I'm currently pregnant with my 2nd child. My first pregnancy, I went unmedicated, and when it came to push time they had coached me and told me to push with each contraction. I didn't push for long honestly, but just wish I let my body continue to do its thing. My son's head was already showing before I even started pushing. But I ended up with 3 tears, which were so painful postpartum. I was prepared as far as breathing during contractions and staying calm and focused. But I just wished I worked more on sticking to my word as far as not having them break my water. Plus they gave me pain meds while stitching up my tears and didn't even let me know, I saw the nurse putting something in my line but was too distracted from just pushing my son out. Anywho, I want to let my body do the pushing this time, because I don't want to have tears again. And I feel like doctors can be so pushy, like they don't want you to take the time needed for things to progress as they should, which is frustrating. The doctor asked a few times if I wanted to have my water broken, because I stopped progressing and I eventually gave in which I was upset at myself for. I wasn't even in the hospital for that long, ugh...
