Expecting third - after 2 medicalised births want to do differently - advice?

[Torimum]

Had two v.late, long & medicalised births (4 days and 2 days respectively, both horrible and traumatic). Third can't be worse! Thinking of birth centre as at least pleasant environment. Advice anyone???

Hypnobirthing & homebirth

Have you had a chat with your midwife? I had a pool birth and I loved it!

• Drink gallons of raspberry leaf tea in the 3-4 weeks before due date and keep drinking til baby comes, I know it's an old wives tale but it's meant to make contractions more effective and I can only speak from my own experience of having drunk loads and had 2 uncomplicated births. Will be stocking up for no. 3 due in Oct.

• Then I think you're right to think about your environment, it stands to reason that the 'fight or flight' response can kick in if you're feeling under excessive stress and mean that your body decides it's not safe for baby to come, making everything so much harder. DC2 was a home birth and a wonderful experience but I know it's not for everyone and I was only confident because DC1 had been straightforward and I knew I could do it without the pain relief only available in hospitals. However I can say I felt in charge and relaxed throughout due to being in a comfortable environment.

• Also if you haven't already come accross it then a great book to read is by Ju Ju Sundin - Birth Skills: Proven Pain Management Techniques for your Labour and Birth. It's only a tiny bit fluffy round the edges in the main it's very practical and honest, I think it's an amazing book and have recommended it to 3 friends who all said they felt so much more in control with their second births as a result of reading it.

• And the old chestnut of gravity, I expect in a birthing centre they're more geared up to active birth. When DC1 was born in hospital I tried to get up on my knees on the bed and was told to lie on my back! For me it was considerably more painful to be upright but it didn't half speed things up!

Hope things go the way you want this time around - when are you due?