Can you have too many different books on labour? Should I focus on one method?

[secretlyhermione]

As the title says, I'm looking into books to prepare for labour. I've already bought Siobhan's book on hypnobirthing and was recommended the birth skills book by JuJu Sundin. I'm intrigued by both but wondering if it makes sense to just focus on one approach? What are people's thoughts? The more info the better or sticking to one method to avoid over load?

I think it's good to be aware of different methods. You don't know what birth will be like until you do it. What works for one, might not work for the other. You might not find it as painful as some others. You might experience complications or it could be very straight forward.
Basically, I don't believe it's any good to have a firm, set plan. I've heard about people getting very upset when they haven't had the birth they wanted for example. Learn all the different techniques, be aware of the different methods, but do what works for you on the day. Most important thing is getting baby out safely so please don't worry if you end up not being able to rely on any of the methods you've read about.

Have you read anything about caring for a baby? I focussed my reading on labour and it didnt occur to me until I got home that I had no idea what to do with this small wriggling uber cute being.

The thing with labour is that you need to be flexible. You never know how its going to go. So I would read around, if theres one method that really grabs your fancy then go with it but try not to fixate on it to the exclusion of everything else. Id say understanding what is happening to your body at each stage is more important than a method.

I totally believe in being fully informed and knowing your options. But, try not to get focused on one. Things don't go to plan in labour and it can be heart breaking if you have set your mind on one specific thing and it doesn't workout.

Read what you like, but my main gripe with these birth books is the illusion that you have a degree of control.

I had easy enough births, and read lots of book etc, but when the time was there, nature took over and I had no say in the matter.

For example, I walked and walked in circles when contractions started, that was not something I planned, but I later read it speeds up birth.....which it did

But the whole birthing process was something that happened to me, not something I controlled.

You push when your body pushes, there is no stopping it, and no point in telling people when to push etc.

Honestly, reading about methods can make you feel more relaxed and in control, but ultimately it's not about your rational brain,and rational thought. Instinct takes over 100%

That is not a bad thing imo, for my second birth I thought "my body will know what to do", which helped me relax a lot

Yup! All the above!
I had planned this gorgeous water birth with no pain relief, gentle music etc.
What I got was me strapped to a bed, hooked up to monitors for hours, and pain relief right up until the actual labour and watching QI.

Thanks everyone! I absolutely agree that you can't plan to the tenth degree, but I'd like to at least be informed so I think I will go ahead and purchase both books. Of course I know it's 100% important to be flexible and I will for sure have a preference but am fully aware that many other scenarios could unfold. As such I think it's correct to be informed as one poster here said to be aware what my body is going through. @redexpat the susu book has info post birth as well, but if you have any recommendations for post birth books am all ears!

*juju not susu!

As pp have said, you can read but when it happens you just kind of have to go with it. The best advice I was given was that when the contractions get really intense, concentrate on breathing each one away, consciously thinking "I've done that one, I don't need to do that one again, I'm one step closer to meeting my baby" and it gave me something to get my teeth into during the last stage of contractions.

It might sound daft but it got me through 3 very different labours over the years.

Congratulations and best of luck (in a nice way, not meaning you'll need luck).

Giving birth is a bit like going down a water slide. Once you're in, you're on your way down and have little you can do to change the course it takes. It's worth understanding your preferences but don't get too hung up on it, you're better spending time learning about baby care and breastfeeding (if you intend to).

That said, I'd recommend the positive birth company online course (easier than reading a book and you can watch with partner, it's all video clips) and their contraction/surge app Freya which talks you through breathing and relaxation in labour as well as timing contractions.

Also Kate Evans' bump book and Ina May Gaskins' guide to childbirth.

I don't think you can have too many books on labour, no (but I am an inveterate reader so I would say that!). I read quite a few different books before giving birth and I'm glad I did as I ended up drawing on different bits of advice from each of them.

I'd warmly recommend Natalie Medding's How to Have a Baby www.tellmeagoodbirthstory.com/tmagbs/how-to-have-a-baby/, it's a lovely book and organised in nice small chapters with different bits of both practical advice and ways of thinking about birth. Personally I preferred it to the Positive Birth book. I also read a book on freebirthing which, whilst not something I'd consider, offered some interesting perspectives on childbirth.

R.e. the planning thing - for me the reading isn't about planning but for acquiring little tricks or ideas to help you through birth in as positive a way as possible. I didn't plan for my super long labour or PPH but I still feel I had an amazing and empowering birth.

Thanks for all the tips, I'll check he books out!