Realistic birth prep resources - no woo.

[DuploTrain]

I’m 38 weeks with my second baby and belatedly panicking that I have done no prep this time.

When I was pregnant with my first I read Milli Hill’s Positive Birth Book. I’ve just read it again and it’s given me the rage. Things like contractions are magnificent powerful surges, some people may experience them as painful.

My first labour was constant agony for 24 hours. Back to back and no “golden relief” in between “surges”. I feel lied to!

I know I can get through it again but feel like I should do some prep.

I like yoga and think breathing techniques can be a positive distraction. But not interested in visualisations / affirmations/ woo. It’s not going to be a “magical experience”, I just want it to be bearable.

Also I might be considering an induction due to the baby’s size (I haven’t decided yet) so anything with a focus on induction would be helpful too.

Any help much appreciated.

It's called "Preparation: Posterior Backache Labour". She is Australian and they have slightly different terms there.

I agree about the comments of peace between the contractions, that is not what I went through at all, particularly because I was induced with the pessary (because of a large baby) that caused contractions that were back to back, then had the epidural was finally in peace, but baby turned back to back before coming out and with each contraction (even on full epidural and IV paracetamol) the pain was immense.

No recommendations on reading, but will be taking note of some in this thread. for me, I did a lot of reading about having a large baby (8lb8 in the end, so not particularly big, but I am only 5ft, so they were concerned) and I had decided that I would not be induced purely for babies size, and I fought this at 39 weeks but by 40 weeks, even with all my reading and confidence, it was so drilled into me by Doctors that this baby had to come out now. I am pregnant again now, so I think I will fight harder this time as I know what I am doing ( I expect a big baby again, I was 9lb9) because with an induction there just feels like no control of labour. I also did not get on with all the hypnobirthing and breathing the baby out, it seemed fantasy but I think there’s even less chance of that with an induction. How your body will react to the hormones or the methods is just so undetermined.

Thank you! Have just read it. Very useful and wish I had read it before my first baby!

Did anyone else hear about Birth Skills from reading Matrescence?

How did it go??

Still pregnant! 😊

Ok great because I thought of another one - train your birth partner to do hip compressions! That was actually the main thing that got me through my second birth that ended up being without medical pain relief because we didn't get to the hospital in time
There are two different types - one for contractions, and one for pushing. We learnt them in a prenatal class and that's pretty much the only manoeuvre we did, again and again, once it really got going.
That and the comb lol

I think it’s been mentioned before but if you want to try something “natural” then I’d recommend giving a TENS machine a go. I used it with DC1 during early labour and I think it helped me over the hump of that first wave of contractions before they get really intense. It also helped distract me and focus my mind on something else.

Update - thank you all for your support and suggestions. Baby arrived a couple of days ago.

I definitely took inspiration from the Birth Skills book - I.e. distraction and breathing. I ended up digging my nails into my arm as a distraction which surprisingly effective. I think my midwife thought I was mad though. I had gas and air too.

Bought a TENS machine and forgot to use it. But my contractions were about 2-3 minutes apart from when they started so I didn’t stay at home for very long anyway.

It wasn’t too bad but very relieved it’s all over and I’m not planning on doing it again!

Congratulations! I’m so glad you found the book helpful. I did too. Enjoy your lovely baby!

well done! congratulations