The Bradley Birthing Method is the way to go. I was introduced to this method when pregnant with Michael and I used it again giving birth to Denai.
Same method. Two very different experiences.
I was 20 when I had Michael. Unmarried. Living at home again. Scared shitless.
After it was all over it was amazing to me how on point the Bradley classes were.
I learned how to breathe through my contractions and to relax my body instead of tensing up.
I learned there are stages during labor and that when I would finally say "GIVE ME @#*&$#* DRUGS!" it would be too late because it would be time to push.
I learned that screaming and yelling took unnecessary energy and it was better to barrel down and to even grunt my way through the amazing amount of pain I would be in.
I was thrilled with myself for having a natural childbirth. I felt every. Single. Moment. Thinking about it now still makes my heart beat faster. I call it the ring of fire. Pushing a baby through my fiery birth canal was the most pain I have ever felt. EVER. In those moments I hated everybody. I hated everything. And then he came out. It felt like a huge, slimy slug that slithered out all at once.
And the pain was gone. The ring of fire stopped burning. It was over. And I became a mother.
Blastoff
 |
| My first moments with Michael: my first born |
The biggest difference: I had FUN. Going through the classes again, this time with my husband, gave me a huge amount of confidence in myself. Mr. Sexy and I practiced relaxation just about every day. It paid off big time.
The contractions hurt like hell, don't get me wrong. But when it was over, it was done. I smiled. I laughed. I made jokes. I had a good time and enjoyed the warm water I spent most of my laboring hours in.
Then things got intense and I quit talking as much. I didn't really smile. I mostly just closed my eyes and breathed.
I had to pee. Dang it. As I stood up and stepped out of the tub I felt everything change. The urge to push, that natural and painful sensation that God built inside women became evident as I heaved my naked, wet body into Mr. Sexy's arms. Thankfully he caught me and as my first wave of pushing ended I realized I was also peeing. Oops. Well, worse things can happen. Next time, however, I'll just pee in the tub. :: wink wink ::
Ten minutes later Denai was squeaking in my arms with one tiny human hand wrapped around her
daddy's finger.
Blastoff.
 |
| Denai just moments after birth |
This is the A-Z blogging challenge so go ahead and read the introduction and see a list of all my A-Z posts.
Never heard someone call birth fun lol but damn! That's ideal. I was silly and didn't take any classes at all. I don't think I'd do the same thing if there's a next time. Your newborn photos are giving me baby fever- I need to remember how intense labor is to kick the fever! So cute!
ReplyDeleteI try to remind myself all the time about the pain. But I still get baby fever lol It will probably hit in the next 6 months or so, full strength.
DeleteThat's so awesome you did it drug free. I went in with the attitude of "I'll try to do it naturally. I'll go as long as I can." Um yeah, two hours in I'm all "Epidural!!!" So, I commend you big time.
ReplyDeleteYeah I learned I had to go in determined with a practiced mind set and a coach to help as well. I'm so glad I did it that way though - even when it felt hellish and I literally thought I was dying. This isn't convincing anyone for a natural child birth is it lol
DeleteI am impressed with you giving birth drug free. I was too afraid with my first and my twins were an emergency c-section to save my life. For my last 2, I was just too tired to care. LOL
ReplyDeleteI can understand that! C-sections and epidurals definitely have their place. It saves lives! I'm happy we all have the choice on how we want to give birth.
DeleteI love, love, love this post! Your descriptions are awesome - so very real! And I completely agree with you about Bradley. It makes all the difference when you take the class with your hubby. This most recent labor went so well and I completely attribute that to what my husband and I learned and practiced from the class.
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm right there with you! He was incredibly through everything! Although I still hated him while he was smiling huge and I was feeling the ring of fire and thought I was dying. lol
DeleteVisiting from A/Z. Enjoyed reading about your birthing experiences, the end result were beautiful children!! Good luck with the rest of the challenge!
ReplyDeletebetty
http://viewsfrombenches.blogspot.com/
Wow, the honesty and detail of the post is impressive! I wasn't sure your blog was for me at first (when I realized the subject matter) but the story was refreshing in its honesty and quite interesting! Even for this non-mother. Thank you for sharing and best of luck with the challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment!
Deletenatural birth had been my perfect birthing plan too. I had everything I needed right down to the calming sounds of classical music and the scent of lavender.
ReplyDeleteand then he got stuck and the words C Section were uttered....and I certainly wasn't doing that drug free! So my plan went out the window, but at the end I had a perfectly happy, beautiful baby boy and that's all that mattered.
And then I did it two more times. C sections again. So clearly drug or drug not -- you forget any kind of pain of birth as soon as you get to hold those precious bundles.