Normal or C birth

I think if one is REALLY determined to have a natural birth, I would stress that your chance of having a gentle birth with minimal interventions largely depends on your birthing team. If you are with a doctor who has a high rate of c-sections (ask about this - but beware you might get a nasty look for asking about this) but "says" that he or she will allow you to have a natural birth, you should see red lights flashing. If I think of all the ladies who wanted to go natural through the years here on moomie who said that their doctors were "pro-natural" but ended up with emergency c-sections, I have to wonder if they really were "pro-natural" in the first place. Long story short, if you really want natural make sure your caregivers have a HIGH RATE of successful natural birth. Obviously c-sections are needed and it has a very valuable place should a special circumstance arise during birth, but a truly "pro-natural" caregiver will have a good amount of women ending with a successful natural birth. I would also recommend getting a doula. I was at first not sure, thinking it is extra money and I am a very private quiet person, not sure how it would all work out. In the end I am very grateful for deciding to have a doula - it was really worth it and I believe it contributed in leading to a good uncomplicated drug free birth.

I can highly recommend the Hypnobirthing course although I wish that the "short one and a half page" about the importance of pelvic floor exercises was longer (showing more exercises) and also mentioning that if you fail to do these regularly what the results may be. (The book mentions that failure to do these exercises could result in age related incontinence.) I wish that it was more upfront and frank about what could happen if you don't take these exercises seriously. I would also criticize the book for not stating in the section about the "fourth trimester" after baby is born what to expect from the post partum recovery. I would have appreciated it if it could have stated that Pelvic organ prolapse is common and what one could do to reduce your chances of getting it and what your chances are of having pelvic organ prolapse. I find that no-one ever talks about what all of this entails.

Here is a good list in my opinion what to expect post-partum:

www.thealphaparent.com/2012/12/timeline-...partum-recovery.html

Again, the hypnobirthing helped me overcome my very big fear of natural birth through regularly listening to the CD's and doing the relaxation work.

Mommy4, I can't agree with you more. It is very important to be prepped for both options.

My doctor never even bothered explaining about a c-section and I was so convinced that I was going to do it natural, but in the end I had to have a emergency C-section. Needless to say I wasn't prepared for it, didn't know anything about the procedure and was scared to death.

In the end it wasn't so bad, I couldn't get to hold my baby immediately, but my husband did the bonding (which I think was great), I got to hold him the moment I was in the room and breastfeeding wasn't a problem, he latched immediately. I had some discomfort but it wasn't as bad as everyone tells you. Also started driving at two weeks, no problems whatsoever.

Guess what I am saying is don't feel bad if you can't go natural, but make sure you're prepared for both.

@ IreneL :I 100% agree with you I had c-section too and I never had any problems or complications for that matter. My gynae booked me for another c-section for my 2nd one which I'm due September. I personally don't mind it, but if my baby can come normally I wouldn't mind that too. Sometimes you really have no choice, but to go for an emergency c-section so you really need to be prepared for both.

I had a c-section in May, and I would most def have one again.

I had a very, very positive experience - actually couldnt believe it, as most people are so negative about it. I dont know why people feel they need to explain "why" they had to have a c-section, like they have to feel bad about it. I dont care what people think of me, to me it was a wonderful experience, not cold and clinical. Each person is different and in my case, I had very little pain and no complications from the c-section (I contribute this to my amazing doctor and her team). The worst part was getting the IV's, and then getting up on day 2 (luckily by the time I got out of the shower, I was fine!)

After about a week I felt back to normal and I started driving around at two weeks (you're not suppose to though). I bonded with my baby right away (some people will tell you that you wont).

Both options have pro's and con's. Your choice and experience will depend on the type of person you are.

Hi Ladies,

I am a Doula and a HypnoBirthing practitioner in Pretoria, you are welcome to contact me about the program, fees etc. HypnoBirthng is a full ante natal course, you do not have to attend any other classes.

Vendah, please contact me with regards to fees, we are always willing to make payment arrangements and there are ways for me to help you even if you can not afford the course, for example, when a practitioner is newly qualified, they normally do a few "practice" couples at a reduced price to get a feeling for the syllabus, we are in the process of training new practitioners so there could be an opportunity for that depending on when your due date is.

With regards to emergency c-sections, HypnoBirthing reduces your chances of baby going into distress so less people need an emergency c-section, however, the HypnoBirthing course also prepares you to deal with any situation that arises during labour so you should be able to calmly deal with the c-section if that is what you end up with.

With my third baby, I planned a home birth, had to transfer to hospital and I was booked and prepped for an emergency c-section after a very long (but easy) labour, and I was able to discuss options and agree on the decision for a c-section and calmly prepare myself for the procedure. I was very lucky that my baby decided to arrive just before I was pushed into theater so I never had the c-section, but the point I want to make is that even with all the things that went "wrong" or not according to my birth picture, I could cope with it and it never felt traumatic at any time. And that was due to the skills I learnt in HypnoBirthing.

My email address is anina@beautifullyborn.co.za please feel free to contact me to discuss your birth options or just meet up for a chat if you need it, I do not charge anything for a coffee date. Like I said, I am a doula, I am always available for mothers who needs a bit of encouragement. If you are not in Pretoria, email me for my phone number and we can chat on the phone and see if I can help you with some resources in your area.

Babydreaming88 wrote: What if you tear or have to have an episiotomy? Doesn't that hurt if you have no meds and its completely natural?

I had a drug free hypnobirth. I tore a bit. To be 100% honest I was so shocked when the doc told me I'd torn as I honestly hadn't felt it AT ALL.
He then gave a local anaesthetic before doing the stitches.

Vendah wrote: ADVICE PLS
I want to do hypnobirthing bt I find the classes are a bit expensive for me, is there a good dvd I can buy, nd from where, nd for how much? And is there a pregnancy yoga dvd I can get? Thanx

You can buy the book and work through that yourself.
I personally do think attending the classes is first prize, but if you can't afford to then definitely get the book and work through it yourself.
www.takealot.com/hypnobirthing/PLID36774...HVW3m7tFcaAkGN8P8HAQ

Babydreaming, I am not sure weather you saw this thread: www.moomie.co.za/71-labour-and-birth/242...prolapse-after-birth

I never knew about this before seeing Gloeiwurmpies post, and I considered myself to be well informed about all the pros and cons.

Definitely worth discussing with your Gynea to understand whether you are at risk.