For anyone who has given birth naturally...

[cherylsangel]

I am really trying to do this all natural and I was wondering if there is anything I can bring to the hospital to help cope with the pain? My mom says tennis balls, is there anything in addition I could or should pack?

[BeautifulMistake2010]

All lamaze did for me was made me hyper ventilate. I don't have a very high tolerance for pain, but I managed pretty good without it.. I just learned to take long, slow deep breaths in through the nose out through the mouth....

[bavariangirl]

I had my two boys without meds. I highly recommend lamaze classes, as the breathing exercises really helped me get through labor. I tried to prepare for my first labor, agonizing over what to take to the hospital. I had my bag packed for weeks. When the big day came, I had a four hour labor, and the bag never made it into the hospital! My second son's labor took much longer, but was overall much easier. The biggest advice I can give you is to focus on learning relaxation techniques, the more relaxed you are the easier your labor will be. And since you won't know how you feel come labor time, all your plans for during labor should be written in pencil. You may think you will love a massage with tennis ball for your back during labor, and then you can't stand to be touched! You won't know until you get there. Personally, my mantra was "natural, as long as I can". Especially during your first labor, you don't know what your tolerance for pain will be, so leave it open to change with your doctor. It's always to good to have options. Surround yourself with a good birthing coach (for me, it was my husband), and know that your body will do what it needs to. Relax and don't fight with it. With the right mind set, natural childbirth can be wonderful, and will give you a great sense of accomplishment.

Also, as an aside, I found regular chiropractic adjustments and pregnancy massage (find someone who specializes) very helpful.

[BeautifulMistake2010]

When I had my first son, I didn't have anything but my husband nurses.... I blocked everyone out that was in the room and just breathed in through my nose out through my mouth.. Worked better than the crap they teach you in lamaze.... Personally, I think they teach you to hyperventalate your self.

[rccresswell]

I had both of my babies naturally with no pain meds.  My labours were 25 and 26 hours long from start to finish.

I stayed home as long as I could.  I left for the hospital when I couldn't walk and I could only lie down in the back seat because I couldn't sit down.  I think go where you feel most comfortable and labour there.  Definately labour in water, I had a bath with my son when it was getting too sore and just before we left for the hospital.  I also had my son in water.

With my daughter I help on and didn't have a bath because we left for the hospital.  I had my daughter on my knees with the shower running down my back - that was heaven!!!!!

My big advice would be to move continously and rock your pelvis on all fours.  I refuse to lie down with either of my pregnancy and didn't.  I didn't take anything to the hopital I just relied on water and movement, I hope that helps.

Another bit of advice....  Build up your expectations on labour and make your mind believe you are looking forward to it - that also helps!!!!!  It is extremely painful but you can do it!!!!!!  

[hkenny]

use the shower,sitz bath and or bathtub! Honestly I did not plan on going all natural but was using the sitz bath for pain management before getting an epidural and it worked so well I went from 2 cm to 10 in 30 minutes. I moved around alot in there too. Tennis balls would be great for a massage on your lower back. For this baby I plan to go natural again and I think the tennis balls sound great! oh bring a bathing suit top if you can...I ended up giving birth nude b/c of the fast progression, I would have loved at least a tankini top on at the time!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

The one time I delivered with no pain meds I didn't take anything.  I just depended on my nurses and my husband to talk me through the contractions. My labor was relatively short and the pushing stage went quickly so it was pretty easy for me.