Meditation...Hypnosis...Drugs
It was not until six months into my first pregnancy that I found out that our local hospital does not do "elective" epidurals. I thought it was a joke (well, it is true AND a "joke"). Armed with this knowledge for baby number two, I began looking into self-hypnosis as a means for pain control during labor. There are "centers" set up for this kind of thing with classes, etc. Since you live in the land of nuts and berries, I figure you should be able to find one there. I did not have that but my midwife & OBGYN referred my to a local psychologist know to train people in self-hypnosis. It is called "progressive relaxation" technique. It is all about starting at your toes and focusing on every muscle...contract/relax...all the way up to your forehead. Does it work. Hmmm... I was very relaxed during the labor and the pain was uncomfortable but not horrible (maybe a 3 out of 10). HOWEVER, when the shit hits the fan (last centimeter and pushing) I lost my self-control and relaxation. It just friggin' hurts. Hurts like hell. I was pretty sure I was going to break the rails off my bed I was wrenching in such extreme pain. The whole bowling ball, turtle neck analogy is a JOKE. Let's face it, the kid is bigger than a bowling ball and the space it comes through is MUCH smaller that any turtleneck I own. Since there is a baby that needs to get out, you're pretty much screwed. My advice? DRUGS! Early and often. They did not give me a trophy or a headline in the paper for delivering my huge child (nearly ten lbs) sans pain control. Don't even try it. You think it is going to hurt getting the baby out? It does, but that part lasts minutes. It is the labor that'll kill you. And that lasts for HOURS! It just hurts...and I didn't have any of the mythic "back labor."
I know this discussion is early; however, if you are going to investigate self-hypnosis and meditation, you need to start learning how right now. I has weekly sessions for about 5 months. I recommend it but not at the exclusion of the epidural. Don't waste you time with any epidural subsitutes...they DO NOT WORK.
posted by Suzy @ 7:42 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I'm hoping to be able to stike a balance between medical gaint Stanford University and California New Age grunting against a tree. I'm sensing that might be difficult.
I would like to attempt to ease the pain, fear and general craziness of labor (not that I know anything about it) by using some type of relaxation technique. I am certainly not opposed to an epidural and would like to think that I can take the wait and see approach. Brad thinks that I might try to "tough it out." He may be right to a certain extent, so I'm trying to think about this realistically.
There are lots of places out here to take hypnobirthing classes. I've heard that some can be a little "my way or the highway." I'm not interested in that at all. I've even heard that some doulas will up and leave you if you decide to have medication. That's not comforting.
Part of me thinks that I can do this myself, in my own way. Not necessarily by myself. But that I can skirt the standard routes and come up with my own balance.
The Renee Plan.
Having my friend (who may become a doula) help with relaxation and meditation to calm my mind and body. Practicing meditation and maybe some guided imagery in preparation for pain that I can't possibly even imagine because I haven't experienced it. And just general comfort for Brad and I.
I guess one phrase that comes to mind is "work smarter not harder." I want to do things so that labor progresses, whether that means cat and dog tilts on all fours, rocking back and forth while Brad holds me up or finally getting some rest because the epidural has kicked in. I just can't know before hand, so I figure, know all the options before I rule any out.
In the words of Rush "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."
I'm choosing not to decide. I'd like to learn the options, I know I can't learn all of them, but you get my meaning. I don't want to be put in a box "natural childbirth" or what "unnatural childbirth?"
I'm gonna give birth, no two ways about it.
Although I have promised dad
"No Whale Music!"
One question:
Did you get stretch marks?
I hear that they are hereditary and that there's nothing you can do about them.
I had those wonderful back labor pains with you Suzanne, not much more fun than regular ones.
I think Lamaze is a form of self hypnosis. It's being informed that helps the most. And even after you've had a baby or two when "push comes to shove" you still wonder how you could have gotten yourself in to this
Mom
Post a Comment
<< Home