Shari and others who have mixed feelings about the epi

[hedra]

There are other methods that can give you similar relief, potentially, without the side effects. If you are preg again, or planning to be, it is worth looking into nonmedicinal methods to get that same benefit.

Check into Hypnotherapy (I used it with pitocin augmentation, and no pain!), TENS units, water blocks (not sure what it is called, but they inject a bubble of water next to the nerve, instead of meds, and it puts a pressure-block on the nerve, works much like an epidural - downside, hard to find people who do it), water labor/birth, Bradley Method, 'real' Lamaze method (certified), visualization methods like the Childbirth Kit, etc.

Worth a try, at least, right? Nearly none of those have side effects.

[Shari]

Thanks Hedra :) Yes I am expecting again, and hoping for a successful VBAC. So needless to say I'm definately concerned about pain management. I know I managed VERY well until they turned the pitocin up really high. Exhaustion played a lot in my loss of control...it was the 26 hour mark. Until that point I hadn't had any pain meds. Losing focus because of pain is something I'd like to avoid this time! The side effects of an epidural concern me more than anything...because of my experience w/ my son.

Do you have or know of a list of hypnobirthing books or articles? I've definately thought about this. A friend of mine used hypnobirthing with her first baby and couldn't say enough good things about it.

TIA!
Shari

[hedra]

You could try checking out the relevant websites, first. The books on the subject are style-specific.

Search for HypnoBirthing, HypnoBabies, and New Way Childbirth.

The first is a direct-taught class, which I highly recommend for anyone who has specific prior issues (like a bad experience). But the teacher quality does vary, as does the amount you relate to them as a person (a good fit is useful). The Hypnobirthing website has a search feature to find teachers in your area.

The second and third are tape-based, home study courses. HypnoBabies is closer to HypnoBirthing. NWC is a audio and video tape series that uses hypnosis and other methods combined. NWC is also pretty new-agey (fairy queens and talking dolphins), so be prepared on that one. It is also the only one that talks about Divine power or any spirituality at all, so that's a plus for me, despite the bits I don't believe in.

Check out their websites, and see what you think. I used the tapes for NWC, for practice, and found them very useful for first trimester and second trimester issues, before I started the HypnoBirthing class.

Good luck! There's also some info in the CIC cubby (from me, I think) on HypnoBirthing. You can also email me with specific questions if you like.

[SusieHines1978]

Thanks for the info!

I'm another one who has mixed feelings concerning an epidural. Yes, I want the pain relief (I'm a wuss sometimes when it comes to pain) but the whole idea of a needle going into my spile totally freaks me out. I would love to find a different way of having pain relief. You know, something needle-free?

:)

[hedra]

Yeah, well the hypotherapy was certainly needle-free! :)

[capittm]

I just wanted to let anyone interested know that I got a birthing CD from www.drlarry.com. It is really great! I'm not sure if it will help deal with the pain/anxiety during delivery (i'm really hoping so), but it is very relaxing!! I wanted to let anyone who was interested in not necessarily "hypnobirthing", but getting totally relaxed mentally/physically for childbirth know about this drs tapes/CDs that are available.
GOOD LUCK!