Time For Childbirth Research

Yes, this is child #3; and yes, I read a lot when I was pregnant with Kayla, but that was over four years ago. The only thing I really remember from my research then was that I wanted to be informed as the opinions are strong on this issue so I read about Lamaze, the Bradley method, epidurals, midwives, and on and on the list goes. I wanted a midwife at a hospital, but other than that, I was just going to play it by ear. I didn't end up with any "convictions" (bad word but I think you know what I mean); my birth plan was preferences. My midwife ended up sending me in for an induction for the "health of the baby" (although it turned out to be nothing and an induction was not part of my birth plan), and the Pitocin was wicked after they broke my water and there was no cushion for those contractions. Because I had a neutral opinion about epidurals after all my reading and talking with people, I soon found myself asking for one.

For Krista's birth, I admit I didn't do any reading or even mental preparation. The plan was to go the epidural route as it had been an absolute wonderful labor, delivery, and recovery experience for me. And again, the birthing experience was fabulous -- even better this time because the push time was so short even while being pain free.

So here I am -- child #3 and if I were in the States would be going the epidural route again, but I'm not in the States. So, it's time to prepare for a very natural occurrence that I have never experienced that way before -- birth. I have been reading online and seem to be leaning towards the Bradley method. But, I was wondering what your experiences have been. Did you use the Bradley method? Would you use it again? Did you use another method? What books were the most helpful for you? (I got several from the library, but I never bought any so I don't even remember what I read when I was pregnant with Kayla -- isn't that crazy? I so feel like a first time mom.)

I just want to say that all of you no matter where you fall on the topic of childbirth have been a blessing to me with your comments. Those of you who are excited for me to experience birth without intervention -- I have loved your comments. Those of you who have done it both ways and prefer the natural way -- definitely encouraging. Those of you who have done it both ways and prefer the epidural route -- not at all discouraging because these comments connect to me in a different way because I feel like I'm one of you as I really loved my epidurals (in case I had never mentioned that before).

There is a lady here who had three children in the States with epidurals and then had her fourth child here. I asked her how it was. Her face was hilarious. It was so obvious the experience hadn't been good especially compared to the ease of an epidural and a Stateside birthing experiencing but it was also obvious that she didn't want to just say it bluntly like that to me -- a pregnant woman who was in a similar situation that she had been in. I started laughing and told her that she could be up front with me and that she had actually encouraged me in a way that validated me in the scenario that I end up like her and preferring the epidural. I talked to another lady here who has had both of her children here so she can't compare it to a birthing experience in the States or one with an epidural, but she said that she had a good experience here overall -- she used the Bradley method. I talked to another lady whose only child was born here, and she had a good experience as well. Ahhh... it's very interesting how different experiences "speak" to me in helpful ways.

I find myself joking a lot on myself about all the unknowns and being a wimp and all -- I think it's my way of coping -- staying lighthearted about it. Anyway, time to get serious and do some reading, mental preparing, planning, and of course lots of praying. Your input on the Bradley method or other methods would be very much appreciated no matter where you fall on these issues. Yes, I do realize childbirth is a very natural thing of life, and people do it all the time here without ever having read a book or an internet article. Life is so interesting, isn't it?

The Africans would probably think I'm crazy for putting so much thought into such a natural event of life. I try not to talk too much about this topic with them and have only ever talked about epidurals with one African lady who the conversation was "right" for it. I'm just playing it "cool" like they do. :-) That's the good part about there being no other option -- you just do it, the way God set it up to happen, just like your mama and grandma did it. I was talking to one young girl about how breastfeeding was going. Fine she said. I asked her if she had someone she could talk to if she needed any help, and she looked at me very blankly. You know -- the different holding positions and is the baby's mouth just right and what about the angles? :-) No breast pumps, shields, creams, ice packs,etc for when their milk comes in, and she had no problems. I wonder what they would think if they knew that you could make a living as a lactation consultant in the States and that there are whole lines of breastfeeding "aids" -- they would probably think I was joking.