Active birth book ?

Jolltax

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Mar 12, 2003, 4:22:23 PM3/12/03

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Hi all

I am a first time mum to be, and considering my birthing options. The idea
of an 'active birth' to make things go a bit quicker and easier sounds good
to me........have any of you read any good books on the topic ? I havent
got any local classes near me so im going to have to read about techniques.

Has anyone read the 'New Active Birth' book by Janet Balaskas? Worth buying
?

Dont worry, im also going to consider pain relief drugs etc, but hoping not
to go down the epidural route.

Good luck to everyone and their pregnancies :)

Marie

Resi

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Mar 12, 2003, 4:38:33 PM3/12/03

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I read "New Active Birth" and found it enjoyable and
informative. My favourite book is "Unassisted Childbirth"
by Laura Shanley even if you're not planning an unassisted
birth, it's an excellent natural birth resource.

I looked at pain relief options and decided that the best
pain relief is removing the fear that is instilled in
people. People have been lead to believe that childbirth
is scary. If a woman has fear during labour, her body
closes up in the same way it would if a predator were
near. Fear causes pain.

The other best pain relief is mobility. Janet's book
discusses active birth and its benefits in this respect.
I remained active during my first birth (unassisted
homebirth). I walked mostly and changed positions when
it suited me. My second birth was almost painless and
so I didn't feel the need to be as active as I was in
the first but still changed posititions very regularly,
took a shower, a few baths, walked, climbed stairs etc.
and eventually gave birth standing up (my first was
squatting in a pool).

The best thing you can do is listen to your body and
trust your instincts (best done with minimal distractions
and easier to achieve at home).

After that, water can be helpful. I found during both
labours I was drawn towards a bath during transition.
Hot washers on the back can help.

Finally, my last resort for pain relief was perhaps using
a TENS machine but I decided not to because I did not want
to focus on pain and believe that in concentrating on
trying to remove the pain, we focus more on the pain and
make it worse.

I did not use any "techniques" or study any breathing
methods because I feel that my body will know what to
do at the time... it is designed for that after all :)

My favourite inspirational and informative website is:

http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/

Resi

Portia

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Mar 14, 2003, 12:22:19 PM3/14/03

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"Jolltax" <Jollta...@pepper2.karoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:b4o8eg$c9q$1...@newsreaderm1.core.theplanet.net...

I agree with everything Resi says above... just wanted to add that I've got
the Janet Balaskas New Active Birth book and it is really very good...
explains the mechanics of it all so that it all makes sense WHY it's so good
to stay off your back, for example. I've also been doing Active Birth yoga
classes since 16 weeks and they have been very helpful indeed - both for
keeping me 'fit' (snigger), trying to get the Nipper into the best position,
and for giving me some ideas for labour positions. Best of all though is
lots of practice of deep, relaxing yoga breathing which I'm hoping will be
my best defence against pain and fear.

Also, the chapter on 'labour' is brilliant - I'm going to ask DH to read it
as it summarises neatly everything I'd like my labour to be and why. Like a
birth plan with everything explained rationally.

Love
Portia
xxx

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Jolltax

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Mar 17, 2003, 12:50:14 PM3/17/03

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Thanks for all the advice and info.

Barbara W

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Mar 26, 2003, 4:30:51 PM3/26/03

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"Jolltax" asks

> Has anyone read the 'New Active Birth' book by Janet Balaskas? Worth
buying

> Marie

Easy Exercises for Pregnancy by Janet Balaskas is excellent, It shows
clear photos of good exercises, relaxation, massage, all with
explanations - things that you can carry thorough ot the birth. Plus
models are not all stick thin!
£9.99 list price but I am sure I have seen it reduced in some discount
sources, e.g. Sussex Stationers
: -)
HTH
Barbara
Hampshire

philte...@gmail.com

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Oct 6, 2013, 4:21:26 AM10/6/13

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hey how are you? I hope everyone is being nice.
I suggest that you check out some articles liek this one if ou want to see what kind of options you can have.

http://www.laboraide.com/article/1531-understanding-the-different-types-of-pain-relief-during-birth