hospitalbirth - Profile (original) (raw)
on 24 September 2007 (#13884301)
The keys to having a happy natural hospital birth
A community dedicated to moms who want to have a natural, safe and happy birth in a hospital.
This community was created for those who either by choice or by no-other-choice are planning to have a natural birth in a hospital. You are welcome here if you are seeking the support of others who are striving for the same thing. If you are unclear about the reason for this group, if you have questions about joining, problems with moderation, a post, a comment, or just have a question PLEASE do not hesitate to contact me, 
itsjustababy I am your moderator. Anyone may join this community, but you do have to be a member to post.
Please make an introductory post if you are comfortable doing so. An example of some of the information you can include would be:
Name/LJ name:
Age:
Number of other children (if any), ages:
Other birth experiences:
What you would like to learn from this community:
A little about you:
This community is NOT designed to give medical advice, medical diagnosis, or tell you what you should decide. If you are ever unsure about a pregnancy or labor symptom, call your doctor or midwife or immediately go to labor and delivery or the Emergency Room. We are not your doctor, and we are not a substitution for care given by health/medical professionals.
Hospital births are potentially a very frightening choice to have to make for someone who'd rather not be subject to the potential "intervention tidalwave syndrome". However, the moderators and community members here feel that it IS POSSIBLE to have a natural, intervention free and perfectly normal birth in a hospital. We know it's not typical, easy or something to imagine we can have without hard work, research and the support of others.
The reason that natural hospital birth is viewed as such a contradiction in terms and often viewed as a misnomer is that the typical medical establishment views Childbirth as a Medical Event, and that you are ill and need to be cured. Also, sometimes "things" happen. You may experience an emergency c-section without ever wanting one. Your baby or your body my not fully cooperate with your ideal birth scenario and you may have to think about, discuss and agree to interventions during your birth that you would otherwise not be comfortable with. We do it for our babies. We want them to be happy, healthy, safe and born into the arms of a world that doesn't think they need to be rescued from our unable bodies. We're here to support families in any way we can in coping with whatever happens, and supporting the educated choices you will inevitably have to make concerning your birth. Medical intervention is not synonymous with loss of dignity, but there are a lot of things you can do to prevent them.
That is the ultimate key. Making informed, educated decisions before, during and after your birth that are ultimately the best choice for you and your baby. Here you can ask for support in your choices, ask questions in helping to find a doctor, hospital or birthing center, ways to talk to your doctor about respecting your wishes, and ways to empower yourself to have the birth you want. However, keep in mind that we're not here to try and plan the perfect birth, but to plan to be happy with the perfect birth we'll have.
How Can I Have a Natural Childbirth?
Although childbirth is a "natural" event, it usually does not happen naturally in hospitals. To achieve the best possible outcome you must prepare yourself during pregnancy. Tips for starting your journey to a natural hospital birth:
Choose your health care provider carefully, asking questions and changing to another care provider if necessary.
Choose your birth place wisely, understanding that some hospitals and birth centers will provide options which make a natural birth a more reachable goal.
Be aware of all the options that are available to you, and understand the risks and benefits of those options.
Learn comfort measures and coping techniques that will help you handle the stress of labor.
Surround yourself with people who are supportive of your goal for a natural birth.
What Natural Child Birth Means To This Community: (read = Do I belong here?)
We strive to have a birth free of medical interventions that are not medically necessary. The mantra here is "Do no harm." Meaning, you wish to avoid interventions unless it's determined by your doctor or midwife to prevent serious injury or potential damage to you, or your yet to be born child. This includes but is not limited to the planned use of:
Induction of labor; Sweeping of membranes, Vaginal prostaglandin gel, Amniotomy, Oxytocin
Augmentation of labor; Amniotomy, Oxytocin
Routine Electronic or Internal Monitoring (not including Fetoscope and Doppler)
Frequent and unnecessary vaginal checks
Episiotomy
Epidurals
Narcotics during labor
Forceps or Vacuum delivery
Planned or scheduled cesarean sections
The unneeded and unexplained use of IV fluids
General Rules:
- Don't flame. If you disagree with what someone is posting and feel it is inappropriate, contact the moderator.
- Don't flouce. If you feel your feelings have been hurt, someone is picking on you and you JUST HAVE TO LEAVE, please contact a moderator to attempt to resolve the situation first, but if you just must leave... do so without making a grand party of it. No one likes a drama queen.
- Keep it clean. Please try to limit the use of overly colorful metaphors and other "non-child-safe" use of language to communities where it's appropriate.
- Keep it simple. Please don't post with a fancy font or text color. If you want to post a photo that's larger than 400 pixels wide in any direction, please do so under a livejournal cut.
- Don't feel trolls. If someone is posting specifically to anger the community, don't respond to them. Report the post to a moderator.
Some great links/resources:
Mothering.com
Kelly Mom
Recommended reading:
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer and Rhonda Wheeler
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg, Erick Ingraham, and Robert A. Bradley
Childbirth without Fear: The Principles and Practice of Natural Childbirth by Michel Odent and Grantly Dick-Read
Supportive Organizations
Doulas of North America (DONA)
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association(CAPPA)
International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
Association of Labor Assistance and Childbirth Educators (ALACE)
American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth (Bradley Method)
International Cesarean Awareness Network(ICAN)
The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS)
Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA)
American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM)
Other great LiveJournal Communities:
breastfeeding Just like it sounds. Support and help for breastfeeding Mom's.naturalbirth This community is for anyone supportive of natural pregnancy and childbirth.pregnant If you have general questions about pregnancy related stuff, there are lots of folks here.clothdiapering Everything to do with cloth diapering.birth_is_normal A safe space for women who may not want or be able to have a home or unassisted birth, but who still want to try to do what's best for their baby.naturalpregnant Bringing together women who are like-minded in their approach to pregnancy, birth and even what they strive for after the birth.
Welcome to hospitalbirth!
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