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I replied to a similar question before so I think you can find what other people suggested there. For me, it was the Bradley method. I used a book called "Husband-Coached Birth" by Dr. Robert Bradley. I am so glad that I came across it. It worked very well for me. I really wasn't in that much pain. I mean yes its wasn't pleasant but certainly doable. My friends who got epidurals complained a lot more and are afraid of going through it again. I can do it again tomorrow. If you'd like some more detail let me know and I'll give you my e-mail address. P.S. I also drank red raspberry leaf tea.

Anything is possible honestly have a great suport person there with you. It makes a world of difference. I was in labor for what seemed to be forever i was up for about 36 hours before i got my little girl out she only took 30 minutes of pushing. i had no pain medication and didnt use a method. The only thing that i did have was some IV medication that helped me relax in between my contractions i could still feel everything while they were happening i was just able to relax and rest better inbetween. Pushing is the easy part because to me it felt like i was finally doing something. I loved doing it natural i couldnt imagine doing it with an epidural, it was nice being able to tell the doctors when i had to push instead of them telling me. My daughter is 10 days old and hell i would do it again now.

I'm very interested in the Bradley method (also a first-timer here,) I've heard great things about it and would like to learn more. Is buying the book the best way to get the low-down? :o)

CamysMama, Well my husband wanted to go to a cla__s as well but the scheduling just wasn't working out. The woman who was teaching the cla__s told me that I'd be fine with just reading the two books that they use in cla__s. (I'll look up the other one at home and let you know tomorrow.) The other book is helpful because its more concise and has illustrations. But it does stray from Dr. Bradley's method a bit. With certain things, such as the labor position, I agree with him more. But you'll see all that for yourself if you decide to go down this road. I'm sure that natural birth can be achieved without any method, but this just makes it easier. You can also check out www.bradleybirth.com And like I said before if you want to talk to me about this some more, let me know, and I'll get in touch with you through email.

I actually just found the name of the other book on the website. Natural Childbirth The Bradley ® Way by Susan Mc Cutcheon, AAHCC

The only thing I can suggest to you 1st time mama is to go into labour with an open mind. Due to strict bedresting for the last trimester of my pregnancy I was unable to go to any antenatal cla__ses. I have read a couple of books, but the most valuable advise I got from a work mate who already has two children. She told me to go in there with an open mind. I also made sure that I would have my obstetrician with me in the hospital so I basically set up a birthing plan with him detailing about pain relief, episiotomy and others. When it was time my labour came on so fast that there was no time for any pleasantries like bathing and so forth. My little girl was born within 2 hours and my labour was very painfull, but certainly doable. I am glad I did it naturally allthough I did not have much of a choice. As soon as your baby is born the pain stops and you forget about it instently. The sense of accomplishment I feel when I look at her I would not have if I would have had an epidural, but I do not condone people who actually had one. It is everyone's choice, the only thing I made sure since our hospital is a country hospital that I have my doctor there who is able to give me an epidural if I wanted one. What worked for me during labour was squizzing the c___p out of my husband's hands, scream as loud as I wanted to, try to control my breathing as much as I could and have my baby on the floor on all fours. I would have never been able to lie on my back to have her.

I am planning a waterbirth and hoping it will be more comfortable for me. I have a friend who recently labored in water and said it was so much easier when she was in the tub. Ist time mama, you might want to check out your options about water!

Thanks for all the advice. I went to my local library and found Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. I devourd it in about a week and found it to be very helpful. I am now getting my husband to read it as well. I practice the visualizations and self talk everyday and once I have my husbad caught up to me I know that this book will be the saving grace for both of us. I am also reading Husband Coached Childbirth written by Bradley himself... not as fun to read as the first one but certainly informative. My husband and I start childbirt cla__ses in a few weeks at the hospital and I called the lady who will be tacing the cla__s. She could not give me a straight answer as to why she does not recommend Bradley over Lamaze... I suppose I will keep going with what I have learned in the books but still go to the cla__s because it will be helpful to know exactly how this hospital operates (its common procedures) and what should happen in the event of me needing a c-section. Thanks again for all the advice!

1st_time_mama, that's great. I really hope that you have an easy labor. I know that the Bradley book is a bit lengthy, but stick with it. There are some things there that aren't in the other one. I believe there is a comparison with Lamaze in one of those books (probably Husband-Coached birth). From what I remember though, Lamaze does not necessarily try to avoid medication. Dr. Bradley also talks about how panting (the first thing people tend to a__sociate with Lamaze) is actually not good. But you are right, its good to know your hospitals procedures and all that. You should also talk to your doctor and tell him of your intentions to go natural. The ob/gyn office that I went to had three doctors. I only spoke about my plan to the doctor that I was seeing, but any one of them could have been delivering my baby. Anyway, a different doctor was on shift the night I gave birth. When I told him that I don't want meds he started asking me why and trying to have a discussion about it. Trust me, that's the last thing you want to do at that point. The nurses were also very annoying about it. Kept asking me every half an hour. Tell your husband to make sure that they don't bother you. He can speak to them outside the room and let them know of your plan. Best of Luck! Let me know how it went.

Oh two more things. I was drinking raspberry leaf tea from 35th week on. It tones the uterus and makes labor and pushing more efficient. For those going natural, a short labor is certainly important. I also used Epi-No to avoid an episiotomy.