Suggestions on Natural Birth in Hospital?

Question

Any suggestions or things I should prep for? A friend told me to labor on my own at home for as long as possible. My question is..how long is too long? When should I leave for the hospital?

Answer

I was induced so I was already at the hospital when labor started but I actually enjoyed laboring there. Once they took me off the pitocin I was able to walk around and bounce on the birthing ball and labor in the tub. It was really nice. My biggest suggestion is just to keep moving around. With my first two I didn't think that would really help but it definitely does! I was in labor a total of 4 1/2 hours from the first contraction to the final push and I moved around the whole time. Also, rocking you hips helps move baby down. Good luck!! :)

Answer

Absolutely hire a doula, and do your research and possibly take a class. We took Bradley Method classes with our first. Trying to give birth naturally without preparing is like trying to run a marathon without training

Answer

Go by the 4-1-1 or 3-1-1 rule depending on how far away from the hospital you are. Wait until your contractions are 4 min apart (from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next), they last a full minute (from start to finish), and are like that for an hour. I only live 10 min away from my hospital so I am going to go by the 3-1-1 rule. I was told to wait until they are even closer together (2-1-1) to leave the house, but I'm a FTM and I'm scared that will be waiting too long...

Answer

I follow the 4-1-1 rule for laboring at home and it seems to be a good rule of thumb. 5-1-1 if you live farther from the hospital. 1 non-medicated hospital L&D down, 1 to go!! Congrats! Feel free to ask any questions. I'm an open book and love when new mamas are committed to going naturally!

Answer

The general rule of thumb is to go to the hospital when:
1)  your water breaks.
2) your contractions are regularly 5 minutes apart. 
With our 1st, my water broke in the middle of the night so we got up, showered, got ready, and went to the hospital. Baby wasn't born for another 19 hours! If it happens the same way again, we will labor at home until contractions are 5 minutes apart. Some hospitals have a 24 hour rule for delivery after your water breaks. Not all do because the evidence is not at all conclusive that it poses any risk. I personally, don't agree with that "rule" (and neither does my hospital for that matter) but I've been there, done that, and have done a TON of research on the subject. It is, of course, completely up to you - but I would definitely research it for yourself. Doulas are NOT for everyone. I had a 19 hour L&D without a doula and without one bit of pain medication or epidural. I did however have several hours of Pitocin (which I will not be getting this time around). My husband was my doula and I wouldn't have it ANY other way. The last thing I would want is a quasi stranger telling me "you can do it!" for 19 hours...but that's my personal choice. Be calm, be confident, have your mind made up on what you want to do regarding meds (long before you go into it), and you'll do great! Blessings on a happy and healthy delivery! ❤️

Answer

I talked to a nurse at the hospital and she told me to come in when the contractions were 3 minutes apart and 1 minute long. However, I'm less than 10 minutes to the hospital, so the most contractions I would have would be 3 in the car. But, she said do not wait longer than that. So I will probably wait until 3:30 inbetween.

Answer

When I was considering a hospital birth, that's what I was told too! They said to wait as long as possible. I guess it would really depend on how far you are from your hospital, what time of day you go into labor (traffic), and most importantly how you are feeling! Just to be safe, I would say if your contractions are 5 mins apart, go ahead and head over there! Get relaxed and comfortable and definitely move around a lot! I've read a ton about how that helps tremendously!