My Review - Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

So it turns out that in a few weeks (almost 8 exactly!) I’m going to have push something the size of a melon through a hole the size of a lemon.  Having done it before, I am aware it’s not a barrel of laughs.   I remember meeting a lady, when I was heavily pregnant with Coco, who described the birth of her daughter as nothing short of “magical.”  I knew that wouldn’t be me, and I was right. 

My labour was thankfully fairly uncomplicated, but it was long and painful.  Rather than the usual build-up of contractions that is often described, my waters broke and BANG, my contractions began, big time. (This might have been something to do with the little bounce on my niece’s trampoline earlier that day – not recommended!)   After many hours and not much dilation later, I decided to have an epidural, and another day on with a little bit of help from a mini hoover Coco finally arrived.

Knowing I hadn’t exactly had my dream delivery with Coco, my very kind and lovely friend bought me a book she had read before having her little boy,  “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth”.  I had never heard of the book before, and had always been a little bit sceptical of books on hypnobirthing etc., but this friend had an absolutely amazing birth with her son so I was more than willing to take note.

The book is written by renowned American midwife, Ina May Gaskin, and is based on her thirty years of experience helping women have natural and fulfilling births.  At a time when it was becoming more common place for women to have their babies in hospitals, Ina May and her team of midwifes went against the trend by taking care of pregnant women in their own center called The Farm, where homely, natural births without medical intervention were the norm.  Women were encouraged to go back to basics for their births by listening to their bodies and what feels right for them, rather than listening to the instructions of doctors, and results are incredible.

Now, there is some of the book that is pretty “way out there”.  The first 125 pages tells the positive stories of women who gave birth at The Farm or with the help of Ina May at home, and a few describe how they rode their rushes (otherwise known as contractions) like waves in the ocean (hmmm), and ways your birth can even become orgasmic (apparently getting a bit jiggy with your partner really helps!).   But whilst I think it’s unlikely that Mark will be willing to start sucking my nipples in Whipps Cross birth centre to help strengthen my contractions, there is a lot you can take away from this book that could really help. 

Here are a few of the things that I’m hoping to remember when it’s my turn in a few weeks time…

• Staying active and going on a nice long walk during the early stages of labour can help move things along nicely
• Do not feel like you have to lie down on the hospital bed once your contractions get stronger, move around and get in a nice comfortable position
• Remember, when it comes to pushing, gravity really helps
• Try and stay relaxed as possible and tell anyone who is winding you up to bugger off! 
• Your jaw is directly linked to your cervix, keep it as loose as possible, apparently blowing raspberries can do wonders!
• Positive encouragements from your partner can make a massive difference (no sleeping this time Mark!)
• Remember, no one is injuring you, the pain is for a purpose and your baby will be here soon    

Whether I will be able to remember any of this when the time comes is yet to be seen, and I certainly won’t have any shame if I’m shouting for an epidural as soon as I enter the delivery room.  But after having had an epidural with Coco I know it is not always the easy option and the advice given in this book certainly made a lot of sense.

For anyone who is hoping for a natural delivery, I would highly recommend giving this book a read.  Even just for the picture of seeing poor old baby Jerome coming out of his mother face first (scared…for…life.) 

If you would like to buy “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” just click here to be directed to Amazon.

Wish me luck!

Gemma x