Reddit reviews Paisley Designs Coloring Book (Dover Design Coloring Books)

First-timer here who's hoping to go without pain meds. Here's my plan, loosely based on things I've picked up from reading Ina May's guide to childbirth and some Bradley Method books.

1. Avoid an induction if at all possible, i.e. let my body begin labor when it is ready to.
   
   
2. Labor at home for as long as possible. (Keep in mind, I live five minutes from the hospital. If you live farther away or might run into traffic, take note of what others have said here about how much it sucks to labor in the car.)
   
   
3. Change positions as needed. Know what positions are helpful in what circumstances (such as all fours to help ease back labor). There was a helpful one-page document posted here a few days ago about labor positions, but I'm having trouble locating it. If I find it, I'll update this post with a link. Try out other things like laboring in the shower or on the toilet, too. I really don't think there is one single perfect position for each woman to use the entire labor - I think it will help to move around into different positions as things progress.
   
   
4. Think of the pain as "work." As in, this is my body working to get my baby delivered. Don't be scared of it; know that it's happening for a reason. Prior to labor starting, read about what the uterus and cervix are doing during contractions, and what to expect as far as how the contractions will change in timing/strength and how your mental/emotional state will change throughout labor. I've been finding the information in Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way really helpful for this. Not only does it go into how the uterine muscles work to dilate the cervix, but it also goes through the "emotional signposts" of labor so that you can know in advance how you might feel at each stage.
   
   
5. Focus on relaxing through the pain. This goes hand in hand with number 4. I think that if I tense up and fight the pain, it will make the whole process take longer, so I'm going to focus on relaxing into it. That is totally not a natural reaction to pain in humans, so this is the one that I'm most unsure I'll be able to do properly when the time comes! This is one area where I still feel unprepared at this time. I think the biggest key will be breathing. I'm not planning to do the Lamaze-style breathing, because I think it will make me tense. Instead, I'm going to try for deep, slow abdominal breathing.
   
   
6. Labor support - if you can get a doula you like and feel comfortable with, I'd do it. If you have an SO who will be there with you, encourage him or her to prepare for the labor and birth alongside you, learning the same things about what your body will be doing and how you might feel. They can also learn some techniques for helping you, like backrubs and counterpressure.
   
   
7. Don't start "working" until you have to. Early labor can take a long time, and I think if you're intensely focused on "holy crap, I'm in labor!" that entire time, it can really wear you out and increase your feelings of "I've been doing this forever, I can't take it any more!" later on in labor. I'm planning to have a bunch of other stuff I can do/focus on in the beginning, such as: painting my nails, coloring in a coloring book like this one, watching a movie, watching ASMR videos on YouTube, going for a walk, baking cookies, playing with my dogs, and playing cards and board games with my husband.
   
   
8. Try to get a care provider who is on board with your unmedicated birth goal. I'm still working on this myself! I currently have an OB, and I don't think she is really on the same page as me with regard to my desire to not use pain meds. I'm interviewing a midwife this week to see if I can find a better fit there. Either way, talk to your care provider beforehand and explain your goal. I'd present it as, "this is what I am hoping to do; I know things can change in the moment, but my goal is to avoid using pain meds." I'm also putting together a one-page birth plan, and in it, I ask the staff to please not offer me pain medicine; I will ask for it if I want it.
   
   If you can't tell, I've been thinking about this a lot, too! I hope there is some useful info for you in what I've rambled about here, and good luck for your upcoming birth!

I ate the whole thing.

And that's definitely not chocolate

If I win this coloring book and pencils would be awesome if I win! Thanks for the contest.

This coloring book!

I like to color with my mom when she visits. :D

Reading is awesome!

I'm not quite sure if this counts, but as a kid, I was a HUGE fan of the stained-glass style coloring books.

How about crayons and a coloring book?

Surprise me! I love surprises!

Edit: How about deck of cards, no popping bubbles, or a puzzle book.

1. Done
   
   
2. Smile :) It's Contagious.
   
   
3. I like to bake something sweet. Or take a nice hot steamy shower.
   
   
4. My girls always make me smile.
   
   
5. I am the middle child, yet the only girl. It rocks.
   
   
6. nifty coloring book
   
   
7. "Ella is getting a big girl crib!" Yay for becoming a big girl! My 4month old hates her crib.
   
   ps: Thanks for the contest. Don't forget to buy a mattress protector, keep that crib mattress nice.

Hero of time:

A coloring book!.

Dancing Lobsters [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Paisley-Designs-Coloring-Dover-Design/dp/0486456420/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=36V58PM2YWEKL&coliid=I2UGQSZAT1SDMS) is only $2.54!!!!!

Five Alive because Paisley!!!

From my default list:

Kochia Scoparia seeds


Camera necklace

Paisley coloring book

Color your own movie posters

From my art list:

Sharpie calligraphy pen

From my playing cards list:

Blue dragon Bicycle cards

Zombies cards

Green blue cards

Distressed cards

Celestial mini cards

Star Wars 30th Anniversary cards

You should get some tools like a wrench, drill, hammer, etc. You never know when you'll need them.
Book Thanks!
Also you're pretty, I bet.

[i like to color](Paisley Designs Coloring Book (Dover Design Coloring Books) by Marty Noble http://www.amazon.com/dp/0486456420/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_vrhwsb1600ZEB)

$3.59 coloring book by amazon.com :)

I'm waiting for my secret santa to receive his gift!!!

mischief managed

This coloring book is silly for me to have, considering I'm 21.

Yaay! Congratulations on graduating!!!! =D

I would like this coloring book. CAWCAW!!!!!!

Sigma =)

$2.52 color!


thank you for the contest!