20-8-2009 - Natural Child Birth

My mood while writing this blog: Ready for Baby

This blog is more or less for my own personal use, I’ve recently had a few women ask me about natural child birth and if I could give them any suggestions. Instead of rewriting the information every time I figured I'd just save it on my page, if you’re planning on having an epidural PLEASE don’t read this blog. My intention isn’t to persuade anyone in a certain direction, a natural child birth is my own choice and only you as a women and a mother can choose your own birthing plan and know when the pain is enough. PLEASE, I'm not looking to get into a debate with anyone!!!

http://childbirth---labour-delivery.suite101.com/article.cfm/preparing_for_a_natural_childbirth
Above is a link for an article on preparing for a natural child birth. If you haven’t already taken a child birthing class you could consider signing up for The Bradley Method class, http://bradleybirth.com/ I did NOT take this class, I went through the hospital child birthing class that practices Lamaze (the method most hospital classes offer) since my husband was working 80 hour weeks during my pregnancy with our first son and he didn’t have time for a 12 week class in his schedule. I know people that have studied The Bradley Method and spoke highly of it. The main thing with a natural child birth is to tell yourself RIGHT NOW that epidurals/drugs don’t exists, DON’T allow yourself to think otherwise when the pain starts and make sure your husband/partner clearly understands your choice. You need your husband/partner to be your #1 supporter, he has to pay close attention to relaxation methods that are taught during your birthing class because that’s what’s going to help you manage your pain and he also has to know when to back off and let you labor on your own. Keep yourself busy when labor starts, don’t lie around laboring…KEEP MOVING, gravity is what helps bring down a baby faster, standing and walking are great for helping things progressing. Hot/warm showers are a big help along with the birthing/exercise ball, when you transition, laboring on the toilet was EXTREMELY comfortable and helped relieve some of the pressure (at least for me, I had all back labor). I also requested having a mirror in my delivery room to see for myself the progress I was making and help me push longer and harder. The final thing I highly suggest is waiting as long as you possible can to leave your house for the hospital, it’s a lot more soothing and comfortable laboring at home then in a hospital room, also if you go to the hospital to early you run the risk of caving in and taking an epidural. If in the end you decide the pain is too much and you require an epidural don’t hate yourself, only you can decide when the pain is enough. I do however guarantee you that if you go drug free you won’t regret it, it’s the most amazing experience you’ll ever go through, it’s an incredible adrenalin rush and if you do research on natural birth is the healthiest choice for you and your baby. Best part about a natural child birth is YOU have complete control over your body and as soon as your baby is out you can get up and move around…no being tied to a bed and epidurals slow down the birthing progress. Granted you won’t receive a reward or your name on the front page of a newspaper, but its for your own satisfaction knowing that you are one tough cookie and you can use it to your advantage when your child gets older “don’t give me lip, I gave birth to you naturally" . Someone once explained pregnancy and natural child birth to me in this way, it’s a lot like running a marathon, for the most part of pregnancy it’s slow going and a steady pace, you’ll endure a lot of sickness/pain throughout pregnancy/labor/delivery, at points feel like you can’t go on but when you see the end give it all you’ve got and RUN!

What are the advantages of natural childbirth? From http://pregnancy.org

If you want to remain in control of your body as much as possible, be an active participant throughout labor, and have minimal routine interventions such as fetal monitoring in the birth process, then a natural, unmedicated approach to controlling labor pain will suit you best.

If you choose to go this route, you accept the potential for pain and discomfort as part and parcel of giving birth — an experience that includes working with complete awareness through each stage of labor. But with the right preparation and support, you'll probably feel empowered and deeply satisfied by natural childbirth.

Most natural childbirth techniques are not invasive, so there's little potential for harm or side effects for you or your baby.

Many women have a strong feeling of empowerment during labor and a sense of accomplishment afterward. And despite having to endure pain, many report that they'd want an unmediated birth again the next time. For some women, being in charge helps lessen their perception of pain.

There's no loss of sensation or alertness. You'll be awake and active during labor and birth — so you can move around more freely and find positions that help you stay comfortable during labor and remain able to aid the delivery process when it's time to push your baby out.

You're less likely than women who get epidurals to need interventions such as oxytocin (Pitocin) to make your contractions stronger, bladder catheterization, or a vacuum extraction or forceps delivery.

Mothers who labor naturally can move freely, go to the bathroom, walk and change positions throughout labor. According to the Cochrane Review, recent studies have shown that getting medication makes changing positions even after birth more difficult.

Since you can feel your body's reflexes in natural childbirth, mothers can push better and generally faster. In fact studies show that getting an epidural prolongs your pushing time.

The pain during labor serves a purpose by guiding the mother to seek certain positions. For example, if her back hurts, she will naturally seek positions off her back which can help to turn her baby. Having back pain is one sign that the baby might be posterior and needs to rotate.

Mothers often describe that their recovery after a natural childbirth was faster and easier since they could get right up and walk and shower. Usually they eat right away and their appetite is normal.

Endorphins secreted during a natural childbirth have been found in the placenta and umbilical cord. This may serve a purpose to help the baby adjust to life outside as well as make the journey more comfortable for baby.

Your partner will feel involved in the process as you work together to manage your pain.

Research has shown that in mothers who have natural childbirth, babies are more alert and show more interest in pre-breastfeeding behaviors such as sucking and massaging the mother's breasts, as well as the actual length of time they spend nursing within the first 90 minutes.