Preparing for Child Birth. Which Method to Choose and Have a Birth Plan

Natural Child Birth: Is it Possible?

While terribly painful, many times natural childbirth is the best option for having a healthy delivery. It also makes sure that you will be lucid and ready to see and hold you baby once they are born. While most women plan on having a natural birth, many tend to change their minds when the pain gets too bad. You have all seen on TV the women in labor screaming for an epidural or cursing at her husband. These situations are quite realistic and definitely a possibility but it doesn’t have to be. All you need to do is plan. If you really want to have a natural childbirth, but aren’t sure you’ll stick with it; try these methods to help you prepare for your labor.

The first step in succeeding in natural childbirth is to make your decision and be confident about it. You’ve probably heard someone say (or said it yourself) that they’re going to “try” to have a natural childbirth. Saying you’ll try shows no commitment or confidence in your decision. Instead of “trying” natural childbirth; state that you are “going to go natural”. Being confident that this is what your want to do is actually a big step in making the labor more bearable. If you expect you’ll be in horrible pain, you’re more likely to actually be in pain.

If you are really serious about natural childbirth and are not considered a high-risk pregnancy, you may want to consider hiring people to help to deliver your baby that are more likely to support you choice to give birth naturally. Instead of having a doctor, you can have a midwife. They’re more open to different methods of childbirth, but they still have expertise if something is to go wrong. You may also want to consider hiring a doula. They are basically a paid, naturalistic child birthing coach. When you have someone there reminding you why you made the decision of natural childbirth and pushing you to continue, sticking with it can be easier. Doulas are a great support to have and sometimes your insurance will cover it! There are birthing duolas and newborn duolas. One will help you during childbirth and the other will help support you with your newborn.

Childbirth Classes, Are They Worth it?

Most people who have, or are trying to have a natural birth end up taking some kind of birthing class, usually Lamaze or the Bradley Method. These courses teach you how to use focused breathing and other techniques to get through the pain naturally. It can’t hurt to try them and you can find a class usually at the hospital you are giving birth at. Check for a listing of classes and prepare to bring your birthing partner. While these classes help you focus on the task, most don’t adequately prepare women for the tremendous amount of pain involved. Instead of Lamaze, try taking a class on self hypnosis. It uses similar methods to help you lessen the pain. Hypnobirtbirthing is a great method that has proven to lessen the time of labor. I find it to be the best method because the first step is to eliminate the fear. You can start with a book to familiarize yourself with the method and then get a full course on it or go take a class. The best way to learn Hypnobirthing is to see a licensed Hypnobirthing therapist/coach.

Your doctor will tell you a great way to actually make labor easier and less painful is perineal massage. In this method, you simply massage the muscles around the vagina about 6 to 8 minutes a day, starting at 34 weeks. You can start later, but not earlier. This will help stretch out the muscles in the area and make it easier for the baby to come out. It is also supposed to help lessen any tearing, although I have yet to find any medical evidence on that, it’s just a weird theory.

Have a Birth Plan

Once you get into the delivery room, make sure everyone is aware of your wish to have a natural childbirth. You can instruct doctors not to offer you any medicines unless they are medically necessary. This way, you won’t have the option of changing your mind once you are in labor and are not in a good state of mind. You may want to consider having some sort of backup plan to get medicine if the pain is just too bad, but that’s your own choice. Although it is nice to have a birth plan, understand that life doesn’t always go according to plan and most of the time, the baby has a plan of his own so the first part of being a mother is learning to go with the flow and roll with the punches.

Just remember, even if you have the best of intentions, sometimes a natural labor is not the best option for the health of safety of you and your baby. Always remember to listen to your doctor’s options or have someone there to help make these decisions for you. Lastly, it’s your body, it is made to give birth so listen and be aware of what your body is telling you. Women are amazing creatures with the ability to create another human being. It is up to you how you want to bring them into the world.