Natural Childbirth
How To Make It Work For You
So, you've decided to try natural, non-medicated childbirth. Good for you! Some of your friends tell you, "You're crazy. Get the epidural. Why should you experience the pain?" But in your heart, you know that the fewer medications and interventions you receive in labor, the better the outcome will be for you and your baby.
During your pregnancy, you've done everything your health provider has suggested to prepare for labor and delivery. You've eaten a healthy diet, gained the recommended amount of weight, exercised regularly, gone to childbirth classes, and read every book you could find on natural childbirth. You're ready for the big event.
Labor is one of the most physically taxing experiences you will ever have. In labor, think of yourself as an athlete completing the triathlon. Fortunately, you don't need that much training. You will require a good coach to keep you on track when your labor becomes active. Your coach must be completely supportive of your wishes for a natural childbirth and needs to have a positive attitude and the desire to help you realize your goal. Good coaches know that their encouragement is important. They should not ask if you want drugs but should offer other comfort measures.
You may want to choose a second person to support both you and your coach. This could be a relative or a friend, or you may want to hire a doula (a woman who helps laboring women). If your health care provider is a midwife, she will be with you and help you through the entire active phase of your labor. Research has shown that women with professional labor support need less medication in labor.
Now, let's say the big day is here. You're in active labor, and the contractions are coming every two to three minutes. You start to think, "How am I going to get through this? Should I ask for drugs?" Well, just remember you are strong, and as long as there are no complications, you can do it.
Here are a few tips to help you get to the finish line.
1) Change positions as often as possible. Get up and walk around. Lean on your coach for support during a contraction. Let gravity and activity work for you and your baby by speeding up labor.
2) Play your favorite soothing music. Sway to the beat and feel yourself relaxing. When you are relaxed, the contractions are more effective in opening your cervix.
3) Use the relaxation techniques you learned in childbirth class. Your coach can let you know if you are tensing up. Do the breathing exercises that you practiced during the last few weeks. You can meditate. If you have ever learned this skill, it can be a great asset during labor. You can use imagery by picturing places or events that help you relax. Also, imagine your cervix opening with your contractions.
4) Your coach can massage your tense muscles and apply firm pressure against your lower back.
5) Try hydrotherapy, the use of water to promote relaxation and pain relief. Water provides buoyancy and allows you to relax in labor. Providers who encourage hydrotherapy in labor vouch for its effectiveness in pain management. Many patients who have experienced a previous medicated labor say that sitting in a tub of warm water is more effective at reducing pain than medications were. The pain of back labor is especially decreased in the tub. If you are unable to sit in a tub, ask to stand or sit in a shower. Hydrotherapy makes some laboring women feel so good that they don't want to get out!
Remember that the main goal in labor and delivery is a healthy mother and healthy baby. Your preparation and attitude will help you reach your goal.
