The term "natural childbirth" may evoke the following reactions among many modern mums, such as:
"What? Giving birth with no anaesthesia? No way!"
"Natural childbirth? What is that?"
"Childbirth without any medication? I don't think so!"
However, despite the initial misgivings and negative reactions, upon further research and study, many mothers just might opt to give natural childbirth a try, and may even end up advocating it among other women (like myself). Actually, studies have shown that natural childbirth is best for mums and babies.
Becoming A Powerful Force Of Nature
It is said that every woman who is allowed to trust her body, and react or move to her own rhythms during labor and childbirth is powerful. In fact, Ina May Gaskin, the author of Spiritual Midwifery, a book containing a compilation of different women's birth stories, and also information on prenatal, postpartum and midwifery care, says that women in labor are "like an elemental force." This means that giving birth to your baby naturally means you become a powerful force of nature! Isn't that wonderful?
Prepare To Succeed
In order to have an excellent natural birth, you must spend time preparing for it. You must consciously prepare yourself to welcome Baby into the world. You can start by having a healthy pregnancy, and use the nine months of your pregnancy to learn all you can!
In my case, since I was in Timor Leste, or East Timor as it is more commonly known, when I was pregnant with my two children, I researched as much as I could online about giving birth. This was because there are no childbirth preparation classes like Lamaze or Bradley there. But despite that, I was able to give birth naturally and painkiller-free to both of my babies. Because of this, I believe that all women, with the proper preparation and guidance, can give birth naturally.
Think And Be Positive
First of all, you must understand the basics of natural childbirth preparation. Start with changing the way you think because your perceptions of natural childbirth can have greatly impact the outcome of your baby's birth. From the very beginning, start changing your negative thoughts and thinking positively – YOU CAN GIVE BIRTH NATURALLY! Say this to yourself on a daily basis – and believe it! You and your body were divinely created for this, and all you need to do is to be in tune with your body, and educate yourself properly.
Knowledge Is Power
Second, arm yourself with lots of knowledge about the birthing process, such as the different stages of labor and birth, and how to tell when labor is starting. Look for people who can help you out in this – a supportive doctor, midwife or other health care professional plus an accredited childbirth teacher. Be aware of the different methods and ways you can use to find comfort, peace and pain relief while you're giving birth to your baby.
Find Your Pain Relief Method
What I did during both my children's births was hold on tightly to my rosary and mini-statue of the Holy Family, breathe properly in between contractions, and do relaxation and visualization exercises. I also rocked my body back and forth in a semi-standing position to try to ease the pain. With my first child, I had my husband's hand to hold and squeeze tightly during contractions. With the second, I had my mother's hand to do the same to. Mostly, I just went along with my body's signals and heeded the instructions of my midwife and doctor.
Other ways to find comfort during labor include hypnosis, positioning and movement, massage, touch, and hot and cold therapy, hydrotherapy and acupuncture. It must be clear though, that whatever you choose to do, make sure that you are well-informed and prepared beforehand, and that you have a certified health professional with you when you give birth.
Be Inspired And Educated
You may also want to include reading, hearing or watching other women's birth stories in your natural childbirth preparation. I personally did this while pregnant with our kids in Timor Leste, and found it to be inspiring, empowering and calming.
This has already been mentioned, but needs to be stressed once again – good childbirth education is essential to a successful natural birth. If you can, attend prenatal classes that help you learn about pregnancy, labor and birth. Some birthing methods usually taught at childbirth education classes include the Lamaze method, Bradley method (or Husband-coached Childbirth), and Birthing From Within (BFW) by Pam England.
Aside from attending classes, try to read books that will help you have a healthy and knowledgeable pregnancy, and a safe natural birth. There are also lots of resources online that can help you prepare for your child's birth.
Dad's Important Role
It is important for the father to realize that whether he likes it or not, he plays an important role in the mum-to-be's successful natural child birth. He can attend childbirth preparation classes with her, practice breathing and relaxation exercises with her, and most of all, extend much-needed support and encouragement during labor and child birth. It is also essential that he is knowledgeable about the birthing process and the type of birth plan the new mother desires. Also, he, along with the mother, should be ready to make decisions about the birth should there be any unforeseen incidents or situations that will make natural child birth difficult or impossible.
Last Words Of Wisdom
Just in case, you may want to have some sort of backup plan to be medicated for pain relief, but of course, this is entirely up to you. Also, always keep in mind that even if you have the best of intentions, and have done everything you can to prepare well for natural child birth, sometimes it is not the best option for the safety and health of your baby and yourself. Always remember to listen to your doctor's or other trusted health care provider's options, and don't hesitate to have someone, preferably Dad, to help you as the Mum, make decisions for you.
So, if you are ready to go the natural child birth way, say this with me "I CAN DO THIS! I CAN GIVE BIRTH NATURALLY! I WAS MADE FOR THIS!" Repeat if necessary. More than saying it though, BELIEVE IT!
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