Natural childbirth is an appealing option to mothers who do not want pain medication or monitors to interfere with the birthing experience or the baby. The journey of natural birth begins well before the first contractions. For a healthy baby and natural birth, the best first step is a healthy mom. Maintaining your optimum health is important for you and your baby. Labor is often a test of endurance and you will have 9 months to educate and take care of yourself so your desired birth plan might be achieved.
Support System
The first step in having a natural childbirth is to find an OBGYN that will fully support you in your decision to have a natural birth. At Women’s Health of Central Virginia, our providers respect a patient’s decision to not have an epidural and have experience working with patients using various methods of natural childbirth. Having any form of continuous physical and emotional support (in addition to your medical team) has been shown to make labor shorter and a more positive experience. This might include your husband, mother, sister, friends or anyone else who is 100 percent on board with your birth plan and is willing to support you.
Birth Plan and Education
Next steps to achieving a natural childbirth include coming up with a thorough birth plan. This means you must first educate yourself. Enroll in a natural childbirth class such as The Bradley Method or Lamaze Natural Childbirth. These classes will help prepare you for the complex and natural process your body goes through to bring life into this world. These classes will also teach coping skills for pain management.
Some methods of natural pain management include:
- The birthing ball
- Counter pressure
- Changing positions
- Walking
- Water
- Massage
- Deep breathing
- Heat
- Visualization
Your natural pain management will depend on how much you have practiced techniques learned in your birthing classes.
Relaxation
Relaxation is another skill that you should learn to prepare for your child’s birth. A natural reaction to pain is to tense muscles. The more you can relax your body, the natural process of labor will take over. Relaxation is one of the best ways to approach labor. Breathing deeply helps to allow every muscle in the entire body to loosen and relax. This takes practice but allows your body to ease the process along. Some techniques to practice for relaxation include:
- A relaxation script read by your partner or on audio
- Progressive muscle relaxation techniques
- Visualization
- Music
These are just a few ways to condition your body to relax under stressful circumstances. These skills may prove to be beneficial life skills.
Stay Healthy
Natural birth is usually a safe option for low-risk moms, so do everything you can to stay healthy! Focusing on keeping a healthy nutrition and exercise plan will be helpful in accomplishing that goal.
Exercise is so beneficial during pregnancy that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends pregnant women exercise at least 30 minutes a day most days of the week. The ideal workout gets your heart pumping, keeps you limber, manages weight gain, and prepares your muscles without causing undue physical stress for you or the baby. Examples of safe pregnancy exercises are:
- Swimming
- Walking
- Prenatal Yoga
- Stretching
All exercise should be discussed with your healthcare provider first. Together, you can plan an exercise routine that will be both safe and beneficial to you and your baby.
At Women’s Health of Central Virginia, our doctors are with you from the beginning of your pregnancy to the end of your delivery. They are dedicated to helping you achieve your best possible birth experience. Our providers can help you decide on birthing methods, training and healthy exercises during pregnancy. Besides performing routine checkups during the nine months of pregnancy, they are there for mothers-to-be to help answer questions and provide emotional support. If you are looking for an obstetrician that will listen and support your birthing plan, schedule a consultation at Women’s Health of Central Virginia.
