PREPARING FOR BIRTH

Advantages of a natural birth

Midwives

Doulas

A birth plan

Prenatal (ante-natal) classes

Perineal massage

Preparing for the baby

Baby equipment

ADVANTAGES OF A NATURAL BIRTH

A natural birth simply means going through labour and birth without pain relief medications and without unnecessary medical interventions. Of course, in planning a birth one has to remain open minded, but in a healthy low-risk pregnancy, it is possible to plan for a birth without drugs or medical interventions. Women who have natural births tend to be more satisfied with their childbirth experience, they often bond with their babies more easily and quickly, and they are more likely to breastfeed successfully.[1] And it seems that the miracle of the hormonal physiology of labour is such a subtle and intricate process, that it would best function unimpeded by medical intervention and procedures.[2]

Embrace 1917 by Egon Schiele

In avoiding induction, the mother is able to move freely during labour, changing position in response to what she is feeling, whereas in induced labour, the mother is attached to a foetal monitor or an IV. Movement such as walking, pacing, or squatting is an important part of natural pain relief and often helps speed the process of labour. The pain of natural labour is often less painful than when a woman's labour is medically induced, and there is less likelihood of having a caesarean birth or medical complications. The experience of an induced labour is also more intense for the baby.[3]

Avoiding pain medication also lessens chances of a caesarean birth and avoids a whole range of possible side effects both for the mother and the baby. Without drugs, the mother is able to feel the best positioning for labour and she is able to respond to changes she feels. She is often able push the baby out better and faster, able to be more present for the birth, and the baby is less likely to be drowsy after the delivery. Often recovery after the birth is faster.[4]

Another advantage in choosing a natural birth is that you can have a midwife. Studies have shown great advantages in women having a supported birth, preferably with a midwife or a doula rather than hospital staff.[5]

See Preparation for labour

How to make decisions

Birthing Naturally and Sarah Buckley MD in Links

ARTICLE

Buckley - The Hormonal Blueprint of Labor.pdf

[1] Chait, Jennifer and Holly Swanson. Advantages of Natural Childbirth. Love To Know researched July 2009 <http://pregnancy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Advantages_of_Natural_Childbirth>

[2] Buckley, Sarah J.. Ecstatic Birth: The Hormonal Blueprint of Labor. Mothering Magazine, Issue 111, March/April 2002, researched August 2009 <http://mothering.com/print/2411>

[3] Winder, Kelly. The Induction of Labour - To Induce or Not Induce? Belly Belly www.bellybelly.com.au, 2009, researched August 2009 <http://www.bellybelly.com.au/articles/birth/induction-of-labour-to-induce-or-not-induce>

[4] Chait

[5] Hodnett ED, et al.. Continuous support for women during childbirth. The Cochrane Collaboration - Cochrane Reviews, 18 April 2007, researched August 2009 <http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003766.html>

WELCOME ABOUT PRE-CONCEPTION PREGNANCY PREPARING FOR BIRTH BIRTH THE FIRST MONTHS

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