How To Prepare For Natural Childbirth


SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT BIRTH IS NATURAL, NORMAL AND HEALTHY.

? A doula at the delivery has been proven to shorten labor, improve mother's satisfaction and reduce the need for pain medications.

? Don't allow anyone at the delivery who doesn't have faith that you can labor without medication. Kick out or do not invite any "Nervous Nellies."

? Do your research by talking to childbirth educators, surfing the web and reading books on childbirth. You have to know why and what you want to make this a reality.

CHOOSE A PHYSICIAN WHO IS SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR BIRTH WISHES.

? If you will be laboring in a hospital, your doctor can make or break your experience to have natural childbirth.

? Choose someone wisely who will allow you to have your birth experience, not theirs.

? Plan ahead: Labor is too late to start talking about what you want.

? If you belong to a group of doctors and will not have your original doctor at delivery, you may need to be more aggressive with your desires.

? Be sure to have a doula, especially if you don't know who is on call for your delivery. A doula's continuous service can help achieve your goals during birth.

ATTEND A CHILDBIRTH CLASS THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF NATURAL BIRTH.

? Not all childbirth classes are the same. Some hospital based programs promote what the doctors want them to teach, not evidence-based research surrounding the normalcy of labor.

? Some instructors don't emphasize relaxation and/or techniques to support natural childbirth.

? There are some great childbirth educators and methods (Lamaze, Bradley, Birthing From Within, Hypbirth and others) who promote natural birth. Call around and search the Internet for one right for you.

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

? Relaxation takes away the pain of childbirth

? It's necessary to practice daily

? Take pre-natal yoga classes or a childbirth class that emphasizes relaxation.

? Relaxation and the right support help you achieve your birth dreams.

Julie L. Johnson is a wife and mother of three who has experienced every pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and breastfeeding situation there is and has lived to tell about. She is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Doula and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant practicing in Southern California. Her website http://www.birth-angel.com provides services and products to help ease the transition into motherhood.

MORE RESOURCES:
RELATED ARTICLES
Twins Pregnancy?A Father's Point of View
So you're expecting twins. Congratulations!Are you still in shock? I sure was.
Baby Shower Gift Ideas
Selecting a present for a new mom or dad can be a challenging task. Baby showers are a great way to help support a new mother with her new baby.
Pregnancy Sex - Its A Wonderful Thing!
Mums to be can often get worried about having sex while pregnant; well there is no medical evidence that having sexual intercourse whilst pregnant does any damage at all.There are a few cases where your GP may advise you about not having intercourse:- If you are Prone to miscarriages your GP may advise avoiding intercourse for the first three months or at the times when you would have been having your period when your hormones would be at their lowest.
Reducing Your Pain In Childbirth
Pain is the word most associated with labor. Women go to great lengths to deal with the discomforts of childbirth.
How To Eat A Healthy Diet During Pregnancy
Perhaps the number one complaint of women trying to watch their weight during pregnancy is that they are hungry all the time. True, pregnancy does result in an increased metabolic demand on the body, which can cause you to be hungry.
10 Pregnancy Risk Factors that Every Pregnant Woman Should be Aware of
Many factors affect the development of a fetus into a healthy child, some which are beyond your control and others that are within your control. Here are ten of the most common pregnancy risk factors that can be controlled or influenced:Smoking - Smoking is not only bad for you, but bad for your baby as well.
Expressing Breast Milk: Pumping for Your Preemie
The shock and stress of having a baby born prematurely is difficult in and of itself to deal with. The frequent trips to the hospital are exhausting.
Pregnancy and Tanning Bed - Think Before You Tan
With summer coming near, you would love to put on those cute maternity sun dresses, however you do not wish to show off your pale white skin. You may be asking yourself if tanning while having a baby inside you is a smart move?At present, you want to decide if you can tan without putting your child in danger.
You Might Be Pregnant If
Your breasts are now twice their normal size.One of the early trademarks of pregnancy are sensitive, sore breasts.
Is a Healthy Pregnancy Possible After Gastric Bypass Surgery?
When a woman in the child bearing years undergoes gastric bypass surgery to lose weight one of the first things she will hear from the nay-sayers is that after surgery she cannot have a healthy pregnancy because of presumed nutritional deficiencies. The contrary is true.
Pregnant Women Dont Just Stay at Home; Go Shopping!
Most women like to go shopping. However, sometimes pregnant women reluctant to go out because they are afraid could harm them.
The Dos and Donts of Pregnancy
With so many people giving their opinion on what to do and what not to do during pregnancy, it becomes hard to determine what is fact and what is fiction. Below is a list of some of the more important factors to consider in regards to pregnancy do's and dont's.
Pregnancy Symptoms
There are many early signs that you may be pregnant. The obvious one is a late period but this can be caused by a number of things, an excessive weight gain or loss, a change in birth control methods, or just an imbalance of hormones.
Pregnant? Did You Know You Can Begin Bonding as Early as 8 Weeks into Pregnancy?
Maybe someone you know has rented or purchased a fetal doppler from one of the online rental companies who offer this service. If so, you may have heard how easy and wonderful it is to be able to listen to your growing unborn baby.
How do Pregnancy Tests Work?
Pregnancy tests identify a special hormone in the blood or urine produced during pregnancy. This hormone is called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), often referred to as the pregnancy hormone.
Weight Loss After Pregnancy - The Importance Of Setting Goals
One of the best things you can do is set some goals for yourself. Goal setting is an important aspect of any successful weight loss strategy.
Morbidly Obese and Suffering Pregnancy Complications? Consider Gastric Bypass
Obese and morbidly obese women are more likely to have pregnancy complications and caesarean sections than women of average weight, according to a study published in the April 2004 American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The controlled study is one of the largest ever to look at obesity in pregnancy, following more than 16,000 pregnant women at 14 medical centers across the country.
Feeling Sexy During Pregnancy
Some people think that the word sexy and pregnancy do not belong together. I have to disagree.
Preparing for a Vaginal Birth after Cesarean
WHY LACK OF SUPPORT?Several years ago, ACOG, American College of Obstetrician and Gynecology stated, that the risk of vaginal birth after cesarean poses a threat of uterine rupture and isn't worth the risk to the fetus or the mother. Since then our hospitals and physicians have changed their views and policies.
Sex & Pregnancy...Do They Mix?
As a pregnant woman, you may experience sex drives much like your moods. Up and Down! Some women claim that they have no sex drive at all during pregnancy, and others, say their sex drive is better during pregnancy.