Painful but empowering: natural birth makes sense

The joy of becoming a new mother is often eclipsed by fear and trepidation, emotions that many pregnant women feel at the imminent approach of D-Day or Delivery Day. Can I really bear the pain? Will the baby be OK through the process? What exactly does childbirth entail? What will happen to my body once the baby is born? Of course, all these questions are common before the first delivery. By the second delivery, mothers are will feel much more calm and prepared; they know exactly what is involved.

First-time mothers the world over are fretting and anxious in the days leading up to their scheduled delivery – stressing over whether they will actually be able to do the job at hand and wondering just how much pain they will have to bear. But with a little information, you can quell those fears and come to appreciate the beauty of the process of childbirth. It is important to think about, discuss and agree on a birth plan a couple of months before the due date.

Natural birth is the process of childbirth through the vaginal opening, without using any technological or medical support. You will not receive painkillers, epidural blocks (a numbing injection to lessen the pain of contractions during childbirth), intravenous fluids or any medical help, unless required.

Natural birth can take place at the hospital or at home with a midwife. Doctors recommend only low-risk births, such as the second or third birth, is done at home with a midwife. Natural birth requires the  mother to be actively present and engaged throughout the process of delivery. Natural birth requires immense mental and physical stamina, while the benefits are numerous.

Natural birth is the preferred method for delivery and is recommended for all births, except in cases when:

• the baby is very weak, in an abnormal position (breech, unengaged or transverse) or the umbilical cord is looped around its neck
• there are problems with the placenta
• it is a high-risk pregnancy due to disease or infections like herpes, which put the mother or child in danger
• the baby is large which will result in a very difficult delivery and likelihood of permanent injury to the mother
• large fibroids or tumors obstruct the baby as it navigates the birth canal
• the mother is HIV+, as a C-section will reduce transmission of the virus to baby

Some risks involved in natural birth are pelvic damage, fistula or pelvic organ prolapse due to prolonged pressure during labor.

The first step in the natural birth process is critical and involves making a decision to go the natural birth route. This is a decision that must be made by the mother, as this decision will impact her the most. Many hospitals conduct birth classes where nutrition, diet and other changes are explained and doubts are cleared.

It is important that throughout the pregnancy, the expectant mother eats a healthy diet and controls her weight. Obesity increases risks during natural birth. Some light exercises from the second trimester like walking, yoga, swimming, and pilates can help the mother. Breathing exercises are very important as they help mothers during their contractions. The mother breathes properly and the baby has enough oxygen throughout the delivery. It is important for the expectant mother to engage in exercises that work the pelvic muscles. Just before delivery, many women abstain from food (i.e. fast). We recommend a liquid diet, as some women feel nauseous during delivery.

In preparation for a natural birth, it is important that the mother has her loved ones to support her as she goes into labor.

Once her contractions are regular and vaginal opening has increased to 4cm, she experiences significant pain. If the pain is unbearable, a painkiller or epidural block is used. Since the pregnant woman is not confined to a bed with IV fluids, she can walk around, change position to reduce the pain. Some women prefer walking around, getting a massage or using hot or cold therapy. Others prefer hydrotherapy (such as a jacuzzi), sitting on a gym ball or breathing exercises to manage the pain. Hypnosis and acupuncture may be used, though there is insufficient scientific data as yet.

During natural birth, regular monitoring of the mother and child replaces continuous monitoring. Every contraction increases pressure on the baby. When the baby experiences stress, his/her heartbeat will drop, the anal sphincter will release the feces into the womb. If the water changes color from clear to yellow or green, and the fetal heart beat drops, it is a sign of distress. A C-section is performed immediately.

After delivery, the perineal wound will take at least 2 weeks to heal. In the meantime, the new mother should avoid lifting anything heavier than the baby. There may be some pain due to uterine cramp as a result of womb involution, but breastfeeding helps the mother.

There are many benefits to natural childbirth. Since there is no interference from painkillers and other medication, labor is often shorter in the natural birth process. You stay in control of your body throughout the birth process. You need to work with your baby during delivery. This ensures a closer bond with your body and your baby. It is also healthier for both you and the baby. Natural born babies are alert and tend to breastfeed faster. Recovery is faster due to the endorphins (calming and pain-relieving hormones) released by the mother’s body during labor.

When delivering naturally, you are less likely to need other support such as forceps, vacuum extraction, bladder catheterization or oxytocin, to aide in the delivery process. The biggest benefit of natural birth, though, is the impact it has on women. You respect your body and mind more than ever before. You feel empowered to deal with other challenges. You can accomplish anything set before you. Now, go conquer the world!

LEARN MORE HERE ABOUT CHILDBIRTH DELIVERY PACKAGES

Photo Credit: @yakobusan Jakob Montrasio 孟亚柯 via Compfight cc