If you are pregnant for the first time, the idea of childbirth can be frightening and a bit overwhelming. Typically, a pregnancy takes anywhere from 38 to 42 weeks. Though many first-time mothers indicated that their babies were delivered past their due date, it is always best to be ready and prepared for what is to come during childbirth.

With the advent of modern science and technology in childbirth and childcare, many modern women are afforded more advantages with regards to information about childbirth than their older counterparts had, and many of these women take advantage of these opportunities. Instead of spending 38 to 42 weeks getting all worked up about childbirth, take the opportunity to learn and educate yourself on the beautiful process of birth as well as how to care for your newborn.

Many hospitals and communities offer prenatal classes to prepare you for childbirth during the third trimester. Not only that, libraries as well as the Internet, offer a wealth of information on matters concerning childbirth and child care. Remember though, even with all the preparation every woman’s childbirth is different and unique.

It is important to remember that Calm Preparation for Childbirth can equip you with knowledge and this will make you well informed. Knowing that millions of women have been successfully giving birth since the dawn of time offers little consolation to most women. This is because the fear of the unknown is terrifying.

Ample knowledge can provide a small sense of control over the whole situation. Now women are actively involved in their birthing plans and inform their doctor or midwife how they would like the childbirth to be carried out if all is well with the baby. Although complications can limit your childbirth choices, there are various options that you can choose from for your birth plan.

To prepare for childbirth you can opt to take up childbirth classes, hire a doula or labour coach, and read up on the subject. Even though the idea of childbirth and labor can be scary for a first-time mother, in the end it will all be worth it. Once the baby is placed in the mother’s arm, all the pain and discomfort will become nothing but a vague memory.

By learning and understanding the labor and delivery process, you can help prepare yourself for the childbirth. There are many women who claimed that attending Lamaze classes eased their mind as they know what to expect. Having a labor coach, be it your spouse, a partner, your best friend or even a doula can greatly help you throughout the whole process.

More and more women are choosing Unassisted Childbirth and there are others out there who choose a waterbirt or assisted home birth. The thing that ties them all together is the fact that each labour and delivery experience will be different for all women.

While you may have had a rough idea as to the type of experiences you would likely have during the birth of your children, take note that there are many other issues and factors that could have an effect on that idea. Remember that the most important thing about all of this is the end result, having a beautiful healthy baby which will make it all worthwhile.

Author: Juzaily Ramli
About the author: Juzaily Ramli is the owner of Pregnancy Website , Pregnancy Signs andPregnancy Stages Find out why it is so important to be prepared for your pregnancy.

Image source: http://flickr.com/photos/bframe/406052093/

Considering a waterbirth? Think about it this way…..Wouldn’t a peaceful and serene birth, with a relaxed and focused mother be a wonderful way to bring a baby into this world? Having a waterbirth is an option for mom’s who want to give birth naturally. Childbirth is such a powerful experience for a woman. But, too often, women totally give up their power and gift of childbirth over to other people to control. Having a waterbirth gives the woman a feeling of empowerment and pride in being able to choose how she delivers her child.

What about what the baby goes through? Just imagine that your little one is as cozy and warm as can be for the past 9 months. You have given that little wonder a warm and secure environment only to have him arrive in a cold, bright and noisy world. That is why waterbirthing is such a beautiful way to bring your little wonder into this world. Imagine the having your baby arrive in a warm, quite, safe and inviting environment where the first touch is your arms. I can’t think of a more beautiful way to start a relationship.

The benefits of waterbirthing is so numerous… here are just a few

• ease the pain of labor where only 10% of mom’s ask for pain relief
• relaxation of mom
• can facilitate a slow labor
• relaxed pelvic floor
• relieve anxiety
• empowers the mom
• can increase blood circulation

If you decide you want to use water to help you labor, you need to have a few things in mind. The water temperature should be around your body temperature. Be careful when entering the tub and try to enter between contractions. Make sure the tub is large enough so that you can move freely and be able to change positions to what makes you feel comfortable.

Women usually enter the tub when they are about 5-8 cm dilated. Check with your caregiver, but you should not need to worry about infection if your membranes have ruptured, as long as you are following proper hygienics.

The following are some interesting statistics about waterbirths

• The women had shorter labors.
• Cervical dilatation was more efficient- 2.5 centimeters per hour compared with 1.25 centimeters per hour for mothers who did not take advantage of water during their labors.
• The descent of the babies was twice as fast.
• The women reported less pain.
• The cesarean section rate was one-third that of traditional hospital births.
• Mothers labeled “high-risk” because of high blood pressure showed a dramatic reduction in their blood pressure within minutes of immersion in the pool.

(see end note #1)

Whether you decide to just labor in water, or have an actual waterbirth you can still take advantage of what water has to offer.

Waterbirthing can be not only a gentle way to bring your little one into the world, but as you can see, it is also a SAFE alternative. Also, remember that being educated is the most important thing you can do to keep yourself happy and healthy throughout your pregnancy.

#1 Sears, William,Martha Sears,and Linda Hughey Holt. The Pregnancy Book. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1997.

Author: Heather Hill
About the author:

Heather Hill is the author of several natural childbirth articles. Read more about natural childbirth at http://www.hip-chick-pregnancy-guide.com

Source: www.PRWeb.com

7 Alternative ways to prepare for childbirth and cope with the intensity of labor.

Carlsbad, CA (PRWEB) — As the shift toward self-education continues to grow, large numbers of American women are choosing alternative ways to prepare for childbirth and cope with the intensity of labor. Instead of waiting for the doctor to tell them what they need to know, women are doing more research on their options and exploring ways to make pregnancy and birth less painful.

Here is what they are choosing:

1. Birth Networks – These organized, regional groups of pregnant women and birthing professionals meet regularly to educate, empower and support each other and advocate for the improvement of maternity care in their communities. What started as a grassroots movement has exploded across the county.

Evidence of a growing trend: Amy Romano of Lamaze International estimates that the number of birth networks has doubled in the past year. Since 2004, the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth has awarded grants to form and expand birth networks. It also offers organizational resources for birth networks through their website, www.normalbirth.lamaze.org.

2. Birth Stories – Expectant women are hungry for information on labor and birth, and the mainstream media is responding with birth stories. These stories offer much more than entertainment; they provide information on birth options, tools, classes and techniques. The impact of birth stories on expectant parents is quickly coming to the attention of the birth professionals, and many are actively discouraging patients from watching the highly-dramatized birth programs on cable television. Because the level of fear in a laboring woman directly impacts the progression of her labor, birthing professionals are directing patients to read only empowering, inspiring birth stories, such as those found in Journey into Motherhood:
Inspirational Stories of Natural Birth http://www.journeyintomotherhood.com (White Heart Publishing, 2005).

Evidence of a growing trend: There are now 7 programs on cable television that highlight the experience of labor and delivery. Most pregnancy magazines now feature birth stories on a regular basis, and many birth networks and childbirth educators now sponsor birth-story nights.

3. Hypnosis for Childbirth – Since a 1999 segment on NBC’s Dateline featured hypnosis for childbirth, interest has steadily grown. The HypnoBirthing Method and Hypnobabies are two of the oldest and most popular programs, but with the growing interest in this method, there are now several different programs available, as well as supplemental products such as Journey into Childbirth: Hypnosis for Empowered Birthing by Sheri Menelli. While no program promises a pain-free birth, this is a frequent result.

Evidence of a growing trend: In the late 19990s there were only a few hundred educators, and as of this year, there are over 3000.

4. Prenatal yoga – Prenatal yoga strengthens and stretches the muscles that are used in childbirth, and teaches breathing and focusing techniques that help women through labor.

Evidence of a growing trend: In San Diego, California, prenatal yoga instructors are reporting an increase in class attendance of approximately 50% over the last three years. Much of the increase is attributed to growing support from doctors, midwives and childbirth educators who send their clients to yoga classes to relieve back pain, reduce tension, and cope with high blood pressure. A number of prenatal yoga videos are now available to women who prefer to practice at home.

5. Water-assisted labor – Widely known as “nature’s epidural,” warm water can ease the discomfort of labor by helping a woman relax. A “birthing tub” counters the effect of gravity on her contracting muscles, and even a warm shower can provide soothing comfort to tired and tense women.

Evidence of a growing trend: In the last 10 years, water-assisted labor has grown exponentially. In 1995 there were only three hospitals in the country that offered it. Now it is offered in more than 260 hospitals – 15% of all U.S. hospitals. In the last year alone there was a 4% increase, and this number is expected to grow in the coming year.

6. Doulas – A doula is a professional who is trained to provide emotional and tactical support a family through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and newborn care. Studies show that the presence of a doula reduces the need for medication, as well as the possibility of a Cesarean-section birth.

Evidence of a growing trend: Every doula organization reports phenomenal growth in membership, and in the number of students in doula training classes. Doulas of North America (DONA), just one of several doula organizations reported a 10-fold increase in the number of certified doulas in the last 7 years.

7. Pregnancy Massage – A specialized form of bodywork, pregnancy massage addresses the specialized needs of a rapidly changing body. It enhances the function and alignment of muscles and joints, improves circulation and muscle tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue. These benefits translate to lower levels of stress hormones, as reported in a study by Dr. Tiffany Field at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

Evidence of a growing trend: Instructor Elien Alexander from The School of Healing Arts in San Diego, California, reported a 10-fold increase in the number of students becoming certified in pregnancy massage in the last 5 years.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/amandabel/2302960016/

Secrets of having a great birth are uncovered in this newly released book. 48 moms share their stories and wisdom through their own inspirational birth stories.

(PRWEB) — Studies show that nine out of ten first-time mothers are afraid of giving birth and worried about the pain. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Childbirth educator Sheri Menelli has discovered that hearing childbirth “horror stories” can have a profoundly negative effect on pregnant women’s birth experiences. When fear and anxiety about childbirth are passed from woman to woman, these intense emotions create additional stress for the mother and baby. Doctors call this the “Fear/Tension/Pain” cycle.

Menelli set out to collect inspiring stories of successful labor and delivery experiences to help calm women’s fears. “With so much negative media about birth, it is time to bring back positive stories,” Menelli said. “The culture of fear surrounding childbirth in the U.S. is shifting, and women are eager to share their wonderful birth experiences.”

Menelli’s just-published book, Journey into Motherhood: Inspirational Stories of Natural Birth (White Heart Publishing, November 2004), offers a collection of 48 true stories of natural birth, told in the mothers’ own voices. As diverse as the women who wrote them, the stories include hospital births, home births, unassisted births, emergency deliveries, births attended by young siblings, outdoor births and more.

These stories describe the strategies and tools that can make birth a much better experience. Journey into Motherhood is filled with proven techniques to help women have a powerful and positive childbirth, including:

• How women can experience painless labor
• Insights and advice from mothers who’ve been there
• Options for easing labor and delivery—including yoga, doulas, hypnosis and water birth
• A resource guide to childbirth classes, magazines, websites and audios/videos

“What a fabulous book. All women and girls need to hear these stories and know, really know, that natural birth is full of magnificent, life-changing wisdom,” said Christiane Northrup,
M.D., author of “Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom” and “The Wisdom of Menopause.”

Sheri Menelli has dedicated her career to the education and empowerment of pregnant women. As a certified HypnoBirthing educator, she taught hundreds of couples how to have an easier, more comfortable birth. Sheri previously produced and co-hosted a San Diego radio show, “The Real Side of Birth.” She also authored and produced two guided meditation CDs: Light Meditation and Breastfeeding Meditation. A San Diego County resident, Sheri has one daughter and is expecting twins.

Macari makes an excellent argument for all women to explore within to find their Divine Feminine and take that to their pregnancy and birthing experience in order to have ‘Spirit’ present at the birth rather than “reducing it to a bodily function”, which unfortunately is exactly what happens in the majority of births today.

Reducing childbirth to a mere bodily function requires the same level of disconnect that casual sex requires, according to Macari. If women were to understand their value and worth, have self esteem and confidence, then they could stand up for themselves in childbirth and take back the right to choose and “demand respect, choices and freedom”.

Macari also explores pain in childbirth and never denies that childbirth has extreme sensations that some may call painful, but she continues to reiterate the idea that we do not have words in our language to describe these sensations. They are overwhelming and yes, sometimes painful, but they can also be pleasurable if women do not have preconceived notions about pain.

Macari describes childbirth as a rite of passage into womanhood, motherhood and more. Part of what makes childbirth a rite is courage in the face of pain and even compares it to walking hot coals that requires courage and the support of others to get through the rite and the very act of facing your fears and making it through to the other side is the magical, spiritual and transformational part of childbirth that is so often taken from us when our babies are violently taken from our drugged bodies in a hospital setting.

Macari also goes on to credit pain with being the very thing that makes birth possible. Without the contractions, the baby will never leave it’s mother’s body. She is adamantly opposed to the use of pain relief in childbirth, not because women should feel pain, but because of what it takes away from childbirth such as a woman’s instincts and inner strength to know what is right for the birthing process as well as the endorphins that create the natural “high” that is only present in natural births.

One of the most useful parts about “She Births” are the meditation and journaling sections at the end of each chapter. These are wonderful both for expecting women to really explore their feelings and perceptions about childbirth, but it also allows women who were robbed of their rite to find some comfort and perhaps some peace from what went wrong.

There is also a decent sized section in the book that contains natural childbirth stories which are always great to read and none are the gruesome medical childbirth stories that we dread. Some might even bring a tear to your eye. “She Births” is empowering and enlightening and will encourage any women who instinctively knows that childbirth is much more than a medical event to stand up and take back childbirth.

“She Births” is not a “how to” manual for natural childbirth but it does answer the question “why have a natural childbirth” from a fresh perspective. Childbirth is so much more than the physical act, and women have the unique and unparalleled opportunity to be the vessel that the spirit travels through to bring a new life into the world.

I would recommend this book for any woman who felt something intangible was missing from a previous childbirth or who knows that their rite of passage was taken from them during a previous childbirth. This is an excellent resource to work through childbirth trauma and find forgiveness. Even more importantly, this book should be required reading for any woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant and understands that there is an intangible spiritual side to life, birth and death that we can either deny or embrace fully to provide ourselves and our babies with the best, most joyous, fulfilling Birth possible.

If you would like to learn more about Marcie Macari and Shebirths, visit shebirths.com
Buy the book: She Births: A Modern Woman’s Guidebook for an Ancient Rite of Passage

By: Heather Hill

The best childbirth tips for an expectant mother are listed below. These tips are all based on relaxation. You will see why this is so important for your body. I hope you will find these labor tips for your natural childbirth helpful.

Relaxation is one of the most helpful techniques for pain relief during childbirth. Let your body do what it is supposed to do. While your uterus is contracting, relax the rest of your body so your energy isn’t working against you. Relaxation is something that should be practiced throughout your pregnancy. There are several different ways to do this. Work with your labor partner throughout your pregnancy to find out what works for you. For me, it was to have my husband stroke my hair. For someone else is may be massage. It’s funny to think that relaxing is a skill. The following are some suggestions to try for relaxing.

• Massage
• Bathing or showering
• Listening to music
• Deep breathing
• Meditation
• Yoga poses
• Visualization

MASSAGE

Massage is a wonderful labor tip. Having your partner give you a massage not only relaxes you but it also gives your partner a chance to be a part of the labor process. It promotes closeness and intimacy. And also, as I said above, relaxing takes practice, so that means that you’ll also have to practice massage. You need to find out what works for you and what relaxes you. And heck, asking for practice massage is a good way for you to get a massage every week or so through pregnancy!

BATHING OR SHOWERING

Bathing is an obvious labor tip. I shouldn’t need to explain how wonderful a bath feels even if your aren’t in labor. Just having the feeling of the water on your body is an instant massage. Not the mention the buoyancy of the water takes the pressure off Mom, especially if she is having back labor. I have to say that taking a shower was the best way for me to deal with my labor pain. I just didn’t ever want to get out of the shower. This is one of the primary reasons that so many women are choosing waterbirths over dry births. There is no need for a big waterbirth setup. You can simply fill your own bathtub if you are having a homebirth or lounge in your own tub as long as you can prior to going to the hospital.

MUSIC

Music can be such a relaxing medium. It can take you to another plane of consciousness. It can also evoke such memories and choosing the right music that puts you in the place of total relaxation is a powerful feeling. This is something too, that should be practiced throughout your pregnancy. Experiment with different types of music and see what mood it puts you in. Try something new, you may be surprised. Another benefit of doing this is that having music surround you that comforts you during your pregnancy will make you a happier and more content pregnant woman. And we all know that a happy preggers makes for a happy baby. Your little one can also benefit from the tunes. There are even music and meditation CDs available that are specifically designed for pregnant women. Use whatever soothes you, whether it is Classical, Jazz, Indian flute, piano music or Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons.

Don’t have a partner to stroke your hair or massage your back? Get a doula! A doula will do all that and more. A doula might provide music and candles, help you breathe, maintain focus and offer suggestions and tips to ease your labor. Doulas are absolutely wonderful and no one should attempt a hospital birth without one.

DEEP BREATHING

An often overlooked labor tip, breathing, is something that also needs practiced often during your pregnancy. Deep breathing can do wonders for a stressed out or nervous mom in labor. In Yoga it is called Pranayama breathing. Breathing correctly or concentrating on your breathing will help oxygenate your blood which in turn oxygenates the baby. I think this is such an important tool to use. Make sure to practice real deep breathing. You do not want to do the counterproductive rapid “whoosh whoosh whoosh” breathing that women are often encouraged to do to get through each contraction. This depletes your oxygen supply (and oxygen available to your fetus) because you are not breathing from your diaphragm. The only thing that fast, contraction style breathing does is distract you until your contraction is over. Fill your body and your baby’s body with oxygen. Breathe slowly and deeply.

MEDITATION

Meditation is a deep form of relaxation. Being able to be still and concentrate on positive images instead of dwelling on pain can not only help with pain relief but can also help you along in your labor. For you,the laboring mom, to be able to be totally relaxed and to have a grip and feeling on what your body is doing and feeling can only speed up labor and have the body do what it knows how to do. Letting your mind relax and give your body the chance to do the work. Meditation can be anything from just sitting in a quiet room with peaceful thoughts, listening to soothing music, practicing the Pranayama breathing, or actually doing yoga. There are aids out there to help you practice meditating. Meditation is a learned skill. If you practice meditating daily throughout your pregnancy, you should be able to use this very powerful method of relaxation very effectively during childbirth.

YOGA POSES

Practicing yoga during pregnancy can give you the tools you need to help with pain relief during labor. As stated above, the breathing techniques are of high value and if you have done yoga in the past you know the feeling you get right after your practice. You have a feeling of peace and inner strength. One of the most important poses to do during pregnancy is the cat or the Bidalasana pose. A variation of this pose is similar to the pelvic rock exercise. This position is so important because of the benefits to your body which in turn, benefit your baby. This exercise relieves pressure on the lower back, increases circulation and can improve digestion. But most important, is that this position gives the baby the most room for movement and can sometimes help in repositioning the baby from a breech position. This pose is also very helpful in labor. This pose was one that helped me the most. This pose is done by getting down on your hands and knees, knees spread shoulder width. Now, arch your back and then release, tilting your pelvis while doing this. During labor, just being in this position can help the pain, this position was very helpful to me during my labor.

VISUALIZATION

Visualization is a form of meditation. This should be practiced often as should all of these forms of relaxation. Try to pull out a memory of something positive, run this story over and over through your mind. Make this memory a trigger for you feeling peaceful and centered. Think about the first time you met your partner and the things that made you get those butterflies… think about your favorite vacation when you were truly relaxed and content. Perhaps you can picture how you will feel when that precious little life is handed to you for the very first time. Many women find it helpful to visualize their baby descending through their pelvis into their waiting arms. If you do this in conjunction with silent communication with your baby, your baby will actually be in your arms before you know it.

Sheryl’s comment: Relaxation is imperative to a smooth birthing process. Being tense, terrified or in agony can stall the birth process and force unrelenting birth attendants to do terrible things to you and your baby to “get things going again”. Unfortunately it can be tough to relax if some nut is torturing your baby out of your body with Pitocin or repeatedly jamming their hands inside you. Relaxation is one of many arguments for homebirth. Sorry ladies, I don’t care who is massaging your lower back. You just cannot truly relax in a hospital setting. Period. You can’t. Nobody can. There are a thousand reasons why you can’t. The best thing you can do is try to minimize your bodies naturally reaction to the violations and trauma with hypnosis, deep breathing or yoga. None of that is really necessary in a peaceful homebirth. You will not have to “force” relaxation if nobody is doing terrible things to you.

Buy the CD: Divine Delivery: Guided Meditations for Pregnancy and Childbirth

About the author: Heather Hill is the author of several natural childbirth articles, please visit hip-chick-pregnancy-guide.com
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/johncarleton/289582335/

If you’re like me when I was pregnant, you are probably being bombarded with information. Between reading and getting so much advice about everything from what to feed your baby to which diaper cream to use, you might find that you have more questions than answers. You are also probably wondering about what to expect on the BIG day.

One subject that can generate a lot of opinions is episiotomies. Do you need one? Do you even want one? First of all, let’s define the word: An episiotomy is a cut made by a physician in the lower opening of the mother’s vagina during delivery in the attempt to ease the passage of the baby through the vagina. Most episiotomy cuts are done straight down into the perineum, the area between the vagina and the anus. OK, now that you know what it is, I bet you are wondering why doctors perform the episiotomy procedure. Traditionally, episiotomies were done by doctors when forcep delivery was a common practice. A cut enabled the doctor’s forceps to fit into the vagina in order to remove the baby.

According to a Centers for Disease Control’s 2001 study, forcep deliveries have decreased from a rate of 17.6 percent of all deliveries in 1980 to only four percent of all deliveries in the year 2000. Episiotomy rates, however, have not followed this same trend. Episiotomies have dropped to 32.7 percent of all deliveries versus 64 percent in 1988.

So, I bet you are wondering why doctors would still perform an episiotomy given that forcep deliveries are now done so infrequently.

Most of the reasons for the persistence of this procedure are based on incorrect information. Some doctors believe that an episiotomy will protect the pelvic floor against damage. A 2005 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, as well as other recent studies, proves this to be an incorrect assumption. These findings also show no evidence that a cut in the perineum “protects” the pelvic floor muscle.

Another frequently cited reason for doing an episiotomy is the belief that a natural tear repairs more slowly than a doctor-performed cut. This is untrue. A natural tear will actually heal much better than an episiotomy. Tearing is much safer than a cut; and while many people think that an episiotomy is easier to repair than a tear, this is not true, according to a 1987 study by J.M. Thorp and other doctors writing for the publication Obstet Gynecol.

Here’s another reason against cutting the skin to allow the baby’s head to pass during birth: Think of your skin as a cotton sheet. If you use scissors to create a physical cut, the fabric will rip and tear more easily. The last thing you want, therefore, is for a doctor’s cut to your vaginal area to continue to tear with the stress and strain created by the force of a baby being born, thus potentially injuring you or damaging your perineum. Use this analogy to think about how your skin tears, and you may decide that you don’t want or need an episiotomy. Always discuss this topic in depth with your caregiver.

As is always the case with many invasive procedures, episiotomies bring several risks to the mother. Infection, bleeding, hematoma, and post-partum pain are merely a few of the risks. Another interesting fact is that some studies have also shown that women who tear naturally during childbirth return sooner to sexual intercourse after giving birth than women who are “cut” by their physicians. (This finding was reported by P.G. Larsson and other doctors in a 1991 edition of Gynecol Obstet.) Routine episiotomies are rarely necessary.
Do you want to know how to avoid an episiotomy? You can prevent the need for an episiotomy in several ways. First and foremost is to become educated on the topic, including all the pros and cons of the procedure. In addition, at the time of your delivery, ask your caregiver to instruct you on your pushing at the time of crowning. If a mom has instruction in controlled pushing, the vaginal skin will stretch naturally to accommodate the baby. This goes back to the thought that your body knows what to do.

You might also try the following suggestions:

• Discuss the use of episiotomy with your caregiver in order to learn if he or she has done the same homework on the subject that you have.
• Perineal massage may help avoid a tear and/or the need for an episiotomy.
• Practice Kegel exercises for controlled pushing. This will help to promote a healthy pelvic floor muscle.
• Consider having a water birth in order to reduce the stress and strain that necessitates an episiotomy.

No matter what happens on your big day, you must not let this potential need for a physical cut to your body during your baby’s birth to create undue stress and emotional anxiety. If education is your best defense, remember this fact: A woman’s body is BUILT to give birth.

About the Author:
Heather Hill is the author of several articles on Natural Childbirth. Please visit Hip Chick Pregnancy Guide to read more about pregnancy and cord blood banking.

Sheryl’s comment:
Episiotomies anger me on so many levels. They are not necessary. They are not easier to repair. They are much more damaging than natural tears. They take much longer to heal than natural tears. There is an excellent chance that you will not tear at all if you allow time and gravity to expel your child naturally. Doctors and midwives use fear tactics (baby is in distress) to perform this painful and unnecessary procedure. The doctors and midwives caused this distress in the first place with chemical and physical interventions. They are willing to permanently mutilate a mother’s vagina rather than letting her kneel or squat to give birth!! In other words, their view during birth is somehow more important than your pelvic floor.

Do animals need episiotomies? Do you have to take a scissors to your cat’s vagina when she gives birth under the stairs? It is preposterous. Take some time and watch some natural childbirth videos. You will see that gravity and natural uterine contractions will expel the baby just fine. The vagina is designed to expand to allow the passage of the baby. Episotomies are only used when the woman is forced on her back with her legs pulled back and the poor baby trying to emerge uphill against a tailbone.

Another analogy. Put a bowling ball in a T-shirt laying on the floor. Now try to force the ball through the head of the t-shirt by pushing on the ball from the inside. It probably wont go through. Now lift the T-shirt up by the bottom with the neck pointing towards the floor. Gravity will push the ball into the neck of the T-shirt, the neck will stretch and it is very likely that the ball will emerge on its own with little pushing.

Giving birth in a hospital surrounded by these quacks with motives that are not in line with a birthing mother and who clearly do not understand the physiology of birth is tantamount to insanity. I would never give birth vaginally in a hospital under any circumstances. C-section in a real emergency? Sure, no problem. But keep that damn scissors away from me, you freaking butchers.
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/steve_chilton/949422372/

Giving birth can an extremely uncomfortable and painful experience for many mothers, and while for some women labor goes quickly and relatively easily, for others it can turn into a real ordeal. Where our grandmothers had to go through the pain barrier more or less unaided, there are quite a few options available for today’s pregnant women that can lessen or even completely remove the pain, allowing the joyfulness of giving birth a much greater chance to be appreciated.

Birthing Pool
Being in water during the early stages of labor can greatly relieve the contraction pains in some women, as the buoyancy takes some of the pressure off the muscles of the lower back. Some women prefer to stay in the water right through to the later stages of labor, and some even choose to complete the birth in a birthing pool.

Birthing pools have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they are seen as a natural way of reducing pain, in line with today’s widespread preference for keeping things simple and as close to nature as possible.

TENS
A TENS machine is a small electronic device which you attach to your lower back with electrode pads. The machine passes a very slight electric current through the pads, which is intended to interfere with the pain signals, reducing the extent of the discomfort. The level of current can usually be increased during contractions, and then lowered back down as the pain subsides again. Some women find TENS machines to be highly effective, while for others the effect is minimal. The devices can usually be hired from the hospital, but are relatively cheap to buy yourself if you want to be sure that one will be available.

Gas and Air
This is also known as entonox, and is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen that is breathed in via a pipe whenever the mother-to-be feels the need. It is a very light method of pain relief, and is enough on it’s own for some women, especially in straightforward births. The effect is more of a distraction from the pain than an actual reduction, but doesn’t feature the drawbacks of the two more heavy-duty pain relief drugs below.

Epidural
An epidural is an injection of pain relief drugs direct into the lumbar region, and is extremely effective at blocking pain. The initial injection must be performed by a doctor, although the drug levels can then be subsequently topped up by the midwife for as long as it is required. Early epidurals also interfered with movement, and so the entire birth had to be carried out lying down, but more advanced versions of the drugs used now allow the mother to walk around a little to relieve discomfort.

Pethidine
This is the strongest pain relief option available in most cases, and is extremely effective in stopping pain over a 3 to 4 hour period. Unlike an epidural, it can’t be used indefinitely, and only two doses are usually allowed, meaning it is less than ideal for labors lasting longer than 8 hours or so. The drug can also pass through to the infant, in some cases delaying the start of breathing. Antidotes are, however, available should this occur.

Although the choice of which method of pain relief to use is usually left up to the mother, most midwives recommend starting with the less invasive choices such as TENS and gas and air, only moving up to drug treatments if necessary later on.

Sheryl’s comment:
A few pain relief options that the author failed to mention are acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic, meditation, massage, hypnobirthing and other childbirth preparation methods such as The Pink Kit, Bradley and Lamaze.

Pain relief during labor is a charged topic. Obviously no one should suffer unnecessarily and that is why pain relief for childbirth is considered civilized and humane. While I do not feel that women in a hospital setting should be denied painkillers, I would hope that women explore options to avoid needed the pain relief in the first place because many commonly used pain relievers such as epidurals are dangerous to the baby, the birth process, breastfeeding and bonding.

Fear is a primary component in childbirth. It activates your fight or flight response and prevents your body from doing what it is meant to do. Simply reading some books such as Childbirth Without Fear by Grantly Dick Read or The Power of Pleasurable Childbirth by Laurie Ann Morgan can make the difference if you understand that there is nothing in the natural birth process that you should be afraid of, and in fact many women experience great pleasure even mind-blowing orgasms when left to give birth the way nature intended.

The second component in pain during childbirth is interventions. Interventions, by their very nature are meddling in the natural process of childbirth. Pitocin, for example, which usually necessitates an epidural, blasts the baby out of its the uterine home with (bovine strength) chemicals before it is ready to come out on its own. If you can avoid the Pitocin or the Cytotec you can often avoid pain relief during childbirth.

Many women who reach spontaneous labor because the baby is ready to come out, report having contractions that “give them pause” or they have to stop walking and lean against the wall but they all report that the contractions were bearable and the worst part was the humiliating, degrading, dangerous and often excruciating things that the doctors or midwives were doing to them to “speed things along”.

That said, if you are going to attempt to have a “natural” hospital birth, (good luck with that by the way), then make sure to have a birth plan and lay out in advance what pain relief you want. If you want acupuncture or TENS then make sure you have the resources lined to up make that happen.

Also make it very clear that they cannot deny you pain relief just because you are getting close to delivering. The only reason they tell you no at that time is because they do not want to wait for an anesthesiologist to get there. Sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to me. Letting you suffer because they are in a rush is just not acceptable. If they put you in that position with their hexes and potions then they can wait a few minutes while you get some relief. Threaten to sue if they don’t. Please remember to get off your back and squat. (Threaten to sue if they do not want you to) Your baby will come much quicker and end your suffering.

Want to avoid pain relief during childbirth? Find yourself a Trust Birth group near you, join an unassisted childbirth online community, trust the birth process, stay at home and let nature do its job.

Author: Simone Butler
About the author: Simone writes for a parenting information, a site where you can read more about pregnancy and birth, plus advice on choosing baby products such as cots and cribs.
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/majikfaerie/2583013314/