Help for Natural Childbirth
Preparing for natural childbirth
Once you have made the decision to give birth naturally, you need to start preparing for it. Early prenatal care - (Childbirth) is essential and includes following a healthy diet, exercising and having regular appointments with your midwife or birthing assistant. Create a birth plan, a written statement which sets out your wishes or preferences for labor, delivery and the postpartum period.
Enlist the help of a midwife or doula to help and coach you through natural birth. If you choose a doctor or obstetrician, you will give birth in a hospital, and it is essential that you discuss various interventions such as IV or electronic monitoring which may occur. It is likely to be easier to give birth at home or at a birth center (facility with a homely environment) instead of a hospital.
Attend childbirth classes which uses the Lamaze or Bradley technique by teaching women controlled breathing and visualization techniques. Educate yourself by reading, attending workshops, or watching DVDs to learn more about preparation for childbirth and delivery. Various pain management techniques can help you work through labor pain. Choose a technique that suits your needs and makes you feel comfortable.
Two of the oldest and most popular childbirth philosophies are the Lamaze and Bradley method. The Lamaze technique advocates that birth is a normal, natural and healthy process and teaches women to make informed decisions about their birth experience. It offers a neutral approach to pain medication together with medical and surgical options and allows the couple to use the information in a way that works best for them. The Lamaze method teaches women patterned, controlled breathing techniques and active concentration to distract them from the pain of childbirth. They are also taught about labor, birthing positions, the postpartum period and Breastfeeding .n addition, Lamaze partners learn coaching techniques and how to offer support and encouragement.
The Bradley method (also called Husband-Coached Birth) emphasizes a natural approach to birth and discourages the use of ‘artificial’ medication. It encourages the active participation of the baby’s father and believes that women have a more positive birthing experience when their partner is present.
This method also promotes good nutrition and exercise throughout pregnancy, and using deep-breathing and relaxation techniques to cope with labor pain. Although the Bradley method does support an extremely natural birth experience without medication, it also helps to prepare for unexpected complications such as an emergency C-section.
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