Giving Birth The Natural Way
You may have heard of more women embracing natural birthing and may be wondering if it’s right for you. Here are some natural birthing options you could explore:
Natural Birth
Positions
Although traditionally we expect women to give birth lying on the bed, it’s not necessarily the best position for a smooth delivery. Many women these days choose a variety of positions to birth their baby. These include standing, squatting, hand and knees, lying on their side or sitting on a birth stool. Upright positions open the pelvis and aid the descent of the baby through the birth canal.
Labour Pain
Pain-relieving drugs are avoided so you can remain alert and be fully able to experience all the physical and emotional sensations of childbirth. Massage, warm water, heat packs, yogic breathing, hypnosis, music and the use of TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation) are used to cope with labour.
Waterbirth
Some women choose to labour in the water and get out for delivery; others stay in for the delivery as well. It is believed that birthing in a natural environment is gentler for the baby and less stressful for the mother. Subscribers are of the view it reduces foetal complications and unnecessary labour interventions.
Hypnobirthing
This method uses techniques of relaxation, visualization and self-hypnosis to help with a more comfortable birth. While you may not be entirely free of pain, as long the cause of pain – fear, which constricts birthing muscles – is removed, the delivery can be accomplished more comfortably and in a shorter time.
Home Delivery
Home birth is an option if you are having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy. If you are planning a home birth, engage a doula, appoint an obstetrician on stand by and get family support. Read up on it and have a back-up plan in case unexpected complications arise.
Natural Birth
Positions
Although traditionally we expect women to give birth lying on the bed, it’s not necessarily the best position for a smooth delivery. Many women these days choose a variety of positions to birth their baby. These include standing, squatting, hand and knees, lying on their side or sitting on a birth stool. Upright positions open the pelvis and aid the descent of the baby through the birth canal.
Labour Pain
Pain-relieving drugs are avoided so you can remain alert and be fully able to experience all the physical and emotional sensations of childbirth. Massage, warm water, heat packs, yogic breathing, hypnosis, music and the use of TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation) are used to cope with labour.
Waterbirth
Some women choose to labour in the water and get out for delivery; others stay in for the delivery as well. It is believed that birthing in a natural environment is gentler for the baby and less stressful for the mother. Subscribers are of the view it reduces foetal complications and unnecessary labour interventions.
Hypnobirthing
This method uses techniques of relaxation, visualization and self-hypnosis to help with a more comfortable birth. While you may not be entirely free of pain, as long the cause of pain – fear, which constricts birthing muscles – is removed, the delivery can be accomplished more comfortably and in a shorter time.
Home Delivery
Home birth is an option if you are having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy. If you are planning a home birth, engage a doula, appoint an obstetrician on stand by and get family support. Read up on it and have a back-up plan in case unexpected complications arise.
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