Even though the majority of mothers today gravitate toward the use of pain medications such as epidurals during childbirth, some mothers prefer to give birth using only non-medical forms of pain relief. Mothers who would like to have a natural childbirth believe that a drug-free labor is healthier for both baby and mother. For mothers whose birth plan includes a natural childbirth, here are some tried-and-true tips to help.
Avoid a Labor Induction to Help You Have a Natural Childbirth
Not only does the pain of labor inductions begin sooner, some evidence seems to indicate that the pain from contractions themselves when a mother is induced is even greater than if a mother goes into labor on her own. Not to mention, labor inductions often involve restricting the mother's mobility and limit her use of non-medical pain relief options such as tubs and showers.
Use of a Birth Doula to Have a Natural Childbirth
It is not surprising that the use of a continuous support person during labor has been shown to have tremendous benefits to the mother and her labor, including less medications and interventions used. Birth doulas come with an array of non-medical pain relief techniques such as hot and cold packs, breathing and relaxation techniques as well as massage and back labor relief methods. A birth doula also has the exceptional benefit of knowing the family ahead of time, including all of the parents concerns and preferences.
Consider Giving Birth Outside of a Hospital Setting to Have a Natural Childbirth
Even though hospitals are a common location for mothers to choose as their place of birth, research does not clearly state that hospitals are any safer than a birth center or a home birth. When births originate in a hospital setting, they are more likely to include some type of medical intervention (epidural, moniotoring, pitocin) and more likely end in a cesarean.
If you have no other option other than giving birth at a hospital, then be sure to use a birth doula, bring along your own supply of non-medical pain relief items and have a written birth plan.
Labor at Home During the Early Labor Phase
For mothers who plan to avoid pain medications and desire a drug-free labor, spending a good portion of early labor at home is one excellent way to give birth naturally. Laboring at home allows mothers the freedom to eat, rest, change positions and distract themselves from being in labor. Many of those particular freedoms, such as eating and drinking, will be restricted once parents arrive at the hospital. Not to mention that labors normally have peaks and valleys in which contractions slow down from time to time. If mothers are home during this early phase when contractions are ebbing a bit, there will not be pressure to start pitocin, thereby making it harder to avoid pain medications.
Use Coping Tools that are Most Familiar to You to Achieve Natural Childbirth
Rather than learning a whole new method of childbirth preparation that is unfamiliar, mothers should instead utilize many of the same coping tools they already use for pain or stress. If you use hot packs for menstrual cramps or cold packs for a headache, those non-medical pain relief methods can also be used for labor. Mothers who like a relaxing massage or encouragement from a loved one during stress will also find those things a comfort during labor.
While there is no specific formula to follow in order to have a natural childbirth, there are some ways to maximize the likelihood of having a drug-free labor if a mother wants one.
References:
Lane, B., Kirsch, I, Pregnancy Guide, Globe Pequot Press, 2009
Simkin, P., The Birth Partner, Harvard Common Press, 2008
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Brenda Lane - Brenda Lane is a published author, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA certified birth doula and approved birth doula trainer.
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