So you have decided on an unmedicated birth, congratulations! That is great! There are many benefits to that decision but now what? How will you cope with labor? Fear not, these are the best natural birthing tips so you will have the confidence to birth your baby when the time comes.
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Disclaimer
Have you ever wondered why there are so many “The best tips…” and “What you need to know about…” and “The Top insert number here things to know before…”? I hate to tell you this but the reality is that not everything works for everyone. Thankfully you can read and prepare and gather wisdom from other moms’ experiences but do not expect that just because the Bradley method worked for one mom and Hypnobithting for another it will work for you. That being said some universal strategies apply to most methods of natural childbirth and this is what I’ve gathered in this list.
Tip 1
Natural Birth Education
Part of preparing for birth is knowing exactly what is going to happen. Your body will go through a tremendous feat from carrying and housing your baby to delivering your baby. Knowing how the process works provides great comfort. The comfort comes from knowing this is the natural and normal course of life. Knowing the sensations you will feel whether uncomfortable or outright painful have a purpose and a source will help you stay calm. When you know exactly what is happening you can relax and let the process carry itself out.
I would highly recommend watching YouTube videos by midwives explaining the birthing process in detail. If you are more of a reader look for books like The Mama Natural Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, and The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth. While the goal of these books is to help you achieve a natural birth each book highlights a slightly different approach.
Tip 2
Ignore Early Labor
In your research, you will learn that there are 3 stages of labor. The first one starts with early labor and it can start days to a week before. When this happens some call it prodromal labor. You will often hear it referred to as “false labor” This is not true, everything brings you closer to the actual delivery. However, it can be discouraging if you experience this ongoing labor that seems to lead nowhere.
The good news is that it is working and it is not painful. So if you like me end up experiencing prodromal labor here is my tip, EMBRACE it and IGNORE it. I am serious the longer you can just ignore it the better. Not only will it seem to go faster, it will help you stay calm which in turn will help labor progress.
I like to sew it gives me something to focus on that is not labor. I find it calming but do what you find relaxing, a walk is great too.
Tip 3
Setting the mood
During labor and delivery, your body releases a hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin is also known as the love hormone. This is the hormone that helps us bond with our spouse during intimacy. This same hormone aids in bonding with our new baby and breastfeeding. Needless to say, it is a very important and powerful tool during childbirth. It is the hormone that helps your uterus work during childbirth.
Now, that you know a bit more about it oxytocin how do we increase it? Think of the situations that produce it. A quiet and safe place, like home. Being with your husband. Dimmed lights. Perhaps certain smells going in your diffuser. As you can see setting the atmosphere becomes important which is why I choose a homebirth which I go into more detail about here. Even if you are doing a hospital birth this natural birthing tip is still for you. Being aware of what will help you feel safe and relaxed will help increase oxytocin. Once you are in active labor a dark quiet room is optimal to increase oxytocin.
The dark room and the tub made such a calming atmosphere. This made it possible to focus on my breathing and relaxation techniques.
Tip 4
Breathing
Breathing is something we do every day so you would think it would come easy during labor. You would be wrong. Often during labor, we can get worked up about all the different and often uncomfortable sensations in our body. This often causes us to hold our breath or descend into anxiety. This my friend is the opposite of what we want. Practicing birth breathing will help you stay focused in a calm state when the time comes. There are two types of breathing patterns you will use.
- Destresser Breath- A breath that takes away the breath and helps you relax. It is a deep breath in and a longer exhale. For example, you breathe in for 4 seconds and you breathe out for 6 seconds. The numbers don’t matter as long as you are lengthening the exhale and doing what is comfortable. You can use this breath throughout labor, I especially rely on it during active labor.
- “J” Breathing – This is the breath you will use during the pushing phase of labor. Most moms especially first-time moms tend to hold their breath and push in their throat instead of down into their birth canal. What you want to do instead is send all that energy down and out following the path your baby will take to be born. To do this inhale and as the breath travels down your throat it helps to do a low deep moan and visualize the moan traveling down to your baby, birth canal, and finally out the vagina forming a “j” pattern.
I recommend you practice this twice a day for about 5 to 10 minutes each time.
Tip 5
Relaxation
This will look different for everyone. A warm bath, aroma therapy, swaying or moving, bouncing in a ball, or a very gentle or light touch massage. All these can be helpful. Now, I will tell you what I find the most relaxing for me, being alone in my bed with a diffuser on and just breathing. I do this until I feel like pushing and that’s when I get in the birthing tub to deliver my baby. I don’t really think about much at this point mostly because I have done this 5 times and I can get relaxed by just breathing. However, if this is your first time it can be helpful to have a Bible verse or meditation to help you pass the time. Here is what I want you to remember. You have to practice relaxing. Do not think you will be able to just do it if you have never done it before. Trust me, my first birth would have gone much better had someone told me that.
Avoid Negative Thinking
Avoiding negative thoughts, stories and information throughout your pregnancy is crucial. If you are constantly looking up what can go wrong you will be discouraged and fearful. Instead, focus on all the amazing things your body can do and will do to deliver your baby. Rest assured with the knowledge that you have everything you need to give birth to your baby. Your body was designed for it. If you are looking for some encouragement listen to positive labor and delivery stories. They will all be different because every birth is unique but it will leave you with a sense that you too can do it.
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