Birth Information for Moms Wanting Natural Birth
Labor and Delivery Tips for Expectant Mothers
Apr 29, 2009
Natural labor and delivery isn’t the impossible feat many make it out to be. By keeping a relaxed outlook during the labor and educating themselves with birth information on what to expect, women can be confident in their role when the big day finally arrives.
Birth Information on When to Go to the Hospital
Bringing a first child into the world can take hours. The longer expectant moms are in the hospital, the harder they often find it to wait for labor to progress at its natural pace.
The general rule of thumb discussed in child birth classes is 5-1-1. This means when a woman’s contractions are five minutes apart, one minute long, for a period of at least an hour, it’s time to go. Of course, this formula doesn’t take into account the distance a woman lives from the hospital and the uniqueness of every woman’s labor.
Expectant moms can use the time during those first contractions at home to set the tone for their delivery. They should relax by focusing their attention on the present moment.
During Labor and Delivery, Avoid Unnecessary Procedures and Pitocin
As expectant moms and their labor coaches meet hospital staff, they will need to make their wishes for a natural birth known. They can explain that their baby’s health and safety are the top priority, and that any procedures to speed up labor such as administering pitocin or breaking water can hopefully be avoided.
Pitocin is used to induce labor and to intensify contractions once labor has already begun. As pitocin is administered, the sensation experienced in natural labor will become much stronger.
Breaking a woman’s water is often done to speed up labor. The water is bound to break on its own, but as long as the sack remains intact, the cushion of fluid greatly diminishes the sensation of contractions. So, as long as there’s no risk to the baby, it’s best to allow labor to progress at its own pace.
During Labor and Delivery, Take Contractions One at a Time
In most cases, the challenge of a natural birth is not so much physical as mental. Worrying about whether the contractions will get worse or when the next will come will only bring on unnecessary tension. Instead, women can relax and take their contractions one at a time.
Contractions feel for most women like waves of heavy menstrual cramping. When they’re gone, they’re completely gone. Knowing relief is bound to return in a matter of seconds can conquer each contraction, and before moms know it, they’ll be in transition labor.
Birth Information on the Signs of Transition Labor
Transition marks the end of the first stage of labor. During this brief period of intense and rapid contractions, the cervix is fully dilated. All that remains to be done is push the baby into the world.
Transition is only a few steps away from the finish line, but many women give up at this point. In fact, the feeling of not being able to go on or wanting to quit is usually an indicator that transition is underway. Fortunately, the transition period is short, generally lasting under a half hour. Many women who opt for epidurals at this point have so little time left during their labor that they don’t receive the medication’s effects in time to lessen the sensation of contractions but are stuck with the downside of recovering from an epidural.
If couples recognize the signs of transition labor and realize they’re nearing the end, they have a good chance of pushing through to the home stretch. Signs of transition include intense contractions coming one on top of another, an inability to find a comfortable position, shivering, and nausea. Once transition is over, expectant moms often enjoy a brief break in labor. The next contractions feel markedly different. These contractions designed to push the baby out of the uterus are spaced farther apart and feel less intense.
During Labor and Delivery, Relax Body and Mind
A crucial key to managing contractions is the ability to relax. When muscles are tense, the contractions are felt more sharply and pushing the baby into the world takes longer. In order to relax their muscles during labor, many women mentally focus through visualizing a favorite place, tuning in to a song, or using breathing techniques. Expectant moms can discover and practice these invaluable relaxation techniques during their child birth classes.
In addition to these important tips, there are several ways expectant moms and their labor coaches can prepare ahead if they are hoping to increase their odds of a relaxed, natural delivery. They will want to check out articles on what labor will feel like, choosing a doctor, hospital, and child birth class, and packing the essentials in a labor bag.
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