People look at you like you're crazy when you mention your're planning a natural childbirth!
But there are good reasons for choosing to labor without drugs or interventions. Research has shown that natural childbirth is best for you and for your baby.
Even though you know this, you may still worry about how you'll cope with labor.
Here are some common-sense guidelines and tips for natural childbirth.
One of the most useful skills you'll take into labor is the ability to relax.
To birth your baby your body needs to be relaxed. Tense, tight muscles make it harder for your body to open.
You can use a guided relaxation daily throughout your pregnancy to discover your different muscle groups and how to relax them on purpose.
It's really important, however, to find out how to relax the right groups of muscles. You may know how to relax your forehead, for instance, but that's not where your baby comes out!
It only takes a few minutes a day to get familiar with your own muscles and discover how to relax the muscles that surround your baby and birth canal. Click here to get more information on relaxing for natural childbirth.
You can give birth to your baby. Your body is designed for it.
Use your pregnancy to daily affirm that your body is ready for this. Tell yourself "my body is opening for my baby." Or "my baby knows how to come down my birth canal."
Think of other affirmations and repeat them to yourself daily. Say them out loud. Post them around your house.
You will believe them, and in believing, you will help your natural childbirth happen.
Spend time visualizing your labor. Your natural childbirth will unfold differently than you imagine - but your visualizations will influence your labor and birth.
Picture your body opening like a beautiful flower. Picture your baby moving down through your birth canal.
Visualizations and affirmations really help you believe in your body. They also help overcome negative things you've heard about giving birth. Try it.
Those with you during labor will have a huge effect on your natural childbirth. Carefully choose your support people.
Your partner can be an excellent companion during your labor. Some women will feel more comfortable with their mother, sister, or best friend by their side during labor. There is something about a woman's touch, especially a woman who has given birth herself.
Many expectant moms hire a doula - even if you have a labor partner already a doula has immense wisdom about natural childbirth and will be able to help you through each stage of labor.
Don't expect your partner to know what to expect or what to do during labor if you're never talked about it. You both need to be prepared. The Pink Kit gives your partner the skills he needs to really be helpful during your labor. Check out what Chris's husband said:
Without the Pink Kit I Probably Would Have Sat Outside Drinking a Beer
"The most important thing for me was being able to be part of the birth and have a lot of skills to know how to handle the different stages of what Chris was going through. Without the Pink Kit I would have been totally lost and probably would have sat outside drinking beer or the like.
But I learned enough skills and knowledge to be a real part and sometimes take control of the process which is an amazing thing for a man. I also caught our baby as she was born which is one of the best things I have done.
It was more than worthwhile to purchase this product. I enjoyed being able to be so useful, it made the birth of our daughter even more special."
- Snow, Chris's husband and Georgie's dad
Click here for more info on the Pink Kit and how it helps you and your partner
Will natural childbirth be a possibility where you've chosen to give birth?
If you select a homebirth or a birth center birth, you can be pretty confident that your wishes for a natural birth will be honored and encouraged. In the hospital it may be a bit harder to have a natural childbirth but it is possible. (I've collected lots of natural hospital birth stories - take a look!)
Stay at home as long as possible (no matter where you're giving birth). You won't feel "put on the spot" or "observed." At home you're free to eat and drink as you please - and you'll have no IV or fetal monitor belt attached to you. You won't be forced to remain in bed.
Take some familiar things with you when you go to the birth center or hospital. Take your own pillows and your own gown. Take a picture you love or a special trinket. Quiet, low lighting, and soothing music may all help you during a natural labor and birth.
Remember the skills you practice during pregnancy will help you no matter where you birth - relaxation, body awareness, controlled breathing
You may not be completely sure (or completely convinced!) that you're in labor during the early stages.
If it's daytime, do what you'd normally do. Maybe you can take a walk and then have a rest. Or get out in the garden, play with your other children, or clean your kitchen ;)
If it's nighttime, go to sleep! You'll wake up if you need to. And if you get a good night's sleep you'll be very grateful for the rest before you move into heavy labor.
Some mothers enjoy going out for a relaxed dinner when they're in early labor. They may be feeling slightly crampy and unsure if "this is it" or not. Dinner helps you relax and gives you energy for labor. I know that a delicious bowl of black bean soup gave me the fuel I needed for the natural childbirth of my second baby!
The Pink Kit recommends asking yourself "what do I want to be doing right now?" It's a great way of catching yourself if you're getting anxious. It's fine to anticipate labor but you want to be well rested! Don't exhaust yourself fretting through early labor.
Eat and drink as you want to. And move! Movement helps your baby and it helps you open up. Follow your body's signals and use the natural childbirth skills you've learned to move on through labor and meet your baby :D
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