Preparing for Natural Childbirth

July 19, 2008

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Preparing for Natural Childbirth

by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

In some hospitals, more than 70 percent of mothers get an epidural. If you are seeking an un-medicated birth experience, it may help to plan ahead. In addition to preparing for labor through childbirth education and practicing relaxation techniques, what can you do to get the experience you want? Although there is a great role for luck (in how your labor goes) you can take some actions to help yourself have a low-tech experience:

Pick your practitioner accordingly
Be sure that you have chosen a practitioner who can support your desires

Consider additional labor support
In addition to your partner, consider inviting a female friend or relative who has had natural childbirth before, or hiring a doula to help you through.

Although your partner is the one who cares about you the most, and knows you best, most fathers are not prepared to be the sole coach for a mother in labor. It is distressing to see your loved one in pain, and hard to keep perspective on how close the finish line is. In addition, there is a lot to know about comfort measures during labor, and many fathers don't spend the time preparing for the role of coach.

Make your wishes known ahead of time
Communicate ahead of time what you want for the experience. You will not be thinking clearly in labor, and will find it hard to make decisions. Tell your team that you don't want pain medications offered to you, and instruct them ahead of time with what you want them to do if you ask.

Since many women will ask for medications as a show of distress in the transition phase of labor, consider having a code phrase that means you are saying "uncle" and really are changing your mind.

If you cannot decide what type of childbirth you want

Some labors are more "doable" than others. One option, if you are still on the fence, is to prepare for natural childbirth and then see what happens. You can change the plan if you have a long labor or get exhausted. Intravenous pain medicine like Nubain® or Demerol® can be given to take the edge off the contractions, if you need something but don't really need an epidural. These medications interfere less with the progress of labor, and don't increase the chances of needing forceps or a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery.


RELATED INFORMATION

			Preparing to Breastfeed Before Your Baby Arrives
			The Birthing Ball in Labor
			Childbirth Preparation

Created September 22, 2000
Reviewed August 21, 2004

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