Do’s and Don’ts in Natural Childbirth

It may have taken a long time before you finally came to the decision of birthing naturally. There are lots of medical interventions available for labor and delivery to be pain-free and more convenient for both the mother and the baby and choosing to give birth without medical intervention is truly a brave decision. Pregnancy and childbirth are two most wonderful events in a woman’s life. Though it may be difficult, it remains to be beautiful. Here are some helpful guidelines on how to go through natural childbirth smoothly. 

 

The Do’s in Childbirth

Do find a sympathetic practitioner and a supportive birthing environment. You will inevitably experience lots of nuances in natural birthing. Look for a practitioner who will be as dedicated as you in your journey of natural birth. A midwife manages the entire birth and so finding one who is committed to your natural childbirth is important for it to be successful. Do expect that you would want to quit because all women reach that point. This is why it is important for you to learn physical and mental coping techniques to attain your goal of succeeding in giving birth naturally. 

 

The Don’ts in Childbirth

Don’t listen to unsuccessful stories. The last thing you want to have is a negative mindset that it will all turn out wrong. Trust your birthing center and support group. Fill yourself up with positivity just as other people around you do. Focus on making the whole birthing experience positive. Be optimistic that it will be a success. Don’t forget your partner’s needs. Your husband is experiencing as much pressure as you do. They also get worn out during the process so it is important that you also give him the reassurance. After all, you’re both in this together.

If you need more information and tips on natural childbirth, the Spartanburg midwifery team is very open and enthusiastic to address your concerns. Natural Childbirth is not easy, but every bit of pain is going to be worth it.

What to Eat During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the best time to eat right and adopt better eating habits. The best foods for pregnant women are the best foods for everyone. But there are certain foods that provide the nutrients you need to give birth to the healthiest baby.

Eat just enough. If you start your pregnancy with a healthy weight, you need to add only 300 extra calories per day to your diet. The ideal weight to gain during pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds, unless you’re carrying multiples.

 

Pregnancy Essentials

Protein is the foundation of any healthy diet. It keeps your blood sugar stable and your hunger at bay. Some of the best proteins for pregnant women are eggs, lean meat, fish, low-fat dairy products, beans and nuts. In addition, flaxseeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. They help metabolize fat-soluble vitamins like A and E, which are critical for the development of your baby’s eyes and brain.

Iron found in lean beef is an important component of blood cells to add iron to your and your baby’s blood volume. Iron builds up the brain by strengthening nerve connections. Dark, leafy greens, beans, lentils and tofu are also good sources of iron. 

Eating colorful fruits and vegetables ensures that you and your baby get a variety of nutrients. If you expose your baby to nutrients from a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables in the womb, you’ll increase the chance that it will recognize and accept those flavors later on.

While you are improving your ways of healthy eating, your efforts to have the birth experience you desire will bear fruit naturally.

Preparing your Body for Childbirth

As your body changes during pregnancy, you become more cautious with your movements to avoid hurting yourself or your baby. If you’re a first-time mother and wondering if exercise is permitted during pregnancy, the answer is yes. Exercise does wonders during pregnancy; it boosts mood, improves sleep and reduces preeclampsia. Unless your pregnancy is high-risk, it is best to moderate movements.

Benefits of exercise during pregnancy

Exercise prepares your body by strengthening the muscles and building endurance. The ideal workout gets your heart pumping, keeps you limber, and prepares your muscles without causing undue physical stress on you or the baby. Make sure you consult your healthcare provider before adopting an exercise regimen.

Cardiovascular, Flexibility and Strength

Walking is one of the best exercises for pregnant women. It keeps you fit without straining your legs, knees and ankles.

Walking at least 20 minutes a day is safe throughout the duration of pregnancy.

Swimming is an ideal exercise for pregnant women because it exercises both large muscle groups, provides cardiovascular benefits, and provides a low-weight, low impact environment in water.

Low-impact aerobics and dancing strengthen your heart and tones your body. Joining a class with other pregnant women ensures that each movement is safe for you and your baby.

 
Yoga helps in keeping your joints flexible and it can also strengthen your heart.

Stretching keeps your body limber and relaxed to prevent muscle strain and cramping. Add stretching to your cardiovascular exercises to get a complete workout.

If you take the necessary precautions and use good technique with slow and controlled movements, these exercises will help you handle your pregnancy with ease and comfort.

Birth Center or Hospital: Which One to Choose?

From the moment a woman realizes she’s pregnant, she has, more often than not, already decided where she would be welcoming her baby. Traditionally, more mothers are bound to choose a hospital, but options like an accredited birth centers are becoming more popular today. Both establishments have their pros and cons and for something as special as the birth of a child, making an informed decision the only way to go.

A Traditional Hospital Birth

Most parents are more comfortable in a hospital setting. The access to emergency medical care is
easy and an epidural is readily available when needed. It is also common to have a nurse with the mother through most of the labor, while the obstetrician comes in when delivery time comes closer. The downside to a hospital birth, however, is the impersonal interaction with the staff. Most mothers are forced to comply with strict rules and policies, which makes it intimidating and uncomfortable.

A Birth Center Delivery

A birth center is an alternative for parents who want a home-like environment for childbirth instead of a hospital. Places like the Spartanburg Birth Center offer tranquility and comfort while still providing quality mother and child care. A birth center is also less expensive than a hospital. It is important to note that mothers should have an uncomplicated and low-risk pregnancy because some birth centers are not equipped with an operating room for emergency care.

It takes careful consideration and planning before choosing a birthing place. Always have yourself, your comfort zone, and your baby in mind. Remember, an informed decision is the best decision.

Delivering with a Doula

The birthing process is scary and no mother wants to go through it feeling insecure… most especially when there are complications to be expected. During these situations, a birthing coach or a “doula” is an option expecting mothers can consider. These ladies provide extra support in the emotional, physical, and informational sense. Doulas help women through the challenges of childbirth, particularly during labor. They serve as a pillar of strength and support for expecting mothers and fathers alike throughout the whole pregnancy. A doula is fully dedicated to all of an expecting mother’s needs: after all, their name does mean “women’s servant” in Greek.

Benefits of Having a Doula by Your Side

Although a doula is not yet common practice in hospitals, there have already been several studies showing the positive effects of employing doulas. During childbirth, mothers experience shorter labors and fewer complications. The rates of caesarean deliveries, the need for oxytocin for faster labor, and the use of force are also all greatly reduced. Mothers in labor are also confident enough to decline the use of pain medication and epidurals when there is a doula by their side.

More mothers are satisfied with their childbirth and experience less postpartum depression after leaving the hospital or birth center. Because of the doula’s constant support and attention for the mothers, babies stay in the hospital for a shorter period and cases of special care are reduced. Mothers and babies are then able to bond faster through breastfeeding.

Doulas and Birth Centers

Pregnancy is a delicate time for a mother and her child. It’s important to find a right place and the right people as a support system. A place like the Spartanburg Birth Center and a doula by your side can give you the comfort and peace of mind you need when you’re in labor.

The Best Breathing Exercises While in Labor

Have you noticed that all hospital bedsides have oxygen tanks beside them? It’s hospital protocol to always have the patient prepare an oxygen cannula or mask. Why is this so? It’s simply because the fastest and easiest way to start relieving pain is to provide oxygen. For mothers who opt to give birth at home or at the birthing center, you can do away with the irritating cannula if you know how to do proper deep breathing. 

Here’s a little bit of medical information. When we breathe deeply, a surge of oxygen enters our body. It buffers acid wastes and toxins in our body and also pushes fluid out of our tissues. This results to better oxygen-nutrient exchange. Usually, though, when one feels pain, we breathe shallowly. It doesn’t help. Breathing deeply relaxes our muscles and reduces the stress. This is very helpful for mothers who are experiencing excruciating contractions in short intervals. 

For mothers in labor, deep breathing lessens the pain and makes them more relaxed. Aside from these, it also provides self-control and increases their strength and energy which they need during the second stage of labor where they push the baby out. 

Inhale while thinking of the syllable “re” and exhale while you think “lax”. This breathing technique reduces the tension in the muscles when one is stressed. Next is counted breathing where you count to four as you breathe in and do the same when you breathe out. Lastly, you can do pursed lip breathing. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth with your lips pursed. 

It’s better to practice doing these breathing exercises while you’re still expecting. It would be easier for you to apply them the moment actual labor begins. If you’re planning to give birth at home or at a birthing center, you can always have someone to coach you. The Spartanburg midwifery team is more than willing to teach you proper breathing techniques. Being ready for labor makes everything better. Remember that it also prevents complications from happening. If done right, you wouldn’t need to give birth in the hospital and you can have the natural childbirth that you’ve been aiming for.

Keep Calm and Breathe through the Pain

Breathe in; breathe out. A new life is about to be welcomed into the world. Before you can hold your baby in your arms, there are still a lot of challenges you have to go through, but we know that it’s all worth it in the end. The most pressing and perhaps the most daunting aspect of child birth is the labor a mother has to go through. After all, it’s not called labor for nothing.

It is a well-known fact that pain is synonymous with childbirth, but it’s not something to fear, especially when you’ve come prepared and ready for the hours of labor to come. The first thing to keep in mind when you’re going through labor, especially if you are a first-time mother-to-be, is to relax. Next is to find an environment that’s soothing and comfortable for you during this time, while at the same time securing a team of capable experts that you can trust.

It is also true that some mothers are actually wary about giving birth in a hospital because it’s not a comfortable place where they feel safe and secure. This is why more and more expecting mothers and couples opt for the option like the Spartanburg Birth Center where they know they are both in good hands of professionals while remaining in a place that feels like home.

Giving birth is no easy task and managing the pain that comes with it can get exhausting, but don’t keep it all to yourself. Talking to someone you trust and rely on can help you calm your fears. Practice your rhythmic breathing and focus on something that makes you happy during contractions, this can take your mind off the pain.

Just relax, breathe, and surround yourself with people you trust. Before you know it, you’ll be cradling that bundle of joy you’ve been expecting for 9 months.