Every woman wants to experience childbirth on their own terms, but those terms oftentimes vary significantly from woman to woman.
Some want to be surrounded by doctors and given different medications to make the process more comfortable, while others are more intrigued by a more natural birthing process. You need to proceed down the path that is right for you, but we wanted to use today’s blog to provide a little more information about some elements of natural childbirth.
Is Natural Childbirth Right For Me?
If you are considering pursuing a more natural childbirth, you are obviously going to do some more research to learn about the process and see if it may be right for you. Here is a look at six things we want all women who are considering a natural birth to know.
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“Natural” Childbirth Can Mean Many Different Things – Natural childbirth doesn’t mean that we throw thousands of years of medical science out the window and just hope for the best. By definition, natural childbirth means that you deliver your baby without any medications, like an epidural or nitrous oxide. So when you’re researching natural childbirth, know that it doesn’t mean that you’re just winging everything, you’re simply hoping to deliver your child without taking medications.
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You Can Have A Natural Childbirth In The Hospital – Building off the above point, you can absolutely have a natural childbirth at a hospital or similar healthcare center. In fact, most natural childbirths occur at facilities designed for labor and delivery. A natural childbirth is different from a home birth, so know that you can still have a natural childbirth in the hospital with a team of nurses and specialists nearby.
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Prepare For Discomfort – This may sound obvious, but if you’re hoping to pursue a natural childbirth, delivery is going to be a bit more uncomfortable. It’s oftentimes helpful to take a birthing class in order to learn more about the process and develop some techniques for managing discomfort. Oftentimes breathing and relaxation techniques can help to divert your attention away from the discomfort, but you’re going to want to mentally and physically prepare for some discomfort and pain during delivery.
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You Can Change Your Mind – We’ve worked with patients who are set on having a natural childbirth, only to realize that the process was more uncomfortable than they were expecting. You can change your mind at any point in the process, but that doesn’t mean that all of the pain relieving options can always be pursued. It may be too late to pursue an epidural, but other pain relieving medications may be able to help make the process more comfortable. It never hurts to have a conversation with your provider about your options as things progress.
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Sometimes It Is Out Of Your Control – You can make a plan and do what you can to stick to it, but it may not be possible to guarantee a natural childbirth. Depending on the baby’s position or other factors during labor, a C-section may need to be pursued, and at that point regional anesthesia or a spinal block is going to be used. You should always be prepared for the possibility that you’ll change your mind or that forces out of your control will affect your ability to have a natural childbirth.
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Talk With Your OBGYN – Don’t wait until the last minute to let your doctor know that you are considering a natural childbirth. They are going to want to have a conversation about some of the specifics of natural childbirth and how they will plan to proceed with the process, as well as how they’ll adjust if needed. Your doctor will want to be available to answer any questions you have and ensure that you are mentally prepared to have a natural childbirth, but they need to know that this is the route you’re currently considering. Even if you’re not sure if it’s right for you, bring it up to your doctor so that you can get more information.
For more information about natural childbirth, or for answers to other women’s health questions, reach out to the team at MetroPartners OBGYN today at (651) 770-3320.