Natural, Physiological Birth Preferences
I believe having a baby is the most significant, life-changing, spiritual, physical event a woman experiences.
My hope in sharing natural, unmedicated preferences (that have helped me) is that you feel inspired to continue your own research, discussions, and reflection to make an empowered, informed decisions and have a labor that feels best to you! Ironically, 0 of the 16 OBGYNS I’ve seen throughout my three pregnancies ever discussed my birth options with me! I believe mothers deserve more support.
Whatever you decide, I only care that every mother knew their options, felt supported in their choices, and that they were respected. Your body, your baby, your birth!
“My dream is that every woman, everywhere, will know the joy of a truly safe, comfortable, and satisfying birthing for herself and for her baby.”
Personally, labor is a true test of both will power and surrender. From personal experience, I can say that the endorphin high and fast recovery of a natural birth are absolutely amazing. I’ve never felt so empowered or in tune with my body. It was a deeply spiritual, transformative experience, but it took preparation and research.
I had two unmedicated, intervention-free births in a hospital and I’m preparing to do the same again. It helps me to revisit this information so I can both mentally and physically prepare. Gosh, it is such a mental game!
Find your why
Educate yourself
Find a support system
Learn to breathe
Protect your mindset
Choose faith over fear
Natural Birth Preferences
Environment
Wear own clothes
Dim amber lights
Minimal distractions
Worship music playing
Free movement
Aromatherapy
Doula support
Comfort Measures
Breathing exercises
Movement – walking & birthing ball
Massage
Tens unit
Shower/tub
Visualizations/affirmations/prayer
Counter pressure (hip squeezes )
Hot/cold therapy (rice socks)
Head massager
During Labor
Food and drinks as desired
Saline lock
Birth ball
Chamomile Tincture/tea to help relax
Intermittent monitoring
A telemetry EFM unit
Minimal vaginal exams
Push in any position
To use warm compress, lubrication, and perineal support to help prevent tears
After Birth
Immediate skin to skin
Delayed cord clamping
Cord to be cut by dad
Do not consent to any wiping of the vernix
Exams done with baby on chest
Placenta encapsulation
Delayed weight/exams
Delayed bath; herbal bath with baby (later at home)
TIPS & RESOURCES
Christian Hypnobirthing App
Hypnobirthing Hub Guided Relaxations
Educate yourself
Education was the biggest factor in releasing my fears and anxieties surrounding birth. Learning about the stages of labor, coping strategies, postpartum, and medical options in the event of an emergency helped me to make informed decisions, feel empowered, and cope with some traumatic surprises during my first labor.
I took a birthing course with my first doula many years ago and recently completed Pain Free Birth online. Both were incredible and helped me to feel empowered, excited, and at peace.
Find support.
Whether it’s a spouse, friend, or doula, surround yourself with a team you feel SAFE with.
Doulas do not perform any medical tasks or replace the need for a care provider. Instead they focus on education and physical and emotional support during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediate postpartum.
Evidence Based Birth® shares the following benefits of doula support:
39% decrease in Cesarean births
15% increase in spontaneous (non-induced) vaginal birth
10% decrease in the use of narcotic pain relief
Average length of labor decreased by 41 minutes
38% decrease in the risk for a baby having a low 5 minute Apgar score
31% decrease in the risk of the birthing person being dissatisfied with the overall birth experience
