Follow-up Comments about Natural Birth

I just wanted to follow up my post about why I had a natural birth with a few comments. First, I hope that my post didn't come across as boasting. I don't think that having a natural birth makes you a better mom or a better woman than if you had a medicated or surgical birth. It is just that natural birth was such an amazing experience for me and I wanted to share it. Wonderful, spritual births are still possible with epidurals and c-sections. A friend of mine wrote a wonderful post about her good experience giving birth with an epidrual. I think it is important for women who have had good birth experiences (natural, medicated or surgical) to share them, especially with first time moms, because there are WAY too many scary birth stories already in circulation.


Second, I want to send some information out there to women who have had c-sections and want to have a vaginal birth for their next baby. The claim that "once a c-section, always a c-section" is absolutely not true anymore. There have been several recent studies that show that vaginal births after cesareans (VBACs) are VERY safe, given that the scar on the uterus is not vertical, but ALMOST ALL c-sections are now given with horizontal incisions-- which are very safe for VBACS. If you have had a c-section and want to have a natural birth--- it is VERY possible. You just need to find a doctor or midwife who is willing to do VBACs. Some doctors and hospitals are refusing to do them (why? I don't really know-- maybe because they make more money from c-sections?) but there are LOTS of doctors and midwives who will do them. Shop around and find a care provider who is willing to support you, they are out there. Also there is an organization called ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) that is dedicated to helping woman prevent c-sections and have successful VBACS. If this is something you are interested in, I HIGHLY recommend talking to these women!

Third, I wanted to throw out some more ideas for women who want to have natural births:

1. Take a childbirth education class. I wouldn't highly recommend classes taught by the hospital, they tend to teach you how to be a good patient and not how to have a natural birth. Still, they are better than nothing and I do know of some classes that do a really good job at preparing couples for natural birth. Take a class that teaches you more than one technique for coping with labor. Some options that I would highly recommend are Hypnobirthing or Hypnobabies classes, Bradly classes, Lamaze classes or Birthing From Within classes.


2. Have your mind made up. If you want to have a natural birth be determined and firm. If you are kind of wishy washy, you will probably end up with an epidural. Labor IS NOT A GOOD time to make up your mind to have a natural birth, the decision needs to be made LONG before.


3. Shop around. Take the time to find a care provider who is excited about you having a natural birth and is willing to support you. Options are sometimes limited by insurance or location, but if you do your homework I bet you will find a care provider you feel really good about. Don't be afraid to switch providers if you aren't happy with the one you have!


4. Have a doula. I might be a little biased about this one, seeing as I am doula, but doulas really are wonderful. A doula gives you continuous support and care, unlike a nurse she only has one client so she never leaves you alone, and unlike (most) husbands she knows massages, acupressure points, and relaxation techniques that help with natural births. She doesn't replace a husband, she just helps him to be more involved in the birth. I personally feel that EVERY woman should have the support of a doula. They are worth EVERY penny. Here is my website which has more information about doulas.


5. Consider birthing at a birth center or at home. These are options that most couples don't ever look into, but which can be wonderful options for low risk women. Birth centers and home birth midwives specialize in natural births and don't make women fight to have fully natural births. I know many women say that they are scared to give birth outside of the hospital-- what if something went wrong?-- but research shows that birth centers and home births are just as safe (if not safer) than hospitals for low risk women. Don't rule these out as options-- do your research.


6. Practice Kegel exercises. If you don't know what these are-- google it, I don't want to try to explain! Practicing these really helps in natural birth because they strengthen your pelvic floor muscles which helps with pushing. Kegel exercises also helps you learn how to relax them; learning to relax your pelvic floor muscles helps prevents tearing and helps speed up natural birth. You might feel funny, but take comfort in realizing that no one else will know you are doing them!


7. Talk to people who have had natural births. The more you hear about how wonderful and beautiful natural birth can be, the more you will learn to not be afraid and trust your body. Sometimes all it takes is the knowledge that someone else has done it (and loved it) that helps carry you through to the end.

Okay that is all I wanted to say. Birth is amazing. Women are amazing. Women giving birth is double amazing.