SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT BIRTH IS NATURAL, NORMAL AND HEALTHY.

• A doula at the delivery has been proven to shorten labor,
improve mother’s satisfaction and reduce the need for pain
medications.

• Don’t allow anyone at the delivery who doesn’t have faith
that you can labor without medication. Kick out or do not
invite any “Nervous Nellies.”

• Do your research by talking to childbirth educators, surfing
the web and reading books on childbirth. You have to know why
and what you want to make this a reality.

CHOOSE A PHYSICIAN WHO IS SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR BIRTH WISHES.

• If you will be laboring in a hospital, your doctor can make or
break your experience to have natural childbirth.

• Choose someone wisely who will allow you to have your birth
experience, not theirs.

• Plan ahead: Labor is too late to start talking about what you
want.

• If you belong to a group of doctors and will not have your
original doctor at delivery, you may need to be more aggressive
with your desires.

• Be sure to have a doula, especially if you don’t know who is on
call for your delivery. A doula’s continuous service can help
achieve your goals during birth.

ATTEND A CHILDBIRTH CLASS THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF NATURAL BIRTH.

• Not all childbirth classes are the same. Some hospital based
programs promote what the doctors want them to teach, not
evidence-based research surrounding the normalcy of labor.

• Some instructors don’t emphasize relaxation and/or techniques
to support natural childbirth.

• There are some great childbirth educators and methods (Lamaze,
Bradley, Birthing From Within, Hypbirth and others) who promote
natural birth. Call around and search the Internet for one
right for you.

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

• Relaxation takes away the pain of childbirth

• It’s necessary to practice daily

• Take pre-natal yoga classes or a childbirth class that
emphasizes relaxation.

• Relaxation and the right support help you achieve your birth
dreams.

Julie L. Johnson is a wife and mother of three who has experienced every pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and breastfeeding situation there is and has lived to tell about. She is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Doula and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant practicing in Southern California. Her website http://www.mybirthangel.com provides services and products to help ease the transition into motherhood.

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Pain is the word most associated with labor. Women go to great lengths to deal with the discomforts of childbirth. They attend classes, buy products, read books and talk to their friends. However, relaxation is the one essential ingredient, often overlooked, which helps with the reduction of painful contractions. When Moms have fear in labor, their body tenses. When there is tension (opposite of relaxation), there is pain. Relaxation takes away the fear, therefore, reducing tension and pain. You can’t have relaxation and tension at the same time.

Relaxation exercises help a mother desiring either a medicated or a natural childbirth. The pregnant mom has to take responsibility before labor to prepare for her birth by practicing relaxation. The more the woman practices before delivery, the faster she can draw upon relaxation when she needs it, making her labor quicker and easier.

PREPARING FOR RELAXATION DURING THE PREGNANCY:

· Daily listening to a relaxation CD

· Attending a childbirth class that emphasizes relaxation

· Sitting on the birth ball to reduce muscle tension

· Having pregnancy massages

· Practicing breathing exercises

· Taking a pre-natal yoga class

· Reading Dr. Dick-Read’s book “Childbirth Without Fear.”

REDUCING FEAR DURING LABOR:

· Hiring a trained labor assistant or Doula

· Having the birth partner’s continuous presence

· Listening to several relaxation CD’s

· Using a birth ball

· Having a massage

· Praying

· Focusing on objects in the room

· Having someone read from the Bible

· Listening to music

· Dimming lights or turning them off

· Correct breathing

· Doing yoga exercises

· Dancing

· Telling yourself that you are not afraid

· Listen to your body and do what feels good

When the woman doesn’t give in to the fear but rather reacts to the “pain” in labor as normal, natural and healthy, then the sensations of the contractions are tolerable. The contractions are still strong, intense and maybe even awesome. However, the woman free of fear faces them as a challenge. Relaxation is vital in pregnancy and childbirth to help achieve an easier, faster and more comfortable labor. Guaranteed!

Julie L. Johnson is a wife and mother of three who has experienced every pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and breastfeeding situation there is and has lived to tell about. She is a Certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator, Certified Doula and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant practicing in Southern California. Her website http://www.mybirthangel.com provides services and products to help ease the transition into motherhood.

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Childbirth causes fear for many amp 8212 especially first time moms Even with all the technological knowledge on childbirth and child rearing it is difficult to know exactly what to do No doubt every mother to be has read numerous books and had loads of advice given to her Fortunately childbirth isn amp rsquo t as complicated as it sounds Childbirth is simply the most joyous and beautiful moment a woman will ever experience

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