What else can I do to have a positive, low-risk birth experience?
Comfort Measures for Labor
Critical Considerations for As Natural a Birth as Possible
1. A skilled birth attendant that you TRUST - check for a good “match,” it is NEVER too late to switch.
2. Hire a Doula.
3. Good prenatal preparation:
*Good health, excellent nutrition
*Exercise, physical conditioning - yoga
*Great birth classes - STATE OF MIND
*Read great books - information, inspiration
4. Avoid exhaustion and dehydration
5. Stay HOME as long as possible.
6. Gather support team - get a great nurse - advocate for yourself, have your spouse and Doula advocate for you as well.
7. Take control of your environment - think about stimulating all 5 senses - you must have a safe, UN-self-conscious birth space.
8. Avoid continuous electronic fetal monitoring.
9. Moving - dancing, bellydancing, rocking, walking, birth ball
10. Moaning (co-chanting if necessary) - deep and low
11. Relax BETWEEN contractions - think “release”
12. Pain-coping practices - BA, NFA, Quaker Listening, Centering
*the less analytical the better
*let go of thinking brain - LUCY
*pay attention to what IS working, what helps - Do MORE of THAT
*roving body checks - pay attention to the parts of your body that don’t hurt
*ENHANCE the TRANCE - practice self-relaxation (gentle hypnosis) with tapes or
scripts
13. Get PHYSICAL - bellylift, all fours, back pressure, hip squeeze, massage,
acupressure or acupuncture
14. WATER!!
15. Embrace the possibility for unwanted events and even a cesarean birth. Look at your fears head-on and reduce their power, use them to create coping responses - play the “what-if” game.
16. Keep a positive outlook before and during the birth. Remember that your state of mind is your most powerful coping tool. DO NOT LISTEN TO OR READ OR WATCH FRIGHTENING BIRTH STORIES!! Your baby is listening.
17. Judicious and compassionate use of drugs.