How to have a natural birth in the hospital

How to have a natural birth in the hospital

Many factors should be considered when choosing between a birth center, home birth or hospital birth. It is important for the mother and father to be comfortable with their decisions and find providers they can trust and communicate with.

by Dr. Christine Brass-Jones  — 

Natural pregnancy and birthing are increasing trends within the pregnancy community. Women are looking for natural options during their pregnancy, labor and delivery, such as alternative pain management, birthing techniques, alternative birthing and non-hospital birthing locations. It is important for women to have a choice and be well-educated about their options. This gives them the ability to make informed decisions about the kind of experiences they can create for themselves and their babies, especially when all the myths surrounding the different birthing options are removed.

Many factors should be considered when choosing between a birth center, home birth or hospital birth. It is important for the mother and father to be comfortable with their decisions and find providers they can trust and communicate with. The providers must make sure they consider the risk factors associated with the mother’s pregnancy and the birth, and the parents’ general preparedness for having either a home or hospital birth.

A variety of options exist in preparation for a natural labor and delivery. A mother-to-be can take childbirth education and hypnobirthing classes, utilize yoga, proper nutrition, and learn about alternative pain management options and stress management techniques to allow a woman’s body to do what it naturally does during the labor and delivery time.

One positive attribute to giving birth in a hospital setting is that, if difficulties arise during labor and delivery, plenty of resources are available to help the baby gently come into the world, while maintaining a safe environment for mother and baby. Close follow-up for the newborn and mom within the first 24 hours is provided by nurses and doctors to ensure that everyone is healthy and attuning to their new family.

The labor and delivery nurses are the mother’s advocates, acting as liaisons between the patient and the doctor. They are an extended part of the mom’s birth network and assist when needed. Developing a relationship with the nurses by sharing a birth plan is a great way to create a stronger relationship with them during a mom’s labor and delivery.

It is true that more policies and procedures must be followed in hospitals, based on safety standards for the patient. These parameters sometimes may seem rigid, but they are in the best interest of the mother and safety of the baby.

A multitude of options exist for creating a homey feel if using a hospital setting for the labor and delivery. Some of these include relaxing to a playlist of songs and using meditation and familiar essential oils to enhance mood and manage labor pain. A pillow and pillowcase can be brought from home, favorite colors used to decorate the room and LED candles to create a calming atmosphere in the birthing room, all the while utilizing the hospital facilities.

Some hospitals have meditation gardens, birthing balls and even tubs to labor in. Touring a hospital is a great way to inspect the rooms and facilities and explore what they have to offer. Hospitals usually set up beautiful birthing and post-partum rooms that create privacy with limited distractions. In a large comfortable post-partum room, the baby can stay with the new parents or can spend some time in the nursery to give them time to rest after the birth.

Remember that the baby is the ultimate decision-maker in how the labor and delivery will go, but there are many prior choices that every mom can make to set up the birthing experience that most resonates with her. Education and preparedness are the foundation of good decision-making and for creating the ideal birthing environment.

Dr. Christine Brass-Jones is a doctor of osteopathic medicine and an OB/GYN at the Center for True Harmony Wellness & Medicine in Mesa, Ariz. [email protected], 480-539-6646 or trueharmonywellness.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 33, Number 3, June/July 2014.