“Natural childbirth” is a way of giving birth to your baby by trusting your body and letting nature take its course!  A “natural birth” begins with mum going into labor naturally between weeks 37 and 41 without any medical intervention such as the use of induction drugs (synthetic oxytocin) or the artificial rupture of the membranes (breaking the water).  Mums can use “natural nudges” to encourage baby to come such as using clary sage oil, raspberry leaf tea, making love…. basically, doing things that make you feel good and encourage the production of the hormone oxytocin which causes your uterus to contract.  These “natural nudges” will only have an effect if the baby is ready to come!

A natural birth tends to proceed without mum using any medications (which can adversely affect the baby) for pain relief.  I teach hypnobirthing techniques and have been amazed at how these wonderful tools help mums during labor.  Hypnobirthing doesn’t promise a pain-free labor, but it teaches techniques to deal with the discomfort.

If you are hoping to have a natural childbirth, there are some things that you can do to help the natural process. 

Some useful tips are:

1. Make sure that you undertake some form of prenatal education.

     The more you understand about the process of childbirth, the more confident you will feel about asking questions regarding your care and will be able to have more of a say in any decisions that need making regarding the type of birth you want.  Informed mums tend to feel empowered and often have a very good birth experience.

2. Pick a health care provider who will support you to have the birth that you want.

   Someone who believes like you that natural childbirth is completely achievable so long as there are no medical contraindications.  It is worth doing some research in your area to find out which OBs are genuinely supportive in practice and not just on paper!

3. Try not to gain too much weight during your pregnancy, keep fit and active and eat a good, balanced diet.

     Excess weight gain can lead to common pregnancy ailments and complications that may mean that a natural childbirth is no longer an option.

4. When your labor does begin to try and spend as much time in your home.

   being in your own comfortable and familiar surroundings will enable you to relax and help the natural process of childbirth.  Fear and anxiety are often felt when you arrive at hospital due to the noises, smells, sights…., fear causes the production of the hormone adrenaline which suppresses production of the hormone oxytocin which is needed to make  the uterus contract, consequently it is very common for labour to slow down when mum arrives at hospital so it really is preferable to spend as much time at home as you feel comfortable.

5. When in labor try and remain as active as you feel possible, being active and in an upright and forward position helps the baby descend into the pelvis.

   Using the perfect shape of mum’s pelvis and benefitting from the help of gravity.  There will probably be times when you want to have a lie-down and rest but the more time spent upright the better, much better than lying flat on your back!

6. If you enjoy being in the water, try spending time relaxing in the bath

   (as long as your waters haven’t broken).  Water is a wonderful pain reliever and natural relaxant and can really help labor progress well.

7. Think carefully about who you would like to be with you during your labor.

     It is so important for a laboring mum to feel comfortable and supported throughout.  Make sure your birth partner understands the kind of birth that you want so they can help you make decisions on the day.  Consider hiring a doula!  A doula is a professional birth partner who gives emotional and physical support (non-medical), she is with you throughout your labor and birth and her constant presence can be of huge benefit to both mum and dad.

I wish you all well in your preparation for birth, be it natural or medicated, a happy, healthy birth experience during which you felt listened to really is the most important outcome!