Childbirth is a transformational life event that is experienced as positive, healing, and empowering by some and negative or even traumatic by others. This depends on various factors including pregnancy complications, nursing staff, hospital facility and family support. WHO considers positive childbirth experience crucial for the wellbeing of both mother and baby. Unfortunately, rising medical interventions have made women less confident about the process of birth. On the other hand, complex births in older age groups have made doctors more liberal with surgical interventions. If you are pregnant and worried about the birthing process, Dr Rinku Sen Gupta Dhar, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital shares some helpful tips to make childbirth and easy ride for all the mothers-to-be.
How to achieve positive childbirth experience
Here are a few ways that can empower women to choose birthing positions, embrace natural childbirth and understand comfort measures in labour . The role of partners in the process will be crucial for a holistic experience.
1. While it is normal to be fearful of childbirth especially during the first child, it is important to have faith in yourself and your body. Birthing is not taught, it is instinctive in each woman. Thus, keep yourself calm and not panic.
2. Seek Childbirth Preparation classes that encourage the expression of feelings, provide information about the physiology of birth (physical and behavioural aspects of hormones), explore functions of the neocortex, explore human values, and give opportunities for healing.
Also Read: First Time Mothers' Guide: Tips For Post Delivery Care For Mothers
3. Understand the Principles of Pelvic Bodywork to explore birth positions that help to open the birth passageway. Discover that babies come “out the back,” posteriorly, and this is the reason to move and stay off your back while in labour.
4. View your uterus as a magnificent muscle that can contract strongly enough to birth your baby. This would give you confidence to feel empowered and enjoy the birthing process.
5. Give birth where you feel safe. Surround yourself with only positive energy. Bring your spouse, a loved one, a close friend or someone who you feel secure with for support. Having them by your side would cheer you up during the entire process.
6. Quiet your mind in labour so you can go deep into your primal, instinctive brain, that already knows how to give birth.
Antenatal Preparation
This term refers to the advance preparation of birthing including knowledge of when to come to the hospital is very important. If you are a low-risk mother, come to the hospital when contractions occur at a frequency of 2 to 3 in 10 minutes consistently for over an hour, assuming there are no other concerns.
- You can always manage early labour or latent labour better at home by walking, changing positions and using hot and cold compresses on your back.
- You can also use natural comfort measures like walking and exercises in labour on the birthing ball when in the hospital.
- If natural measures do not work then medical options like Entonox and epidural analgesia can be considered.
- Engaging in regular exercises, such as walking and prenatal yoga, can greatly contribute to preparing your body and mind for a smooth labour.
Final Word
Trusting your caregivers and working together like an integrated team will be crucial to empowering childbirth. Remember the expected mother is the leader in the journey of childbirth and if she is empowered and confident the Birthing process will be safe and natural in most clinical situations. The presence of a calm and engaged partner can further enhance the beauty of childbirth.