For many women, a vaginal birth is the birthing dream. It’s a wonderful, transformative experience that requires preparation. That preparation starts long before your due date. You need to decide where you want to give birth, who will be in your support team and how much medical intervention you’re comfortable with.
Know Your Options
If you’re a woman planning for vaginal birth, one of the first steps is to know your options. This could mean deciding where you want to deliver your baby, whether in a home, midwife-led birth centre or in a hospital. This will depend on your needs and any complicating factors.
Another consideration is your plan for pain control. This is a personal decision that you’ll make with your medical provider, and it may involve choosing to limit or avoid pain medication. This could be for a number of reasons including concerns about the side effects of certain medications, previous experiences in medical settings or a desire to feel more connected to the childbirth process.
It’s also a good idea to research the different methods of pain management available at your place of birth. This can include things like epidural anesthesia, nitrous oxide and IV pain medication, as well as nonmedical comfort measures such as massage, counterpressure, hydrotherapy and more.
You should also familiarize yourself with the stages of labor, which are usually divided into early, active and transitional phases. This will give you an idea of what to expect, and help prepare for any possible deviations from your plans (like a c-section). It’s also helpful to learn about the risks of VBACs, including that of uterine rupture, which can happen when the cervix opens up through an old c-section scar.
Make a List of Questions
Whether you’re having your baby at home, in a birth center or at the hospital, you should have some questions about vaginal delivery. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be for what to expect leading up to and during labor and childbirth.
Make a list of the questions you have about this type of birth and share them with your care provider. They may be able to answer some of them during your regular office visits. Then you can focus on preparing mentally for the big day.
You’ll also want to be aware of what options you have for pain control. For example, some places offer nitrous oxide, IV pain medication and epidural anesthesia. It’s important to understand what these options are, how they work and when it might be best to use them. Also, ask about nonmedical pain relief options like massage, counterpressure and hydrotherapy.
It’s important to remember that every woman is different. You can do all the research you want, but every labor and delivery is unique. Being flexible and understanding that things won’t always go according to plan is essential for a healthy and empowered birth experience. In fact, it’s even more important to be flexible when planning for a vaginal birth than for a C-section. This is especially true if you’re having a second or third pregnancy, since the risk of complications increases with each subsequent surgery.
Talk to Your Care Provider
If you want to give birth vaginally, it’s important to surround yourself with a team of medical professionals that support this goal. Look for a doctor or midwife who is open to natural childbirth, and also choose a hospital or birth center that does too.
Your provider should be able to answer any questions you have about the process, so don’t hesitate to ask. Also, make sure to talk to your partner so that he or she is fully informed as well. Lastly, don’t forget to get a backup plan in case things don’t go according to plan, and make sure you include that plan in your birthing plan.
During pregnancy, it’s also a good idea to read up on the different phases of labor and what to expect from them. Some women find that reading about it helps them feel more prepared, and it can also help reduce stress. You might also consider taking some prenatal yoga classes or practicing Lamaze breathing exercises to help prepare your body.
You can also try manual perineal massage, which some mothers find incredibly helpful during labor. This technique involves applying pressure outward to the perineum, which increases blood flow and elasticity. It can also be used during postpartum recovery to soothe your perineal area. Lastly, be sure to stock up on soothing supplies after your delivery, such as a peri bottle, lots of pads, hemorhoid cream and Tucks pads, and sitz bath mixes.
Start Practicing
Practicing can help you feel confident about your ability to give birth vaginally. It also increases your chances of having a natural childbirth, as opposed to a medically assisted one or a C-section. You can start by doing research about pregnancy and giving birth. Attending birth classes is another great way to prepare because they offer detailed information about labor, pain relief choices and more.
Ask yourself what concerns you most about the process of giving birth. It might be the contractions, pushing, or even the fact that you might need to have a C-section. Whatever your specific concern is, make sure you talk about it with your healthcare provider and any other people who will be involved in your delivery, such as a partner, friend, or family member.
You should also practice some physical preparation, as well. Regular exercise like walking, swimming or prenatal yoga is good for the body and helps with the stretching needed for labor. It’s also helpful to have a support person with you who will advocate for your needs during labour, and remind medical staff what your wishes are. A doula or other labor professional is a good choice for this role, and can also offer support like breathing techniques, massage, and hydrotherapy during labour.
Many pregnant women want to have a “natural” or drug-free birth, and for good reason. This type of birth can be less stressful on the body and offers a more unique and personal experience.
