Choosing Birth Methods

If you are pregnant, or planning on becoming pregnant, then you've probably thought about the different birth methods that you can choose from.

A woman who is pregnant can prepare for going through labor in many ways. The best thing she can do for herself is to get educated on what she can expect when labor starts. There are many ways a woman can learn about what to expect. There are a multitude of books and websites dedicated to pregnancy and parenting. The library, a bookstore, or a search engine are all good places to start.

Many hospitals offer free or very inexpensive classes on various birth philosophies and breastfeeding techniques. It is a good idea to learn all one can before the time comes, to help relax and to understand what is happening to the body when labor sets in. It is also a good idea for the birth partner to attend these classes, so he or she can learn how to be the best support to the mother-to-be.

There are many birth philosophies that a woman can learn from. One is called Lamaze. This is a breathing technique that helps a woman focus on breathing through the pain of labor contractions, and to attain a meditative state by doing so, in order to cope with the contractions as they become more intense (which is just a nice way of saying "excruciatingly agonzing"). It is very popular technique, and has helped many women through labor. The birth partner helps by being a coach during labor. This method may be used instead of pain medications, for those interested in a medicine-free birth, or in conjunction with any one of the available pain-reducing drugs during labor.

Another birth method is called the Bradley Method. This method involves using positions and relaxation techniques to help the body have productive contractions, and to help the woman cope with the pain. Relaxation is commonly understood as an effective way of managing the pain of labor, but it doesn't work for everyone. The Bradley method teaches ways for the birth partner to serve as a coach and help the woman relax through each contraction and allow it to help the labor progress. This method is most commonly used by women who wish to have a medication-free birth, but may also be used by women who want to get as far into labor as possible before trying any pain medication.

Besides birth methods, there are also professionals who are available to help women and their partners with the process of labor. These professional labor coaches are called doulas. A doula is not a nurse or midwife, but rather a person who is trained in supporting a woman through labor, and helping her partner to support her too. Husbands often feel helpless when their wives are in labor, as they watch her going through pain, and they don't know how to help (they also know that they had a role in putting her in that position!). A doula can help support both partners by understanding the mother's experience, and knowing effective ways to help.

Women today have many options when it comes to birth, and have the opportunity to educate themselves in many ways, so they are as prepared as possible to have a positive birth experience, with as few complications as possible.