How To Prepare For Natural Childbirth

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT BIRTH IS NATURAL, NORMAL AND HEALTHY.

? A doula at the delivery has been proven to shorten labor,improve mother's satisfaction and reduce the need for painmedications.

? Don't allow anyone at the delivery who doesn't have faiththat you can labor without medication. Kick out or do notinvite any "Nervous Nellies."

? Do your research by talking to childbirth educators, surfingthe web and reading books on childbirth. You have to know whyand what you want to make this a reality.

CHOOSE A PHYSICIAN WHO IS SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR BIRTH WISHES.

? If you will be laboring in a hospital, your doctor can make orbreak your experience to have natural childbirth.

? Choose someone wisely who will allow you to have your birthexperience, not theirs.

? Plan ahead: Labor is too late to start talking about what youwant.

? If you belong to a group of doctors and will not have youroriginal doctor at delivery, you may need to be more aggressivewith your desires.

? Be sure to have a doula, especially if you don't know who is oncall for your delivery. A doula's continuous service can helpachieve your goals during birth.

ATTEND A CHILDBIRTH CLASS THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF NATURAL BIRTH.

? Not all childbirth classes are the same. Some hospital basedprograms promote what the doctors want them to teach, notevidence-based research surrounding the normalcy of labor.

? Some instructors don't emphasize relaxation and/or techniquesto support natural childbirth.

? There are some great childbirth educators and methods (Lamaze,Bradley, Birthing From Within, Hypbirth and others) who promotenatural birth. Call around and search the Internet for oneright for you.

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

? Relaxation takes away the pain of childbirth

? It's necessary to practice daily

? Take pre-natal yoga classes or a childbirth class thatemphasizes relaxation.

? Relaxation and the right support help you achieve your birthdreams.

Julie L. Johnson is a wife and mother of three who has experienced every pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and breastfeeding situation there is and has lived to tell about. She is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Doula and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant practicing in Southern California. Her website http://www.birth-angel.com provides services and products to help ease the transition into motherhood.