Your Guide to Understanding Natural Birth Methods

Home birth, hypnobirth, and unmedicated births, these are all different options to give birth naturally. Each method is unique and yields for the same desired result - a healthy baby. Although each method has the same desired result, all 3 are different and are mentally approached differently. Natural birthing methods can be used in a hospital, birthing center, or at home. Please speak with your doctor/physician about your birth plans before approaching labor and delivery to make sure you make the right choice for you and your unborn child.

Recently, I became a certified birth coach and I extensively studied natural birthing methods to inform expectant mothers of all options before they go into labor and delivery. Natural births are to be approached with the right coaching and guidance, every women, and every pregnancy is different, thus creating a plan with you doctor/physician is important. During your pregnancy ask as many questions as you need. It helps to write down all questions and answers to keep track of information and have an understanding of things to expect. Make sure to start a journal throughout your pregnancy to help keep things organized and keep your thoughts in one place. The misconception that seems to affect many pregnant women, especially women of color, is that prenatal care is to be treated as if they were 'textbook health cases.' It is most common for most physicians to ask the mother to be about pain management options during birth, but natural birth has been proven to create a more immediate bond with baby and promote a greater likelihood of breastfeeding more effectively. Regardless of your choice, remember that labor and delivery is all about you and your baby, and always do what is best for you, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Natural Birthing Methods and What to Expect

To help breakdown the different methods of natural birth, I listed them below.

At-home Birth

HypnoBirthing

Unmedicated Birth

At-home Birth

Exactly the way it sounds, an at-home birth is usually in the comforts of home, however it can also be in a birthing center. An at-home birth is approximately 60% cheaper than hospital births and is generally for mothers that are considered low risk. Being in the comforts of your home or birthing center allows you to have more control of the birthing environment and experience. The hospital has certain protocol in place to make sure mother and baby are monitored closely. That usually means nurses popping in and out of the suite, regardless of the time day or night, and asking questions during a time when it's already difficult to rest and be comfortable.

The benefits of an at-home birth..

Fewer maternal infections

Lowered risk of third-degree or fourth-degree vaginal or perineal tears

Ability to be surrounded by family and friends

Freedom to do almost anything you would like

More control over birth decisions and the overall environment

Lower cost

Increased bonding with the baby

More privacy

HypnoBirthing

Aromatherapy, reassuring, positive affirmation, mental preparedness, and self-awareness are all parts of HypnoBirthing. HypnoBirthing is a way to help with focusing on breathing and connect with your body and baby. Whether you choose a hospital birth, birthing center or at-home hypnobirthing will help reduce anxiety, through controlled breathing, meditation, and visualization. Although HypnoBirthing doesn't affect the cost of a hospital delivery much, it can help eliminate the cost of an anesthesiologist or other pain medication.

Chanting, essential oils, and mental focus - below are oils used to help calm you and help you focus. Positive reassuring chanted help connect mind and body; a calm mind connects more deeply with the body and helps to align and balance.

Mantra - I'm ready to give birth; My body was design for birth

My body is healthy and strong; Our baby is healthy and strong

Our baby will set the pace

I quiet my mind and let my body give birth

Sweet orange - calming and uplifting

Lavender - calming, balancing, sedative, lowers blood pressure

Pink grapefruit - energising, focusing

Frankincense - grounding, calming, relaxing

Bergamot - uplifting yet relaxing, cleansing

Blends for pregnancy and birth:

En-R-Gee - Fresh and herbaceous, En-R-Gee essential oil blend offers an invigorating aromatic boost when you need it most. Diffuse or apply it topically during your morning routine or before any activity to enjoy the stimulating, spicy-pine fragrance of Rosemary, Juniper, Lemongrass, Nutmeg, Balsam Fir, Clove, and Black Pepper essential oils.

White Angelica - Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Melissa, and Rose provide sweet, floral notes; Bergamot and Melissa offer a boost of bright citrus; and Myrrh, Northern Lights Black Spruce, Hyssop, and Sacred Sandalwood balance the blend with a warm, woodsy base. With the aroma of White Angelica essential oil blend, you can create a positive atmosphere and inspire feelings of security and optimism—no matter what life throws at you.

Citrus Fresh - Combining Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Lemon, and Mandarin oils with a hint of Spearmint, Citrus Fresh™ Essential Oil is a proprietary Young Living blend that offers an uplifting, refreshing aroma that you can diffuse to transform any environment.

Gentle Baby - Gentle Baby™ essential oil blend is formulated with Coriander, Geranium, Palmarosa, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Roman Chamomile, and other sweet-smelling essential oils. Gentle Baby oil’s soothing blend of pure essential oils has an aroma that invites a sense of calming for parents and children. The uses for Gentle Baby essential oil are countless, but its soft fragrance is perfect for diffusing in your home or child’s bedroom in the evening or for applying topically. The scent of Gentle Baby oil evokes tranquil, nurtured feelings that can be a wonderful companion for times of inner reflection.

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Unmedicated birth

An unmedicated birth - no pain medication of any kind. An unmedicated birth comes down to knowledge and understanding. When planning to have an unmedicated birth, it is important to have knowledge of the 4 stages of labor, and the 3 phases of active labor.

The 4 Stages of Labor

• First stage: Dilation of the cervix (mouth of the uterus)

• Second stage: Delivery of the baby.

• Third stage: Afterbirth where you push out the placenta.

• Fourth stage: Recovery.

The 3 Phases of Labor

• Contractions

• Child birth

• Delivery of the placenta

When dilation begins - the contracts will start and become progressively become closer together. At the start of the contractions, it will feel like abdominal tightening very intense menstrual cramps. As the waves of contracts come knowing the proper breathing technique will help naturally manage the pain of the contractions. Slow, deep, breathes; in through your nose and deeply exhale though your mouth. Make sure to count - inhale for 2-4 seconds, and exhale for 4-5 seconds. Through phase 1the contractions will become strong, so if your doctor or physician say it is safe to do so, being in different comfortable positions will help alleviate pain. Some mothers use a birthing ball to help keep their hips moving in a rotation, or "go on all fours," to move their hips around. It is safer to stay off your feet because you don't know if baby will choose to progress labor quickly. Nearing the end of the first phase, the contractions will hit its peak. The contractions will be the strongest at its peak, this is usually when a mother may want to give in and ask if it is too late for medication. Don't ask! Phase 2 is much closer than you think.

As you begin phase 2 your body will go through a momentary bout of nausea and vomiting, you may even have a bowel movement. This is your body telling you that it is preparing for birth. During phase 2 you are fully dilated, and baby is ready for delivery - time to push! This is where the physical benefit of an unmedicated takes place. Once the cervix is fully dilated, the contractions are the muscles helping baby move through the birth canal. When baby is ready an unmedicated mother can feel as the vaginal muscles begins to help guide baby and push as much as her body needs. When mom is not on pain medication during childbirth, she can feel what your body is doing and what is happening, which help her slow down and not push so hard and experience a severe tear. Remember, as women, our bodies are designed for birth, and it is best for mom and baby to do what is natural. At the end of phase 2, baby has entered the world, and it is time for the delivery of the placenta, also called the afterbirth.

In phase 3 as your body expels the placenta, you may feel like pushing, or your doctor may ask to push. The surge of hormones that have been fluctuating over the last 38 - 40 weeks will drop after baby is delivered, so you may experience 'the shakes.' This when your hands, arms and maybe legs shake like a subtle shiver. During a medicated birth the message isn't sent through the body the same way it would during an unmedicated birth and that affect the rise in prolactin when the estrogen and progesterone drop. The drop in estrogen and progesterone triggers a rise in prolactin, the hormone responsible for producing breast milk. Mommy can start her breast-feeding journey sooner. After an unmedicated birth, mom has a higher chance of recovering faster and can be up and moving minutes after.

Always talk to your midwife, or physician about your birth plan. Be open to possible changes, your birth plan can change at any time.

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