Natural Childbirth

I have never run a marathon. Actually, I have never run much at all. I have done a few very slow jogging miles which would better be termed slogs considering the pace at which I was traveling.

If I were to run a marathon, though, I think I would at least purchase some running shoes. Perhaps I would also invest in some proper attire for the expected weather conditions. I would most likely read some about marathon running. Oh, and I might run a few miles first.

I say this because I am always surprised when patients come to the hospital in labor, planning on "natural childbirth", or planning on using no medication or anesthesia whatsoever, and yet have not prepared for this momentous event in any fashion.

I admitted one such couple this past week. The mother was in active labor, already 4 centimeters dilated when admitted, and was in obvious pain. Her husband's powerlessness to help her was as obvious as her pain. I asked if they had gone to childbirth classes.

"No, we didn't have the time," was the response.

I asked if they had read any on childbirth breathing techniques or ways to help deal with labor. Again, the answer was "No".

Choosing to face labor without medication or anesthesia, especially a first labor, without preparing in any way to deal with the pain of the contractions, would be like choosing to run a marathon without ever taking the first step of running beforehand.

If you are contemplating, or choosing to, approach your labor without medication or anesthesia, there are some ways to prepare yourself:

• Attend childbirth classes. Most hospitals and birthing centers offer childbirth classes for free or for a minimal fee. If you don't find one associated with the hospital of birthing center where you plan to deliver, attend one from another site in town. Even if all the information isn't as accurate, the basic information on childbirth, breathing techniques and relaxation will be helpful.

• If you have attended a childbirth series and felt the information did not help prepare you for your labor experience, search for independent childbirth instructors in your area. Often these might have the name "Lamaze" or "Bradley" in the title.

• Read all you can on natural childbirth techniques. The hallmark techniques of natural childbirth are breathing techniques, relaxation and partner participation -- often in the form of massage.

• Practice the techniques you learn daily. Labor is no time to be deciding which techniques work best, or which the mother prefers. Practice until you know them by heart. Practice until you feel very comfortable with them and feel very relaxed doing them. It will be more stressful with the pain of contractions.

• Discuss together what you perceive as your roles throughout childbirth. Be open and honest about what you would like and wouldn't like, what you would feel comfortable with and wouldn't feel comfortable with. Labor is not a time to be having a heart-to-heart discussion about what to do.

You may also want to prepare a bag of tools to help you along the way. Things that can often help during labor include:

• Music -- whatever makes you relax and feel good. The more soothing the music, usually the better.

• Scents -- in the form of scented lotions, sprays, candles (if allowed). Scents can add a peaceful feeling to the room and aid relaxation.

• Massage tools --tennis balls, lotions, any number of items available at your local massage or lotion shop, can help make massage easier to give and more enjoyable to receive.

• Temperature --ice packs and hot packs can be used in various places to help encourage relaxation and to reduce soreness in muscles.

• General comfort --simple things such as lip balm, a hairbrush and contact solution and container can be big tools in labor. Remember to toss in a pair of socks, pony-tail holders and any other thing you think might help to make the mother (and father, too) more comfortable along the way.

Natural childbirth can be a rewarding experience, but more so for the couple who has prepared in advance and is ready to face the experience. Don't be caught off guard, don't wait until the last minute to prepare. Have everything ready well before you think you will need it, and practice more than you think you should.

With proper preparation, you can increases the chances of having your labor experience be all you have dreamed it would be.