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Birthing Alternatives
Over the years several programs and alternative approaches have been developed to help ease your labor pains. Most of these options encourage natural drug-free deliveries but can be used alone or in conjunction with drug therapies such as epidurals.Lamaze
A Lamaze educator helps women discover that they have the power and inner wisdom to give birth and guides women through the maze of modern obstetrics so that they are able to make truly informed decisions about their health care. The Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator is a skilled teacher, a knowledgeable professional and a passionate advocate for expectant women and their families. Class content includes positioning for labor and birth; relaxation and massage techniques to ease pain; labor support; communication skills; information about medical procedures; breastfeeding; and healthy lifestyles.
The Bradley Method®
This Husband-Coached Childbirth® program views birth as a natural process. They believe that most women, with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. The Bradley Method® is a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in to her own body. It encourages mothers to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and education.
Water Labor and Birth
A large tub is filled with warm water to release tension and ease labor pains by supporting the weight of the laboring mother and allowing her move into the most comfortable position. Water birth advocates say it is such an effective painkiller that only about 10% of women who enter the tub during labor request painkilling drugs. Because a baby floats in amniotic fluid for 40 weeks, supporters of the method say it is a less shocking arrival than the standard hospital delivery to the baby.
HypnoBirthing® - The Mongan Method
Enhanced by hypnosis techniques, HypnoBirthing® is a unique method of relaxed, natural childbirth education providing the missing link that allows women to use their natural instincts to bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing in a way that most mirrors nature. Emphasis is placed on both pregnancy and childbirth. As a birthing method, HypnoBirthing® is as new as tomorrow and as old as ancient times. It is presented in five childbirth classes.
Aromatherapy
Essential oils can help relieve pain, create a pleasant atmosphere for both the mother and those attending her, and help keep emotions balanced. A scented room is the perfect welcoming environment for a new baby. If you intend to use essential oils during labor, you may want to discuss this first with the hospital or midwife as part of your birth plan. Plan ahead and pack your favorite oils to bring with you to the birthing facility.
Sterile Water Papules
These four sterile water injections are given around the sacrum, base of the spine to relieve back labor. There are no medications in the injections and they can be done by a doctor, nurse, midwife, or anesthesiologist. The pain from the injection is stinging and lasts about 60 seconds. Many women report remarkable pain relief from this simple procedure. It can be very beneficial for those wishing to avoid epidural anesthesia and can be used in conjunction with IV medications, if desired, though many women find that they are not needed once this procedure has been done.
TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)is a method of electrical stimulation used to provide a degree of symptomatic pain relief by specifically exciting sensory nerves. TENS units consist of a small machine with controls (about the size of a cell phone or Palm pilot), connected by lead wires to electrode pads placed appropriately to alleviate various types of pain. When turned on, the TENS unit delivers a tingly, buzzing sensation to the area under the electrodes. It is thought that this sensation works in two ways to alleviate labor pain: it causes your body to release natural pain killers called endorphins, and it acts as a gateway, blocking deeper pain messages from traveling to your brain.
Birthing Ball
Using a large rubber ball, just like you see in the gym, during labor can help relieve some tension. Sitting on the ball encourages fetal descent, pelvic relaxation & pelvic mobility. Resting over the ball in the hands-and-knees position facilitates rotation of the baby and can help labor progress. Its use is multi-faceted as it can even be utilized when the mother has a light epidural anesthesia and in conjunction with electronic fetal monitoring.
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