Monday, December 5, 2011

Natural Labor Management Techniques

Being on anti-coagulants may preclude a patient from receiving an epidural. Women who are induced can time their last shot so the blood thinners are out of their system, making an epidural an option.
But, some women want to avoid extra interventions and prefer natural birth.
Even those who plan to have an epidural should prepare for the possiblity that they may have to deliver without one (because labor started spontaneously after taking a shot, the anesthesiologist is busy in surgery or labor is too short to accommodate one.) Here are a list of ideas to try in labor. Hopefully all laboring mothers can find a few things from this list that help them manage their contractions easier and more fully enjoy their birth experience. Feel free to suggest in the comments any additional techniques that helped you in labor.

Early Labor-
Try to nap even if interrupted by contractions
Watch a favorite show
Eat soup, fruit, or something light
Drink frequently
Time contractions
Take a slow walk around the block with someone accompanying you
Bathe or shower
Do easy tasks like watering plants, folding laundry, etc. to pass time
Call your doctor when contractions reach the point he/she has specified
Get a back rub
Hold each other
Turn on relaxing music
Load the car with hospital bag, water bottles, & anything else you’ll need

After arrival at the hospital-
Let the staff know your labor preferences & medical history, etc.
They’ll probably want to check you & get a fetal monitor reading for a bit,
but as soon as that’s finished, start walking the halls
Rock your hips in a circle during contractions
When back at the room, turn on relaxing music
Unpack a baby outfit so you can focus on the baby you’ll soon hold
Drink frequently & snack if hospital policy permits
Use cool cloths on neck & forehead
Focus on breathing slow & relaxed
Use a heating pad or towel soaked in warm water for your lower back & belly
Use bathroom frequently & keep drinking (this helps your Kegels relax)
Rub belly during contractions
When fetal monitor is around your belly, rub your quads instead
Stand up as much as possible
Visualize your cervix opening with each contraction
Use a breast pump to release of hormones if labor slows b/f trying pitocin
Talk to the baby
Chomp on ice chips. It feels good to bite down & hydration is beneficial
Use lotion and chapstick. Brush your hair and teeth. Try to make the rest
of your body feel good and relaxed.
Try sitting on a birthing ball
Communicate what is helpful to your hubby (quiet or music, massage or no
touching, talking or just thinking). Your mood and needs may change as
labor progresses, so if something isn’t working anymore, let him know how he
can best help at that moment

As birth is closer-
Take a warm shower or use a labor tub
Do not do math to estimate the remaining length of time- things could slow or speed up at any moment. Just do what works now to help you manage the work of this moment
Focus on slow, deep breaths
Remember you are strong & your body knows how to birth a baby.
Keep chomping on ice chips
Do “horse lips” or “blow raspberries”
Use the bathroom mirror to look yourself in the eye. Give yourself a pep talk. You can draw on your own inner strength.
Cry if it helps and don’t worry if you’re not sure whether they are tears of joy or pain or anything else- just let yourself release all the intense emotions of this incredible event!
Growl or grunt if it helps. If you start to feel this urge, it usually means you are close to pushing
Try squatting or being on all fours for pushing if laying on your back in not comfortable or effective
To push with the contractions, tuck your chin into your chest and push as it you are having a bowel movement. The more you focus on those muscles, the more effective your pushing will be. Hold your breath and have those helping you count to 10.
Feel for the baby’s head while you are pushing- this is such a tremendous motivation
Have someone grab a camera… you’re so close to seeing your cute baby for the 1st time!

After the birth-
Enjoy your baby!
Nurse and comfort and sing to them. This was quite an ordeal for them too.
Eat as soon as possible- choose fiber rich foods for the next several days & drink lots of water
Enjoy the birthing high for a couple hours, but then try to nap a bit if you can- YOU DESERVE IT!



Tasks for Father throughout labor:
Early labor- Go for a walk, time contractions, give a massage, bring her water, call doctor & anyone who needs to be notified (cancel calendar obligations, etc.) load car for hospital

At hospital- Stay with your wife (fill out insurance info. in her room if allowed), keep water filled & ice chips handy, walk the halls with her, turn on relaxing music & limit other noise, offer lots of encouragement & suggest one thing from the list above at a time (too many options are overwhelming when you are distracted by intense contractions). Encourage her to be out of bed as much as possible.

Things to say- “you’re doing great”, “we’ll get to see our baby soon”, “you’re already a great mom”, “hang in there”, “you’re so strong & you can do this”, “I’m so proud of you”, “We’re getting there”, “You are amazing”. Make her laugh if you can. Stay super positive & encouraging.

For distraction, you can ask her what she’d like to eat afterwards (unless she’s nauseous), how much dirty diapers duty you owe her for birthing the baby, what the baby will look like, who she’ll call 1st, etc.

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