Birth Plans

I am not planning a natural birth because I like pain.. I'm actually a bit of a baby. I have a very low pain threshold. This post is not to influence or offend anyone.. but lately my world has been revolving around this subject.. so I just had to post it.

I'm retaking the birth class I took when I was pregnant with Ainsley. Partly because its been 3 years, and I forget stuff.. and party because I enjoyed it so much the first time through It's a bradley method class, but our teacher also incorporates other things she has learned and found beneficial over the years. I really love the class. It's 12 weeks long, one night a week. This may seem excessive to some, but its so great. One night a week we get to slow down life and focus on this big thing that's about to change our lives forever. I think it really helped Tom to feel more a part of whats going on and to have a better appreciation of what I'm going through.

What do you do for 12 weeks you ask? Well, we learn about how the body works and changes during pregnancy and about nutrition and exercises that work muscles that help to carry the baby and with the delivery. We learn about nursing. We learn about different pressure points that your partner can use to relieve some of the aches and pains throughout pregnancy and during delivery. Different positions that you can try to be more comfortable while pregnant as well as different ways you can try during labor to help work the baby out. We also learn about all the options you have during labor.. what things are your choice, and what things are more just there because of tradition and to make the process easier for the doctor, that you have the right to say no to if you want.

I want to reiterate that I am not anti-medicine, anti-doctor.. I'm not even anti-epidural, I believe that there can come a point where a woman's body has tried and worked until it needs a rest.. and that is a humane and sympathetic use of the epidural.
I'm so grateful that we have these miracles when they are needed. I have a good friend whose body just never goes into labor. She was about 2 weeks late with her first child when her water broke and 20 hours later.. she still never went into labor. She's somebody who would've died in the old west with nothing to be done about it. I'm SO grateful we have the technology to save my dear friend and her adorable little boy.

It just seems that a lot of these advances are used now without real need, and especially without informing people of the possible side effects and risk.. and what possible benefits they could be forgoing.

I just tried to type a list of the things I've learned in class... but I'm so afraid someone will take something that I'm saying the wrong way and become defensive... that I'm having the hardest time writing it. To me its all amazing info that should be out there.. but birth is such a touchy subject.. so I went online and found a nice little list detailing pretty much everything I wanted to say in less emotional and more precise ways.

So ladies.. next time you ask me 'why would you feel pain if you don't have to...' this is my answer

The Benefits of Natural Birth
1. Mothers who labor naturally can move freely, go to the bathroom, walk and change positions throughout labor. According to the Cochrane Review, recent studies have shown that getting medication makes changing positions even after birth more difficult.

2. Since you can feel your body's reflexes in natural childbirth, mothers can push better and generally faster. In fact studies show that getting an epidural prolongs your pushing time.

3. The pain during labor serves a purpose by guiding the mother to seek certain positions. For example, if her back hurts, she will naturally seek positions off her back which can help to turn her baby. Having back pain is one sign that the baby might be posterior and needs to rotate.

4. Mothers often describe that their recovery after a natural childbirth was faster and easier since they could get right up and walk and shower. Usually they eat right away and their appetite is normal.

5. Endorphins secreted during a natural childbirth have been found in the placenta and umbilical cord. This may serve a purpose to help the baby adjust to life outside as well as make the journey more comfortable for baby.

6. Research has shown that in mothers who have natural childbirth, babies are more alert and show more interest in pre-breastfeeding behaviours such as sucking and massaging the mother's breasts, as well as the actual length of time they spend nursing within the first 90 minutes.

There are plenty of other things I could go off about.. but I am too emotional about this and to prevent offending anyone I'll end there. Tho anyone who reads this birth and has other things to add to the list of benefits of a natural birth.. please do. :)

Thanks for listening.. I will strive to not gush overmuch on this subject in the future.. but until June, it will be on my mind a lot. So we'll see, lol. And if anyone wants anymore info or has anymore questions.. I'd love to be of help :)