The process of pregnancy and the birth is such a wonderful, beautiful movement. Many women experience hassle and trauma throughout their pregnancy and labor and fail to see the whole, life-changing picture. Whether you're a surrogate mother or a mommy to be, the joys and thrills of those nine months should be looked at in a whole new light. When I found out I was pregnant, there were three emotions that stunned me for a good five days: shock, fear and sadness. After speaking with several different women (one being my cousin who became pregnant the same time I did, oddly enough!), about my likes, dislikes and fears, they comforted and eased the situation. It wasn't long before the sadness turned to excitement, leading me to research the whole process, carefully. I want to enlighten women who have had this similar situation happen to them (and also the women who fear the pregnancy process and/or have had a not so comforting experience). I will be taking you through some resources on relaxation and exercise throughout your pregnancy, labor and birth, choosing the right birthing coach, birthing options and centers.
Relaxation Coaching and Yoga Exercise
We all know what its like to be stressed out to the point where we just have to stop and breathe. Deep breathing. We have tried it and most of us are able to benefit highly from a good deep breathing exercise. In the book, Hypnobirthing: A Celebration of Life, author Marie F. Mongan, discusses the process of self hypnosis through being completely relaxed during your entire pregnancy/labor/birth. She also demonstrates some helpful and beneficial techniques such as prenatal yoga and exercise positions to help relax the most easily tensed muscles when the body is ready to deliver the baby.
Another useful for every woman are online exercise programs. Look for online classes and tutorials that will walk you through your customized program.
Your Doctor, Midwife and/or Doula
Whether you are a new mom or have been pregnant before, it is important to decide which type of help/coaching you feel comfortable with throughout your term. Your doctor/primary care physician will be able to give you his or her best medical care throughout your pregnancy and should always be someone you see at least once a month. Midwives are women who help assess the care of the mother and the baby throughout the pregnancy and birth. Most midwives are licensed to deliver the baby, check vitals and determine where a doctor's care is needed if at all. Many midwives offer emotional and physical support to help keep the woman comfortable and calm through the labor and birth.
A doula is devoted entirely to the emotional and physical needs of the woman and sometimes even to the family. A doula can assist with a wide range of comfort techniques such as aromatherapy, massage, meditation, breathing assistance, labor positions education, assistance with birth plan development, pre-natal and post-natal physical and mental support and childcare during labor.
Hospital birth? Home birth? Water birth?
These are options that need to be discussed with your doctor, midwife or doula. They will help you decide which is right for you, based on your comfort, history and beliefs. There are three different choices as to where you would like your birth to take place. Hospital birth is what most woman experience because its comforting for them to know that their doctor is right there assisting them along. There is also the option of pain medications to help ease the labor and birthing process if you decide to choose a hospital.
Home birth is a much more natural approach to labor and birthing that allows you to be with your midwife/doula in a relaxing, nurturing setting to bring your baby into the world. Home births can be helpfully for some women because of the at home,relaxed atmosphere that it entails. With just the people you love around you, maybe some relaxing music and candles, you can allow your body to welcome baby naturally. Lastly, water birth. This can be experienced in a hospital setting or at home. Water birth provides a great deal of comfort and mobility while the mother can move freely to assist the decent of the baby, helps the mother conserve energy, promotes deeper relaxation, reduces pressure on the abdomen and more.
References for your pregnancy needs
- HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method: A natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing (3rd Edition) Marie F. Mongan
- Midwifery Education Accreditation Council
- MANA – Midwives Alliance of North America
- Doula Network.com
- American Association of Birth Centers - http://www.birthcenters.org/find-a-birth-center/
- American Pregnancy Association
Serina Ruggeri - My love for writing (shorts, poetry and articles) began when I was 12 years old and picked up my first journal. While I am still very new ...
