Options and Benefits abound for
Mothers Wanting a Natural Childbirth Experience in Southern Utah
In conversations with elderly women,
I have been surprised to find that while some couldn't remember what they had
eaten for breakfast that day, all had detailed memories of the births of their
children, both the treasured parts and more difficult parts. The experience of giving birth profoundly
impacts a woman forever. Many women had
little choice in their birth experiences.
Either they gave birth before the advent of modern anesthesia
techniques, or gave birth during the time of “twilight sleep birth” when women
were given pain medication that rendered them unconscious or into such a trance
that they would not remember what they went through to birth their babies.
In the modern world, women have more
options. They can choose a “natural
birth,” without any type of medication to start, stop, or numb the pain of
labor, or an epidural, anesthesia placed in the epidural space in the woman’s
spinal column, causing a cessation of pain below her waist. Epidurals can be a
lifesaver for women who need cesarean sections and a very useful tool for those
with long or drawn out labors. However,
natural childbirth offers tremendous benefits for the laboring woman and her
baby:
·
Reduced
chance of cesarean section
·
Easier
time breastfeeding
·
Increased
bonding between mother and infant and less separation
·
Increased
participation by the mothers partner in the birth experience
·
Increased
maternal sense of accomplishment
Natural childbirth also helps avoid many side
effects that can occur from epidurals:
·
Reduced
maternal blood pressure and fetal heart rate
·
Labor
slowing, leading to additional medication to augment labor
·
Increased
maternal temperature
·
Difficulty
pushing
·
Increased
likelihood of having a cut made (episiotomy) to birth the baby
·
Increased
need for forceps or vacuum extractor to birth the baby
·
Increased
cesarean section rate
·
Increase
in infant hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
·
Increased
chance of baby having to spend time in the nursery
·
Maternal
anesthesia headaches (“epidural headache”)
·
Increased
incidence of postpartum maternal back pain and paralysis
While
a natural birth is not the only road to a positive birth experience in Southern
Utah, it is easiest to have a positive natural birth with some
preparation. Here are some local options
to help women achieve that goal.
Natural Childbirth Classes
Understanding the birth process makes
it easier to cope with labor. Classes
are offered by the hospital and by other trained instructors. There are
different approaches to childbirth education, make sure your class is focused
on natural childbirth.
Doula Services
A doula is a trained professional birth
coach. They provide support to the
laboring mother and her partner by providing information, massage, changing of
positions, relaxation support and other techniques to help ease the pain of
labor.
Careful Selection of a Care Provider
Several local obstetricians, family
doctors, and hospital based certified nurse midwives support and encourage
natural birth. Shop around. You are paying your provider for a service: choose
someone who supports your wishes while safeguarding your health and your
baby's.
Out-of-Hospital Birth Options
Southern Utah has one of the highest homebirth
rates in the nation. Many trained and qualified homebirth midwives serve the
women in the area, providing wonderful, safe experiences for both the mother
and baby. The benefits of homebirth include:
ñ Midwives are trained professionals who
know normal birth and how to handle complications and have good relationships
with the hospital if it becomes safer for you to birth there
ñ One on one attention
ñ Birthing in the comfort of your own
home with water birth as an option
ñ A clean environment, free of many of
the “super bugs” that reside at hospitals
There are also out-of-hospital birth
suites available in both St. George and Cedar City. Birth suites provide the benefits and
resources of homebirth outside your home if you aren't comfortable birthing
there.
More and more Southern Utah women
everyday are realizing the benefits of choosing a natural birth for themselves
and their children. The right tools can make all the difference and change a
potential frightening and overwhelming experience to one that is treasured.
DyAnna Gordon, BS, is a Southern Utah
native, mother of 4, doula, childbirth educator, birth trauma support group
facilitator and traditional midwife at Complete Beginnings Childbirth Services
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