More and more women choose to opt for natural childbirth. The term “natural” is used to define a labor and delivery process without medical intervention. Simply put, you will not take any drugs and you will not be connected to different machines and monitors. Still, a doctor can be called to supervise the process. There are several techniques which are designed to help a woman deliver naturally without suffering great pain and discomfort.
Bradley Method
This is perhaps the most popular of all natural childbirth techniques. It is actually a whole program devised by Dr. Robert Bradley. It involved healthy eating and exercise during pregnancy and learning breathing and relaxation techniques. One important thing about the Bradley Method is that it involves your partner as well. The partner is there to provide support and to assist with the application of the relaxation techniques.
The core of this method is tuning your body to delivery. You will know how to control pain and relax and how to take different positions for making the process easier.
Alexander Technique
This technique involves a set of different sitting, standing and moving positions and methods. Their purpose is to relax muscular tension and to provide for even undistorted breathing. The methods for movement, sitting and standing are to be used during labor and delivery. When you feel pain, you will have to use a specific movement to get relief. When you experience shortness of breath, you use the appropriate method for restoring your normal breathing. According to women who have tried this natural childbirth technique, it makes the labor process less painful and stressful and the delivery is easier and quicker.
Lamaze Method
This method was invented by Dr. Ferdinand Lamaze. It involves the use of techniques for deep breathing, concentration and maintaining control during labor and delivery. This method is extensively based on partner work. One of the main jobs of the partner is to provide distraction which can take the mind of the woman away from the pain she experiences during contraction.
Water Delivery
This is another natural childbirth technique which has gained great popularity in recent years. The woman in labor gets into a fairly wide tub filled with lukewarm water and the baby is actually born underwater. It is believed that water helps the muscles and the back relax while having a calming psychological effect on the woman. When the baby is born underwater, the stress from the change in his/her environment is smaller.
It is up to you to decide whether you will use one of these natural childbirth techniques. It is best to consult your doctor.
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