Labor and Delivery - Tips for a Safe Labor and Birth

Congratulations! You’ve decided to experience the joy of natural birth.

You’ve already learned as much as you can about childbirth and you’ve got a birth plan laid out. Now, you’re ready to do the nuts and bolts of your natural health care research. You want to find out about the safest way to have a natural birth when everything about your pregnancy has been healthy

In developing your birth plan, keep in mind that there is now an approach to the birthing process called “evidence-based care.” In a nutshell this means your experience should be tailored to your desire to have a healthy, interference free childbirth.

I highly recommend two of your first choices be that of caregiver and of the birth setting. Not surprisingly, research consistently shows that when a healthy childbirth invasive procedures and drugs should be kept to a minimum – if used at all. In fact, research shows that there’s no need, for example, for a woman to be hooked to an intravenous line (an IV) during a healthy natural birth.

No Need For IV and Drugs

Actually, external interference like the addition of unnecessary drugs, frequent tests and other restrictions and procedures may trigger a host of problems that in turn can impede the natural flow of the birthing process.

That’s why such activity should be used only when there’s a just cause. In other words, they should only be considered when problems and issues arise. Otherwise, these undoubtedly well-intentioned activities may do more harm than good.

I have many women who are searching for enthusiastic partners in the birth plan, ask me for some safe delivery tips when it comes to their natural birth. They want to ensure that the environment they’re choosing is suited to their intentions.

There are seven hallmarks of safe and effective care you should see when choosing your birthing location. I’ve listed them below:

1. While, you’re in labor, you’re allowed to eat and drink with no restrictions.

2. There’s no insistence that you’re hooked to an IV (intravenous line) during labor.

3. Your caregivers and others in attendance encourage you to stay active during childbirth. This means that you’re expected to use positions that are the most comfortable for you.

4. You’re not coached to push while you’re on your back.

5. You won’t endure an episitiotomy – a cut creating a large opening of your vagina immediately prior to giving birth.

6. Your baby stays with you from the time of the natural birth forward.

7. Those supporting you recommend and support your decision to breastfeed and as a part of the support provide you with a wide range of information.

If you’re experiencing a healthy childbirth, there’s no reason for any health care personnel to tell you not to eat or to have an IV hooked to you. As you research your options for your birth plan, keep these points in mind.

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