Is natural birth right for you? Here’s what to consider

This paid piece is sponsored by Avera.

Pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant?  You have some planning to do, and that includes your birth plan.

One of the options available to you is natural birth. This type of plan includes a birth without medications for pain or interventions outside of the natural birth process. If you’re wondering how to prepare for a natural birth, Nicole Johnson, CNM, Avera certified midwife, has answers.

What are the benefits of natural birth?

Natural birth has many benefits for both mom and baby.

More movement

Giving birth naturally often requires position changes by mom to progress labor. Women who can move around can help progress the labor and are at less risk for baby being in a difficult position.

Better pain management

More movement also can ease pain. Your body makes natural endorphins to help you manage the pain associated with birth; an epidural or pain medication affects that feedback loop, meaning fewer good endorphins for you and baby.

Better recovery

You may experience an easier recovery with a natural birth. For example, if you and your baby needed a cesarean birth, your recovery could be longer as you had surgery and also gave birth.

What if my pregnancy or birth ends up being more complicated?

Most laboring mothers are good candidates for natural birth. Even if you need some intervention during the labor process, natural birth is still possible.

The most important thing is being open to the process and what is right for you; for example:

• Some circumstances make medications more necessary, like a long labor with little rest.
• Other scenarios could mean you may need a C-section. Examples are a baby in breech position — coming bottom or feet first instead of head first — or not tolerating labor well.

How do I choose the right provider for my birthing experience?

Every provider has a different practice style, so it’s important to find the right one for you. Avera Women’s pregnancy and birth team includes different types of providers, including family practice physicians, OB-GYNs or certified nurse midwives.

Certified nurse midwives specialize in normal deliveries and can be a great addition to your care team if you desire a natural birth.

How can I prepare for natural birth?

Look into comfort measures and breathing techniques associated with labor and delivery.

Comfort measures

Help your body relax by utilizing any of the following:

• Comfort positions include rocking or swaying back and forth, getting on hands and knees, squatting — any position that relieves pressure and discomfort. Birth balls and squat bars are available to help.
• A gentle, full-back massage can alleviate pain.
• Guided imagery, music, lavender aromatherapy, hydrotherapy or LED candlelight can support labor.

Breathing techniques

In belly breathing, put your hand on your tummy, take a breath and exhale through the mouth, allowing your belly to push your hand out. Another popular technique is pant-pant-blow; take a deep breath through your nose, and exhale through your mouth in two short pants and one long blow — “he-he-hoooo.”

If you choose natural birth as part of your plan, your pregnancy and delivery team will provide education and offer recommendations.

Keep learning about birthing options

• Search our Maybe a Baby resource hub.
• Take a class on natural birth with a midwife.

Get more wellness tips at AveraBalance.org.