You can’t stop dreaming about your child as soon as you figure out you’re expecting. What will your little bundle of joy look like? How will your life change once they are in your arms? What do you have to buy before they finally arrive? It’s exciting, isn’t it? But amid all the preparations and daydreaming, learning about safe birth practices often gets overlooked. You may know the basics: no smoking, a healthy diet, and regular check-ups with your doctor. But did you know that some specific techniques and technologies can make childbirth even safer? So, let’s look at them.
Consider the Hospital’s Safety Record
When choosing a hospital for your delivery, it’s essential to research the facilities and ask questions about its safety record. Are their procedures up-to-date? Have there been any recent reports of infections or complications? How do they handle emergency C-sections? These are all critical questions to ask before you opt for a hospital. So, you must ensure confidence in your choice.
Educate Yourself as Much as Possible
Childbirth is one of the most important moments of your life. There’s so much to learn about it. So, familiarize yourself with the terms used in a delivery room, like episiotomies and forceps deliveries. Be bold and ask your doctor or midwife for explanations about unclear terms. Secondly, you should learn about your legal rights in case of a childbirth injury. Resources like childbirthinjuries.com can help you connect with experienced lawyers to help you understand your legal options.
Create a Birth Plan
A birth plan is compulsory because it helps you communicate with your care providers about the kind of experience you’d like to have. It should include your preferences for labor and delivery. Would you like to deliver vaginally or via C-section? Do you want a natural birth with minimal pain relief? Would you like to avoid an epidural? All of these factors can impact your experience. Choose where you’d like to give birth (hospital or home) and the type of support personnel (doula, midwife, or midwifery assistant). You can also include your preferences for what happens after delivery, such as skin-to-skin contact for your baby and breastfeeding (if you choose to do so).
Try Different Birthing Positions
The birthing position you choose can affect the speed of your labor, the intensity of contractions, and the chances of a C-section. Different positions can help with pain relief and improve your chances of natural birth. Some common positions include squatting, lying on your side, and kneeling. Many hospitals offer birthing balls, so you can experiment with different positions and determine which ones work for you.
These positions give you a sense of autonomy, decreased reliance on medication, and aid in the baby’s safe passage through the birth canal. You can also try sitting up with your hands on your knees. It improves the blood supply to the pelvic floor and makes it easier to push the baby. If desired, many hospitals offer helpful devices such as birth stools and birthing bars to make labor more comfortable. These tools allow you to move around during contractions with greater ease.
Stay Informed, and Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions
It’s always important to stay informed about the latest research and developments in childbirth safety. Be bold and ask questions about any procedures or technologies you’re unsure of. For example, if your healthcare provider suggests using an electronic fetal monitor, ask them why they recommend it and if there are any potential risks. Some other questions you should ask include the following:
- What are my options if something goes wrong during labor?
- How will I be informed if a change in the birth plan is necessary?
- What are the possible complications if I choose a particular course of action?
Don’t Miss Your Prenatal Visits
Prenatal visits are vital for monitoring the health of both mother and baby. During your visit, your doctor or midwife will measure your baby’s size, give you a complete physical exam, and look for any complications. Generally, prenatal visits are booked every four weeks until you reach 28 weeks of pregnancy and then biweekly till 36 weeks. After that, they’re usually scheduled weekly until delivery. If you can’t make an appointment, don’t hesitate to call and ask for another time. Or, thanks to technology, you can even have a virtual meeting with your doctor or midwife.
Prepare Your Body for Labor
Your body will experience many changes during childbirth. So, it’s essential to prepare for the journey. Luckily, there are quite a few exercises that can help you. However, before starting any exercise, you must first get your doctor or midwife’s approval. Kegel exercises are specifically recommended for pregnant women. They help strengthen and tone the pelvic floor muscles, which can help in labor. Squats are also good since they help open up the pelvic area and make labor easier. Swimming, prenatal yoga, and walking are good options for staying fit during pregnancy. So, dedicate some time to exercising and preparing your body for childbirth.
Stay Positive and Practice Relaxation Techniques
It’s natural for fear and negativity to creep in, especially during this time. You’ll be worried about the health of your baby, the labor process, and even the financial costs associated with childbirth. But it’s essential to stay as positive as possible. You can practice relaxation techniques to help you stay calm and focus on the good side. Deep breathing exercises, visualization, guided imagery, or other forms of meditation are all proven to help. You can also talk to your partner and family about your anxieties and fears or attend childbirth classes designed to help you prepare for the big day.
Final Thoughts
Childbirth is a miraculous experience – one that should be cherished and celebrated. So, leave the fear behind and enjoy every moment of your pregnancy. Of course, you must consume enough calories and take your prenatal vitamins. But there are also other steps that you must take to ensure safe childbirth. Make sure to learn about your legal rights and options to make the best decisions for yourself and your baby. Create a birth plan to communicate your wishes to your care providers, clear your doubts, and stay informed.