If I believed that achieving a natural
childbirth without pain medication was a simple matter of pain
tolerance, I wouldn't be studying to become a midwife. Why tout the
physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of natural childbirth if
it's something only some women can achieve? It would be just plain
mean to imply that some women are strong enough and others are not.
The bad news is that you can't talk
yourself out of the pain of childbirth. It can be sharp and
incredibly intense. There may be times when you can't handle it. Even
if you don't scream, you will probably feel like it at some point.
And no, you probably won't forget all pain the moment you see your
baby.
Some natural birth advocates try to say
that labor isn't painful. Contractions are just pressure waves.
Painless birth is just another technique to be learned. Sorry, I'm
not buying it. Self hypnosis and rhythmic breathing can be useful
tools in coping, but I wouldn't trust my entire birth experience to
that alone.
Now for the good news: You can do it!
Seriously, your body was made to give birth. You will have breaks
after every contraction. People go on and on about the pain, but they
don't tell you how great you can feel during the breaks. You can
talk, eat, sleep, or even be intimate with your partner if you want.
Natural childbirth may not be easy, but
it is empowering. You can cope. It starts within you and with the
choices you make ahead of time. The first choice you make is where
you will give birth. Where would you feel most comfortable birthing?
If you know you won't feel comfortable in a hospital, don't birth
there. Focus on alternatives and plan to go to the hospital only in
an emergency.
If you decide that the hospital is
best, consider which routine interventions are most likely to cause
you the most stress. If you hate needles, an IV will probably upset
you during labor (duh!). It can be confining and is almost always
unnecessary, and if it is necessary it can be disconnected or even
removed if need be after you receive necessary antibiotics or other
medicine. If your labor isn't short, you will need to have brought
your own food and drink. With newer anesthetic techniques, even if
you end up in surgery you won't aspirate (which is the unfounded
reasoning behind starving laboring moms). Believe me, I can say from
experience that if you do vomit during labor, it will be less painful
if you have had light food and liquids. You need to move so being
strapped to a monitor is unacceptable. Demand periodic monitoring,
preferably with a handheld device. Most importantly, if you don't
like pain, avoid pitocin or any other drug to induce or speed things
up.
Your second consideration for making
pain manageable is to decide who will support you. Don't expect your
husband to be your sole support, he may become overwhelmed too. A
female family member or friend who has experienced birth is ideal. If
you can find a doula you are comfortable with you should add her to
your support team. Don't be afraid to ask for support. Most of the
moms who had a terrible natural birth experience due to pain (not
because of interference) were unsupported and not encouraged to move,
eat, drink, vocalize, and express emotion.
Water is a very effective means of
making labor easier. Those who have had a waterbirth are
overwhelmingly happy with the experience so it is worth whatever you
need to do to allow that.
Learn to relax. Practice meditation.
Overall, consider your needs and make
sure you are set up to have them met. Keep a positive attitude. Look
at birth as a joyful transition.
