7 Ways To Prepare For An Unmedicated Hospital Birth
It may seem like these two things contradict each other: a low-interventive and unmedicated birth plan inside a hospital, surrounded by medical doctors. But for some moms, this is exactly what they have in mind when they’re envisioning their ideal birth. Not only is it possible to plan an unmedicated hospital birth, but fortunately many hospitals and OBGYNs these days are becoming more and more proactive when it comes to facilitating low-intervention and unmedicated labor and delivery. If you are a mom-to-be that feels comfortable in a hospital setting, but wishes to have a calm, relaxed birthing experience with as little interventions as possible - perhaps only when absolutely necessary - there are a few ways that you can prepare that can help you to have the experience that you wish for.
How to prepare for an unmedicated hospital birth:
Talk to your care provider about your birth plan.
It’s a good idea to let your provider know your preferences for labor and childbirth as early as possible in your relationship. Hopefully, they will keep this information in mind as your pregnancy progresses, and can help you navigate any complications or abnormalities and provide you with the information you need to make the best decisions regarding you and your baby’s care. For example, if an induction is truly medically necessary, you may want to ask your care provider what to expect when it comes to induction, and options for pain relief during each stage of labor. Unfortunately, some providers may not view your birth plan or preferences in the same way you do, and if you feel uncomfortable with how your provider is treating you or responding to your wishes, it may be time to seek care elsewhere.
Read, read, read!
There are SO MANY good resources in print and online that you and your partner or spouse can use to help prepare yourselves ahead of time. This goes for any type of birth! Look for books that include up-to-date research and evidence-based information, as well as books written by people respected in their field. Helpful online resources may include peer-reviewed research articles, and websites that support evidence-based care. You may want to stay away from anything - blogs, websites or books - that may shine a negative light on the birth experience you want to have, or that include out-of-date information or little research to support their claims. One print resource I’d recommend to anyone is The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin. I also recommend Evidence Based Birth website for evidence-based information.
Know your options, and use your B.R.A.I.N.
Have you heard of the B.R.A.I.N acronym? It stands for Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, and No or Not Now. You have the right to ask for this information and consider your options when it comes to you and your baby’s care. Understanding the basics ahead of time may help you if you are faced with a decision or a suggestion in the moment that you’re unsure of. In a hospital setting where the staff is likely following “typical” protocol without a second thought, it may be helpful to know ahead of time which interventions and procedures that you can apply the B.R.A.I.N acronym to, such as electronic fetal monitoring, cervical exams, or IV fluids, just to name a few.
Have a clear pain management plan.
If only sheer willpower was enough to ensure a painless labor! Planning to give birth without pain medication in a hospital setting will require you to make a plan for how you WILL cope with the physical difficulty and intensity of labor and delivery. There are several different ways to cope with labor pain that both you and your partner can engage in during all stages of labor, including massage, guided visualizations, hydrotherapy, acupressure, counterpressure, movement and changing positions. You may also need to remind your partner to advocate for you when the inevitable happens: the nurse walks in and suggests an epidural. Discuss with your partner ahead of time how you’d like to proceed if and when medical options for pain relief are suggested.
Keep a positive mindset.
We’ve all heard it from a well-meaning friend or family member at one time or another: “I thought I was going to DIE until I got the pain meds!!!” Although that may have been their individual birth experience, such statements can project negativity and make you discouraged if you’ve been planning and hoping for an unmedicated birth. Do what you can to avoid sources of negativity surrounding your birth preferences, or around birth in general, if need be. Not everyone is going to have the same opinions, and that’s okay! Come up with a way to gently remind those well-meaning friends that everyone’s birth experience is different, and you’re choosing to keep a positive mindset surrounding your own. Create or download some birth affirmation cards, or keep a few of your favorite quotes or bible verses taped to your mirror and meditate on them daily.
Keep it moving!
During pregnancy, during labor, even while you push! Staying active during pregnancy is not only great for your overall health, but will help your body be toned and ready when it comes time to push that baby out. Gentle exercises like yoga and strength training like pilates can help strengthen your muscles as well as get you used to releasing tension and letting different parts of your body relax (which can really affect labor progress!). Once labor has started, gentle movement such as swaying, slow-dancing, or walking can be a soothing ritual that also lends gravity to baby’s descent. Once you’re pushing, don’t be fooled thinking you’re stuck on your back! There are many different pushing positions you can try, and you can even switch it up in between contractions. Keep it moving!
Hire a doula!
Of course I couldn’t end this list without stating the obvious - hire a doula to help you with ALL of the above! The value of continuous support provided by a trained professional doula is backed by research. Evidence shows that the continuous labor support offered by a trained birth doula is more likely to result in normal, vaginal delivery, less unnecessary interventions, complications and cesarean sections, and give the birthing mom more positive feelings about her birth experience. A doula can help you and your partner come up with a birth plan that suits your needs and desires, help you maintain a positive mindset, and help to keep you active and hydrated during labor through delivery. Your doula is an advocate for YOU, and will do her best to help your birth experience go as smoothly as can be.
I hope this short list gave you a few ideas for how you can best prepare for an unmedicated hospital birth. Have questions about any of the above, or looking to hire a doula for your unmedicated hospital birth? I’d love to talk with you!