How to have an easier birth, by Louise Prince
How to have an Easier Birth … with Complementary Therapy
It is possible for you to have a positive birth experience you can be proud of, no matter how your baby is born, the answer lies with the support of complementary health.
Every woman should have the opportunity to be in control and enjoy the birth of their baby Complementary health professionals feel it is this that we can support you help the most with. We can help your body and baby ease gently into the world and help you to enjoy it.
It’s not always a painful experience; fear is the main problem and could lead to interference with the natural progression of your spontaneous labour. Fear = pain = tension. It seems alien to concentrate on relaxing and letting go when your uterus muscle is surging to birth your baby, but it is exactly this that supports a natural birth and one in which you will feel empowered on your journey to becoming a mum.
Here are some therapies and professional services that could make a big difference to the birth you would like to have:
Prenatal Massage – It would be fabulous if massage was available on the NHS! Under-rated it’s not just a relaxing way to distress. Given by a qualified prenatal massage therapist with the correct equipment to ensure your body is completely supported massage is very effective. Massage can improve annoying niggles like back ache and headaches, smooth away swollen feet and hands, ease hips pain and discomfort and generally help to feel lighter and more ‘normal’!
Make sure you don’t lie on a massage couch with your tummy through a hole in the middle, the stress on your back and organs of having your baby hang off your body could do more harm than good. We suggest you ideally have a massage supported lie lying on the couch or on pillows and beanbags on the floor. NEVER lie on your back for a pregnancy massage.
Aromatherapy – The olfactory system (sense of smell) is one of the most powerful senses we have, it can bring back memories of childhood and is very powerful when used correctly in labour. Always important to see a professional trained for aromatherapy in pregnancy so the oils don’t have any opposite or undesirable affects. During labour it is thematernitynetwork’s suggestion to use essential oils on a tissue. This is because hormonal changes take place regularly throughout your labour to aid the birth’s progression and it can change the way in which you react to smells. If you suffered nausea or sickness can you remember how you felt towards specific smells at the beginning of your pregnancy? You don’t want that in labour. If you do suddenly dislike the smell of an oil and it’s on a tissue it can be quickly discarded in the bin.
Essential oils could be infused into the room with a diffuser, steam inhalations and they have powerful effects when combined with massage,
Oils which may be useful are in pregnancy are Lavender, Clary Sage, Jasmine, peppermint.
Homeopathy – The principal of which is to treat like with like. Homeopathic remedies are commonly small tablets that taste slightly sweet, to be dissolved under the tongue or taken in water as a tincture.
Excellent nausea in labour, anxiety or “can’t do this” feelings in labour transition stage.
Helios birth kits including different 200c potency remedies and short guide could be hired or purchased from local Homeopath. Arnica is probably one of the better known remedies for its general healing. When taken immediately post birth Arnica can help if stitches are needed or if you’re very sore. In some cases we’ve heard about Doula’s have reported that when taken immediately post birth stitches haven’t been needed or fewer needed.
Your homeopath will ask about your history and feelings towards the birth and will prescribe homeopathic remedies specific to your niggles in pregnancy and for your birth.
Maternity Reflexology – A highly effective therapy involving massage techniques on the feet to enable to body to heal itself through achieving a harmonious balance. Far from being ticklish it’s extremely relaxing and can be used for most pregnancy problems including constipation,
Most importantly it is successfully used from week 30 to prepare your body and baby for a good birth experience by supporting the body’s natural onset of labour. If you go past your estimated due date Reflexology could be effective to bring on the onset of labour, avoiding medical induction and research has shown that women who have regular reflexology treatments during pregnancy have far shorter labours than those who don't.
Don’t forget you mustn’t lay back for a pregnancy reflexology treatment as pressure on the vagus nerve could be dangerous in pregnancy, you must be at a semi-sitting angle.
Birth Doula - A woman who emotionally and physically supports you and your birth partner just before, throughout and after your birth. Doula’s offer information, giving you birth options which give your control and empowerment for your special experience. Ensuring you get all the information to make informed decisions about your birth. They give you confidence in yourself and guide you through the labour, ensuring you feel safe and have everything you need for an easier labour. From massage, suggesting positional changes or being quietly supportive, whatever either of you need, a doula is a consistent reassurance for the full journey.
Some doula’s also hire or provide birth equipment like birth pools, tens machines and birth balls.
Birth Doula’s are not medically trained, but most have had children and training in different birth circumstances. They support you and your birth partner at home and hospital births.
Independent midwife - Independent midwives are fully qualified midwives who, like our NHS colleagues, are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
Medically and birth trained, most IM’s have worked in the NHS. They support you and your homebirth plans from the moment you book them. They may have nursing training so can do blood tests, they would also do your medical pregnancy checks in your home rather than you having to go to your Gp surgery or hospital.
Thames Valley Independent Midwives covers a large area of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Surrey. ...
www.thamesvalleymidwives.co.uk/
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