4 Steps to a Healthy Birth
With all of the advancements in medical science, it may be surprising to discover that most maternity care does not reflect the best scientific evidence. A woman's body is designed to grow, birth, and nourish a baby. The natural birth process is relatively simple; it's been going on for hundreds of thousands of years!
Using intravenous lines, continuous monitoring, and restricted movement can often make labor more difficult by increasing stress, interfering with the natural process, and increasing the complication rate. The World Health Organization recommends four care practices that promote, support, and protect a normal birth process.
- Let labor begin on its own. In many cases, inducing labor can increase the risk of complications for both mother and child.
- Move and Change Positions During Labor- Moving around can help labor progress and may shorten the total labor time.
- Bring a loved one or doula for support. Labor support has been shown to reduce the likelihood of cesarean section and improve the birth experience.
- Avoid Interventions That Aren't Necessary- Continuous electronic monitoring hasn't been shown to provide better outcomes for the baby and may increase the risk of the mother having a C-section.
Next Steps:
Having a child is a special time, and no decisions should be taken lightly. But it's essential to understand and respect our body's natural ability to navigate the process. Our role is to help empower you to create the birth experience you desire and make it as comfortable as possible! Our practice is proud to work with midwives, doulas, and OB-GYNs in our community.
Science Sources:
- Back Pain in Pregnancy. University of Rochester Medical Center
- Optimizing pain relief during pregnancy using manual therapy. Canadian Family Physician. 2013
- NSAID Use During Pregnancy Linked to Pulmonary Hypertension In Newborns. Pharmacy Today. 2001
- Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2018
- Safe, Healthy Birth: What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know. The Journal of Perinatal Education. 2009