My thoughts on making it through labor naturally

I have a friend who recently asked for recommendations for scriptures to meditate on during labor to help get her mind off the pain. I honestly had never thought of such a thing (sad, huh?), but I wrote to her what did help me the most and what scripture I thought would have helped me the most. I thought I'd post my response in case it might be helpful to anyone else hoping to get through childbirth naturally. Having a baby is the most awesome and thrilling (although also the most painful) experience ever and is more than worth the pain!

There were three things that helped me the most when I was in the most pain:

1. Just reminding myself that my body was created to do this! I seriously said over and over in my head to myself, "This is what I was made to do!" Reading the book Ina Mays Guide to Childbirthwas the best thing I did to prepare for the pain. It is very hippy-ish, but after reading all the birth stories you will be totally convinced that you can do it and also have an idea of what to expect so that you won't think that your labor is unusual or more painful than it ought to be and give up.

2. Reminding myself that there will be an end to the pain -- somehow knowing that the pain was only for a short time was a huge help to me. Relief will come! Also, except for during transition, God gives us a break between contractions that helps tremendously. A contraction is utterly miserable, but usually only lasts about a minute and you often get a two minute break. Two minutes may not sound like long, but it is a huge relief when you are in such pain!! Breath a huge sigh of relief and thank God in between contractions for the break and the chance to re-group.

3. Focusing on the baby... imagine snuggling him in your arms! Be thankful for each contraction because it brings you that much closer to holding him! Try not to think in terms of just "enduring" each contraction, because they serve a great purpose and you will end up tensing up and fighting them, rendering them less useful. Use them and help them by swaying your hips slightly. Picture the baby coming further down the birth canal with each contraction. A lot of times I would chant in my head, "she's coming, she's coming!" Each contraction brings you that much closer to your precious little one! So exciting!

So although I didn't really have a scripture, I guess I just focused on being thankful -- thankful that God had created me to do this, that there was relief from the pain, and that I would be holding my baby soon. So I would recommend 1 Thess. 5:18 to meditate on:

"in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"

My Natural Birth Plan #1

Birth Plan

Our overall goal in the labor and delivery process is for both Mama and our baby to be healthy and safe. We hope to accomplish that goal through a natural delivery with as few interventions as possible. We have included some of our wishes below, understanding that this is a guide and that unforeseen circumstances may require a change in the birth plan.Thank you so much for your support and guidance in the birth of our child.

Labor

· We expect the husband, our doula, and Mom, to be in the room with us during labor and childbirth. 

· We plan on a natural unmedicated childbirth. As a general approach, we prefer that any medical intervention necessary be taken incrementally, staring with the most minimally “invasive” approach, and going from there only after discussion with Mom and Dad.

· Please offer non-medical choices for coping with labor. We preferfreedom of movement and mobility to increase comfort during contractions. Position during labor and delivery is Mom's choice, with the guidance of the doula. This includes the use of a birthing ball, squat bar, and shower.

· We prefer very little intermittent monitoring with an external fetal monitor. We very much want to avoid internal fetal monitoring unless there is an emergency.

· Mom tested positive for GBS at 36 weeks. We would prefer to decline the antibiotics and instead do a simple blood test on the baby’s cord blood (or do a simple heelstick if we miss the window for cord blood testing) to check for C-reactive protein. If negative, nothing else needs to be done. If positive, please appropriately treat baby for infection.

· We would like to eat and drink light foods and liquids as desired. Mom does not want an IV unless there is an emergency. If necessary, Meagan will accept having a device (heparin lock) inserted into a vein so that an IV can be started up quickly when needed, but without the IV being connected until it is needed. Mom does not want a catheter, either, but would like the freedom to use the restroom.

· Because we want labor to progress at a natural pace, we hope to avoid artificial induction or augmentation of labor (e.g., amniotomy, stripping of membranes, pitocin).

· We would like for the nurse or doctor to do perineal massage andwarm compresses whenever possible during labor and delivery because Meagan tore completely last time and we would like to avoid that this time. We also want to avoid episiotomy, unless necessary for the safety of the baby. If an episiotomy is suggested, please perform only after discussion with parents.

· I will want local anesthesia for repair of tears.

· We hope to avoid the use of forceps or vacuum. If labor stalls or the baby seems stuck, Mom would like to try changing positions and other methods first.

· We view a Cesarean Birth as a last resort and only because of imminent danger to Mom or the baby. If it becomes necessary, we prefer to have husband, in the room seated at mother’s head during surgery. We would like the baby to be held by Dad as soon after birth as possible, and Dad will remain with baby. We plan to breastfeed as soon as possible!

Post-delivery

· Umbilical cord is not clamped or cut until after the cord has stopped pulsating.

· After the birth, we would prefer the baby to be laid directly on the mother’s chest without washing and allowed to nurse as soon as possible. All testing can be performed while baby lies on mother’s chest. Parents should be present for all newborn procedures!

· Delivery of the placenta is spontaneous, without the use of Pitocin. Other methods of encouraging delivery of placenta (fundal massage, immediate breast feeding) are used.

· No eye-drops, antibiotics, or Vitamin K injection will be administered unless there is an emergency and any procedures done to the baby should be discussed and thoroughly explained ahead of time to Parents. We are prepared to sign a waiver on this matter.

· Hepatitis B vaccine is not administered!

· We prefer to breastfeed only—so no bottles, pacifiers, artificial nipples, formula or water.

· We would like for the baby to remain with in our room with us at all times.