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Achieving an
Unmedicated Birth
by Carol Peterson, ICCE, CD(DONA),
May 2008 Newsletter
Achieving an unmedicated birth seems
unrealistic or
undesirable
to many. Maybe everyone you know has had an
epidural, or the stories of other women have convinced you that
there is no way you can handle labor.
As a woman who went through two labors with no
paid meds, I can tell you that it is possible, and a worthy
goal.
If you are hoping for an unmedicated birth, here
are some tips to help you achieve your goals:
1. Be educated. If you plan to take a
childbirth class, make sure it is one that teaches that birth is
normal, helps you overcome your fears, and allows you to
develop confidence in yourself.
2.
Select a caregiver that will support your wishes for an
unmedicated birth. Some are more supportive than others.
Most will say that they will support you, but two questions to ask
are: (1) what do you think of pain medications in labor, and (2)
under what circumstances do you recommend pain
meds?
3. Use
a doula. In most cases, a doula has been through labor
herself, and can help you in ways that your partner cannot.
From help with positioning and providing comfort, to ways to
keep your labor moving and giving words of encouragement,
doulas have been shown to reduce the use of pain meds.
4.
Avoid unnecessary medical intervention. Allow your body
to work as intended. A normal labor will vary from woman
to woman, and many labors slow in at some point. Artificially
breaking the water early in labor, using Pitocin, and
continuous monitoring make an unmedicated birth more
challenging for some women.
5.
Prepare your mind ahead of time. In a homebirth, mom
makes a commitment to an unmedicated birth. In the
hospital, pain medications are always an option, even if you
don't think you want them. They are in the shadows, and
you will know that they are there. If you want an
unmedicated birth, prepare your mind. In addition to
mentally committing, it may be useful for you and your partner
to use a code word to indicate that you are really serious
about using pain medications.
6. Decline the pain scale. One of the first
things you will be asked is to rate pain on a scale from 0
to 10. Make it known up front that you DO NOT want to
be asked this.
In summary, keeping birth as uncomplicated as
possible, being allowed freedom to move and work with your
body, and preparing yourself both mentally and through
education can help you to reach your worthy goal of an
unmedicated birth. Women
across the globe do it every day.
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The material in this site is provided for personal,
non-commercial, educational and informational purposes only
and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement with
respect to any company or product. You should seek the advice
of a professional regarding your particular situation.
Copyright 2008, Carol Peterson, ICCE, CD(DONA)
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