Although prepared childbirth has become one of the most interesting aspects of childbirth for the general public, there are still many people who are confused but the term and have misconceptions. Prepared childbirth should not be associated with tales of primitive peasants working rigorously in the fields who pause in their work, deliver their babies, place the babies in a cloth slung over their shoulders, and then go back to work. In our modern society, the term has a very different meaning.

In prepared childbirth, a woman can and does take advantage of modern facilities, and there is complete medical supervision. The pregnant woman strives to deliver her baby using the natural function of labor. Whether medication and instruments are used depends on the mother’s progress during delivery. If a woman would like to attempt her baby naturally and without anesthesia, she needs to take prepared childbirth classes which prepare her both psychologically and physically. But even in prepared childbirth, the clinician is at the woman’s side to supervise, guide, direct the progress of labor, and manage any situation that may arise. Prepared childbirth even stresses that the team around the woman (the father or attending coach, the clinician, and the nurse), assist and encourage her.

Thus, today we have Prepared or 'Natural' Childbirth. Prepared Childbirth means teaching and understanding methods to cope with normal childbirth and understanding the natural sequence of events in labor and delivery. This gives Mom choices as to how to have her baby and along with her partner allows her to make these choices based on information not fear or ignorance. Even if she decides she wants regional anesthesia, she will understand the effects on her body as well as her baby.

Prepared Childbirth classes can now encompass different aspects of all the Methods available today. My own personal practice uses this eclectic approach as well as incorporating many of my own ideas.

A brief discussion of each method will help give you an overview of each so that you can explore the method that appeals to you.

Practicing relaxation techniques help relieve tension and stress. Not only is this important during labor and birthing, it also helps you cope with anxiety and stress in everyday life. Choose a quiet environment and a comfortable position. For some, sitting in a tailor position or lying on your side with pillows under your knees or supporting your back and/or your abdomen, may be most relaxing. Breathing exercises such as inhaling slowly through your nose, holding for 4-5 seconds, then slowly and deeply exhaling, repeated 3 or 4 times, will help you relax. Listening to soft music, looking at a picture that may have a pleasant meaning for you, or expressing your feelings on paper are relaxation techniques that may work. A gentle massage may also be relaxing. Childbirth classes will help you learn additional breathing and relaxation techniques. Some benefits of relaxation are:

• It helps decrease pain perception
• It helps reduce muscle resistance to the dilation of the cervix
• It helps reduce fatigue

According to a leading proponent of natural childbirth, the idea behind it and the appeal it has for mothers are the same safety for the baby and satisfaction for the mother. The main advantage for the clinician is also increased safety because fewer drugs are needed. Safety for the baby is certainly always the prime consideration for the mother. Another important consideration for her is that she will enjoy the experience more if she has learned and practiced the routine and knows what she is doing.

Lamaze is one of the best known techniques of prepared childbirth. It focuses on shallow rapid breathing to make the pain more bearable. Other techniques include the Bradley method and the Dick-read techniques.

LAMAZE

Lamaze is focused on control. By controlling breathing you can control pain. By focusing on something other than the pain, you can control the pain or your perception of the pain of labor. Exercises are taught as well as breathing techniques. Multiple types of breathing for various progressive steps of labor are taught so that attention is on breathing and muscle relaxation. All breathing starts with deep 'cleansing breaths'. As contractions become more difficult, breathing may change during the contraction. The coach or partner's job is to monitor and help adjust the breathing pattern of mom. Pushing is accomplished by a deep , cleansing breathe, followed by slow exhalation or holding the breath while pushing the baby out.

BRADLEY

Although challenged on being the only entirely natural childbirth method, proponents of the Bradley Method feel that there is danger in current obstetrical procedures. They disavow the safety of sonograms, episiotomy and regional anesthesia. It is stressed that women are capable of and entitled to a birth without drugs or medical intervention. They encourage the use of midwives rather than 'technical oriented' doctors. Parents should take the responsibility for the birth place, procedures and emergency back-up.

Bradley teaches conditioning exercises and muscle relaxation in labor. A slow, deep breathing, take-your-time approach is advocated in a quiet, unlit, pillow-laden environment. Baby is immediately breastfed.

KITZINGER

Based on Dick-Read and Lamaze, Kitzinger uses mental imagery to enhance relaxation. The use of touch, massage and visualization helps the woman flow with the contraction rather than ignore or breath it away. She uses "puppet-strings relaxation" in which the partner tells the patient which limbs the strings are pulling, the others remaining relaxed. She uses long, slow, deep chest breathing methods to achieve complete relaxation. Mom is encouraged to labor in any position that is comfortable for her. Pushing is done when the body tells you. Between pushes, short breaths are taken. Kitzinger emphasizes the empowerment of childbirth for women.

GAMPER

The key to the Gamper Method is the self-determination and confidence instilled by instructors in the ability of women to work and cooperate with the natural forces of childbirth. The emphasis is ON the contraction, rather than away from the contraction. A normal, natural rate of deep abdominal breathing is taught to be able to help the woman work with the contraction. Classes begin early in pregnancy so that the fear-tension-pain cycle can be broken and new self-confidence instilled early on.

SIMKINS

The Simkins Approach to childbirth works with the strengths of the couple giving birth. They are encouraged to use whatever means of breathing and style which helps them as individuals. An eclectic mix of techniques is taught.

NOBLE

Elizabeth Noble's technique involves relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and learning ways to relax them. Her 'gentle pushing' or 'breathing the baby out' technique is now incorporated in many classes. Her approach emphasizes women listening to their body.

LeBOYER

The LeBoyer Method, introduced by French obstetrician Frederick LeBoyer in the 70's, allows the baby to be born amid dim lights and soft voices. The baby is given a warm water bath, then placed on the mother's abdomen for bonding. They are handled gently and without sudden movement that may jar or startle the baby. LeBoyer Babies opened their eyes and breathed without being slapped on the bottom. They smiled, 'talked' to mom and dad and moved with relaxed bodies.

Because of this method and its effect on newborns, we no longer have loud, harsh noises in the delivery area. Babies are massaged at birth to begin breathing and not struck to begin startled, anguished cries.

ODENT

Michael Odent, another French physician, went a step further than LeBoyer. He put mother and baby both in the water. Odent allowed his laboring mothers to submerse in a pool of water. This appears to help some women ease labor pain. When some of the women were reluctant to leave at the time of delivery, they were delivered submersed, without drowning the baby since the baby has lived in fluid for nine months. The subsequent safety of this procedure has allowed this movement to be embraced in this country and many centers and hospitals now have this option available.

Now that you've seen the different choices and made yours, it is time to make a start on a 9 months journey that will change your lives.