Labor is uncomfortable and most women  are very frightened of the pain. This fear keeps many women from even considering natural childbirth. Those who often refrain from taking any medication their entire pregnancy will allow very strong medications to be put into their epidural space for their delivery. Even when they know that the epidural can… [Read More…]

When trying to avoid surgical birth, a woman must consider that the longer she is under the care of medical professionals, the more likely she is to experience intervention in her labor and birth. Most mothers and their partners head for the hospital at the first sign of labor. This is generally true because she… [Read More…]

When avoiding Cesarean section, mothers need to promote a progressing labor. One of the things that help labor move along is starting the contractions with the baby in an optimal fetal position. Once a woman is in her 3rd trimester, she can ask her provider what position her baby is in. Identifying a baby who… [Read More…]

A woman must prioritize optimal dietary choices for more reasons than just avoiding a surgical birth. An excellent pregnancy diet is the single best choice a mother can make for herself and her baby because her diet impacts her own body and mind, her placenta and her baby’s current and future health. How Weight Gain… [Read More…]

Alternative medicine therapies like chiropractic, acupuncture and massage should be considered when working to decrease cesarean risk. These alternative medicine therapies are very safe in pregnancy and promote wellness and comfort throughout the childbearing year. Chiropractic Medicine Chiropractors believe that the cause of much illness and pain is the inability for the nerves, coming through… [Read More…]

Consider Psychological Roadblocks That Might Keep You From Laboring Normally Women rarely consider that their minds can prevent their bodies from performing as they are able. But psychological roadblocks are as much of a problem as a big baby or a smaller pelvis. A woman may never relax enough to let the instinctual part of… [Read More…]

There is no doubt that exercising during pregnancy can be difficult to accomplish. You are TIRED, so very TIRED! You just want to sleep. It is hard to take a walk when every step makes you want to puke. And it is really hard to even move when your sciatic nerve is acting up. With… [Read More…]

Childbirth Classes – Why Do We Have to “Learn” How to Give Birth? In the current climate of obstetrics, it is incredibly important to enter your birth informed and empowered.  Childbirth education classes are not necessary to have a baby but birth is much less scary when you know what to expect. A woman who… [Read More…]

The Definition of a Doula The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during… [Read More…]

Make Informed Choices about Birth Providers and Birthing Facilities One of a couple’s first and most important choices to make, once they have conceived, is in choosing their care provider. All providers of prenatal and childbirth care are not equal. Before heading off to the first person found on the internet, a couple should understand… [Read More…]

Evidence tells us that the events surrounding a conception can affect the outcomes of the pregnancy, birth and mother and baby’s health for a lifetime. When planning a vaginal birth, begin by planning the pregnancy with a preconception birth plan. An unhealthy conception can result in problems that will impact the delivery. Things like fetal… [Read More…]

“Once a low-risk woman has a cesarean delivery, she will never have a low-risk pregnancy again.” The origin of this series of posts about avoiding Cesarean birth dates back 9 years. The purpose of writing about avoiding Cesareans is still the same, there were too many surgical births then and there are still are today…. [Read More…]