My experiences of pregnancy, labor and birthing are something I don't share very often. I have three children and each have blessed me with a different experience.
I treasure these experiences because they have helped me become certain about a couple of truths when it comes to a woman's body when it comes to pregnancy, labor, and birthing
1) The woman's body is amazing in what
it is capable of doing. It is going to do exactly what it needs to do,
without interference, in most situations.
2) The baby is going to be able to grow and
develop and be who God has created the baby to be without all the tests and
ultrasound pictures.
3) Babies are going to come when they are
ready; When they are done growing and developing not necessarily on the
estimated due date. The due date is exactly that.....an estimate.
Don't rush this day, time or hour. And don't worry if this estimated date
passes and baby still has not arrived.
The best suggestion my midwife gave me was to give everyone a date past the estimated due date. This way the pregnant mother can wait patiently for baby’s time to be "due".
3) There is no need to fear labor. Be patient. One contraction builds on the other. It prepares the mother for what is to come. Don't speed it up with drugs because this only causes all of the contractions to come equally intense and close together.
4) Labor is intense! Put your mind in a peaceful place with confidence and focus on your breathing knowing that your body is preparing to welcome a beautiful baby. The day you have been waiting almost ten months for.
5) Don't fear labor because of what you have heard from someone, seen on TV, or what your doctor has told you. Embrace it. Surround yourself with women who have been through natural birth and have embraced the process. These are the women that can support and coach you through.
The best suggestion my midwife gave me was to give everyone a date past the estimated due date. This way the pregnant mother can wait patiently for baby’s time to be "due".
3) There is no need to fear labor. Be patient. One contraction builds on the other. It prepares the mother for what is to come. Don't speed it up with drugs because this only causes all of the contractions to come equally intense and close together.
4) Labor is intense! Put your mind in a peaceful place with confidence and focus on your breathing knowing that your body is preparing to welcome a beautiful baby. The day you have been waiting almost ten months for.
5) Don't fear labor because of what you have heard from someone, seen on TV, or what your doctor has told you. Embrace it. Surround yourself with women who have been through natural birth and have embraced the process. These are the women that can support and coach you through.
6) With each birth, approach it
confidently that this time you will have a beautiful natural birthing
experience. If you are a first time mother, know with certainty that you can
natural give birth naturally. As with everything, you don't know if you can
unless you try. Why would you sell yourself short the first time and schedule a
cesarean birth. Plan and focus on natural childbirth. This is the
best for you and baby. If at the end things are not progressing or
something changes, you can make the decision based on the situation and what is
best for you and your baby.
7) Even if you have had a VBAC, you can
approach the next pregnancy and focus on a successful natural delivery.
Go back and read the third point from above. Labor may be longer and
slower due to some scar tissue from the major abdominal surgery
(cesarean). Be patient and allow your body to do what it needs to do to allow
for natural childbirth.
8) Begin mentally preparing yourself during your pregnancy for the labor and delivery of your baby. Visualize how beautiful the day will be when you get to welcome your baby into the outside world. Surround yourself with woman who have successfully given birth naturally and have positive encouraging words to share.
Labor and delivery is a beautiful process and
is extremely fulfilling. It all unfolds
at the moment you get to hold your baby in your arms. That moment, in itself, is enough to work
through the highs and lows of labor. The
opportunity for you to be at your best and ready to nurse and take care of your
child: to hold, love, nurture and bond
with your child.
I speak from my experience. I have had three children: the first by an unscheduled cesarean, the
second child was a VBAC and the third was a natural birth at home. I share this information in order to empower
other mothers-to-be to believe in themselves and their bodies. Choose natural childbirth first.
Dr. Pam Tomasyzcki, D.C.
