Labor and Delivery Options
If you haven't already done so, you will want to talk to your health care provider about the different types of delivery options available to you and the amount of control you will have over the decision. Of course, it is impossible to determine how your labor and deliver will proceed until it is already in progress. So keep in mind that any number of things can happen during your labor and delivery that will simply be out of your control.
And in the end, the ultimate goal of your labor and delivery is the arrival of a healthy baby from a healthy mom. But talking with your health care provider ahead of time will give you both a clearer picture of each other's concerns and expectations.
Nonmedicated Vaginal Delivery
When it comes to going green, a nonmedicated vaginal delivery is considered the most eco-friendly option. It is green because it reduces the waste and energy consumed during medical intervention and also protects the mother and unborn baby (as well as the environment) from the side effects of medication.
If you decide that you want to try for a nonmedicated vaginal delivery, make sure you talk to your health care provider about the entire birthing process so that there won't be any (or as many!) surprises. Even if you will be delivering your baby at home, it is important that you know what to expect during labor and delivery.
For more information about taking a childbirth class, talk to your health care provider or the staff at the hospital or birthing center where you will deliver. Or check out the International Childbirth Education Association to look up a listing of local classes. Ask around among friends, family members, and coworkers to find out which classes they recommend.
A childbirth class that specializes in nonmedicated pain management techniques like deep breathing, hypnosis, visualization, muscle relaxation, and massage can help you learn different ways for relieving and dealing with pain that do not rely on medication. The two most popular types of “natural” childbirth techniques are Lamaze and the Bradley Method.
Lamaze
Lamaze is the oldest and most commonly referred to method for managing pain during labor and delivery. The program uses patterned breathing, visualization, guided imagery, massage, and coaching assistance to help women block pain messages before they get to the brain. Check out Lamaze International to learn more about this technique and find a class location near you.
The Bradley Method
The Bradley Method emphasizes the teamwork approach to labor and delivery, with particular emphasis on the role of the coach. Instead of trying to block pain messages, the Bradley Method encourages the mother to trust her body and overcome the pain through abdominal breathing and relaxation techniques. Learn more about the Bradley Method.
Medicated Vaginal Delivery
While most women consider nonmedicated vaginal delivery to be the only true form of “natural” childbirth, it is also important to note that using certain types of medication can help ease the pain of labor and delivery, which may help some women enter new motherhood in a calmer and more refreshed manner than without medication. If you decide to have an OB/GYN or midwife present during your delivery, talk to her ahead of time about the pain medications she recommends and is able to administer.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, over 50 percent of women giving birth at hospitals use epidural anesthesia to ease the pain of labor and delivery. If you are considering using an epidural, talk to your health care provider about the different types of epidurals that she recommends, how an epidural is administered, and the benefits and potential risks of the medication.
The pain medications most commonly used during labor and deliver are analgesics and anesthetics. Narcotic analgesics should be considered a last resort to use during delivery, as they transfer across the placenta and into your unborn baby. They may cause sleepiness and slowed breathing for both you and your baby.
The anesthetics most commonly used during labor (such as in an epidural), on the other hand, will not directly affect your baby. Although according to the American Pregnancy Association, some studies indicate that when an epidural is used during delivery, some babies may initially have trouble latching on or may experience other difficulties with breastfeeding after birth.
C-Section
A C-section, or cesarean section, is often not the first choice for an expectant mom to deliver her baby. It is a major surgery in which a surgeon must cut an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus in order to remove the baby. The pain, expense, and recovery time from a C-section are all much greater than that from a vaginal delivery.
However, a C-section may be necessary to deliver a baby that is in fetal distress, an exceptionally large baby, a baby that is premature, or a baby in a breech position, or in a labor and delivery that is placing the mother's health at risk. In this situation, it is much more important to consider the health and safety of both you and your baby than to worry about being green. Remember, the end goal of your delivery is a healthy baby and mother. If you need to have a C-section, don't stress out about it. The only thing that truly matters is that you and your baby are healthy.
VBAC
Women who have had a C-section during a previous pregnancy may be able to choose between a vaginal or cesarean delivery for subsequent babies. Of course, this depends on the circumstances of the initial C-section and the medical history of the mother. But if this is something you would like to consider, talk to your health care provider about having a VBAC: vaginal birth after cesarean.
