If you’re pregnant and considering having a natural birth, congratulations! This can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both you and your baby. However, it’s important to plan carefully and make sure you have everything you need in order to have a safe and successful natural birth. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about planning a natural birth. We’ll discuss the benefits of natural births, as well as the steps you need to take in order to ensure that your birthing experience is positive and stress-free.
So, let’s get started!
What is Natural Birth?
Before we dive into how to plan a natural birth, let’s first take a moment to answer the question: what is natural birth?
Natural birth is a vaginal delivery that doesn’t involve any medical interventions, such as epidurals, forceps, or vacuum extractors. In other words, it’s a completely drug-free birthing experience.
Natural births have been on the rise in recent years, as more and more women are looking for ways to have a more natural and holistic childbirth experience.
Benefits of Having a Natural Birth
There are many benefits to having a natural birth, including:
– shorter labor times
– reduced risk of infection
– reduced risk of complications
– quicker postpartum recovery
– improved bonding with your baby
However, it’s important to note that natural births are not for everyone. If you have any medical conditions that could complicate your labor or delivery, it’s important to speak with your doctor before making the decision to go drug-free.
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5+ Ways to Plan for a Natural Birth
Now that we’ve answered the question “What is natural birth,” let’s move on to the next question: how do you plan a natural birth? Here are the ways you need to take in order to have a successful natural birth experience:
1) Educate Yourself
The first step in planning a natural birth is to educate yourself about the process. There are many resources available that can help you learn more about natural births, including books, websites, and even classes offered by hospitals or birthing centers. It’s important to understand the basics of natural childbirth before making any decisions about whether or not it’s right for you.
2) Find a Medical Provider
Once you’ve done your research and decided that natural birth is right for you, the next step is to find a care provider who supports your decision. Not all doctors or midwives are created equal when it comes to natural births!
You’ll want to find someone who is experienced in and supportive of natural childbirth methods. Most pregnant women who want to go natural use doulas for their birth, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.
3) Create a Birth Plan
The next step is to create a birth plan. This document will outline your preferences for labor and delivery, including things like pain management, positions for pushing, and who you want to be present with during the birth.
This is an important step in preparing for your natural birth, as it will help your care providers understand your preferences and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Related: How to Create a Birth Plan As a First Time Mom
4) Take a Birthing Class
Another important step in preparing for natural birth is to take a birthing class. This will teach you about the different stages of labor, how to manage pain without medication, and what to expect after the baby is born. Birthing classes are typically offered by hospitals, birthing centers, or doulas, and they can be a great way to learn more about what to expect during labor and delivery.
Check out this amazing natural childbirth online course created and instructed by a Labor and delivery nurse that Mommies swear by for their natural birth experience!
Related: Birth It Up: Natural Series Birth Class Review + Coupon Code [2022]
5) Hire a Doula
As we mentioned above, most women who want to have a natural birth hire a doula. A doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support during labor and delivery.
Having a doula has been shown to reduce the need for pain medication, forceps deliveries, and vacuum extractions. In other words, hiring a doula can increase your chances of having a successful natural birth!
6) Plan for the Unexpected
Even if you do everything right, there’s always a chance that something could go wrong during labor and delivery. It’s important to be prepared for the possibility of complications by having a backup plan in place.
This might include things like having a hospital nearby in case you need to transfer care, or being prepared to use pain medication if necessary.
7) Use Birth Affirmation Cards
Last but not least, one of the best ways to prepare for natural birth is to use birth affirmation cards. These cards contain positive affirmations and messages that can help you stay focused and motivated during labor.
Reading these affirmations aloud during labor can help you stay calm and relaxed, which can lead to a more successful natural birth.
FREE Editable Visual Natural Birth Plan Template
To help you get a clear visual of your natural birth plans, grab a copy of our free editable visual natural birth plan template:
Last Thing You Need To Know About How to Plan for a Natural Birth
By following these steps, you can set yourself up for a successful and empowering natural birth experience!
Do you have any tips for planning a natural birth? Share them with us in the comments below!
Now that you know the basics of how to plan a natural birth, it’s time to start preparing for your big day!
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