9 Essential Preparation Tips to Mastering the Art of Natural Unmedicated Birth

Want to know the key to achieving a natural unmedicated birth? In this blog post you will learn 9 essential preparation tips to having the natural unmedicated birth of your dreams.

Until last year, like many new moms-to-be, I held onto the belief that if I ever became pregnant, opting for an epidural was a no-brainer. I couldn’t fathom why I would willingly subject myself to such intense pain when there is an alternative. The appeal of a natural unmedicated birth was something I struggled to understand. After all, as new moms, we quickly learn that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to giving birth, and each journey into motherhood deserves to be celebrated. Our collective goal is clear: ensuring a safe and healthy delivery for both our precious baby and ourselves. So, why are so many new moms still drawn to the path of a natural unmedicated birth?

Having personally felt the intensity of labor contractions and had the incredible experience of birthing my baby naturally and unmedicated, I’ve come to truly appreciate the incredible strength motherhood demands. I want to make it abundantly clear that the purpose of this post is not to pass judgment or make anyone feel guilty for their choices, including those who have chosen or plan to opt for an epidural. I’m here to share my story and offer insights that helped me prepare for a natural unmedicated birth—a path I never thought I’d take.

Remember, we all have our own unique birth stories, and regardless of the choices we make, I hope each of us can wear them as badges of honor and celebrate our own remarkable journey into motherhood!

Being a new mom, I understand that many soon-to-be mamas are filled with questions about whether they can muster the courage for a natural unmedicated birth. I vividly remember feeling that way before pregnancy and even during some parts of my own pregnancy. I’ve come to realize the enormous power there is in having the right mindset, especially when striving to achieve a goal as meaningful as this one.

Much of labor is an inner battle, a test of your mental strength, and I want you to know that with determination and the right approach, you can experience the labor and birth of your dreams. My hope is that these insights resonate with you, inspire you, and assure you that achieving a natural unmedicated birth is entirely within your reach – just as it was for me!

Let me share with you the 9 essential ways I prepared myself throughout pregnancy to have a natural unmedicated birth.

1. Join a Natural Birthing Class (The Bradley Method)

If there’s one thing you decide to do from this list, let it be this, though I highly recommend exploring all these tips for maximum preparation. The Bradley Method is a 12 week course created for women seeking education and empowerment in the pursuit of natural, unmedicated childbirth, aided by a supportive birthing partner or coach.

Throughout this course, you’ll delve into:

Prenatal Nutrition and Exercise
Relaxation and Breathing Techniques
Navigating the Stages of Labor
Empowering Your Partner as the Best Birthing Coach
Various Counter Pressure Techniques to Ease Labor Pains
Crafting Your Birth Plan with Confidence

After completing this course, you’ll discover a newfound sense of empowerment and confidence. Throughout this entire journey, the key is to arm yourself with knowledge and understanding. This will make you better equipped to make decisions that align with your personal needs and preferences regarding your labor and delivery.

2. Listen to Hypnobirthing or Positive Birthing Affirmations

You might be asking, what exactly is hypnobirthing? Hypnobirthing is a childbirth preparation method that focuses on promoting relaxation, reducing fear and tension, and enhancing the natural birthing process. The core principles of hypnobirthing include: relaxation, self-hypnosis, visualization, positive affirmations, breathing techniques and partner involvement. Hypnobirthing helps bring your body into a state of deep relaxation, which allows the muscles to work optimally during childbirth.

Let’s talk about something awesome, especially for the soon-to-be mama exploring the possibility of an unmedicated birth: hypnobirthing apps. You can easily download them on your phone, and trust me, they’re a game-changer. Personally, I used the Christian Hypnobirthing app, and it’s packed with the most valuable tracks – positive affirmations, comforting scriptures, visualization exercises, breathing routines, soothing music, and more!

I highly recommend making these tracks your pregnancy soundtrack. During your nightly prenatal stretches, they’ll help you unwind and ease into relaxation mode. Pop them on during a refreshing morning walk, and yes, you can even have them playing during labor for that extra dose of motivation.

So why hypnobirthing? Because it keeps your mind in the perfect place throughout your pregnancy. The more you immerse yourself in these positive birth affirmations, the more ready and encouraged you’ll feel when the big day arrives. It’s all about mindset and believing in your incredible strength – because, believe me, you’ve got this!

3. Prenatal Stretches and Exercise

Pregnancy is a season filled with transformative changes in your body. As your baby grows, it’s common to experience those typical aches and pains. We all understand the significance of staying physically active for one’s general well-being. But what about during pregnancy?

There are some common misconceptions that suggest pregnant women should avoid exercise for fear of harming their growing babies. While it’s crucial to adapt your workout routine to ensure the safety of both you and your little one, it’s equally important not to eliminate exercise entirely.

Of course, the first step is to have an open conversation with your healthcare provider to discuss your unique health needs and limitations when it comes to prenatal exercise. Additionally, always pay close attention to what your body is telling you. Remember, your exercise does not have to be intense in order to benefit from it.

Personally, there was a point in my own pregnancy where simple prenatal stretching is all I could really handle physically. But, the undeniable truth is that prenatal exercise and stretches offer an array of benefits that every new mama should consider embracing no matter what your fitness level is.

These benefits include:

Improved Physical Comfort
Stress Reduction
Enhanced Sleep Quality
Optimal Weight Management
Increased Energy Levels
Preparation for Labor and Delivery
Faster Postpartum Recovery

4. Learn and Practice Breathing Techniques to Cope with Labor Pains

One invaluable tool that can make the path toward childbirth smoother is the practice of breathing techniques. These techniques aren’t just about inhaling and exhaling; they’re about finding your strength and resilience as you prepare to bring your baby into the world.

Labor pains can be daunting, but with the right breathing techniques, you can navigate them with grace. By regulating your breath, you’ll find a source of calm in the midst of the intensity.

Breathing techniques aren’t just a skill; they’re a lifeline for soon-to-be mamas. They empower you to actively engage in your birthing experience, giving you control, comfort, and a sense of serenity when you need it most. These techniques are your secret weapon against labor pains, making the journey to motherhood one of strength, resilience, and beauty.

5. Practice Counter Pressures with Birth Partner

During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, practicing counter pressures with your partner can be an invaluable bonding experience. These gentle techniques involve your partner applying pressure to specific areas on your back or hips to alleviate the discomfort often associated with pregnancy. It’s not just about physical relief; it’s a beautiful way to connect and support each other on this incredible life event.

By exploring these techniques together, you’ll enhance your sense of teamwork and readiness for the exciting moments that lie ahead in labor and childbirth. If you take the Bradley Method Course you will learn the various counter pressure techniques there, but you can also search them online and practice them with your partner!

6. Learn Labor and Birthing Positions Before Labor Begins

Preparing for labor involves educating yourself about various laboring and birthing positions before the big day arrives. Knowing and practicing these positions can empower you to actively participate in your birthing experience, offering comfort, control, and flexibility during labor.

One key benefit of familiarizing yourself with these positions is their role in helping the baby move down into the pelvis. During labor, your baby will naturally progress through the birth canal, and the right positioning can facilitate this process.

Here are some positions that can assist in guiding your baby’s descent:

Upright Positions: Positions like standing, walking, or swaying help harness gravity’s power. When you’re upright, your baby’s head can better engage with your pelvis, promoting a smoother descent.
Squatting: Squatting is known to widen the pelvic outlet, providing more space for the baby to navigate through. It can also encourage the baby to descend into the birth canal.
Hands and Knees: Being on your hands and knees can relieve pressure on your back and allow your baby to move into an optimal position for birth. This position can also be useful in case your baby is in a posterior position (with the back of their head against your spine).
Pelvic Tilts: Pelvic tilts and rocking movements can help the baby’s head move lower into the pelvis. These can be done on your hands and knees or while seated on a birthing ball.
Side-Lying: Lying on your side can promote optimal fetal positioning and may help ease the discomfort of contractions while encouraging your baby to descend.

By becoming familiar with these positions and their benefits, you can actively participate in guiding your baby’s descent during labor. Remember, every labor is unique, and the positions that work best for you may vary. Discuss these options with your healthcare provider or birthing team to determine which positions align with your birthing plan and your baby’s unique entrance into the world.

7. Invest in a Birthing Ball

As an expectant mother, you’re likely looking for ways to make your pregnancy as comfortable and empowering as possible. That’s where the birthing ball comes in! A simple yet incredibly versatile tool that can be your best friend during pregnancy and labor.

The birthing ball has many benefits throughout pregnancy and during labor such as:

Comfort during pregnancy aches and pains
Helps you prepare for labor
Relaxation and stress reduction
Active labor companion
Encourages movement and helps baby navigate the birth canal

Investing in a birthing ball isn’t just a practical choice; it’s an investment in your comfort, well-being, and autonomy during pregnancy and labor. This is the birthing ball I used throughout my pregnancy. Whether you’re using it to alleviate discomfort, prepare for labor, or find comfort during contractions, this tool is a must-have for any mom-to-be. So, bounce into birth with confidence and embrace the support and comfort that a birthing ball can offer!

8. Create a Birth Plan, But Stay Open-Minded

Creating a birth plan is an essential step in preparing for labor and delivery. It allows you to express your preferences regarding various aspects of childbirth, such as pain management, labor positions, and postpartum care.

Your birth plan serves as a valuable communication tool, ensuring that your healthcare team understands your wishes and can support you accordingly. However, it’s equally important to remain open-minded and adaptable to unforeseen circumstances.

Here are some key points to consider when creating a birth plan:

Labor Environment: Specify your preferences for the labor environment. For example, do you prefer a quiet, dimly lit room, or would you like to have music playing to create a calming atmosphere?
Pain Management: Outline your preferences for pain management, whether it’s natural pain relief techniques like breathing exercises and movement, or medical interventions like epidurals. If you are planning to do an unmedicated birth, be sure to specify this clearly. Some hospitals will offer an epidural to you and you may not want it offered at all!
Labor Positions: Mention the positions you’d like to try during labor. Different positions can help with pain management and progressing through labor.
Delivery Preferences: State your preferences for the actual delivery, including whether you want a specific birthing position or if you’d like to have immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby.
Postpartum Care: Consider your wishes for postpartum care, including whether you plan to breastfeed or use formula, and if you have specific requests for your baby’s care.

Remember while a birth plan is an essential tool, it’s equally important to remain flexible. Labor can be unpredictable, and unexpected situations may arise. Staying open-minded allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and make the best decisions for you and your baby’s well-being. Your healthcare team will work with you to ensure a safe and positive birthing experience, even if it deviates from your original plan.

Ultimately, the goal is to have a birthing experience that feels aligned with your values and preferences. A well-thought-out birth plan, along with flexibility, can help you achieve this goal while ensuring the safety and health of both you and your baby.

9. Hire a Doula

Last but certainly not least, if your circumstances allow, consider the valuable option of hiring a doula. A doula is a trained and experienced childbirth support person that can offer a wide range of benefits for expectant parents.

Here are some of the key advantages:

Emotional Support: Doulas provide continuous emotional support throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. They offer a reassuring presence, listen to your concerns, and provide encouragement, helping you feel more relaxed and confident.
Physical Comfort: Doulas are skilled in comfort measures, such as massage, positioning, and relaxation techniques, to help ease labor pains and discomfort. They can provide physical support to help you find more comfortable positions during labor.
Advocacy: Doulas advocate for your birth preferences and help ensure that your voice is heard during labor and delivery. They can assist in communicating with medical staff and provide information to help you make informed decisions.
Reduced Interventions: Studies have shown that having a doula present during labor can lead to a reduction in the use of medical interventions like epidurals and cesarean sections. Doulas can help you stay relaxed and focused, which may lead to smoother and shorter labors.
Improved Birth Experience: With a doula’s support, you’re more likely to have a positive and satisfying birth experience. Doulas help create a calm and supportive atmosphere, even in challenging situations.
Partner Involvement: Doulas don’t replace your partner; they complement their support. Doulas can guide partners on how to assist and offer emotional support during labor, enhancing the birth experience for both of you.
Information and Education: Doulas can offer evidence-based information about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery, helping you make informed decisions.
Customized Care: Doulas provide personalized care tailored to your unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. They can adapt their support to match your specific birth plan.
Lowered Anxiety: Having a familiar face and experienced support can significantly reduce anxiety and fear during labor and birth, creating a more relaxed environment.
Increased Confidence: Knowing that you have a dedicated support person by your side can boost your confidence in your ability to give birth and handle the challenges that may arise.

I hope sharing my journey and preparation for an unmedicated birth can serve as inspiration for your own birthing experience. If you’ve been contemplating a natural, unmedicated birth and searching for a sign, consider this it!

First, discover your own reasons for choosing this path and trust your instincts. Always keep in mind, your birth story is unique and personal, one that should fill you with pride. Never underestimate your inner strength and your God-given natural ability to bring your precious bundle of joy into this world. Remember, mama, you have the power to achieve anything you set your mind to.

You’ve got this!