If you know you are planning to use an epidural to help you manage pain during childbirth, you may not be thinking about natural childbirth techniques. In contrast with an epidural which almost always provides good pain relief with no effort from the mother, natural childbirth techniques take time to learn, time to practice and you don’t know which ones will help you most until your labor begins. But as is so often true in life, there is great value in the things you have to work harder for.

1. Your labor may move faster than you expect – the typical labor may start slow, and slowly build to active labor, but not all do. About 2% of women experience a precipitate labor, one in which the early stages pass so easily they are unnoticed and the mother suddenly finds herself dealing with a fast active labor. If your labor starts fast, the natural childbirth techniques you learn will not only keep you comfortable, but also help you stay calm and as relaxed as possible until you get to your birth place.
2. It can take 20 minutes to an hour or more from the time you request an epidural to the time you get pain relief. Instead of being a specific medication, epidural and spinal are advanced anesthetic techniques. This means you need an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist to administer one. Unlike simpler, less effective pain relief methods which your midwife, doctor or nurse could administer, when you choose an epidural you need to wait for the anesthesiologist to be available.You could have pain relief in as fast as 20 minutes if everything was already set up and the staff ready, or you could be waiting for another woman to have an epidural administered first, or waiting for an anesthesiologist to finish assisting a cesarean surgery or come to the hospital. In some smaller hospitals, epidurals are not available ‘after hours,’ the staff relying instead on simpler methods of pain relief which are not as effective. Natural childbirth techniques will be your only choice for pain management until things are ready for an epidural to be administered, and can be helpful if you receive a less effective pain medication.
3. Holding off on an epidural allows you to use positioning to move the labor along as quickly as possible. Once you receive an epidural your mobility is greatly reduced, if your baby is not in a good birth position at that point, it becomes harder to get him to move. Epidurals inhibit fetal rotation for a posterior baby (commonly known as back labor). Henci Goer reports in The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth that one study found a 450% increase in persistent posterior (the baby never turned) with epidural use.Ms. Goer also reports that first time mothers with an epidural are more likely to have a cesarean surgery for failure to progress. One study showed women with a slow labor who had an epidural were five times more likely to have a cesarean surgery than women with a slow labor who did not have an epidural. Delaying an epidural gives you the best chances of getting your baby into a good position and labor progressing normally.
4. The longer you can wait to receive pain medications, the less medication you and your baby will receive. This means you lower the potential risks during and after childbirth. Even with lower dose epidurals to reduce the side effects, there are still some. Minimizing the time you have an epidural minimizes some of these side effects, such as risk of maternal fever. Minimizing the time you have an epidural also minimizes the amount of medication you and your baby are exposed to, further reducing risks of side effects.Using natural childbirth techniques can give you the ability to manage pain and discomfort well into active labor. You may find you labor so well with them, you do not need to add the risks of medications. This can mean a faster recovery from the birth, since your body does not have to spend time removing the medication.
5. Natural Childbirth Techniques are helpful for all stages of life, not just giving birth. Comfort skills such as massage and relaxation, can help you relieve tension or stress on a day to day basis. Good positions for childbirth can be helpful for relieving backaches and other discomforts during pregnancy. Women who practice relaxation techniques use them to sleep better before and after their baby is born. The good nutrition and exercise habits learned through most natural childbirth programs can help keep your whole family healthier.Many women find the coping mechanisms they develop using natural childbirth techniques in labor increase their self confidence which helps them manage other parts of their lives. Other women express that even though labor hurt, they were glad they did it because it challenged them in new ways and showed just how strong they were. There is no link to satisfaction with labor and the use of pain medication, which means you are no more likely to look back at labor favorably whether you use medications or not.

Natural childbirth techniques are useful in unexpected labor situations, when you can’t get what you want and when things are not going quite the way you planned. Knowing the medications have risks, and there are benefits to using natural childbirth techniques beyond labor, it can make a lot of sense to try for a natural childbirth with the understanding an epidural is available if you decide you want it.

Author: Jennifer Vanderlaan

Aromatherapy In Labor And Delivery

The time has come. After nine months of anticipation you are standing at the door, suitcase at the ready, stopwatch in hand. You’ve timed the contractions at every two to five minutes on the dot, and as the drama of birth opens its curtains before your very eyes, you wonder if all your preparations will have been enough.

Childbirth is definitely one of, if not the most difficult labors a woman faces in her lifetime. Today, much is written about gentle, natural birthing options, which are healthier for mother and child. By providing a proper state of mind and natural analgesic, aromatherapy can be used to create a memorable, magical birthing atmosphere. This article will explain some of the best ways to prepare for childbirth using essential oils.

One of women’s greatest fears when approaching childbirth is that of damaging the delicate perineal tissue. Doctors and midwives ask whether you would prefer to have an episiotomy or risk a tear. Why not prepare the perineum beforehand with soothing massage? Studies have shown that women who perform daily perineal massages in preparation for childbirth are 30% more likely to deliver over an intact perineum. Besides making the tissue soft and supple, the massage can mentally prepare the woman to relax these muscles and open outward in response to pressure, a skill that will no doubt come in handy when the baby is making his way into the world.

Ideally, you should begin daily 5-10 minute massages at six to eight weeks prior to term. First, empty your bladder. Soaking for 5-15 minutes in warm water and lavender oil can relax the vaginal wall, making the perineal massage more comfortable. If you are doing the massage yourself, place one foot on the seat of a chair or the side of the bathtub; otherwise, a partner can perform the massage while you sit back comfortably with your back resting against pillows.

Mix 1 ounce wheat germ oil with 3 drops lavender and 1 drop geranium. (Sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and cold-pressed olive oil are good substitutes for wheat germ oil. You can also use a blend of the oils.) After dipping into the massage oil, insert your thumb or middle fingers into the vagina just enough to stretch the perineal tissue, approximately two to three inches. Press the vaginal wall back toward the rectum, massaging in a U-shaped motion. Gently stretch the vagina open for 20-60 seconds, or until you feel a tingling or slight burning sensation. Stretch both the inner portions as well as the outer rim of the perineum. Make sure to wash hands thoroughly before and after perineal massage, and discard any unused oil.

Wherever you are planning to give birth, aromatherapy can be utilized. For use during labor and delivery, add to your suitcase your favorite essential oils and oil blends, an aromatic diffuser (electric models are the best for use in birthing centers and hospitals), flannels and bowls for compresses, and a plastic tub for sitz baths. Make sure to practice with your partner so that he or she is ready to serve you in your hour of need. Discussing your wishes with your health care provider is also a good idea, so that you don’t end up in a battle of wills just at the time you planned to create your ideal birth environment.

The following essential oils are ideal for labor and delivery. Due to the heightened sensitivity to smell during labor, it is best to use only a couple oils at a time.

Neroli, bergamot, rose, or frankincense help relieve fear and anxiety, and promote relaxation between contractions. These are good oils to use in your diffuser.

Lavender is good for aches, and helps in balancing and calming the laboring woman. After your cervix has dilated to at least 2 cm, you may consider taking a 30 minute lavender bath. Studies show that this can improve progress in labor and significantly reduces the need for drugs.

Between contractions, a foot or lower back massage can soothe and stimulate pain relief. Add 20 drops lavender and 8 drops clary sage in 4 ounces of olive oil.

Jasmine, lavender, or clary sage compresses can stimulate or strengthen contractions, and cool compresses to the forehead keep you feeling refreshed. To prepare a compress simply add 3-4 drops essential oil to a bowl of warm or cool water. Drape a flannel over the surface of the water to absorb the film of the oil. Ring out cloth and apply to area.

1 drop peppermint oil offered on a handkerchief can ward off nausea, or can be used as a pick-me-up during the transitional phase, when fatigue may settle in.

If tension is preventing you from opening the cervix during contractions, an abdominal massage or a compress of 8 drops Spikenard, 7 drops Jasmine, and 3 drops lemon verbena in 4 ounces olive oil can help. Evening primrose oil massaged directly on the cervix can also assist in relaxing the tissues.

Whatever turn your birthing takes, allow the effects of aromatherapy to penetrate your mind and relax your body.

By: Francesca Black

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Francesca Black works in marketing at Organic Items www.organic-items.com and Aromatherapy Blends www.aromatherapy-blends.net leading portals for organic products and essential oils.

How to Use a Birth Ball For Pregnancy And Labor: Finding Comfort …

This is a great article and video about some of the ways that you can use a birth ball during your pregnancy and labor.  Practicing ahead of time on your own, with your partner, and with your doula will help tremendously in preparation and helping you to feel comfortable with the ball.

Dear little Baby
Whose life I now hold
More precious by far
Than all the earth’s gold

Eagerly awaited by
A chosen two
Who will help you and guide you
In all that you do

Be patient sweet Babe
Your time draws near
Our arms are wide open
To welcome you here.

Author Unknown

It first needs to be established that stretch marks are really scars. They are the damage left behind when the the skin has been stretched past its limit. This understanding is necessary so that we can continue with a discussion about how to prevent and treat them.

No one is immune to getting stretch marks. Anytime weight is gained or lost very fast there is possibility stretch marks will result. They are usually formed on women during pregnancy, but that is certainly not the only time you can get them.

Bodybuilders are another frequent recipient of stretch marks because of how quickly their muscles can grow. They are usually found on both their arms and chest. Youths who go through rapid growth spurts can also be left with stretch marks afterward.

Stretch mark creams, like Trilastin-SR have become a popular treatment choice over the past few years. These can be purchased in stores and on the Internet. Many women report very effective results.

You can talk to your doctor about the possibility of undergoing surgery to remove your stretch marks. This is not the best solution for everyone, but it is an option that can be explored. Remember that it can be costly and painful.

Prevention is the best stretch mark treatment of all. This is not always the easiest to implement. Try to exercise and eat sensibly during pregnancy. Also keep your skin well moisturized. This will allow it to endure the pulling and stretching the your growing belly will be going through.

What is really unfortunate is how embarrassed and depressed some women can get over their stretch marks. These are battle scars of which you should be proud. They are souvenirs of that beautiful baby that you carried inside and are nothing you should ever feel ashamed of. Do not feel like you need to take drastic measures to get rid of them, because you truly do not.

As any soon-to-be-mother knows, pregnancy can be a mixed bag of highs and lows. While you are excited about meeting your new bundle of joy, observing a hundred and one dos and donts can present something of a challenge, especially if you are a creature of habit.

Take for example, the use of essential oils.

Found in many spas, candles and aromatherapy products, they can present a problem to a mothers unborn child. The problem is many women use these items for holistic skin care regimens or a relaxation tools. Being told that they can no longer use these products may cause a sense of despair as impending motherhood can cause skin reactions and stress.

However, it is best for a pregnant woman to stay away from these oils. Understanding why could go a long way in aiding women to firm their resolve in avoiding these substances.

Harmful affects of essential oils

Botanical products are normally very beneficial to adult humans, but these same oils could cause birth defects or premature delivery, especially when used in certain doses.

This is because some of these oils produce hormone like affects that can trick the uterus into contracting. Others, while normally okay, can be highly toxic to an unborn child. Since oils can quickly absorb into the skin and into the blood stream, this is not a good thing.

A few oils to avoid

While it may seem like a bit of an over kill, you would be wells advised to consider what oils may not be safe to use.

There are literally hundreds of oils that are off limits during your pregnancy. To be certain which ones may cross the placenta and pose a threat to your unborn, ask your doctor or do an online search.

There are even a few pregnancy forums where mothers gather to swap anecdotes, ideas and advice. You may be able to get the info you need from such boards.

While the list can be fairly comprehensive, there are few common oils that most people use that would be best to avoid, and they are:

Basil, black pepper, citronella, clove , jasmine , lemon , nutmeg , peppermint, rose wintergreen, rosemary and chamomile in certain doses.

Many of these are uterine stimulants and can cause contractions. Causing early contractions, as you may know, may result in premature labor.

To avoid this, stay away from these particular oils altogether. Again, when in doubt about an essential oil, consult your OB/GYN for guidance.

Safe alternatives for Mom and baby

Women who find that their skin is now breaking out or are seeking new ways to relax and unwind may feel at a loss of what to do.

The answer is relatively simple.

There are many products especially made for the pregnant woman that contain organic ingredients like Shea butter oil, which is safe for use during pregnancy. While these may be a tad bit on the expensive side, you can console yourself by the thought that a) you will only be using them for a few months and b) you are doing it so your baby can remain healthy.

Besides, dont forget that daddy can be an indispensible help during this time. Ask him for occasional gentle messages to relieve stress and promote relaxation. You may be surprised, but the request will make him feel useful in a time where he may feel left out.

A happy, healthy pregnancy

Being pregnant can be an amazing time in a womans life. It can be hard and extremely stressful, yet alternatively rewarding. Yes, there may be things, like essential oils, that you have to worry about in conjunction with a million and one other things, but when you finally hold your child in your arms, giving up a few habits here and there wont seem quite so bad.

It is estimated that a shocking 35% of all pregnant women are affected in some way by hemorrhoids. Hormonal changes and changes to the female body and weight place additional pressure on the veins in and around the anus which leads to this high incident rate.

Hemorrhoids are caused when veins in the rectal area become enlarged and inflamed. This causes the common symptoms of hemorrhoids which include itching, bleeding, burning, and painful swellings. The first sign of a hemorrhoid is often through seeing blood or experiencing a lot of pain when passing a stool. Anal bleeding is not only caused by hemorrhoids however, if you are in doubt you should see a doctor. Hemorrhoids can be easily treated in the early stages, but if given the chance to develop they can become quite complicated, resulting in severe hemorrhoids such as prolapsed and thrombosed hemorrhoids.

Treatment of Hemorrhoids during Pregnancy

Hemorrhoid cures can be divided into 3 different types. The first and most extreme of the 3 is surgery. Hemorrhoid surgery is a last resort treatment, and as such I wont go into details about hemorrhoid surgery here. Creams, lotions, gels, and ointments (topical cures) are the second common hemorrhoid cure. They work by treating the main symptoms of hemorrhoids most notably pain, irritation, and swelling. While in some cases they can work well to treat hemorrhoid symptoms, they generally only provide temporary hemorrhoid relief at best. Natural hemorrhoid cures are the third type of hemorrhoid cure. Natural hemorrhoid cures come with a range of benefits which I will discuss now.

Choosing to cure hemorrhoids the natural way has many benefits. For one, you wont need to worry about any horrible side effects that come with other chemical based products (such as creams). Secondly, natural hemorrhoid cures such as H Miracle focus on treating the root causes of hemorrhoids, not just the symptoms as is the case with topical treatments. Natural hemorrhoid cures like H Miracle can provide very quick pain relief and also fast and efficient hemorrhoid treatment.

Along with using a natural hemorrhoid cure, if you add more fiber to your diet you will cure yourself even more quickly. Fiber is extremely useful in the treatment process as it softens stools allowing them to pass through the bowels much more naturally (without pain and irritation).

Dink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day, this is very important if you are increasing your fiber intake. Water helps to keep your body hydrated and stools moist. Exercise can make a difference to your metabolism which controls your bowel movements. Try to get 20 minutes of mild exercise into your diet 5 times a week or more.

If you are able to take quick action to cure hemorrhoids the moment you realize you have them, you can save yourself a lot of time, frustration and suffering. Hemorrhoids require some human intervention in order to be cured, the soon you decide to do something about your hemorrhoids the faster you will be able to cure them

Pregnancy is a wonderful, yucky thing isn’t it? There is so much going on with our bodies that we have absolutely no idea about. Especially if this is your first pregnancy it is completely normal to worry; A LOT! I have found that there are three types of discharge during pregnancy that worries us the most.

* Blood

Bleeding during early pregnancy can be very scary, in fact, bleeding is scary in general, pregnant or not. Any bleeding during the first trimester is a reason to call your doctor as it can definitely mean trouble. However the most common type of bloody discharge during pregnancy comes after sex. I hear this question all the time and the answer is always the same, “Yes it’s normal!” Your cervix is very temperamental during pregnancy and sexual activity can cause some light bleeding or pink discharge.

Call or go into your doctor’s office IF:

*You have bleeding in the first trimester

*If you have bleeding that is accompanied by heavy cramps or contractions.

*You need to wear more than a panty liner to contain the bleeding

*If you have moderate to heavy bleeding that lasts more than 24 hours.

*Yeast

If you see a thick, white lumpy discharge during pregnancy you may have a yeast infection which is very common when you are pregnant. Some women have these more than others. One sign that the discharge is actually yeast and not something more serious include itching or burning along with the discharge. A lot of women wonder whether it is okay to take an over the counter medication such as Monistat for thier yeast infections when they are pregnant. The answer to this is YES! Monistat is okay during pregnancy.

It is important to note however, that there is a chance that you may have a more serious condition in which the symptoms mimic those of a yeast infection. Therefore, it is important that you talk to your doctor no matter how confident you are that you have a yeast infection.

Pink, Clear Fluid

This could be the most concerning type of discharge during pregnancy since it could possibly be amniotic fluid. No matter what point you have reached in your pregnancy, this clear discharge can mean trouble but this is especially true during the third trimester. It is possible that you could have a tear in the amniotic sack which could cause leaking of the amniotic fluid.

Typically however, this is not the case. Most usually this clear discharge is nothing more than urine! That’s right girls, urine. Many times during pregnancy you will find that you urinate on yourself without even knowing it. Thankfully, there is a simple test that can be done at your doctor’s office which can tell the difference between urine and amniotic fluid.

There are times when you need to go to the emergency room:

*A bloody discharge along with this clear fluid

*Regular contractions or pain with the discharge

Normally we will experience an increase in overall discharge during pregnancy. It is important to know what to look for. Most of the time our discharge will be milky and about the consistency of yogurt. If you are concerned, always call your doctor!

Nowadays, women don’t need to wait for pregnancy signs to find out about a potential pregnancy, since tests have been invented and they have an accuracy of over 99%. There are basically two types of tests, categorized by the samples they use: urine tests and blood ones. Women prefer the first type generally, and that’s because it has multiple advantages, one of the most important being the possibility that it offers: finding out if they’re pregnant or not in the privacy of their own home, at a lower price and with an excellent accuracy.

All pregnancy tests are working by the same principle: they try to detect the presence and levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in a woman’s body(which only appears if she is pregnant) – and it’s produced by placenta at least after 6 days after ovulation. So, as there is no hCG in a woman’s body before this moment, it’s useless to take a test because it will give a negative result even if pregnant.

Things are pretty simple, basically: the first day after the moment of conception that you could be getting an accurate result is the 7th day; however, doctors recommend taking a test at least 2 weeks after that moment. Most of the tests’ instructions, though, suggest that the best moment for this is the day you have missed your period.

Although they have many things in common, there are also certain features that make the difference amongst pregnancy tests, such as: the accuracy level, the easiness in use and interpretation, the results(the faster, the better), and so on. The advantage of home tests is that they’re taken in your intimacy, but the disadvantage is that they’re taken alone most of the time; however, you don’t actually need the help of a specialist, since these tests are practically designed for the need of average people, so the instruction set should be enough help. The process is very easy: after removing the cap, just hold the test’s stick under your urine stream for 5 seconds and then wait a short while before reading the result; one line means you’re not pregnant and two lines mean that you are. To avoid any confusion that could sometimes appear, you could go for a digital pregnancy test that literally spells out the result for you “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant”.

Things have evolved, so nowadays in order to find out if you’re pregnant or not all you have to do is take a test. Most women appeal to home tests due to their high accuracy level(98-99%) combined with the fast result(2-3 minutes) and the intimacy that they provide.

Pregnancy, though a beautiful thing, can bring much in the way of aches and pains. In most cases, there is nothing more delightful to a pregnant woman than a good massage. New York City is filled with excellent massage therapists who specialize in pre-natal and postpartum massage techniques. If you’re experiencing some of the common discomforts that come with being pregnant, perhaps a massage is just what you need.

A typical maternity massage differs from a regular massage in that a special table or a “prego pillow” is used to support the contours of a pregnant woman’s body. Furthermore, the therapist needs to be certified in pregnancy massage to ensure they are skilled in safe massage practices for both mother and baby. It is important that the therapist has knowledge of pregnancy and the anatomy of pregnant women. The therapist will know about correct positioning, as well as what areas should and shouldn’t be massaged, in order to make the process as safe and as comfortable as possible.

 When it comes to any type of massage therapy, New York City is one of the best places to find world class bodyworkers–and pre-natal therapists are no exception. Once a pregnant woman has found a certified pre-natal massage therapist that both she and her doctor are comfortable with, she will be privy to a number of wonderful benefits. Probably the most sought-after result is stress relief and tranquil relaxation for the mother-to-be. Furthermore, she will experience relief from muscle cramps, weight-induced pressure on joints, spasms, and pain in the lower back, neck, hips and legs. Massage can also reduce swelling caused by water retention, as well as increase blood and lymph circulation. Maternity massage can also improve skin and tissue pliability, reducing the prevalence of stretch marks after childbirth.

Massage therapy is a great outlet through which pregnant women can find support with the emotional and physical strains of becoming a mother. Many women have said that pre-natal massages helped to enhance the outcome of labor and reduce the amount of pain experienced during labor. Many therapists will recommend that the pregnant woman bring their partner or doula with them to their sessions. They can be taught techniques that can actually be useful during labor, but are best learned during the pregnancy. Such techniques generally include measures to make sure the woman is comfortable, and in many cases, have proven to really ease the delivery process.

If you are a pregnant woman, or the partner of a pregnant woman who you feel could benefit from prenatal massage therapy, NYC has all manner of bodyworkers who are fluent in techniques and practices geared toward mothers-to-be.

By: David Tang

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Written by Kacy Suther. In Touch Bodywork offers massage therapy. New York City residents can get sports massage, therapeutic massage and lymphatic drainage massage therapy. NYC massage info at www.intouchbodyworknyc.com .