In developed countries where there are sophisticated medical maternity systems, there will be childbirth assessments, monitoring and procedures. These were developed and are modified in order to accomplish two goals: reduce suffering when there is great pain in labour and to safeguard the wellbeing of mothers and babies.
If people really didn’t want this type of care they would refuse to birth in hospital. But the majority the population agrees with this type of vigilance and availability even if they don’t always like it. This means that most families who are going to birth in hospital will receive the assessments, monitoring and procedures that are part of both their obstetrician, midwife or hospital policies. That’s the reality of what each family will be faced with.
Given this reality, is there anything that expectant mothers and fathers can do or should do to feel in control of the birth process and even enjoy the experience? Yes there is. It’s important that expectant parents learn birth skills.
While obstetricians and midwives help in their way during your birth, you can and should help yourself. Although there are birth assessments, monitoring and procedures many families are amazed at how much time they have to occupy while in hospital. Monitoring can be done electronically without your obstetrician or midwife in sight. Assessments are done regularly but not constantly. Procedures are done and then they are over.
Even with all the assessments, monitoring and procedures childbirth is regarded as a natural, physiological process that most often ends up with both a healthy mother and baby. The birth assessments, monitoring and procedures are there ‘just in case’ and to help women cope with labour pain. Of course, if a surgical delivery is necessary or chosen, unless a woman is unconscious she and her partner can actively participate in the birth.
Learning birth and coaching skills during the last 16 weeks of pregnancy such as Directed Breathing, the Pelvic Clock or Deep Touch Relaxation will improve both your experience of birth and can do a great deal to reduce being overwhelmed by the naturally occurring pain of labour. By preparing your pregnant body for birth, you can also reduce, eliminate or prevent some common reasons for increased medical procedures such as long labours due to tension.
Certainly the primary goal must be the wellbeing of both the mother and child. However, participating in the experience goes a long way to leave positive birth memories. These last a lifetime. It’s very easy to work with and around all the birth assessments, monitoring and procedures when you have birth skills.
Obstetricians, midwives and staff absolutely love to see women cope well with labour pain and delivery their baby without trauma. When a father really knows how to help his partner, these care providers praise the couple and repeat the story to other staff. All birth providers want families to have great birth experiences. And they know that what you do for yourself is a huge factor in leaving you with positive memories.
If fact, obstetricians, midwives and staff wish every family would come into their birth with a great set of birth skills that do work well with the medical assessments, monitoring and procedures. No doctor, midwife or staff likes to see women or men stressed by these things when they are intended to help and protect.
You and only you can separate the difference in your own mind. Birth is birth and what you do to prepare for this ‘Big Event’ will make a huge difference in your birth. Learning birth and coaching skills then using them will transform your experience from something that happens to you to something you do for yourself. This can easily be achieved when medical assessments, monitoring and procedures are part of the experience.