Healthy Birth Tips
Mary Burgess, MA, Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula (DONA), Owner – Life Song Perinatal Services, LLC
1. Stay Home
a. Contractions >60 seconds in duration, 5 minutes apart, strong (can’t walk/talk through them)
b. Allow labor to start on its own (do not induce).
2. Good Labor Support
a. Know the people you can count on – who believe in and support you. Consider having a doula.
3. Keep Moving – Change Positions
a. Don’t lie flat on your back. Wiggle your baby out!
4. Relax: Break Fear-Tension-Pain cycle
a. Listen to & trust your body – it knows how to birth a baby, and your baby knows how to be born. Trust birth.
5. Breathe – to focus and relax
6. Drink Often / Eat to Comfort
a. Drink: H2O, ice, popsicles, rasp. tea, fruit juice, broth, ginger ale, frozen Recharge slushies, etc. Have frequent sips, between each contraction or two.
b. Eat: Toast w/ jam, yogurt, crackers, cheese, eggs, turkey sandwich, fruit. Remember, you’re doing a “marathon” and will need nutrition!
7. Urinate Hourly
a. Baby cannot descend properly with a full bladder – this is very important
8. Get in the Water! (tub or shower)
a. Penny Simkin: “The tub is as good as any narcotic.” ***A great place when labor gets tough and she gets worried she can’t do it!***
9. Massage / Counter Pressure
10. Dads: It is very important for you to care for yourselves during the birth, too. She is going to need your whole support, so it is vital for you to: Eat & drink (pack an ice chest of healthy sandwiches and snacks, gatorade, etc. for yourself), Urinate hourly (you can’t possibly expect to fully support someone when you have been holding your bladder for many hours!), and be sure to Rest when you need to (it’s ok to let someone else take over for awhile).
The most crucial elements for Keeping Labor Normal are relaxation, good labor support, and not going to the birthing center too early.
For more information, contact me: (email) maryburgess555@hotmail.com
