Childbirth

Techniques for Natural Childbirth

There are a few techniques that are used with you are planning to have natural childbirth. To break them down so you can decide which ones are best for you here is the list.

•  Abdominal Breathing

Abdominal breathing is when you use your diaphragm you use all of your lung capacity which will expand your abdomen during inhaling and will contract during exhaling. This aids in relaxation.

•  Aromatherapy

This is the use of essential oils, candles, and scents to attain an emotional or physical state.

•  Labor Massage

Labor massage is a massage that aids in loosening and stretching muscles to help with the delivery process.

•  Castor Oil Induction

This is considered an old wives tale among many medical practioners Castor oil is suppose to help start labor when it is drank with juice. However, you should contact your health care provider before attempting.

•  Efflurage

This is similar to massage, only that an efflurage touch is a soft pressure is applied to a wide area of the body.

•  Encouragement in Labor

This is where your coach comes in. The mother to be needs lots of encouragement and praise that she is doing a great job and that you know she can do it.

•  The Hip Squeeze

This is another type of massage that can aid in relieving lower back pain while you are in labor.

•  Kneading massage

A bit stronger massage that applies firm pressure such as kneading dough.

•  Nipple Stimulation

This is the gentle rolling or rubbing of the nipples to encourage contractions.

•  Perineal Massage

This can be done prior to labor to aid in stretching the muscles in the area so can reduce the chances of needing an episiotomy.

•  Progressive Relaxation

This is a technique where you learn to relax each part of your body, one at a time. You must completely relax one area before moving onto the next.

•  Rainbow Technique

Having the mother focus her energy on imagining a certain color or object to aid in relaxing and controlling pain.

•  Rhythmic Breathing

Learning to breathe in a certain rhythm also aids in controlling pain and relaxing.

•  Other massages

There are many different types of massage that can aid a woman during labor including the stroke massage, which are long smooth strokes over the legs and even the lower back.

•  Showers

Showers can also be used to stimulate labor, while relaxing the mother to be.