A natural birth doesn’t have to mean one devoid of any assistance. Our ancestors might have given birth in fields or caves, but we have many resources now.
A rebozo, which is a long, rectangular scarf, traditionally used in Mexico during birth, is another great option to use throughout both labor and pregnancy. Have your partner or birth coach wrap the rebozo around your belly and gently sift from side to side to feel relief from the weight of your belly. Visit Spinning Babies for step by step directions. They even have a DVD that showcases various rebozo techniques. (Rebozos are not safe for all pregnancies, so check with your doctor or midwife before using one!)
Breathing techniques based in mindfulness are important strategies during birth. (Forget what you see on TV about patterned breathing or pant-pant-blow. When I tried to practice that during pregnancy I nearly passed out.)
Birthing from Within by Pam England has strategies that focus on awareness of your surroundings, breathing, and sensations. These were a lifesaver for me during my labor.
Those are just a small sampling of tools and techniques you could use to ease your natural labor. When you decide what you want to use, make sure to prepare and practice throughout your last trimester – the last thing you want to do during labor is try to remember instructions.
Prepare Yourself, But Not Too Much
Preparing for birth is important. You want to be realistic — it is painful, it is work, and it is the hardest thing you will ever do. Don’t take that lightly. Knowledge helps us feel confident, and you don’t want to go into labor without at least a general idea of what to expect.
Research birthing classes in your area (make sure you find one that specializes in natural birth), ask for advice from trusted women, read a couple of books (I highly recommend Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth; it is full of positive stories of natural births that will give you confidence and peace of mind.)
However, don’t make yourself crazy trying to find out every detail. When I was pregnant, I was obsessed with gathering every ounce of information available. Honestly, none of it prepared me for what I was about to face. Everybody experiences birth differently and nobody can accurately describe it.
Just believe in yourself and trust your body; you were made to do this!
Cassie Henderson Nguyen is a mum, kindergarten teacher, writer, and lover of all things natural. She runs a play-based learning blog at www.littlewonderseverywhere.com. She can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlewonderseverywhere.
