Navigating Natural Hospital Births with Confidence

Let's face it, giving birth at a hospital can sometimes feel overwhelming.

From feeling pressured into interventions that weren't part of the birth plan to struggling to communicate effectively with busy hospital staff, women often encounter challenges that can leave them feeling disconnected from their birthing experience.

But imagine a hospital birth where the atmosphere is serene and your choices are respected, like walking into your favorite spa on a warm summer day and your facialist welcomes you with a smile and hot tea. Hiring a birth doula can help you create this experience and assist you maneuver through the hospital birth process.

Let's walk through it!

Choosing the Right Hospital & Provider

Prior to navigating a natural hospital birth, research and choose a hospital known for its low intervention rates and supportive environment for natural births. Consider facilities that offer amenities like birthing tubs, yoga balls, and private rooms that facilitate a more comfortable and natural birthing experience. If you're in the Philadelphia area, I'd recommend birthing with the Bryn Mawr Hospital's midwives.

When you have a meeting with your provider ask them pointed questions about their c-section rates, reasons for most of their interventions, their experience with physiological births, and what kind of coping strategies they offer. Really listen to their response and see how well they answer them. Notice your reaction and if you feel any red flag, they're not the provider for you.

Create a Clear Birth Plan

Birth plans have gotten a lot of flack over the past few years but it is IMPERATIVE that you have clear birth goals (a lot of midwives call them birth hopes and dreams). Now as with anything, we have to be flexible as birth rarely ever follows a straight path. BUT that doesn't mean that you can't have clear expectations from your providers. Include preferences like using natural pain relief, avoiding unnecessary interventions, moving freely during labor, delaying cord clamping, and having immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby. If you need help crafting your birth plan, I have a Birth Roadmap: Birth Planning Support.

Talk Openly with Your Healthcare Provider

Discuss your birth plan during prenatal visits and make sure your provider is on board. Bring a printed copy of your plan to the hospital and review it with the staff when you arrive. When there's a shift change, have your partner review your birth preferences with everyone new on your team.

Don't Go Too Early

Spend as much time in early labor at home. When you go to the hospital too early, that's when the interventions start. By staying at home during the initial stages of labor, you can create a more comfortable and familiar environment for yourself, which can help in managing the early contractions and discomfort. This time at home also provides you with the opportunity to relax, rest, and conserve your energy for the active phase of labor that typically occurs later on.

Create a Calm Birth Environment

When you do eventually go to the hospital (I recommend going around 3-2-1, surges every 3 minutes, for over 2 hours and they are each a minute in length), create a spa list atmosphere. Dim the lights, mute the monitors, hang up twinkle lights, put on calming music, and get into your zone. If you're feeling like you are getting distracted by the hustle of the hospital, put on over the ear headphones and an eye mask and zone out.

Use Natural Pain Relief Methods

Explore natural ways to manage discomfort, such as:

• Breathing Techniques: Practice deep, rhythmic breathing.

• HypnoBirthing: Use relaxations to surrender to your surges.

• Hydrotherapy: Use a warm bath or shower to relax.

• Movement and Positioning: Change positions every 30 minutes.

• Massage and Acupressure: Have your partner or doula provide soothing massage.

Advocate for Yourself

Don’t be afraid to speak up about your preferences. If an intervention is suggested, ask questions to understand why and explore alternatives. Trust your instincts and remember, this is your birth journey. Remember the acronym BRAINS. When an intervention is suggested, ask your self: what are the Benefits, what are the Risks, are there Alternatives, what do your Instincts tell you, what if you do Nothing, and give yourself Space to decide what's right for you.

Navigating A Natural Hospital Birth

Having a purely natural birth at a hospital is possible with the right preparation and support. By finding a holistic-friendly hospital, building a supportive team, creating a clear birth plan, and using natural pain relief methods, you can have a positive and empowering birthing experience. This is your special journey, and you have the power to make it a beautiful one.

For more tips and support, connect with me on Instagram, where I share insights and resources for women. If you are interested in learning more about hiring a Birth Doula or scheduling a consultation, email julia@motherbirth.net or visit www.motherbirth.net.