Methods of Giving Birth

Here's some information for expectant moms that are willing to try something new and experiment with different options for labour and delivery. Some of the traditional and more modern options for the childbirth are:

Vaginal Birth
This is the most common method of childbirth. Yuo can breastfeed more easily, wouldn't have to stay in the hospital or the clinic for long and can avoid the risks involved with major surgery when you give birth this way.
There are medications available for the pain nowadays, but you can still choose not to take them. If you have high tolerance with pain or knowledgeable enough about the various alternative methods of pain management, you can easily avoid an epidural, or a spinal block and have a natural birth. Your decision will be respected if you inform your doctor in advance.

If you choose to take pain killers, such as an epidural, they will help you to deal with the pain while keeping you alert enough to actively participate in the birthing process.

Water Birth
More and more mothers are opting for this unconventional method because of the comfort it provides. Additionally, an increasing number of hospitals and birthing centres are equiping themselves with a birthing tub. You can also rent one if you are planning on a home birth.

Once in labour, you will be asked by your doctor to enter a tub of water, which is around 90-100 degrees in temperature. Inside the tub, your baby’s condition will be monitored using a special Doppler device.

In the final stages, you may have the option to deliver the baby inside the tub or above the surface of the water. Water birth is a gentle experience for mother and baby, who has been floating in the amniotic sac for the past nine months and will feel right at home in the tub. As soon as the baby comes out, she will be removed from the water and begin breathing.

Water birth has been found to be good for reducing anxiety, relaxing the muscles and allowing more freedom of movement to the mother.

If you want to give birth this way, make sure that this procedure is available in your area, and if there is a trained person who can look after you and the baby in water. This method is not suitable for breech births, multiple pregnancies, or if there is a risk of complications.

Hypno Birth
This birthing option uses hypnosis to help the mother deal with pain. According to the practitioners of this method, childbirth is a normal process where no body part is actually malfunctioning. Therefore, the pain you feel has more to do with the psychological effect of the contractions on your body.

To deal with this situation, moms are taught a few methods of self-hypnosis and controlled breathing. The process of controlling your thoughts may help in dealing with the contractions better and create a more pleasant birthing experience.

If you are interested, look for an experienced practitioner in your area. This method can definitely help you in coping with pain, relaxing and avoiding pain medications if you wish.

Caesarean Section
This is a surgical method of childbirth in which the doctor makes an incision in the abdomen and the uterus to remove the baby. C-Sections have a longer recovery time than normal delivery, and even a few weeks after the birth, there may be certain restrictions you will have to follow.

This method is usually suggested for women who are at risk of complications or birth defects, are having multiple babies or who have certain health conditions that may pose problems during a vaginal birth. These days, many hospitals use C-section as a faster method of delivery so check if you absolutely need a caesarean before consenting to the operation.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy; however, one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms is a delayed or missed menstrual cycle.

Pregnancy symptoms can also vary in their intensity, frequency and duration. Understanding the signs and symptoms of pregnancy is important because each symptom may be related to something other than pregnancy. The following early signs and symptoms of pregnancy is only a guideline.

Missed Period

This possible sign of pregnancy is often what causes women to search for more details about the other pregnancy symptoms.

Some women might only experience a much lighter period compared to their usual.

When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women can bleed while they are pregnant, but the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period.

Other Explanations: Excessive weight gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing to take the birth control pill, or breast-feeding.

Implantation Bleeding

About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting and some cramping.

Other Explanations: Actual menstruation, altered menstruation, changes in birth control pill, infection, or abrasion from intercourse.

Breast Tenderness

One of the early signs of pregnancy is tender, swollen, somewhat sore breasts. This symptom which may begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception.

When you become pregnant, your body begins preparing for breastfeeding. Hormones start increasing. In addition nipples may feel sore or extra sensitive. Some women notice their nipples darken in color.

Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation (PMS) can also cause your breasts to be swollen or tender.

Fatigue/Tiredness

Feeling fatigued or more tired is a pregnancy symptom which can also start as early as the first week after conception.

You may start going to bed sooner, or find it harder than usual to get out of bed in the morning. If you know you are pregnant, try to take frequent rests or naps of 15 minutes to a half-hour whenever possible.

Other Explanations: Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or fatigued.

Nausea/Morning Sickness

This pregnancy symptom will often show up between 2-8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate to not deal with morning sickness at all, while others will feel nauseous throughout most of their pregnancy.

This pregnancy symptom may be helped by eating smaller, more frequent snack size meals. Many women say saltine crackers and milk. It tends to level off once you are into your second trimester and your body adjusts to all the many changes it is going through.

Other Explanations: Food poisoning, stress, or other stomach disorders can also cause you to feel queasy.

Backaches

Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy; however, it is common to experience a dull backache throughout an entire pregnancy.

Other Explanations: Impending menstruation, stress, other back problems, and physical or mental strains.

Headaches

The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy.

Other Explanations: Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, impending menstruation, eye strain, or other ailments can be the source of frequent or chronic headaches.

Frequent Urination:

Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom. Pregnancy causes extra body fluids to be processed by your kidneys and bladder. This symptom of pregnancy may remain constant for nine months.

Other Explanations: Urinary tract infection, diabetes, increasing liquid intake, or taking excessive diuretics.

Darkening of Areolas

If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.

Food Cravings

Many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy.

Other Explanations: Poor diet, lack of a certain nutrient, stress, depression, or impending menstruation.