What is a holistic birth and do I need it?
When you find out you’re pregnant, you may experience a plethora of emotions. Can you afford it? Will the pregnancy be safe? Do you have the mental capacity to look after another human right now and do you want a holistic birth?
It is a nerve-wracking and emotional time, so allow yourself to experience the emotions as they hit you and then get some help to decipher them. Motherhood Diaries has a great place you can start (here) to answer all your questions. We’ll also answer some very common questions about having a natural birth below in the FAQ section, so let’s get started!
Before reading on, remember that every birth is unique. A positive birth can also include a c-section birth. I’ve had a gentle c-section and an unmedicated natural birth and both were as positive and fulfilling as each other.
Leyla – founder of motherhooddiaries.com
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Whether you are looking into maternity care in Houston or planning how you’ll co-parent your new child, there are several things you need to prepare before birth. I have an article all about how to prepare for your new baby during the first year, which you can find here. But in this article, we will talk about what a holistic pregnancy and birth looks like and whether you are interested in aiming for a holistic birth.
Before reading on, remember that every birth is unique. A positive birth can also include a c-section birth. I’ve had a gentle c-section and an unmedicated natural birth and both were as positive and fulfilling as each other.
What are the 4 types of childbirth?
I’ve personally had all four types of childbirth. These are:
- Caesarean birth (both emergency and planned)
- VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean)
- Vaginal delivery
- Assisted vaginal delivery (forceps or Ventouse/vacuum)
Childbirth education is important so make sure you read up on what each birth entails and speak to your GP about the likelihood, benefits and risks of each type of birth for your pregnancy journey.
What is a holistic approach to pregnancy and childbirth?
To define holistic approach in its simplest terms, it means you opt for as minimal medical intervention as possible and trust the body’s natural resources and processes to keep the pregnancy natural throughout. Massage therapy and reflexology are used as part of a holistic pregnancy to help the mother relax and have the safest, natural birth as possible.
What is a holistic birth?
The holistic approach to birth promotes natural childbirth without unnecessary medical intervention and technology. Women often feel empowered and are more in touch with the journey through labour and birth.
Holistic birth emphasises your spirituality and mental condition while you experience childbirth and empowers you to be in control of your environment, your belief system, your emotional wellbeing and the important relationships surrounding you postpartum.
A holistic birth could also include a lotus birth where you don’t cut the umbilical cord and instead let the placenta stay attached until it falls off naturally. This process is believed to comfort the baby.
However, it’s important to note there is very little research that proves the benefits to leaving the placenta to fall off naturally and in fact, there are greater risks of infection and injury to the baby. Make sure you speak to your doctor so you don’t risk your baby’s natural health after birth.
What is a holistic midwife?
A holistic midwife offers natural prenatal care which is facilitated through communication and physical responses to the parents’ needs. Holistic midwives respect the individual’s unique journey and will approach pregnancy care encompassing the psychological, emotional and social aspect too.
What are some examples of holistic considerations?
All this might sound a little vague. That’s because “holistic birth” is a blanket term that potentially encompasses many factors.
For instance, if you want to give birth holistically, you might do so with the father in the room if you plan to co-parent with them. You might also give birth at home instead of in a hospital. You want to feel as comfortable as possible, which may involve surrounding yourself with objects and people who make you feel that way.
If you have a certain spiritual or religious belief, you may have someone from that community present to support you when the time comes. You may have someone who can help you say a mantra to ease any pain or discomfort rather than opt for medication.
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What else might holistic birth involve?
If you want to give birth holistically, you might burn candles in the room. You may have incense, fresh herbs, or something else emitting pleasant aroma. A calming scent might relax you as you go through the labour process.
Holistic birth often involves very little technology. Those who want it might feel technology mars the natural or spiritual birth process, so they avoid machines unless they’re experiencing a complicated pregnancy. If complications arise, the hospital is there to help.
Is there a holistic birth program available? What is the holistic model?
If holistic birth interests you, you might look into getting some tea light candles, calming tea, or coconut water to stay hydrated. You can get comfy socks and some hand lotion. You may also want lip balm or face cream and look into hypnobirthing to increase your chances of a positive birth.
So what does a holistic birth plan look like? Holistic births are unique and you can incorporate any element you wish. You’re setting up all the details to help you feel calm, secure, and powerful during labour and birth. Speak to your holistic birthing centre and holistic pregnancy doctor about the perfect birthing conditions for you.
Holistic tips for an easier labour delivery
Birth stories differ, as do birth memories. A holistic birth probably may not include the hustle and bustle of hospitals or traditional medical facilities, rather you’d want to birth in peace, calm, and tranquillity. Some hospitals and especially birth centres can still offer holistic style birthing options but are next to medical intervention in case plans change last minute.
You can contact a midwife who knows about holistic births and has attended them before to help you plan the process leading up to birth. A holistic midwife can work with you to set up a customised, workable situation that produces little stress and maximises your chances of a positive birth.
Holistic births increase the chances that you and your baby will immediately bond through the care you’ve taken to help them experience love and acceptance when they arrive in the world. The holistic approach often reveals deep atavistic connections with one’s ancestry.
Make your birth story one that you’ll look back on fondly in the coming years and make sure you have your camera ready so you can immortalise the moment your beautiful baby graces your world.
Contact the Holistic Birth Centre in your area for more information on how to embrace calm and comfort in childbirth and have a positive holistic birthing experience.
FAQ
How do you define childbirth?
Childbirth is the act of giving birth to your baby, either by c-section or by vaginal delivery.
Are there any birth doula services available in my area?
Head here to find birth doula services near to you.
What is the most natural way to give birth?
The most natural way to give birth is to have an unmedicated vaginal birth.
Is natural birth painful?
Other questions asked were:
- Does natural birth hurt?
- Was natural birth painful for you?
Natural birth is painful but manageable. In fact, 46% of first time mums said the pain of their first birth was better than they expected.
Does natural birth stretch you out?
Other questions asked were:
- Does natural birth make you loose?
- Does natural birth ruin your body?
- Does natural birth widen hips?
- Does natural birth reduce tearing?
After vaginal birth, your vagina will be noticeably stretched and sex may even feel a bit painful for a while. Your vagina may also become loose but can improve over time, although it may not go back to the way it was pre-birth. Doing your pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen these muscles but if you had a complicated delivery, a vaginoplasty may help to restore the muscles down there to working order.
Pregnancy also widens hips and ribs and these may become permanent too.
Does natural birth cause hemorrhoids
After vaginal birth, some women may develop haemorrhoids which includes pain, bleeding after bowel movements and a swollen anal area.
Is natural birth better than c section?
Other questions asked were:
- Is natural birth safe?
- Is natural birth dangerous?
- Is natural birth better for the baby?
For most, a vaginal birth is safer as it reduces the risk of complications. The C section is a huge operations but can sometimes be the safest form of delivery, especially if baby is not in the right position or the placenta is covering the cervix (placenta praevia).
Is natural birth better than epidural?
Other questions asked were:
- is natural birth faster than epidural?
- Does natural birth mean no epidural?
- Does natural birth hurt with epidural?
The epidural provides pain relief during labour and delivery, ultimately providing for an easier, less stressful birth experience. However, women who do take the epidural are at an increased risk of assisted vaginal delivery or c section, as they can’t feel the pressure to push when baby is crowning.
It is often recommended to stop taking the epidural once mum gets to 9-10cm to allow time for the feeling to come back to push. (This happened during my third birth, which ended up being an assisted VBAC)
Is natural birth easier the second time?
“Will my second birth be less painful? Although the sensations of the contractions are likely to be the same, most women say that they are able to cope with them more easily. Knowing what to expect and preparing beforehand play a role in this. As labour is often shorter, you won’t feel so tired either (NICE, 2014)”
https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/having-another-baby/second-baby-will-i-have-different-birth-experience-your-questions-answered
What does the holistic pregnancy first trimester look like?
You focus more on nutritious less processed foods, you take supplements to boost your health and you exercise gently to reduce rapid weight gain. You avoid poor lifestyle choices like smoking and alcohol and you try to limit stressful situations in your life and promote relaxation.
Where can I find holistic pregnancy books so I can learn more about holistic pregnancy care?
Click this link for an article on the top holistic pregnancy books that may help:
Where can I find holistic prenatal care near me?
Other questions asked were:
- How can I get a holistic pregnancy?
Google ‘holistic prenatal care near me’ and you should find a list of centres that can help. Ask on Facebook groups for recommendations too.
Is there a holistic pregnancy blog I can follow to learn more holistic pregnancy tips?
Some great blogs include BirthRite and The Holistic Midwife which share lots of information on the holistic manner meaning and how they offer all natural pregnancy care.
*Collaborative feature post*
