Avoiding Intervention

For many of us - especially when we are having our first baby - it can be difficult knowing what is medically necessary and what simply 'routine procedure' in our antentatal care during pregnancy and birth.

These short video clips created by www.injoyvideos.com take you through six simple steps to a safer birth, and are wonderful to watch during your pregnancy in preparation for your baby's birth. They take the mystery out of what you can ask for and what really does support a labour going well, whilst also explaining that some procedures are encouraged even if they are not necessarily going to support your intention for a safe, natural and gentle birth, where this is possible.

Please note that 'Pytocin' is called Syntocin in the UK and refers to the synthetic Oxytocin given by IV Drip during induction and to increase intensity of contractions if there is a 'failure to progress'.

Birthlight (all our antenatal classes are Birthlight classes) does not endorse any type of holding of breath during the 'pushing stage' of labour and this is also backed up by the Royal College of Midwives paper on the 2nd stage of labour: 'Are we pushing too hard?'

We also go through which birth positions may be better for your body in our birth preparation workshops, and it's worth noting that deep squats are usually best avoided unless they are a position you instinctively choose and feel comfortable in. In general a 30 degree angle from the base of the spine to the top of the spine is optimal for the pelvic outlet to be at its widest.

If your baby is BREECH, lying on THE RIGHT or lying TRANSVERSE then visit www.spinningbabies.com for some top tips to get them head down!

If you are 'overdue' and are considering being induced thir article  about being 10 months pregnant, is worth a read.

To understand in depth what really helps a labour to go well, download the free ebook 'ecstatic birth' from Dr. Sarah Buckley's website. She explains the physiology of labour and birth in clear easy terms, makin it much simpler to understand the complex workings of the birthing hormones.