How to Have a Comfortable and Unmedicated Childbirth
DISCLAIMER: The information below is based on my personal experience and should not be regarded as medical advice. Consult with your physician before starting any exercise or nutrition program.
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It can be daunting to think about labor and delivery regardless of how you’re planning to give birth. It’s even more so if you’re planning for a natural, or unmedicated birth.
I knew early on in my first pregnancy that I wanted an unmedicated birth. However, my mind began conjuring up images of women screaming in pain or lashing out at loved ones during labor and delivery. I’m sure you can think of examples of this painful birth scene from television or well-meaning friends and family members, but it doesn’t have to be this way!
In this blog post, I’ll share 4 things I did to have an easier, more comfortable, and UNMEDICATED birth. I’ll be discussing:
- The importance of a positive mindset surrounding childbirth
- The importance of good nutrition and hydration during pregnancy
- The role of exercising during pregnancy
- The specific technique I used to have a comfortable childbirth
So, if you’d like to avoid having the typically portrayed painful- and low-key traumatic- version of childbirth, then you’ve come to the right place!
My husband and I got pregnant with our daughter quite unexpectedly, so we didn’t have much of anything planned- I just knew that I wanted a natural childbirth. I’ve always been sensitive to some medications and more prone to side effects, so generally, I would avoid them unless absolutely necessary. Medication and medical intervention are needed at times, but they definitely shouldn’t be the go-to or standard with childbirth. I never really felt comfortable with the idea of an epidural. I mean, someone with a big needle stabbing you in the back, right next to your spine, in between contractions, telling you to sit still?! I just couldn’t get with that. I also wanted to be fully present and lucid during my daughter’s birth.
At the beginning of my second trimester with my daughter, I started researching various techniques and comfort measures. I came across breathing techniques, helpful items or tools to have during labor, the best positions for labor and delivery, etc… Finally, I came across something that really resonated with me and promoted a natural and comfortable childbirth- Hypnobabies!
Once I discovered the Hypnobabies technique, I was able to prepare for a more comfortable and unmedicated birth, and also have an easier remainder of my pregnancy.
Hypnobabies is a specific hypnobirthing technique that teaches you how to use hypnosis to have a relaxing and comfortable childbirth experience. It might sound kind of ‘hippie-like’ or like something from a magic show, but really, we use hypnosis in our lives all the time. Anytime you’re deeply focused on something that you’ve done so much it’s second nature- that’s hypnosis! Rather than being in some kind of freaky trance, it’s more like driving home from work or the grocery store without having to think about it.
The Hypnobabies course really helped me understand pregnancy and labor and showed me a practical way to have a relaxing childbirth. Through practicing this technique, I was able to have a comfortable labor and delivery. I’m so excited to share what I learned and what helped me below!
The importance of having a positive mindset
First things first, you have to have a positive mindset about childbirth. It may seem cheesy or unimportant, but it really is key! It’s simply the self-fulfilling prophesy: if you believe that you won’t be able to have an unmedicated and comfortable childbirth, then it’s much more likely that you won’t.
Furthermore, having a positive mindset starts with thinking positively. I know it sounds cliché, but I cannot stress this enough! In order to change your beliefs about childbirth overall, you need to change the negative thoughts that you have about childbirth. I’m talking about those thoughts like ‘there’s no way I can have a natural childbirth!’ or ‘I don’t think I can be comfortable during labor and delivery.’ It’s these thoughts that you have to take captive and turn them around into more positive thoughts. The more you think positively about pregnancy and childbirth, the more you’ll actually believe that you can successfully have an unmedicated and relaxing birth. The Hypnobabies program has several tools including guides and a relaxing audio track with positive affirmations that helps you develop those positive beliefs.
If you want to learn how to use hypnosis to have an unmedicated AND comfortable childbirth experience, click here! AND be sure to use coupon code mamaunrehearsed23 to get an additional 10 percent off!
The importance of good nutrition and hydration during pregnancy
One of the best ways to ensure an easier and less complicated- and thus more comfortable and relaxing- childbirth is to have a healthier pregnancy. In order to have and maintain a healthy pregnancy, good nutrition and hydration is key!
Of course, it’s always best to have a healthy and balanced diet, but it’s even more critical during pregnancy since you’re feeding and supporting two people (or more!). In order to set yourself up for success, you want to make sure have a diet with lots of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. This helps you maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy and reduce the likelihood of diseases or complications like high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. I found out firsthand just how important it is to have a healthy and balanced diet when I developed gestational diabetes during my first pregnancy; once I changed my diet and incorporated consistent exercise, I was able to maintain my weight and my daughter’s weight throughout the rest of pregnancy without the use of medication or other medical interventions.
I go into more depth about gestational diabetes and how to manage it in my blog post How to manage (or prevent!) Gestational Diabetes.
Drinking enough water during pregnancy also helps prevent these complications by ensuring that your body is producing enough amniotic fluid for baby while maintaining the amount you need for your own body to function properly. Staying hydrated can also help prevent other complications or annoyances like cankles/ankle swelling or leg cramps. In the Hypnobabies course, further explanation is provided to help you understand the connection between a healthy diet and proper hydration, and practical tools to help you track things like protein intake and help you meet your nutrition goals.
Click here to learn how to use hypnosis to have an unmedicated AND comfortable childbirth experience! Be sure to use coupon code mamaunrehearsed23 to get an additional 10 percent off!
The role of exercising during pregnancy
It is also important to be active during your pregnancy. Prenatal exercises can help you prepare for a more comfortable birth by helping to open up your pelvis and strengthen the muscles that help you labor effectively and push your baby out. They also can help you relieve pregnancy aches and pains, maintain a healthy weight, and improve your postpartum recovery. The Hypnobabies program provides a helpful guide with examples of how to do some of these exercises.
Through practicing the Hypnobabies hypnosis techniques, I was able to manifest the beautifully comfortable, relaxing and unmedicated childbirth that I had prayed for- despite challenges like dealing with an uncooperative and negative doctor, I might add. Also, with the knowledge I gained through taking the coursework from this program, I was able to dispel the fear and anxiety I had surrounding my pregnancy with my daughter and go on to have a healthy pregnancy, despite being diagnosed as medium to high risk initially. What’s more, I was able to use the same program with my newborn son as well!
This is something you can experience as well! You don’t have to fear labor and delivery! With the help of the Hypnobabies techniques, you too can have a comfortable and relaxing childbirth. Also, by having an unmedicated birth, you’ll be able to be completely present for your beautiful birth! So, if you’re ready to start preparing for your comfortable and unmedicated childbirth using Hypnobabies, click here to get started! Don’t forget the coupon code mamaunrehearsed23 to get an additional 10 percent off!*
If you’re intrigued by the prospect of using hypnosis to create a comfortable childbirth, but not quite ready to take the leap with the entire Hypnobabies program, I have something else for you that will still help increase your comfort during childbirth. Click the link below to get my FREE 5 Tips to Increase Comfort During Labor and Delivery Printable!
FREE 5 Tips to Increase Comfort During Labor and Delivery Printable
To discover more about Hypnobabies and whether it may be the right program for you, click here for my FREE info guide!
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*Note: If you choose to purchase the hard copy course, when redirected to the Hypnobabies website shop, select add to cart instead of Buy with Prime! If you select the Buy with Prime option, you won’t be able to use the coupon code. Once you add it to the cart on the Hypnobabies website, you’ll have the option there to use the coupon code and pay with Amazon.
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