Labour & Birth

The many ways to bring your baby into the world

Your baby is nearly ready to enter the world and properly join your little family. You must now think about your birth journey. Anxiety, anticipation and excitement run through your birthing journey but know that you are strong.

Every birth is unique and brings its own set of challenges and rewards. There are different options available for women when it comes to birthing their babies. Benefits and drawbacks are present in all options. We will explore the experience of having a baby and discuss the ways of bringing your baby into this world.

Remember your body is amazing. It has already grown a human being, and this happens without any conscious effort on your part. It is a reminder of the power and wonder of nature.

Signs of Labour

There are many signs that you might be going into labour. You might start to feel contractions and tightening in your abdomen. Your mucus plug will fall away, and you might have an urge to use the toilet. Finally, your waters break. I always thought that your waters breaking was the first sign of labour, this is not always the case. I was in early labour for two days before my waters broke with my first.

Giving Birth

Vaginal Birth

Giving birth to a baby can be a daunting time. The pain and idea of pushing a Tiny Human out of such a small hole can be overwhelming. Remember, you were designed to do this. Your body is magnificent and knows exactly what it is doing. This is not to say, that for a lot of women, it is not hard. Just remember delivering a healthy baby is all that is important, no matter how you do it. Vaginal delivery is a natural process that has been happening for thousands of years. It is the most straightforward and often the safest way to deliver a baby, although it can be physically challenging.

I had vaginal deliveries with both of my children. The first I was on pethidine and do not really remember a great deal of the pushing, but with my second I had a water birth. It was f*cking painful, but an amazing feeling. I completely zoned out from everything going on around me and birthed and delivered my baby by myself, just listening to what my body was saying. I have never felt so powerful.

Society makes women feel like they can only successfully birth a baby with the help of male intervention, causing them to question the ability of their own bodies. This can lead to anxiety around birth which can make the whole process harder. (I won’t go any further, that is a rant for another time)

There are times when a mother may need help to deliver a baby vaginally. The mother MUST have full INFORMED consent whenever possible. As the birthing parent you need to make it clear that you/birthing partner want full details of everything, should the birth go in a different direction than intended.

On a side note. Did you know that you might poop during labour? As your baby is being pushed out, the same muscles used for pooping are used to push out your baby. It is very common and normal for women to poop during labour, and it does not bother the doctors or nurses at all. In fact, it is a sign that you are pushing effectively and that your baby is moving down the birth canal.

Women can poop before labour. Our bodies kind of getting ready for birth.

C-Section

Another option for women is a caesarean section or C-section. This is a surgical procedure in which the baby is delivered through a cut in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. C-sections are usually performed when there is a medical necessity, such as if the baby is in distress or the mother’s health is at risk. Planned or unexpected, there are risks.

If your planned birth ends in a c-section, it may not be the way you wanted it to go, and you have every right to feel distressed by it. Remember, you have not failed. Your body has still delivered a healthy baby; it just needed a little help. Our bodies are not always successful in delivering babies, even though they are designed to do so. There are so many factors to take into consideration, so please don’t despair. Please, find out about c-sections while researching birth. That way you can be prepared for it and know exactly how you want things to go once your baby is out.

Water Birth

Water birth is an amazing option. The welcoming environment of water helps to lower the stress of birth for the baby. This method of delivery involves giving birth in a pool of warm water. The water can make the birth process far easier. Water helps you relax and eases the pain. I found that being able to simply float and move with the pain, made the experience so different to my first birth. I was in complete control.

Home Birth

Women have given birth at home for centuries, and more recently it is becoming popular again. It involves giving birth at home, often with the assistance of a midwife or doula. Giving birth at home is a natural way to deliver a baby, and it can be a more comfortable and relaxed environment for the mother. However, it is important to note that home births carry some risks, and it is important to have a skilled healthcare provider present. It is also important to have assessed the ease of access to medical care should the need arise.

Baby’s Position and how that affects your birth.

The baby’s position will be checked to ensure a safe birth. This is because if your baby is not in the correct position, then birthing naturally can be harder and possibly dangerous, meaning that a C-Section may be the only option. There are techniques that your midwife can try, to help turn your baby around in the womb.

Conclusion

Choosing how to birth a baby is a personal decision, and you should consider your own preferences, medical history, and available resources. Each method of delivery has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, and it is important to do your research and talk to your midwife before deciding. If your birth does not go as planned and you find you need support through that, then seek it out. Find someone that will help you and not make you feel either guilty for having those feeling or inferior for it not going the way you wanted. Yes, you have a beautiful healthy baby. That does not mean you have to be happy with how it happened. Giving birth can be trauma-inducing and those feelings need support so that they do not affect your bonding with your baby.

Research Materials

The NHS website has a lot of information with regard to birthing in the UK and is a great place to start your research.

When looking for support, a doula is a wonderful person to have on your side.

Home birthing can be an amazing way to have a baby. The NCT website has information regarding this choice.

If you want to have a look at having a water birth check out the website here.

Though a c-section may not be your choice, here is some information on the NHS website about it.