Birthing Options
Feature Writer Articles in Birthing Options
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Labor Pain Relief with Acupressure
Acupressure is a helpful technique during pregnancy to treat morning sickness. It can also help to increase the intensity of contractions or relieve pain.
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Heat Packs for Labor Pain
Heat is an effective tool to reduce labor pain. Making your own heat pack is easy; however, following guidelines about the use of heat packs is essential to avoid burns.
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Ice Packs for Pain Relief
One of the best ways to reduce childbirth pain is to provide cold ice packs. Cold packs can be purchased or made with a few simple ingredients you may have at home.
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Massage in Childbirth
Touch is a powerful way to provide both reassurance and comfort during the long hours of labor. Mothers may prefer light touch such as effleurage or kneading massage.
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H1N1 Threat Limits Support for Mothers
More hospitals around North America are restricting a laboring mother's access to having labor support by limiting visitors on labor and delivery floors.
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Labor After You Have Had a Cesarean
VBAC has become a controversial issue today. However, new research on VBACs shows that going into labor on your own can increase your chances of a vaginal birth.
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Reasons to Take Childbirth Classes
There is a belief that childbirth classes are a waste of time unless a mother is planning for natural childbirth. Find out why all expectant parents need classes.
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External Versions for Breech Babies
External versions are typically performed around 37 weeks of pregnancy. They have about a 50% or greater chance of turning your breech baby to head down.
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Breathing Exercises for Labor
Using breathing exercises during childbirth is helpful for relaxation, distraction and to prevent mothers from holding their breath.
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Walking Epidurals
One of the newest options for laboring women is known as the walking epidural. This medication allows pain relief and even the possibility of walking to the bathroom.
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Benefits of Tubs During Labor
Contrary to popular opinion, epidurals are not the only effective method for pain relief during labor. More mothers are discovering the benefits of laboring in the tub.
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How to Ripen Your Cervix
If you have passed your due date, your cervix may need some help in order to be ready for labor. What cervical ripening agents may be used?
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Home Birth Safety
Parent-consumers still want to have the option of having a home birth, however support for home births from the medical community may be dwindling.
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Changing Routine Practices in Obstetrics
If the evidence says that some of the old practices are no longer valid, it is time to re-think them. Here are changes you should be asking for with regard to your care.
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Patient-Controlled Epidurals
In many hospitals around the world, the rate of epidurals during labor reaches close to 90%. New methods of pain relief include the patient-controlled epidural.
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Defining Natural Childbirth
Not everyone agrees on the term "natural childbirth" and what it means. Does it refer to a vaginal birth versus a cesarean? How do you define natural childbirth?
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Benefits of Choosing a Midwife
Hiring a midwife is no longer a choice just for the "yuppie" couples but makes sense if you want personal and natural care during your pregnancy and labor.
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Top Reasons to Avoid Induction
Labor induction, whether by natural means or by IV pitocin is very common. If you are thinking about induction, learn when it is better to wait for labor.
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Is Homebirth Safe?
Medical experts disagree about whether homebirth carries more risk than giving birth within a hospital setting. Studies show that complications happen in either place.
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Doula Support Recommended for Childbirth
Consumers should expect that their place of birth and medical care providers practice evidence-based medicine. What interventions should be avoided and what helps?
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Eating and Drinking During Labor is Helpful
The standard protocal in many hospital settings today for hydration is ice chips and IV fluids. Policies regarding fluids and light foods may be changing.
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Say No to Labor Inductions
Many mothers believe that being induced to avoid conflict with the holidays is preferred over going into labor on their own. Here are reasons to reconsider an induction.
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Top Questions to ask about Your Place of Birth
The majority of mothers give birth in hospitals today in the United States and Canada. Options from tubs to mobility and eating can vary in many places of birth.
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Stripping Membranes
New research shows that stripping or sweeping membranes does not induce labor or reduce the mother's chance of going past her due date.
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How to Have a Successful VBAC
Parents frequently have an uphill battle if they are considering a VBAC today. Knowing your options for labor including out-of-hospital birth locations are helpful.
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Contributing Articles in Birthing Options
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Natural Choices for You and Your New Baby
Here is just a little information for expecting mothers who have had a C-section and wish to have their next child by natural labor. It can be done!
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Advantages and Disadvantages of a Home Birth
Expectant mothers may have many concerns and questions when considering a home birth. This article discusses the benefits and drawbacks of labour at home.
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Benefits of HypnoBirthing®
Apart from giving a woman control of her own body, hypnobirthing has many benefits for the mother and baby.
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HypnoBirthing® and Relaxation
Hypnobirthing allows an expectant mother to give birth in a calm and relaxed way. It allows her to stay in full control of her body and to work with her unborn baby.
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HypnoBirthing®
Imagine giving birth in a calm and relaxed state. Hypnobirthing equips a mother to be in full control of her body during labour.
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Planning A Childbirth Unassisted
What should you do when people have questions? Here are some tips on facing critics, questions, and concerns about your natural unassisted childbirth plans.
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Is Giving Birth in Water Safe for Mother & Baby?
Water birth, an alternative birth option, is becoming more popular as women seek a fulfilling, less painful labor and delivery experience. However, is water birth safe?
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Hypnobirthing - Natural Childbirth Education
Hypnobirthing, known as the Mongan method for hypnobirth, provides a natural childbirth education for mothers who want to have a hypnosis birth. Learn how it works here.
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Epidural Anesthesia for Childbirth
Epidural analgesia is standard pain management for 66% of mothers giving birth in U.S. hospitals. Women are often not told about all the side effects.
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When to Cut the Umbilical Cord
Most parents expect to have their newborn's umbilical cord clamped and cut shortly after birth. But there may be reasons to wait until the placenta delivers.
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Epidural Anesthesia Side Effects
Epidurals can provide relief during labor. The use of this technique can also have potentially serious side effects. Determine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
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The Bradley Method of Labor and Delivery
Learning strategies to cope with labor can help you recover from childbirth more easily. Use techniques like the Bradley Method to make labor far less difficult.
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The Benefits of Having a Home Water Birth
Home births are becoming more popular as women understand the many benefits. One of the most popular ways to experience a home birth is through a home water birth.
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Hospital Birth or Home Birth
Deciding where to give birth can be very hard. Think carefully about whether to give birth at home or to give birth in a hospital ward.
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Considering Vaginal Birth after C-Section
Pregnant women who want a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) instead of another cesarean section need to know VBAC risks and benefits, and choose a supportive OB/GYN.
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How to Budget for a Birth Doula
Some couples struggle with the financial cost of hiring a birth coach. Doulas are not always covered by health insurance and are often an out of pocket expense.
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The Impact of Abuse Issues During Pregnancy
Don't let confusion and fear overwhelm the birth of your child! Understanding some simple tools can allow you to feel safe and supported.
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What is a Doula?
Pregnant women looking for support or assistance during pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood stages may seek the help of a doula.
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Birth Options for New Mothers
It is important for pregnant moms to understand their birthing options and be prepared for this important occasion.
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Choosing Your Birth Attendant and Location
Birth couldn't be any more normal or human, but with all the options and decisions, it can be a little confusing!
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Birth Information for Moms Wanting Natural Birth
Many women hope for a natural labor and delivery . here is birth information that can help them experience a natural child birth and enjoy the miracle along the way.
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What is Freebirthing?
Freebirthing is a trend of non-medical birthing without the guidance of a midwife, OB-GYN, or other medical professional. Many moms also forgo formal prenatal care.
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How to Hire a Birth Doula
A Birth Doula provides emotional, physical and informational support to a woman and her partner during childbirth and should be hired according to the couple's needs.
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Managing Pain in Labour
Labour can be difficult, but there are a number of ways to alleviate pain to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
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What to Expect When You Are Induced
Understanding common standards of practice for induction and pain relief during child birth can make delivery easier and less stressful.
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