How to have a positive birth experience

I'd like to think that there are lots of women out there having good birth experiences. Here are some tips on how to make your baby's birth special to you. 

Be informed
There is so much to learn when it comes to pregnancy, labour and birth. Sadly our stretched NHS midwives are unable to fully inform women of the choices in pregnancy labour and birth in antenatal appointments alone. In many Trusts there are limits on the number of people who can attend antenatal classes. Therefore more and more women are seeking out independent antenatal classes, such as hypnobirthing. A hypnobirthing course offers comprehensive antenatal education that gives parents the time to think about their birth preferences.

Place of birth
Decide where you would most like to give birth. The choices are: 

• at home 
• at hospital 
• in a free-standing midwifery unit (not attached to a hospital) 
• in an alongside midwifery unit (within a hospital setting) 

Some people quickly make assumptions on each of these settings. When you look at them in a pragmatic way, the differences are minor. However, the outcomes on the birth experiences can be significant. Make yourself a chart and list out what you want/don't want from birth. Decide which of these settings provides the best place for you to achieve the birth that you want. 

Birth type 
Make sure you find out what labour and birth involves. It's good to find out the most common scenarios and learning what the risks and benefits are. I recommend, that you research natural births, induced births and c-section births. Read up on how labour evolves in each of those scenarios. After this exercise you will have a firmer idea about which birth you prefer? 

Pain relief 
There are many ways a woman can be supported during birth. 
Natural forms of support include: 

• warm baths/showers 
• hypnobirthing techniques, such as visualisations, breathing techniques and positive affirmations 

Medicalised relief includes: 

• Gas & Air (Entonox) 
• Pethidine 
• Epidural 

Find out the risks and benefits of the medicalised pain relief options and the impact they have on both the mum and the baby. Decide from there what you are comfortable with taking. Also list those that you may prefer not to use unless needed on the day. 

Learn how to relax 
Once you are in control of your experience. You are more likely to be comfortable and calm. This is key to helping you relax. Simple breathing techniques; calming visualisations; positive birth statements or affirmations, are easy ways to help you feel calm and relaxed. 

Learning what may happen will give you the confidence to deal with any situation that arises. If you are well informed and know your choices you are in a strong position to take control. When you make your own decisions, you will feel empowered and comfortable. These are huge steps that lead towards a positive experience of labour and birth. 
Would like help learning techniques to remain, relaxed, focused and in control? Do you want to find a comprehensive antenatal class that informs you of all the common scenarios? Then hypnobirthing classes, for you and your birth partner, will help you to achieve that. 

Magical Baby Moments' hypnobirthing classes not only teach you relaxation techniques, but they also covers many aspects of labour and birth. We cover topics such as: 

• where to have your baby 
• options for medical and natural pain relief
• best positions for labour
• looking after the baby after the birth

 Read more in the classes section.

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