What Are The Different Birthing Options For An Expectant Mother?

Bringing a baby into this world is a mammoth task. Although there is a  typical way for a baby to be born, technological advances and the advances in medical science have created various methods of birthing for expectant mothers. Depending on where you live, and as long as you and your baby are healthy and your pregnancy is going well, you may have a choice of options on where to give birth.

Here is everything you need to know about the different types of childbirth and delivery choices there are available. The most common and the most known methods are vaginal delivery and a C section. Apart from these two, there are some more methods of child delivery which you could consider.

Types of birthing methods

Natural birth

This is one method which is gaining popularity slowly and steadily. When a baby is born through the birth canal of a woman’s body, that delivery is termed as a vaginal delivery. But, this process may also involve epidurals and other procedures. But, in natural birth, there are no epidurals or other invasive procedures involved. Childbirth happens in the most natural form.

Water Birth

As the name suggests, in a water birth the baby is  born under water. It occurs in a warm, water-filled birthing tub, usually at home or in birthing centers, and with the assistance of midwives, rather than hospital staff. The buoyancy of water allows more relief during labor. If your pregnancy doesn’t involve any complications, you can go ahead for a water birth but, not all hospitals offer this option. So, you need to run a background checks on a few hospitals before zeroing in on a final choice. There is no evidence that either mothers or babies are at extra risk from water immersion (having the labor in warm water for pain relief) or water birth, although further research is needed on water birth.

The potential risks include:

• Your baby might get an infection.
• Your baby might swallow water.
• You or your baby might get too hot.

Hospitals that offer water births are equipped to deal with any problems that might arise during the birth. If there is a problem, your doctor or midwife might have to remove you from the bath or pool safely and quickly.

If you have a straightforward pregnancy and both you and the baby are well, you might choose to give birth at home. However, if there are risks or complications during your pregnancy, home birth may not be a safe option for you or your baby. If you give birth at home, you should be supported by a registered midwife, doctor or obstetrician who will be with you while you’re in labor. If you need any help or your labor is not progressing as well as it should, your midwife will make arrangements for you to be transferred to hospital.

Advantages and disadvantages of a home birth

Advantages

• Being in familiar surroundings where you may feel more relaxed.
• You may not have to interrupt your labor to go into hospital.
• You can be with your older children,
• Your family stays by you throughout the delivery.
• You are more likely to be looked after by a midwife or doctor who you have got to know during your pregnancy.

Disadvantages

• Epidurals and any other form of emergency medications may not be readily available immediately.
• If any complication arises during the process, you may have to be shifted to the hospital at the earliest which could be a cumbersome task.

The internet has a plethora of options wherein you could find the best birthing center for your child’s delivery. So, finding the best choice for you when it comes to doctors, midwives or hospitals is now a cakewalk. Get into your internet search engine and key in ‘birthing center near me’ or ‘gynecologist near me’ and you are bound to get a hundred results.

Carefully research and gather all the information, visit the hospital or doctor a few times (if you wish), take a few recommendations and then only make a decision.

Water births and home births are gradually gaining popularity all over the world. Women have started preferring these methods as they feel that the process in more gentle and natural. However, it is imperative to gather all the facts about these methods of birthing so as to avoid any complications for you or your baby. 

Also read: 3 Questions You Must Ask Your Care Provider To Make The Right Birthing Choice

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