| Many women feel that natural childbirth is | | | | hospital where you are giving birth will be |
| less traumatic for the baby and gives them | | | | needed if you want a hypnotist to attend you |
| more control over the birth. Start | | | | at the delivery. |
| preparation for this early in pregnancy by | | | | |
| taking regular gentle exercise, such as | | | | Torn Perineum |
| swimming and walking, which tones the muscles | | | | |
| and improves overall fitness. Eat a sensible | | | | The perineum is the skin between the vagina |
| diet and take supplements or folic acid in | | | | and the anus. It is stretched during |
| recommended amounts. Draw up a birth plan | | | | childbirth and may sometimes tear. In some |
| which sets out how you want the birth to be | | | | cases, stitches will be needed to repair the |
| managed. If it is your first baby, join a | | | | damage. |
| natural childbirth class to learn breathing | | | | |
| techniques. | | | | Prevention |
| | | | |
| Relaxation and Breathing Concentrating on | | | | Massage the area regularly before your |
| breathing can have a soothing effect and help | | | | estimated date of delivery so that it becomes |
| you relax. | | | | more supple. Aromatherapy Rub half a |
| | | | teaspoonful of jojoba oil into the area daily |
| Water Birth Immersion in a pool filled with | | | | for eight weeks before your expected delivery |
| warm water helps relieve the pain of | | | | date. |
| contractions, and some women go on to give | | | | |
| birth in the water. Find out if your hospital | | | | Treatment |
| provides a birth pool, or if you can hire | | | | |
| one. Herbal Medicine Raspberry leaf tea drunk | | | | If you had stitches after delivery, apply a |
| over the last three months of pregnancy helps | | | | cold compress to the area (try a bag of |
| tone the womb. | | | | frozen peas wrapped in a face cloth), then |
| | | | dry the area thoroughly. The warm air from a |
| Aromatherapy Rosemary oil, lavender, and | | | | hairdryer works well. Aromatherapy Add two |
| camomile, rubbed on your wrists, forehead, | | | | drops of lavender and two drops of cypress |
| and neck, relieves pain during labor. Massage | | | | oil to a warm bath and soak the area for 10 |
| Gentle downward strokes can ease pain, | | | | to 15 minutes. |
| especially in the lower back. | | | | |
| | | | Stretch Marks |
| Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist | | | | |
| for: | | | | These are pink or reddish streaks on the skin |
| | | | which eventually fade to silver. They are |
| Acupuncture Permission from the hospital | | | | caused by overÂÂstretching the skin. |
| where you are giving birth will be needed if | | | | |
| you intend to use this form of pain relief. | | | | Treatment/Prevention |
| | | | |
| Tens (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve | | | | Massage Essential oils of frankincense, |
| Stimulation) This is a version of | | | | lavender, or rosewood should be rubbed into |
| acupuncture. It works by sending electrical | | | | the abdomen and upper legs during pregnancy. |
| impulses to the brain. These block the pain | | | | |
| messages and stimulate the release of | | | | Homeopathy Biochemic tissue salts Calc. |
| endorphines, the body's natural painkillers. | | | | fluor. |
| | | | |
| Hypnosis To help ease tension it is important | | | | Diet and Nutrition Increase intake of vitamin |
| to practice the necessary techniques from | | | | E, or alternatively rub vitamin E oil into |
| early on in pregnancy. Permission from the | | | | the skin. |