Methods of Child Birthing, Vaginal Delivery - Research Paper Example

? Birthing Methods Introduction Various birthing methods exist with each of them offering unique coping strategies associated with certain advantages and disadvantages. Birthing practices vary among various people in the world due to the varied beliefs surrounding pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care. Despite the similarity among many people, Selin (2009) argues against generalization of birthing practices. Therefore, expectant mothers get to choose their preferred method of delivery. The biggest concern among women during childbirth has been the associated pain. The various available childbirth methods adopt techniques that limit or diminish this labor pain. Vaginal delivery has been for long considered to be the safest, hence its popularity (Nihira, 2012). It involves giving birth to babies naturally through the vagina, hence at times referred to as natural birth. Humans are known to be bipedal with an upright stance, with their heads being the biggest among the mammalian species in relation to the pelvis size (Selin, 2009). As such, fetuses and the pelvises of women adapt to make birthing possible. This erect posture would cause the abdominal contents weight to push on the floor of the pelvis which not only supports this weight but also allows the vagina, rectum and urethra to pass through it. The shoulders and the head need a specific successiveness of maneuvers so that the bony shoulders and head get through the bony pelvic ring. The pain associated with this process has seen various pharmaceutical solutions prescribed including inhalation of nitrogen oxide as Entonox. Other medical interventions include spinal and epidural anesthesia. The advantage of this method to the baby includes their ingestion of protective bacteria as they pass the birth canal which forms an immune system. To the mother, the advantage includes quick recovery and no scars left that would risk any future uterine tearing when giving birth. But most women keep off analgesic medication in childbirth through use of psychological preparation, massage, education and acupuncture among other possible solutions. Dr. Grantly Dick-Read introduced hypnosis during childbirth as a technique to bring the expectant woman into complete relaxation to allow for the muscles of the body to function as they are designed to (Beier, 2012). Hypnobirthing holds the belief of fear-tension-pain cycle creating pain in natural childbirth. Therefore, a laboring mother needs to eliminate fear and tension to stay free of pain. This upholds the tenet that pain is not intrinsic and could be completely eliminated. In this method, natural instincts would be applied by women to ensure easier, more comfortable and safer birthing through relaxation of the body. Therefore, the benefits of this method include shorter laboring for the mother and a calmer baby due to minimal trauma. The Bradley method, also referred to as the husband-coached method teaches on managing labor pains. Having originated from Dr. Robert Bradley in 1965, the method was associated with the inclusion of fathers during childbirth which transformed to training of these fathers as effective labor coaches (Nihira, 2012). According to Dr. Bradley, combining education, adequate mental, physical and emotional preparation and a well-trained labor coach promotes natural birth without the need for surgical birth or anesthesia. This method emphasizes on observing low risk and keeping women healthy to avoid complications which has been noted to be the initiator of medical intervention (Beier, 2012). The six needs for a laboring woman that would be covered in the 12-week coaching include abdominal breathing, quietness, complete and deep relaxation, physical comfort, solitude and darkness and closed eyes. The benefits realized would be a healthy expectant mother which translates to a healthy fetus. It also encourages bonding of the expectant couple. Having started in 1951 with Dr. Fernand Lamaze basing it on breathing techniques during childbirth, the Lamaze method has been adopted and modified differently by various instructors. Breathing begins with deeply inhaling cleansing breath followed by varied repeated short puffing breath or slow breaths exhalations. This would make the mother concentrate on the breathing and keep her mind off the pain, thus, it has been noted as an important method in learning to stay in control during birthing. A variety of tools used during labor would be learnt through this birthing method including muscle relaxation, massage, cold or heat for soothing and repositioning. Though this technique could be learnt in a day, Beier (2012) proposes splitting it into several weeks. It is a popular method because of its advantage of being natural and without use of medication and also teaches women how to relax their muscles during contraction. The Alexander birthing technique introduced by F. M. Alexander concerns appropriate techniques in standing, sitting and moving easily, safely and efficiently. The pregnant woman would be coached on releasing muscular tension so as to restore the original position and the required posture of the body and increasing the breathing capacity. The technique teaches on what modifications to make to the body in cases of balance, digestive and lower back pain problems and breathe shortness so as to alleviate these symptoms. This allows for better breathing, calmness and focus during childbirth together with propagating the opening of the cervix on dilation and preparation for effective pushing at the coming of the baby. Therefore, this method has the advantage of reorganizing one’s musculature actions and balances and stimulates reflex support of posture and movement thus freeing the muscles for action. In an attempt to contain maternal pain associated with childbirth, waterbirth continues to be widely used in the modern healthcare setting in spite of its existence for centuries. This method started from the West where women would remain in a tub such as a bath or shower for some time so as to enhance comfort during early labor. While hospitals in the US had birthing pools or tubs for this purpose, mothers were still allowed to carry their own tubs to the hospital (Nihira, 2012). There have been concerns raised on whether this method allows for monitoring of the condition of the baby as the mother remains submersed in water. However, Beier (2012) appreciates that fetal monitoring could be achieved when specialized equipment like a doptone are used. Since most hospitals stopped offering this option, most mothers preferred having home births. The benefits of this method include improving blood flow and relaxing the muscles of the mother, reducing vaginal tearing and shortening the first stage of labor hence no need for anesthesia. Research has shown that most modern women prefer cesarean delivery method for fear of pain, with Curtis (2011) reporting that out of four births, one would be through cesarean section. Nihira (2012) cites a research on 300 women in a university hospital where women who feared delivery were found to have gone through more vacuum extractions and cesarean sections. C-section, as it is commonly referred to, describes delivery of the baby through surgical incision through the uterine or abdominal walls, known as laparotomy and hysterotomy respectively. Initially, this procedure was meant to save the fetus of a patient found to be moribund. In modern healthcare, practitioners recommend this method in situations of the mother’s health complications, the baby’s abnormal positioning, indications of distress in the fetus and lack of adequate room for vaginal delivery. Though considered a major surgery associated with considerable risks, this is relatively safe for both the baby and the mother (Selin, 2009). However, recovery from C-section takes longer than from natural birth. The weak spot left at the walls of the uterus could cause problems in future vaginal birth attempts. In addition, Cargill and MacKinnon (2004) observe that C-section delivered babies experience respiratory difficulties. In spite of these risks, the National Institutes of Health (2012) notes that 50% of the women who undergo c-section deliver normally in subsequent births. C-section saves the woman birth complications and skips them the labor period associated with excruciating pain. Conclusion Among the methods of child birthing, vaginal delivery has been commonly applied. But with it comes the fear of labor pains, a reason that many women would prefer various interventions so as to deliver without any pains. Even with the availability of various medications that take away the pain, most mothers do not prefer medication during childbirth. Therefore, other child birthing methods apply. Hypnobirthing ensures relaxation in women so that the body naturally performs its processes associated with birthing. The Bradley method trains husbands as coaches in childbirth promoting healthy living and reduction in risk factors. While the Lamaze method dealt with breathing control, the Alexander method teaches on the appropriate posture to limit complications. Remaining in a tub for some time has also been associated with reduced pain. Despite the availability of all these interventions, most mothers nowadays prefer cesarean delivery which involves surgical incision and birth through the abdomen. Expectant mothers should be aware of these methods so that they choose that which best fits them. References Beier, C. (2012). Giving birth naturally. Blackstone, IL.Retrieved 9 October 2012 from http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/vaginal-childbirth.html Cargill, Y. M. & MacKinnon, C. J. (2004, August). Guidelines for operative vaginal birth. SOGC Clinical Practice Guidelines. No. 148. Curtis, P. (2011, November 23). Caesarean or natural birth – which is safer? The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2012 from www.guardian.co.uk National Institute of Health (2012). Cesarean section. Bethseda, MD: The US National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 9 October 2012 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cesareansection.html Nihira, M. A. (2012). Methods of childbirth. WebMD. Retrieved 9 October 2012 from http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/delivery-methods?wwparam Selin, H. (Ed.). (2009). Childbirth across cultures: Ideas and practices of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. New York: Springer+Business Media. Read More