Choosing Where to Have Your Have
Today’s prospective mothers have many delivery options. These range from the traditional hospital birth to home birth. When considering birthing alternatives, parental values are important. Many couples, for instance, feel that the modern medical establishment has dehumanized the birth process; thus they choose to deliver at home or at a birthing center, a homelike setting outside a hospital where women can give birth and receive postdelivery care by a team of professional practitioners, including physicians and registered nurses. Financial considerations are also important, and a couple’s income and insurance coverage will often dictate its choice.
Transition The process during which the cervix becomes nearly fully dilated and the head of the fetus begins to move into the birth canal.
Episiotomy A straight incision in the mother’s perineum.
Perineum матрациThe area between the vulva and the anus.
Afterbirth The expelled placenta.
Birth Methods
Expectant parents have several options for their infant’s birth and their participation in it. Although several of these methods have decreased in popularity, all continue to be used.
-
Lamaze Method This birth alternative is the most popular one in the United States. Prelabor education classes teach the mother to control her pain through special breathing patterns, focusing exercises, and relaxation. Lamaze births usually take place in a hospital or birthing center with a physician or midwife in attendance. The husband(or labor coach) assists by giving emotional support, physical comfort(massage and ice chips), and coaching for proper breath control during contractions. Lamaze proponents discourage the use of drugs.
-
Harris Method Parents using this alternative are taught by registered nurses. Gentle touching and controlled breathing are stressed. Husbands(or other partners) provide emotional support while a physician-nurse team essentially controls the labor and delivery. Drugs are not prohibited.
-
Childbirth without Fear Sometimes called the Read Method, this method advocates education for understanding of the birth process. Mothers are taught to recognize that anticipation of pain creates more pain. Relaxation is stressed.The husband or other partner provides emotional support. Drugs are not prohibited.
-
Leboyer Method Leboyer proponents believe that birth in the standard delivery room is a traumatic experience for the baby. The Leboyer method allows the mother to deliver in a dark and quiet setting. Immediately after delivery, the infant placed in a warm bath to ease its transition to life outside the womb. Drug use is discouraged.