mom and dad and newborn babyJust as this is an exciting and nerve wracking time for you, it is equally so for dad. Unfortunately, we tend to overlook dad’s role and dad’s feelings. We just assume he will figure it out and do what is expected of him when the contractions start, the baby comes and things need to be taken care of. Then, let’s be honest, we are exasperated when dad doesn’t do what we expect him to do. Ladies, just as you need to be prepared for having a baby, so does dad. So let’s help him out.

The first thing that expectant fathers need to know is where the hospital is. Don’t laugh or overlook this key piece of info. You also don’t want to assume that he knows where it is and where he is suppose to go. Where we used to live a lady in labor goes to the ER and is then sent to labor and delivery. Where we live now, and the hospital we will be going to, they have a separate labor unit, which you go directly in to. So dad needs to know how to get there from work, and he needs to know where he needs to go.

More on Tips to Help Dad Perpare for Childbirth

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy by More4kids Inc.

While terribly painful, many times natural childbirth is the best option for having a healthy delivery. Deliverying your child natually also makes sure that you will be lucid and ready to see and hold you baby once they are born. While most women plan on having a natural birth, many tend to change their minds when the pain gets too bad. If you really want to have a natural childbirth, but aren’t sure you’ll stick with it; try these methods to help you prepare for your labor, and remember to consult with your healthcare professional to ensure your safety and your babies safety and health.

More on Tips For Preparing For A Natual Childbirth

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy by More4kids Inc.

natural childbirthThere are many benefits to a natural birth for both mother and baby. The baby will be born without the lethargic effect that can occur from some pain relief medications. Natural pain relief methods may result in a better chance of avoiding interventions. In some cases, pitocin, artificial rupture of the membranes and other interventions become necessary after the woman receives pain medication. If you want to have a natural birth, you will need to be ready with some natural methods for relieving pain.
 
Natural Pain Relief Methods
 
Breathing: All prenatal classes that promote natural child birth include information on breathing. This can be patterned breathing, as in the Lamaze method or just relaxed breathing as in the Bradley method. Breathing helps in a few ways. It brings more oxygen to the baby and your body tissues. Breathing can also help the mother relax through the contractions.

More on Childbirth: Natural Pain Relief Options

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy by More4kids Inc.

by Patricia Hughes

The final stage of pregnancy can cause anxiety for many women. women working through contractionsFear of labor is real. A study done in Sweden in 2001 showed that fear resulted in more medication used in labor. The study was done on first time mothers and showed that more drugs were needed for women who exhibited fear before and during labor. Fear can take many forms, such as the fear of the unknown, pain or fear that results from hearing horror stories from friends or family about difficult labors.

Fear of labor has gained attention in recent years. In the year 2000, an article in the British Journal of Psychiatry addressed this fear. It is known as tokophobia, or the fear of childbirth. This fear is now classified as a psychiatric disorder. The study discussed in the article showed that fears resulted in an increase in night mares and panic attacks.

More on Childbirth - How to Calm Fear of Labor

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Childbirth, Labor, Pregnancy by More4kids Inc.

expectant parents practicing for childbirthby Jennifer Shakeel

Birthing classes are classes for those that are expecting and the purpose of the class is to teach the expect mother what to expect during labor and delivery. They teach you different pain management options such as breathing or medication or hypnotherapy. Their goal is really to provide the mom to be with confidence that she can infact do this. These classes are usually put on by hospitals, you can find them at the hospital you plan on delivering at, but not all expectant moms take the classes. Which begs the question, do you really need the class before you have the baby?

There isn't really an easy answer to this question. That is because the baby is coming whether you take the classes or not, it isn't like you have to take the class in order to have the baby. It is a matter of how well do you want to be prepared for what is going to happen during labor and delivery. The classes prepare you for general labor and delivery… not necessarily your labor and delivery.

You have a choice when it comes to birthing classes that you could take. There are a variety of classes you could take. Here are four possible classes: More on Do You Really Need Childbirth Classes?

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Pregnancy by More4kids Inc.

getting ready for childbirthWomen seeking a natural birth experience look for a variety of natural pain relief methods. One method that can be very effective is hypnosis for child birth. Whether you have private hypnosis sessions during your pregnancy or use a home program, you will be learning to put yourself into a hypnotic state.

The benefits of hypnosis are well known. Hypnosis is used for a wide variety of reasons in addition to child birth. Increasingly, people are turning to hypnosis to quit smoking, lose weight, anxiety and for treatment in dealing with phobias.

More on Hypnosis and Childbirth

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy by More4kids Inc.

Young happy couple in childbirth classThere are many benefits to taking a class to prepare you for the birth of your baby. Women who have taken classes tend to be more prepared and have less fear of labor. There are a variety of different methods. Three common methods are Bradley, Lamaze and Birthworks. Some hospitals offer courses that are hybrids of several methods. You can locate classes through your doctor, midwife, hospital, birthing center or get a recommendation from friends or family members. Here is some information and tips on childbirth classes:

More on Pregnancy and Tips for Selecting a Childbirth Class

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy by More4kids Inc.

9 months pregnant and ready for childbirthAre you starting to feel a little nervous? Don't worry, that is a common feeling. You have waited so many months for the arrival of your baby. It is very natural that your anticipation is building during these final weeks of pregnancy and the birth of your new little bundle of joy! Unfortunately, those last few weeks can feel like the longest part of your forty week term.

You might be feeling more than ready for the pregnancy to be over and you are probably at least a little apprehensive about the birth process. You can take comfort in knowing that all moms go through this impatience to some extent, and it is not unusual you are anxious to move on to the next phase of motherhood. We hope you will continue to visit us here in our baby or parenting sections of our site.

More on Pregnancy and Childbirth: The Final Weeks

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy by More4kids Inc.

have you thought about the hospital you will give childbirth at?When you choose your obstetrician, you are also choosing the hospital at which you’ll give birth. Therefore, you have to start thinking about which hospital to deliver at before selecting your obstetrician, because your doctor will have admitting privileges at a certain hospital. You may have to switch doctors in order to deliver at the hospital you want.

You can start your research by asking your current gynecologist about good hospitals. A good hospital usually means one that is less than an hour away, and is easily accessible by car. It is especially beneficial if the hospital is easily accessible by the interstate system, since you will not want to experience traffic while you are in labor.

More on Choosing A Hospital To Give Birth

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy by More4kids Inc.

by Patricia Hughes

pregnancy-wife-and-husband.jpgTaking a childbirth class during pregnancy is the best way to learn about labor and delivery. You will also learn about possible complications, interventions and procedures. You will have the chance to ask questions of the instructor. Taking a childbirth class helps reduce anxiety and may lessen the need for pain medications in labor. You will learn relaxation and breathing techniques to help you deal with the pain of labor. The two most common classes are Bradley and Lamaze. 

The Bradley Method

The Bradley Method is also called Husband Coached Childbirth. This method was developed by Dr. Robert Bradley in the 1940s and was revolutionary at that time. This method emphasizes natural childbirth without medication and minimal interventions.

More on Choosing a Childbirth Class

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Pregnancy by More4kids Inc.

by Patricia Hughes
Fear of childbirth is very common among pregnant women. There are a variety of causes for fear in women, including fear of pain and fear of the unknown. You can overcome your fear of birth and go on to have a very satisfying birth experience. Learning about labor can often help alleviate fear. For the most extreme cases, professional help or hypnosis can help take away the fear.  
Many of our fears are cultural. Before hospital births were common, women delivered babies in their homes. Young women and girls were often present at the births of younger siblings and family members. As a result, they grew up to see birth as a natural part of life and not something to be feared. By the time she got married and had a baby, she had likely seen many labors and wasn’t afraid of delivering her own.  
Now, birth takes place in the hospital. For most women, their own baby’s birth is the first they have experienced. They know very little about the process and this increases fear. Birth is often not seen as a natural life experience. This results in more fear. To add to this problem, some people feel the need to tell pregnant women every horror story they’ve ever heard regarding birth. Some seem to focus on the negative aspects and feel the need to share these with first time mothers.  
The fear of pain is a common cause of fear of birth. To combat this fear, learn about your pain relief options. Learn about both drugs and natural pain relief methods. Take a class and practice the methods learned to help you handle labor. Learn about relaxation, breathing, massage and distraction to help you cope with the pain.  
Lack of knowledge contributes to the fear of birth. Learn as much as you can about labor while you are pregnant. Taking a childbirth class is a good way to gain information. Read books about labor and birth. Watch videos of childbirth to help you know what to expect. The more you learn about birth, the less afraid you will become.  
Talk to friends who have had positive birth experiences. You know who the positive people in your life are and the negative people. Stay away from the negative people and talk to the positive people in your life. Talking can really help overcome fear. If you don’t have any friends to talk to, spend time talking with your husband or doctor. If you are extremely fearful, consider a few sessions with a counselor to help you overcome the fear. 
Write a birth plan for your upcoming birth. As you learn about birth, you will develop some definite opinions about the kind of birth experience you want. Writing a plan will help you think about what you want and what you want to avoid. Putting your wishes down in writing can be very empowering. Share your plan with your doctor.  
Take a tour of the hospital where your baby will be born. If you are taking your child birth classes at that hospital, a tour may be included. If not, call and request a tour. This will give you a chance to ask questions and see where your baby will be born. You will get a feel for the place on the tour. This can help relieve the fear of the unknown and make you feel better.  
Consider taking a hypnosis for child birth course. This can help you overcome your fear and lessen the pain you feel during the birth. You can take the class with a certified hypnotherapist. The internet is a good place to find practitioners in your area. Ask your doctor or child birth educator for a referral. Home courses are available on CD. These can be ordered on the internet.
Biography
Patricia Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four. Patricia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University. She has written extensively on pregnancy, childbirth, parenting and breastfeeding. In addition, she has written about home décor and travel.


No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any form without the express permission of More4Kids Inc © 2006

Posting Search Tags:  

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Yahoo Buzz]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Filed under Childbirth by

Womens Health Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory