Physiological Birth

Mar 23 2015

What is this? Natural childbirth PLUS, I guess you could say. I’ve been hearing this buzzword a lot lately in my readings and listenings. Check it out. Sarah J. Buckley, MD writes beautifully on this topic. http://sarahbuckley.com/

I like the concept because it’s an approach that I think can be attractive to those who are very serious about natural childbirth and also to those who might be on the fence or not in favor.

Yes, no drugs or interventions, but it’s even a little more than that.

Physiological birth is the idea that everything that happens during childbirth (and even pregnancy) can and probably does have an effect on what happens next. There is an extremely intricate and fascinating dance between our lower bodies and our hormones. These hormonal cocktails serve to do so many amazing things for us during and after childbirth such as:

relieve pain
keep labor productive and effective
protect baby during labor and delivery
create”the zone” that so many women report entering during final phases of labor (sort of like a runner’s high)
trigger the “Fetal Ejection Reflex” (this means no contrived pushing, the body just does it)
prevent maternal hemorrhage and other birth complications
get the milk flowing
create strong bonds between mother and baby
help reduce or prevent postpartum depression
reduce the chance of cesarean and instrument-aided births

I know it seems like big promises, but it’s the way we’re designed. It’s an amazing and efficient system. And it really works for most.

How do you achieve a physiological birth? This is the easiest part. You just tell everyone (including your head sometimes) to stay out of your way unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. You have to let the hormone cocktails flow.

Let labor progress as it will. Don’t try to re-route or change anything. Don’t go anywhere you don’t feel comfortable. Don’t do anything you THINK you’re supposed to do if it doesn’t feel good. Walk if it feels good, crawl if that feels better. Lay down if you want, but don’t if it doesn’t feel good. Rock, roll, squat, sit, eat, drink, submerge, perch on the potty. Whatever your body is asking for, give it. Keep everything else at arm’s length.

When you can do this, a physiological birth is possible. And you and baby will both be glad for it.