Childbirth options: Which one is best for you?

Available Childbirth options

Natural birth at home

Perhaps it is the oldest type of birth, as most of our grandmothers gave birth at home with the help of the local midwife. Even today, many women prefer this type of childbirth for several reasons, the most important of which is that they do not want to feel the stress of being in the hospital. The anxiety that affects many women is due to the presence of many medical staff members and the repeated internal examination during labor.

I want to point out that the woman giving birth is not sick, and if things go well, she may not need hospitalization.

When can you give birth at home?

You can give birth at home if:

• You had a low-risk and complications-free pregnancy, and there was no gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, or twin pregnancy.

• The fetus isn’t too big. When the size of the fetus is large, there is a possibility of a c-section or perineal tear.

• Normal and complication-free previous pregnancies and births.

• The birth must be assisted by a trained midwife, a nurse, or another medical staff member to care for the baby and ensure its safety after birth. An OBGYN follow-up is also necessary, even if remotely.

• The presence of a fetal monitor to monitor the fetus’s pulse from time to time.

Water Birth

Water birth is a new trend in birthing and has become available in many maternity hospitals in Arab countries such as the United Arab Emirates. It has many advantages, which makes it recommended by many doctors and midwives. The most essential benefits of giving birth in water are:

• Childbirth takes place in warm water at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, which helps relax the muscles and reduce the severity of birth pain.

• A woman’s presence in the water during labor reduces her feelings of stress and pain during childbirth, compared to if she were tied to a birth bed.

• It reduces pressure on the back muscles, making labor pain less severe.

• Increase the relaxation of the perineal muscles, which reduces the possibility of a tear.

• The baby’s transition from the womb will be less stressful, as he will emerge into a medium similar to the one he was in during pregnancy. The baby will swim as soon as he leaves the birth canal.

When can you have a water birth?

• For water birth to be safe, whether it takes place at home or in the hospital, it is essential to have a midwife trained in this type of birth to follow the expecting mother during all stages of labor.

• The birth should be full-term; preterm birth cannot occur in water.

• Your fetus should not be breech and should be in the vertical position.

• Water birth is not possible when carrying twins; giving must take place in the hospital, on a delivery bed.

• To avoid the risk of infection, it must not have been 24 hours or more since the water broke.

• The pregnancy must be stable and risk-free because the fetus and mother cannot be monitored in the water.

• The mom must be OK with giving birth without an epidural, as it cannot be used in water births. Instead, laughing gas can be used to relieve labor pain.

Natural birth in the hospital

The expecting mother, in agreement with her doctor by specifying what she wants in the birth plan, can have a natural, physiological birth, like giving birth at home. So that only one midwife enters the delivery room throughout the delivery, in addition to her OBGYN. Not being confined to the bed, connected to a fetal monitor and being monitored intermittently, being able to move, and resorting to natural pain relief methods such as sitting on a birth ball, doing deep breathing exercises, and getting a lower back massage. This is possible in agreement with the doctor if the pregnancy is risk-free and no complications occur during childbirth.

Conclusion

Every woman needs to receive sufficient prenatal education to be aware of the different childbirth options, to be able to prepare a birth plan that is appropriate for her, and to be mindful of her rights during childbirth.