To pregnant women, with low-risk pregnancies

Here's my advice(I'm NOT telling you to follow this. This is not meant to take the place of professional care):

1. Stay home until your contractions are 3-5 minutes apart

2. Stay on your feet as long as absolutely possible. Preferably until baby is born, but at least until you can feel baby's head down there.

3. Refuse IV fluids during and after labor. 

4. Refuse epidurals and other narcotics, as these will only slow labor, drug your baby, and increase the likelihood of difficulties with breastfeeding.

5. Drink water as needed during labor...eat a light snack during early labor.

6. Use your/the hospital's bath tub or shower to help you manage contractions.

7. Ask for/demand privacy during labor, unless you feel more secure with assistance from nurses.

8. Ask for/demand intermittent fetal monitoring (note: not possible if you allow interventions such as epidural or pitocin)

This is just advice from one mother to another. I've had natural birth and inductions...natural is WAY better.

I PROMISE you, the experience Mother Nature gives you is far less painful than the one delivered to you via an IV.

Also, Mother Nature provides all you need to bond with your baby and to create the optimal breastfeeding experience, all of which are hampered by interventions.

Here's a great resource:
The Nursing Mother's Companion. Huggins. 6th edition.

You're truly going to have to research for yourself and go to your doctor/midwife armed with questions and requests, or you'll never be fully informed.

It's sad, but absolutely true.

We put more time into deciding what to wear than informing ourselves on labor, delivery, and feeding our children.

It is so sad to me.

PS. Please remember this as well...

Not all doctors are intervention-happy, nor are all midwives hands-off. You must know your provider and be certain that he/she shares your views of your ideal birth. You absolutely cannot just assume.

REED!!!
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