In many cases, natural childbirth is a painful, but healthy way of delivery.  Natural childbirth allows the mother to be aware and ready to see her newborn baby.  Many women initially decide to have a natural childbirth, but as the pain increases, they change their mind.  If you are considering natural childbirth, but are scared and anxious about the pain involved, there are methods that can help you prepare.

No matter what your decision, it is important to discuss it over with your doctor and make sure that natural childbirth is a safe option for you.  Always, always listen and follow your doctor’s advice when it comes to the health and safety of you and your child.

First and foremost, once you make your decision to have natural childbirth, it is important that you are confident in that decision.  If you find yourself saying you will try to have a natural childbirth, you still have some doubt in your mind as to whether you will be able to go through with it or not.  Get it set in your mind that you “will” have a natural childbirth.  Once you have made up your mind and you have decided to stick to your decision, it will make the labor pains tolerable.

If you are not a high-risk pregnancy and are serious about giving birth naturally, you can hire a midwife rather than having a physician attend the birth.  A midwife is someone who is there to support you during your birth and support your decision to give birth naturally.  He or she still has the expertise needed if something unusual arises.  You can also hire a doula.  A doula is a birthing coach.  You will still be in the hospital with a physician, but the doula will couch you through the pain and encourage you to stick it out until the birth is over.

There are also classes that you can take to prepare you for natural childbirth.  Lamaze classes are very popular with many women.  These classes teach you how to breathe during labor.  The breathing techniques help you deal with the pain in a natural way.  You can also take a self-hypnosis class.  This will help you learn to lessen the pain in a natural way.

A perineal massage is another way to lesson your labor pain.  At 34 weeks, begin massaging the muscles of your vagina for between six and eight minutes a day.  Don’t start any earlier than 34 weeks, however, you can start any time after 34 weeks.  This helps stretch the vagina muscles and will make them more flexible for the birth.

Be sure that your doctor and nurses are aware of your decision to have a natural childbirth.  You can even ask your physician to not offer any medications unless they are absolutely necessary.  This means you are setting your birth plan.  Now you can have some sort of backup plan if the pain is too excruciating, but again, that goes back to the “try” natural childbirth plan.  It is important to remain confident in your decision.

There may be unforeseen circumstances in which a natural childbirth will just not be safe for you or your baby.  Listen to your doctor if he says your safety is in danger and medication is needed.  It also helps to have someone else there to help you make a decision.