I am dedicating this post to all mothers out there who have gone through a whole lot of sacrifices (physically and mentally) in order to bring their children out into this world in the best way they can. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! :) . .

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This post has been loooong overdue! I told myself that I should share about my experience on active birth for moms-to-be who read my blog to encourage them that it is very, very doable and that there's nothing to fear, even just to give it a try. Of course, there should be the consent of your OB-gyn, that you have no risky health conditions and that you are physically able to deliver your child this way. If you think you are a strong and healthy mom-to-be and you would like to give this a try (especially for your first child), I'd say go for it, girl!

By the way, I was also inspired to share about this after I read the blog of a fellow mommy who ended up having a C-section which MAY BE because the anesthesiologist told her that she needed an epidural to feel relaxed and to relax her baby as well. You can read her blog here.

Anyway, on with my post... Are you a mother-to-be? Do you want to give birth to your child with no drugs injected into you whatsoever? Do you want to be in control of your body during labor? Do you want to bring your baby out into this world the most natural way? If your answer is "yes, yes, yes, and yes" then you are a step closer to what is most natural and best for you and your baby during child birth.

Before anything else, if you are not for any of those mentioned above, it does not make you any worse than those who would want to go for what's natural. You know your body better than anyone else. But I would like to urge you to learn more about the procedures you will be going through, be it C-section, an epidural, induced labor, and the likes, so you would know both the pros and cons of such medical procedures. I was always determined to have a normal delivery, to give birth to my babies without any anesthesia.

I wanted to know how childbearing really felt like and experience the utmost joy once I see my baby for the first time. It's one of the best things a mother can give and do for her child. When I was pregnant, I was able to read a book on active birth. It was a very good book. It encouraged me more to go natural and made natural birth seem easy.

Actually, one of the secrets of making it through a drug-free delivery is TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT every step of the way. Though nothing beats actual experience, it makes a lot of difference for first-timers because you won't be caught by surprise anymore. Don't be shy to ask your doctor or the nurses around you. I'm sure you're not the first (or last) to ask them such questions. These were the things that we did when I was in labor with our two (2) boys:  . .

Stay ambulant. My husband and I always got the lamaze room of Cardinal Santos Medical Hospital. This gave me the chance to walk around, stay standing or sit whenever I get contractions. I followed the different positions that had gravity working with me, pulling my babies down with every contraction. Those positions would be standing, squatting (the best position) or sitting. I avoided lying down as long as I could. With DL1, I had no choice, though, because I was in labor from 12:00mn to 10:00am, so I had to sleep (even if I had really strong contractions according to the those feeling my tummy). With DL2, I was awake the whole time since I gave birth to him a little past 12:00mn (I'm nocturnal). . .

Stay relaxed. Well, it's understandable to be a bit tensed if it's your first baby, so what we did was bring CD's with relaxing music to fill the silence of the labor room. It was so relaxing that B and even the residents who checked on my contractions would doze off a bit, hehe! The music also helped me doze off, too, despite my already strong contractions around 2:00am. . .

Bring a camera and videocam (if allowed). Primarily, for posterity's sake and to keep you smiling some even if the pain is already there :D But I did have shots when I was already serious, concentrating on my breathing since the contractions were getting stronger and more painful. But when I would see those pictures now, I'd just laugh at how serious and focused I looked! . .

Follow your birth plan as closely as you can. Having a birth plan helps you stay on track with what to expect during labor. Since you have already discussed it with your OB-gyn (you should), you already know your "rights" while you're in the labor room. You can turn down an epidural or an IV if you are offered one, you can request to move-about in between contractions, you can turn down any drugs or medication to hide the pain or induce labor, etc. . .

Be familiar with the different procedures. Research and read about the delivery method you want to have, whether it's normal delivery with epidural, C-section or normal delivery with no anesthesia at all. Knowing about the different procedures will help prepare you not only physically but mentally as well. Drastic decisions can be avoided when faced with sudden changes. At least you know your options and you can ask your doctor or the residents about them. . .

After labor... Relish that joyous and blissful moment upon seeing and touching your newborn child for the first time :) . .

  . .

This is DL1 right after he was born (October 2004)...

  . .

This is DL2 right after he was born (February 2007)...

A mother's touch...

  . .

(letting DL2 latch for the first time)...

By the way, I was able to give birth to both our sons anesthesia-free and drug-free. To me, it's one of the best feelings I ever had! . . Allow me to share with you the Introduction of the book, Active Birth by Janet Balaskas:

The concept of "active birth" is a milestone in the history of childbirth. Bringing together these two simple words is by itself a work of genius: active birth covers a huge scale of meaning, at different, complementary levels.

The first level might be described as muscular. When you just have a glimpse of pictures of "active births" you notice that at the end of the labor, when the baby is coming, many mothers are vertical, hanging on to someone or something, or leaning forward on something, or in a supported squatting position, or kneeling.

At the second level you penetrate more deeply into the physiological process of childbirth. Childbirth is first a brain process. When a woman is giving birth by herself, the active part of her brain is the primitive part. It is this part that we have in common with all the mammals, the part that secretes the necessary hormones. A woman gives birth actively when she can secrete her own hormones, or, in other words, when she does not need synthetic hormones from a drip, or any other kind of medical intervention. The activity of the primitive part of the brain implies a reduction of inhibitions coming from the "new" brain, the neocortex. The factors that can disturb this brain process, this change in level of consciousness, such as noise, bright lights, and the presence of strangers, are not easily eliminated in the context of a modern obstetric unit. The ideal environment for an active birth ensures the mother privacy, semi-darkness, silence, and at the same time, the proximity of an experienced person.

At the third level "active birth" refers to the attitude that society as a whole has towards childbirth. In our society childbirth is completely under the control and under the responsibility of medical institutions. Pregnant and laboring women are called "patients." Modern obstetric nurses, trained in obstetric units, are not simply mothers helping other mothers. When a newborn baby is not healthy, the medical institution is considered responsible. The concept of "active birth" has been introduced by women who want to take back the control and the responsibility of childbirth. They consider the medical institution as a resource to use in precise circumstances. What a provocative challenge at a time when the negative side effects of obstetrics are better and better known!

The day when Janet introduced the phase "active birth" was possibly the most important on in the history of childbirth in Europe since the day when French doctor Mauriceau took control of childbirth as he placed the laboring woman on her back.

. .Michel Odent

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