I recently had a discussion with a group of wise wymen, and asked what they felt was the single most important thing that they did to ensure that their birth was as safe and fulfilling as they had anticipated. If it was not, what interfered with the experience that could have been changed? My answers were wide and varied. Some were obvious, while others were things that one often only thinks about in retrospect. As I gathered statistics and suggestions it became clear that I had a wealth of knowledge at my disposal, which just had to be shared! I had thought of writing an article on the subject but there was just too much information. And so we embark on an adventure! I have decided to devote the next twenty weeks to 10 ways to ensure a natural birth. We will expand on a new point every two weeks and hopefully get a discussion going on each point. I am happy and exited to present you with the 10 topic titles and a brief description. If there is anything you would like to add please start a discussion or drop me an e-line.

• Staying Out of a Hospital Increases Your Chances of Having a Natural Birth

It is definitely possible to have a natural birth in a hospital, but studies show that many more interventions are performed on women in hospitals that at home births. Lewis Mehl did a study that showed that woman are 3 times more likely to get a c-section, 22 times more likely to have forceps used, and 9 times more likely to have substantial vaginal tearing ^[1] while birthing in a hospital. Also many woman who birthed unmedicated at home figured that they would have taken pain drugs during the transition period had they been offered. Not because they wanted the drugs but because they felt they might not have had the strength to refuse had they been readily accessible. Simply put, if you birth at home you have no access to medication and it is therefore easy to avoid them.

• Choose a Health Care Provider That Supports Natural Birth

Choosing a caregiver who will have the honor  of attending the birth of your child is without a doubt one of the most consequential decisions you will ever make. This person takes on the awesome responsibility of understanding all of you wants, needs, and beliefs in regards to childbirth. They are there to support you in achieving the birth experience that you desire. There are many options; Obstetrician, General Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Direct Entry Midwife or you may make the decision to choose an unassisted birth.

• Educate Yourself BUT Choose Your Reading Material Wisely

Education and understanding of the birth process are fundamental to birthing safely. There is a staggering array of books out there with information on pregnancy and childbirth written from all points of view. It can be no small task to find one that fits in with one’s beliefs especially when you are not sure what all those beliefs are yet!

• Incorporate Exercise, Bodywork and Alternative Therapies Into Your Pregnancy

Birthing your babies is most likely the most strenuous event in which you will ever take part. Competitive athletes have been asked what took more energy, running a marathon or delivery. The answer, hands down, was delivery. You would never dream of running a marathon without training first. Likewise you must prepare you body to birth your baby. Exercise, yoga, meditation, visualization, massage and chiropractic, are just a few of the techniques that one can implement to strengthen the mind, body, and spirit.

• Healthy Eating and Herbal Nutrition

It is a universal truth that you get out of something exactly what you put into it. There are thousands of building blocks required to grow a human from two tiny cells. These nutrients can be derived from an abundantly healthy diet and herbal supplements. A mother that is healthy, well nourished, and who avoids toxic substances will thrive and subsequently so will the life growing inside her.

• Natural Birth Pre-Natal Classes

Pre-natal classes are often an expecting parent’s first real contact with pregnancy and delivery information. What you learn in these classes will have an enormous impact on how you view pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and even motherhood. You will want to surround yourself with peers and instructors who believe that birth is a natural process and should be respected rather than tampered with. Types of classes include The Bradley Method and Lamaze; both of which are geared towards unmedicated birth and often classes that are offered by midwives.

• Choose a Supportive and Educated Coach/Birthing Partner

For many women their husband or partner is the main person of support during delivery. For others it is their mother or a close friend. Still others will hire a professional birthing assistant or doula. It is imperative that whoever you choose has an intimate understanding of what your beliefs and desires are. This person will be responsible to make you comfortable, give you encouragement and even speak for you when you are not able. This responsibility should only be taken on by one who supports natural birth and is very in-tune with the mother’s needs.

• Envision a Birth Where Anything is Possible

All births are unique. We have been socialized to believe that babies that are being born breech or in a posterior position are coming out improperly and are therefore emergency situations. This is not the case they are simply arriving in a way that is not the norm. Babies come out many different ways and there is no "right" or "wrong" method of entry into the world. Birth must be viewed as a process that naturally has variations that do not require invasive intervention.

• Talk  to Those Who Have Walked (or Birthed as It Were) Before You

For many first time mamas natural birth is just a theory, a well planned dream of bringing their little one into the world in a loving, gentle manner. More than likely they will have the misfortune of meeting an uninformed soul who says something like "Oh I planned a natural birth too but you just wait until the labor starts, you will change your mind!" Comments like these are deflating, and serve only to make you doubt yourself and to belittle your efforts. The best way to realize your ideal is to meet those for whom it is a reality. Meeting real live (or even virtual) women who have had natural births helps you to realize that you can do it to.

• Have Faith in Your Body's Innate Ability to Give Birth