Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Finding the Right Care
• Part 2 of 3: Be Prepared and Healthy
• Part 3 of 3: Avoid unnecessary intervention
• Tips

In the United States, nearly a third of all pregnant women give birth by caesarean section. Sometimes a caesarean section is a great way to avoid difficult, long labor and save the lives of the mother and baby. But many experts believe that these operations are done too often, and sometimes for no good reason at all. If you want to avoid additional risks and lingering recovery, there are ways to increase your chances of having a natural birth.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Finding the Right Care

1. 1 See your midwife. Most women give birth to their babies under the supervision of obstetricians, but research shows that midwives are better able to help women during vaginal birth without unnecessary intervention.
   • Midwives are not trained to perform surgery or handle difficult labor, but most are associated with hospitals or midwifery organizations. Keep in mind that if you develop any complications, the midwife must hand you over to a specialist. How this works and under what conditions may differ, so you should discuss this in detail with your midwife before your due date.
   • There are good reasons to seek the help of a midwife before delivery. Midwives have lower episiotomy rates and use instruments such as forceps less frequently than obstetricians. Their patients tend to require less pain relievers, and after giving birth, they report happy experiences.
2. 2 Choose the right obstetrician. If you choose to see an obstetrician rather than a midwife, make sure you choose someone who takes into account your desire to go through a vaginal birth. Ask about where the birth will take place: are they limited to a specific hospital, or do they have other options, including maternity hospitals? More choice will give you more control over childbirth.
   • Ask any obstetrician what their initial "cesarean rates" are. This number represents the percentage, the ratio of first-to-repeat cesareans that yielded results. The indicator should be as low as possible, ideally around 10%.
   • Consider the obstetrician's interference with other problems. If he uses pain medications, epidurals, episiotomy, or guidance during labor too often, he likely recommends a caesarean section.
3. 3 Find a caregiver for extra support. Caregivers are specialists who can be hired to accompany you to the hospital or maternity ward and provide additional support during labor. They are not health professionals, but their guidance and support can make labor faster with fewer complications and reduce the likelihood of a caesarean section.
4. 4 Research local hospitals and maternity wards. If you are considering a maternity hospital as one of the options, you can start with maternity hospitals, where midwives who do not use a cesarean section often give birth, if you do decide to go there, you will have a vaginal birth, and if you have complications will begin - you will be transferred to the hospital. If for some reason a maternity hospital is not available to you, you have a choice among hospitals, compare their policy and their rate for caesarean section to decide on the best option.

Part 2 of 3: Be Prepared and Healthy

1. 1 Take care of yourself during the prenatal period. Do not miss appointments! See your doctor or midwife regularly, get the tests they prescribe, and listen to advice.Healthy, trained women who regularly monitor their health are more likely to have a vaginal birth.
2. 2 Eat well during pregnancy. Childbirth is a physical exercise and you need to be able to deal with these challenges. A healthy diet with enough protein, fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates will help you be in your best shape when it's time for childbirth.
   • If you're worried about your diet, see your doctor or midwife for specific advice. And keep in mind that if you have gestational diabetes or other complications, you must adhere to additional, specific dietary recommendations.
3. 3 Exercise during pregnancy. If your doctor or your midwife insists on doing moderate exercise, they will also help you stay fit and prepare you to meet the needs of labor. So walk, swim, do yoga - whatever is comfortable for you to get your body moving!
4. 4 Get plenty of rest, especially in the last trimester. If you are well rested by the time of labor, you may have a better chance of having a natural birth without the need for intervention.

Part 3 of 3: Avoid unnecessary intervention

1. 1 Avoid induction. In some cases, induction of labor (with drugs or instruments) is medically necessary. In all other cases, be skeptical: while your baby is doing well, try to avoid induction of labor. Induction in most cases leads to a caesarean section.
   • You especially need to avoid "selective induction" - an induction done purely for your (or your doctor's) convenience.
2. 2 Avoid unnecessary pain medications. Some research suggests that epidurals and pain relievers can stop contractions, slowing down your labor and increasing the likelihood of a caesarean section. Talk with your doctor or midwife about the relative benefits and risks of pain relievers.
   • You can reduce the risk of having a caesarean section by waiting until you are at least 5 centimeters wide before having an epidural or other pain reliever. By this point, your labor will most likely not slow down or stop.
3. 3 Be patient. Even if your doctor thinks it is absolutely necessary, avoid measures to speed up your labor or make your contractions worse. Doctors sometimes call water with tools or drugs like Pitocin to make your contractions stronger; these methods are sometimes effective, but they can lead to the need for a caesarean section. Allow labor to flow naturally if you can, even if the process is slow.
4. 4 Get support during labor. If someone is in the birthing room with you, make sure that person is aware of your desire for a natural birth. He or she can support you during contractions, remind you of your goal, and speak for you when you are too exhausted to do so.

Tips

• It is helpful to talk to other women about their childbearing experiences, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Ask women you know to share their experiences with you and read information about childbirth on the Internet.
• Remember, the most important thing is a healthy result for you and your child. If you've followed all of these tips and still need a caesarean section, try not to see it as a failure. This is wrong. You have done everything you could for yourself and for your child, and this is the most important thing.