So what can YOU do?
First of all … is it a birth plan or a birth wish list?
Ensuring you haven’t “planned” to the nth degree so that it is so set in stone that anything other than that pathway is completely unacceptable yo you … ohhh well I would say take a deep breath, make a cuppa, sit yourself down and really think about your options, what you know, how you feel your birth partners will be able to facilitate this … how you can “LET GO” and ride the rollercoaster so that this is a birth journey that you can look back on and be positive with.
Sort out your optimal foetal positioning – do your daily do’s … it will be worth it in the long run.
What is the normal length of labour I hear you ask? Well my response is what is normal? I’m not being obtuse I’m being realistic what might be a norm for some may not be for others. Every persons labours are different … very few follow the text book. Take a look at the Physiology of Birth presentation as this may help you understand the role of the hormones in the finite balance of physiological birth.
Assisted Birth
The following video (USA OBGYN) uses delivery rather than birth. Discusses Assisted Birth – what it is, episiotomy, forceps & ventouse (vacuum).
Choices – you have plenty and should know exactly what each entails.
You can decline and episiotomy and choose to tear naturally.
To find out more about perineal techniques this overview by Dr Sara Wickham may be helpful.
Create you own environment to encourage the positive hormones.
First Hour After Birth
Dr Sarah Buckley