Unlocking The Secrets: Pregnancy Habits That Promote Natural Birth – Expert Insights

Pregnancy and childbirth is a beautiful journey. However, during the 9 months, a woman has to go through a lot of physical and emotional changes which often takes a toll on her health. Moreover, labour pain and childbirth are quite painful and at the initial stage, it is not possible to predict whether the procedure of birth will be normal or a C-section. According to a study by BMC, C-sections in India increased from 17.2% in 2016 to 21.5% in 2021 which is alarming for us. In light of the same, we spoke to Dr Barun Chakrabarti OBG, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake Kolkata and Dr Shilpi Shrivastav, Gynaecologist and IVF Consultant, Health First Clinic, Dwarka, New Delhi. Read on to learn about the habits suggested by experts that you can inculcate during your pregnancy to promote natural birth.

Do Some Perineal Massage

Dr Shilpi said, “If you're expecting your first baby, there is evidence that massaging your perineum in the final weeks of your pregnancy can lower your risk of developing an episiotomy or other perineal damage. Additionally, it can shorten the duration of the second stage of labour and lessen the chance of tears and anal incontinence.”

She added, “In your third trimester, experts advise massaging your perineum or having your partner do it for you. If at all possible, try to do it every day, or at least three or four times a week. For it to be effective, you must do it regularly. Using a water-based lubricant or unscented oil will help you feel more comfortable during the massage.”

Balanced Diet

Lean proteins, whole grains, and an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables should all be included in a pregnant woman's diet. You will get the vitamins and minerals you need from a balanced diet to keep your energy levels up during natural labour. A well-balanced diet is an easy way to build energy, as natural labour demands a lot of it.

Movement And Exercise

Practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing, massage, and meditation during pregnancy (should pregnant women skip dinner) will help you get the most out of them like anxiety and stress, when you're in active labour. There is some evidence that relaxation exercises, yoga, and even music can help reduce the intensity of pain and make you feel more in control.

Dr Barun Chakrabarti said, “Exercising not only increases stamina, but it also prepares a woman to deal with the agony of childbirth. Exercise and yoga help to stretch, empower and strengthen the pelvic floor, allowing for a normal delivery. This makes it simpler to go through the usual birth procedure.”

Avoid Induction

Numerous factors can influence the process during labour. To halt the contractions and induce relaxation in the mother is one of the main goals of induction. Sometimes a couple chooses to induce labour before it's time because they believe they can't bear the pain of natural labour. To ensure a typical delivery, it is advisable to steer clear of induction.

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Have A Proper Sleep

Getting enough sleep is very important. When you take a good sleep it can do wonders for your well-being. Instead of getting worked up about decisions like what delivery method to choose, focus on giving your body the rest that it needs.

Normal delivery is one of the most effective ways to have a baby. It is completely natural, has no side effects, and requires a short recovery time. So, if you're planning a normal delivery, you can follow the given habits and learn more about how to get it.

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