Giving birth is a deeply personal and life-changing event. The team at the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Family Birth Place is committed to empowering you to make your birth experience as personalized and natural as you desire.
“Natural childbirth is a wonderfully empowering option for women, but it’s important to be prepared and to select a healthcare provider who is experienced with natural childbirth,” says Sister Mary Kay Kramer, Certified Nurse-Midwife at St. Elizabeth.
Sister Kay has been a Certified Nurse-Midwife for 17 years. A few of her suggestions to prepare for natural childbirth include:
- Enroll in a childbirth class specifically focused on natural childbirth.
- Educate yourself and your partner with natural childbirth books.
- Stay fit – exercise, do yoga and eat a healthy, nutrient-rich diet.
- Work on meditation and visualization, which can be beneficial during childbirth.
- Be open and communicative about what your birth plan entails.
Your birthing team will do everything possible to honor your wishes during labor, so it is important to think through what type of delivery you’d like for your baby. It’s also important to remember that the health of you and your baby is the first priority, and that sometimes means needing to be flexible with your birth plan. Try approaching the birthing process with an open mind.
Individualized Care at The Family Birth Place
The Family Birth Place wants to make your childbirth experience the best it can be.
“We individualize care as much as possible so that the birth of your baby empowers you to be ready to be a mother,” says Sister Kay. “Bringing a baby into this world is such a beautiful thing.”
The Family Birth Place offers natural childbirth classes as well as tubs for laboring mothers and birthing ball chairs. We also have many nurses and providers who are skilled at assisting with natural childbirth and will work with the mother on her birth plan. Doulas of the mother’s choosing are also welcome.
Benefits of Natural Childbirth
There are many benefits of natural childbirth for both mom and baby, including:
- Freedom to move around throughout labor.
- Less intervention which can lead to a cesarean.
- Labor is often shorter.
- Less fetal heart rate distress during labor.
- More alert baby, making it easier to bond and latch to breast.
If you’re interested in learning more about natural birthing options at St. Elizabeth schedule an appointment with one of our certified nurse-midwives or physicians skilled in natural childbirth by calling (800) 737-7900.
