Low intervention births are on the rise as women desire to have more control over their birthing experience.  In recent years, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) has updated their recommendations on limited interventions during labor and delivery for low-risk pregnancies.  These guidelines suggest that limited medical intervention methods produce the best outcomes for low-risk pregnancies.

Relaxation, preparation and knowledge are essential aspects of a positive birth experience.  Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) focuses on creating a family-centered experience to ensure that mothers receive the highest quality maternity care.  The staff of obstetric and neonatal professionals collaborate with the mother and her support group to craft an individualized birthing plan to meet her expectations and provide a positive birthing experience.  

“Our staff offers a no-judgement environment to discuss the mother’s expectations and desires for her birthing experience,” said Heather Burkhart, Vice President Acute Care Services at LMH.  “Women who want to have a low-intervention birth need to talk with their physician at the prenatal visit and discuss why natural childbirth appeals to them.”

There are a number of comfort measures that provide natural pain relief and can be very effective during labor and childbirth.  Birthing techniques such as patterned breathing, relaxation and visualization strategies can help a woman focus her energy to manage pain.  Patterned breathing enhances oxygen flow to the baby and is vital to the contracting uterus.  Relaxation techniques that focus on the five senses such as soft lighting in the delivery room, music therapy, aromatherapy and massage can increase feelings of comfort and tranquility, relieve stress, and relax tense muscles.

Movement and position changes are critical to help a woman experience less pain during labor.  Upright positions such as sitting, standing, and walking tend to be the most comfortable for laboring women.  Moving around during labor may help to ease discomfort by shifting pressure and can help labor progress with the simple effect of gravity.  Sitting on a birthing ball keeps the baby properly aligned in the pelvis and encourages pelvic mobility.  It can be used in the hands and knees position to decrease pressure on the hands and wrists.

“Our nurses are trained in a variety of labor and positioning techniques that can be utilized to ease pain and increase comfort,” Heather said.  “We are open to allowing the mother to use whatever birthing technique she wishes.  Our main goal is to keep a mother and her baby safe.  The benefit of having a low-intervention birth at LMH is that the mother has immediate access to emergency services should the need arise.”

LMH offers a variety of childbirth and parenting programs to prepare expectant mothers and their coaches for what to expect while in labor, through birth and into postpartum care.  The following classes are offered through First Impressions and are free of charge with registration.  To register for any of the following classes, call (220) 564-3388 or go to https://www.lmhealth.org/Community/Classes-Events.

• Stork Tours – available for women and their partner to tour LMH’s state-of-the-art facilities, meet members of the physician team and learn more about maternity services offered at the Hospital.
• Childbirth Education – teaches mothers and their birth coach about breathing techniques, comfort measures, labor, delivery, and what to expect postpartum.
• Prenatal Breastfeeding Basics – expectant parents learn about the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, babies and society.
• Mother-baby Basics – new mothers learn about infant growth and development, infant stimulation, newborn care, and infant and child safety.
• Boot Camp for New Dads – a men's group for first-time dads to gain confidence in their fathering abilities.  Expectant fathers will learn valuable content such as the needs of new mothers, childcare basics, and the role of fathers.  Men complete Boot Camp for New Dads with greater confidence and preparation for fatherhood, and ready to be a team with their baby's mother.  The class is held simultaneously with the Saturday session of the Mother-baby Basics class and is led by Master Coach Fathers and veteran dads with babies.
• Infant CPR – for expecting parents, grandparent and caretakers.
• Sibling Preparation – prepares older children for their role in the family and what to expect when visiting mom and new baby.
• Grandparenting – expectant grandparents focus on changes in the best and safest practices for caring for newborns in recent years.