sponsored by Health Quest Medical Practice
“Knowing your options is the most important thing in child birthing because it lays the ground work before you go in [the delivery room].”
Are you nervous about giving
birth? Worried about the pain and stress of the delivery? For the majority of
women, childbirth is a happy and incident-free event. Dr. Meredith McDowell, a board certified
obstetrician and gynecologist at Health Quest Medical Practice offers her
advice on the birth experience.
Over the past seven years, Dr.
McDowell has delivered many babies. She has pinpointed 5 key elements to a less
painful birthing experience. “Although there is no such thing as a painless
labor, there are techniques we can teach you to make the experience be less
painful,” says Dr. McDowell.
Use a doula
Dr. McDowell says the most
important thing is to be as comfortable as possible and to have continuous moral
support during labor. Consider using a Doula. They provide information,
physical assistance and emotional support for women during and after
childbirth. “At Health Quest Medical Practice, we can help our patients find
doulas if they choose to go that route,” says Dr. McDowell. “Doulas are great
because they know what to expect during childbirth and provide continuous
support to the birthing mom.” A Doula helps prepare you for your baby’s birth
by discussing what to expect during the entire process including the prenatal
visits. Dr. McDowell believes when women know what to expect, they’re more at
ease.
Be prepared
When it comes to giving birth,
everyone is different. “Preparation and childbirth classes really help,” says
Dr. McDowell. “Knowing your options is the most important thing in child birth
because it lays the ground work before you go in.” Labor can be painful, but if
a mom utilizes a combination of both support and relaxation techniques she will
be able to manage her pain during birth. “Support and relaxation are very
important pieces of a less painful labor puzzle,” says Dr. McDowell.
Keep moving
The ability for a mom to be able
to change her own position during labor can help manage pain. “Usually moving
around is very helpful during labor,” says Dr. McDowell. Health Quest Medical
Practice offers women a range of birthing positions such as the traditional
birthing position (in bed with legs pulled back) and the squatting position. Although
the hospital does not offer water birthing, they can help patients find a facility
that does.
Discuss pain management
Dr. McDowell develops an
individual pain management plans for each of her patients. “During pre-natal
visits, I make sure to discuss pain management and the use of pain medications
during labor,” says Dr. McDowell. She says patients usually have an idea of
what they want when it comes to child birth. “If a patient wants to have a
natural birth, we are supportive of that desire,” says Dr. McDowell. “We offer
those patients low intervention options like deep breathing exercises and water
relaxation.” She says patients are often amazed by the calming effects a warm
shower can have during birth.
Some patients may change their
mind about pain medication during delivery, so Dr. McDowell works closely with
those patients to make sure they get everything they need in order to have a
memorable experience. “What I think is
most important is to know what you desire, but to be open to the possibilities
of needing a little help during a natural birth,” says Dr. McDowell. “The main
thing to keep in mind is that you should expect the unexpected. You will have
an idea of what’s going to happen during labor, but once you’re in the moment,
things can change and that’s okay.”
Join a childbirth education class
Dr. McDowell urges expectant
mothers to take advantage of the many childbirth education classes available
through Health Quest Medical Practice. These classes give moms-to-be an idea of
what’s available to them during labor and the class instructors often teach
relaxation and breathing techniques.
Dr. McDowell is a board certified obstetrician
and gynecologist and
sees patients in HQMP’s office in Rhinebeck and Kingston.
Other articles by Health Quest Medical Practice-Obstetrics and Gynecology