Ten Steps to Prepare for a Comfortable, Natural Birth in a Hospital

The smile on the face of a new mother as she first meets her new child is unbeatable. However, the process of labor, and arriving at the point of being able to meet your baby, is not always easy. A safe arrival for mother and baby are paramount to all mothers. Adequate planning and preparation for your mind and body can often ensure that the birth is not only safe for mother and baby, but calm, comfortable and natural as well.

Following are the ten steps that are needed to be considered for a comfortable, natural birth:

1. The Choice of Practitioner:

It is important for you to choose the right practitioner who will attend to you during your pregnancy and labor. Look for a care provider who is supportive of natural birth. Beyond tolerating the natural birth techniques, look for people who are most likely to encourage and support these techniques during the labor. If possible, try to find out about the previous results of natural birth experienced by other clients of your care provider. Were they happy? Did they feel they were listened to? Supported?

2. Suitable place for Birth:

There are three common choices for you while deciding the place for birth:

• Home birth
• Hospital
• Birth Center

Choosing a suitable place to give birth is no doubt another significant decision. Therefore, aim to get the opinion of previous patients and suggestions from your care provider before selecting a place for your natural birth. Taking a tour of hospitals and birth centers in your area can also assist with making a decision. Being comfortable and familiar with the environment prior to you birthing day can assist with your relaxation while you are preparing for your labor.

3. Preparation for Childbirth:

You are going to find plethora of classes regarding childbirth. The main goal of these classes is to prepare you for the upcoming event, by giving you tools for the day, managing your expectations and providing you with a basic working knowledge of the birthing process. You can prepare your body for labor through these courses, which is a big help. You can learn about labor support, relaxation and managing contractions. You may also have an opportunity to participate in a tour of the birth suite of your hospital, so you know what to expect.

4. Preparing with hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing is a series of birth preparation classes that can assist you in preparing for your natural birth.

Hypnobirthing works on the philosophy of "fear tension pain syndrome". That is that fear causes tension and tension causes pain during labor. The notion of hypnobirthing is if you remove the fear associated with childbirth, the outcome can often be a comfortable, calm birth, free of stress and pain.

There is a heavy emphasis on regular relaxation and self hypnosis practice to assist in preparation for the big day. You will also learn correct breathing techniques for the labor and birth of the baby.

If the mother is deeply relaxed, physically and mentally then the female body can go about doing the job it was designed to do - that is to "give birth."

Hypnobirthing classes are also a wonderful opportunity for the father or birthing companion to learn skills about how they can help facilitate the calm and natural birth on the day. Many father's report feeling prepared and more involved in the birthing process after attending these classes.

5. Natural Childbirth Labor Support:

There are many couples who choose to go through the birth of their baby privately together, without the support of other family or trusted friends. There are also many couples and cultures that encourage lots of significant friends and family to welcome the birth of their baby. The choice is always between you and your partner.

A doula could be an option to consider if you do not have a partner or are looking for extra support.

A doula provides non medical support, and is an advocate for the birthing mother.

6. Learning the Correct Positioning for Labor:

Learning different positions for labor and birthing can increase your comfort and in some cases the speed of delivery on the day. Familiarizing and practicing these positions before the day is important. Your midwife, who is experienced in delivery, will also likely suggest helpful positions on the day. Remaining active during the early stages of labor can also be helpful. If possible walk around, change positions and use the birth ball when needed to enhance your comfort. Positions for labor and birthing should be covered during your childbirth classes.

7. Consider the Alternative Remedies for Pain during labor:

There are various alternative therapy techniques that help you through labor pain. These methods are mostly taught during your hypnobirthing classes or by a doula. Some of these techniques include:

• Heat or cold packs
• Relaxation music
• Massage
• Aromatherapy
• Correct Breathing techniques
• Avoid Pushing

Nowadays, most hospitals are happy for you to play music of your choice. However you should check what music playing facilities they provide if any, otherwise you may have to provide your own.

Check with your hospital or birthing centre if they allow aromatherapy within the birthing suite as some hospitals have their own policies regarding the use of these oils. Turn off any burners for the decent and birthing of the baby, as the strong fragrances can sometimes be uncomfortable for the baby.

Practice with your birthing partner what styles of massage you enjoy before the day, however be prepared to change styles and adapt where necessary. A massage tool can be helpful to take to the hospital to relieve your partner when their hands get tired. Use non fragranced massage oil, as its best if the baby is introduced to mum with her natural odor.

Avoid pushing once it is time for the decent of the baby. Focus on slow, deliberate breaths, directing your energy down. Take your time. Give your body time to open up and accommodate the baby when it's ready.

8. Relaxation and Breathing:

Many birth attendants, and care givers will tell you that the best birth's they have witnessed are from mothers who are "calm, relaxed and in control of their fear"

Gentle, but deliberate breathing can assist with bringing about a relaxed and centred state.

There are a few different styles of breathing:

• Lamaze breathing
• Basic relaxation breathing
• Abdominal breathing for delivery
• Hypnobirthing breathing

If you undertake hypnobirthing classes you will be shown the correct way to breathe for a comfortable, natural birth.

You may also learn breathing techniques in your childbirth education classes.

Above all, the most important thing to do is to "keep breathing", gentle calm breaths.

Holding the breath while trying to push can often only slow the process down.

9. Water Birth:

Water births are not uncommon, but not all hospitals have the facilities for water birthing.

Depending on where you live, you may have to consider a private birthing centre, or a home birth with a midwife, if you want to participate in a water birth.

If you are thinking of having a water birth you will need to discuss this with your hospital or birthing centre prior to your birthing day.

Use of shower or a bath tub in labor can be a helpful natural pain relief method. Angling the shower head on the top of the belly or the back during labor can provide some comfort.

10. Read a good child birth book:

Reading a book on natural childbirth is a vital step for preparing for a comfortable childbirth.

It can help you to know what to expect and prepare you for your birthing day.

Kym is a clinical hypnotherapist with a special interest in natural child birth and women's health. She teaches hypnobirthing group and private classes in Melbourne, Australia. For more information you can view her website at http://www.hypnotics.net.au/

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Three Steps to Get More Willpower

How do I get more willpower? That is the question that a lot of unsuccessful people ask. There are scientific reasons for not having willpower, but there is also psychological reasoning behind the lack of will power. However, there are three steps you can take to create more will power in your life.

The search to get more will power is not further that the space between your ears.

You perceive yourself as helpless against the call of the extra cookies, the recliner or cigarettes. If feel that if you only had he will power to lose weight, quit smoking or just have the power too break some habits you could do it. Just the fact that they are asking how to get more willpower you will not have will power. Take no excuses. Excuses are just a reason to allow you to be unsuccessful.

The brain has set these neural connections where they allow them selves to be drawn in to the same patterns and behaviors that they are trying to break. The harder you try to resist the cookies they go back for one more. The whiff of cigarette smoke will draw you to the frenzy of you need one. Yes, cigarettes, sugar and other chemicals do have reactions that make your body chemically crave these products. However, your brain can over come these desires.

For example: cigarette nicotine will stay in your body for about 72-96 hours so it is not the nicotine calling you to the cigarettes but the situation around the smoking.

The company of smokers out on break or the relaxation of slowly inhaling and releasing the smoke is what you really crave. This is compounded by the fact that you now think about cigarettes and your lack of will power will make you anxious. Eating sugar actually does make you feel good at the moment, but has side effect of putting on the pounds. It is easier to sit in the recliner and surf through the channels complaining about nothing to watch than it is to get up and accomplish a task.

If you complain that you have no will power, then that is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You have to believe that you can do it. You have to have faith that you can do it.

Step one: Say out loud to yourself. "I command my subconscious mind to direct my will power to be strong and overcome the desire to... whatever" Say it out loud to your self to you believe. Never say you have no willpower.

Step Two: Meditate for at least 5 minutes a day. This can be before you go to bed, when you get up or when every you want. Breathe in through your nose as deeply and slowly as you can. Slowly breathe out through your mouth. Keep you focus on your breathing. Listen to the air going in and out of your body. As you breathe you can visualize all the will power coming to your body and all the negative habits going out.

Step three: Control, Alt, Delete. Control yourself, seek alternative and delete the bad actions that you want to get rid of. Control your surroundings, control your thoughts, and know you do have the ability. Do not go and buy lots of bad snack foods just to prove you can do without them. Do not go and be around smoking or record television shows that waste your time. Do not set your self up for failure. Delete the obsessive thoughts of the object or behavior you are trying to control. Do not allow you mind to keep thinking about what it would feel like if you just did not have the will power. It is no longer a battle. Do not ask why don't I have will power, but I have the power to do this healthier habit.

You do have the will power to change your bad habit. How you can I improve willpower when the answer lies within you already. How to improve will power is to take steps to believe that you have more will power. If you believe that you have just been given the gift of willpower from your higher power. Thank God for your gift.

You now how the willpower to achieve any goal you desire.

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5 Steps To Use Self-Hypnosis To Stroll Down Self-Esteem Street

So lets hail a cab and head for self-esteem street, shall we?

5 Steps To Stroll Down Self-Esteem Street

As with many processes and techniques using self hypnosis, this one requires you to find a comfortable place where you are going to be undisturbed for a while, and sit in a comfortable chair rather than lying down in bed. Now sit back and relax with both feet on the floor, and place your hands on the armrests of the chair or in your lap - whichever is the most comfortable for you. Ensure that our arms and legs are not touching each other (uncrossed) and proceed.

Step One: Take yourself into hypnosis. You can do so by any means you desire or know of. You can use a progressive relaxation process or a meditative technique, or any other method you know of that is going to ensure you are focused, receptive and absorbed in your thoughts.

Once you have induced hypnosis, move on to step two.

Step Two: Imagine that you are in your local town centre or the city that you live in at this busy time of year (if you do not celebrate Christmas where you are based, you can pick any other celebration or time of year when the streets are full of people and it is a busy place to be).

Really engage your imagination and see the sights, the colours, the movement around you. Notice the shades of light and textures of all the activity. Notice the random nature of the busy-ness and the hustle bustle of people. Listen to the sounds of all the life going on around you, get a real sense of tuning into the liveliness.

Notice and observe all the buildings and become aware of the shape and direction of the street you are in and that you are familiar with.

Walking with purpose along this street, but slow enough to truly take in all the details, observe all the action, watch all the movement and motion happening all around. Tune in to the surroundings and fully engage in them. Tell yourself that each step you take along this street takes you deeper inside your mind, and that despite the frenetic nature of this place, you relax physically as walk along the street.

Once you have created and really got the details with as much clarity as you can all around you, then move on to the next step.

Step Three: Firstly, pause in the street, let the activity go on all around you and engage in this moment. Become very self-aware, notice your breathing, notice who you are at this time, notice your thoughts, notice your emotions, your mood and do not attempt to change anything, just observe how you are in this moment. Then with that level of self-awareness, start to watch all the people moving around you on the street. Watch them for a few moments.

Notice all the different shapes, different sizes, different facets, colours, mannerisms, ways, habits and idiosyncrasies that vary so much from one person to another. Yet despite all these distinctions and differences, there is so much that is similar between you and every one of the people you watch all around you.

You know that all these people have similar basic needs and basic desires for themselves and their loved ones.

Take a moment and look at the people around you, and understand this idea fully before moving on. Get a sense of connection with your fellow people, feel the commonality that you share with each person, become aware of what you all have in common at this time.

As you watch these people, your fellows in your town or city, take a few moments to just accept them all as they are in this moment. Realising how similar you are to these others, just take some time to truly accept them as they are - be accepting and understanding and notice how that feels, how enjoyable that is, and when you feel that you have developed a sense of that within yourself, move on to the next step.

Step Four: Knowing that you have so much in common with other people, and having accepted them all at a deep level right here and now, you realise that you can accept yourself as you truly are.

Accept yourself too now. Express acceptance about everything that you are. Accept your own feelings, thoughts, aspirations, ways of being. Imagine this self-acceptance is like a colour or a sound or a sensation that moves and travels throughout every aspect of your body and mind.

Start to repeat some affirmations to yourself at this stage to build up these feelings of assuredness - make sure you repeat it to yourself in a way that is undeniably convincing, with some real sense of meaning. Say it to yourself in way that feels like you truly believe it:

I feel more and more wonderful being me.

I am comfortable in my own skin.

I like and love being me.

I feel deeply reassured.

I am safe.

I am in control of how and who I am.

If there are other affirmations that you prefer, then use them, apply them to yourself with some vigour and in a way that really gives you a great sense of self.

As you say these things to yourself, now find a shop window to gaze at. Look at your own reflection, see yourself as vividly as you can and continue to repeat those words to yourself in your mind while looking at yourself and being appreciative of yourself.

Gaze deep into the eyes of your reflection and notice that the expression deep in the eyes is one that you know belongs to someone with a growing sense of self-belief and self-esteem and confidence in their ability to be in control of their own life. Notice what tells you that is true.

Once you have really connected with your reflection, all the time repeating those affirmations of well-being, when you've enjoyed enough of those developed deeper feelings, then move on to the final step.

Step Five: Enjoy the feelings within you and tell yourself that they stay with you after this session has come to end. Think of some action you can take this very day that is evidence to you of your developing and growing self-esteem. Show yourself that you trust in you and that you appreciate you and go and take that action whenever is pertinent to do so.

Take a deep energising breath, and let it radiate through you. Wiggle your toes and fingers, open your eyes, stretch your arms out and tune in to your surroundings.

Spend a week running through this session daily inside your mind and take some action, do something different in your life to truly confirm that you are growing in self-esteem and glowing with confidence.

Adam Eason is a best selling author, hypnotherapist and trainer. Please visit his website for for your free, instantly downloadable, mind-blowing hypnosis session to use in the comfort of your own home, and get many more resources, articles, audios from the world of hypnosis and self-hypnosis. http://www.adam-eason.com/

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