A couple of days ago my daughter Selena gave birth to another little girl...her second. The first is now 12 years old.
I mention this not only because I am pleased to have another granddaughter but to help convey that childbirth can (and should) be a relatively simple and painless experience if done naturally.
I hear so many cases these days in which women tell of horror stories about long agonizing periods in labor, caesarion sections and extended recuperation periods.
Now of course I am not a woman and as such have never experienced childbirth so no doubt some of my lady readers may disagree with what I am about to say because I am a man...but, I will say it nonetheless.
Over recent years, in my opinion the issue of childbirth seems to have got out of proportion. Whereas women used to work right up until the point of childbirth the common thing now seems to be to finish work a couple of months before the baby is due, rest and take it easy!
I think that this is the wrong thing to do unless the mother has a serious health issue. In fact I think the exact opposite is important. Expectant mothers should remain active throughout their pregnancy. By doing so they greatly increase the likelihood of an uncomplicated natural birth.
Selena is an example of this. She manages our distribution warehouse and she continued to work up until last week...which involves being on her feet all day. In addition she continued to go to the gym several times a week.
On Thursday she called me to tell me that contractions had started and she would go to the hospital as soon as her daughter Nicole got home from school. About an hour and a half later Nicole called to tell me that Selena had given birth and that the whole process from the time she got to the hospital took less than 30 minutes. Later that evening when I saw Selena she was up and about as if nothing had happened. The baby was content and looked good.
Selena gave birth the natural way squatting in a tub of water, no drugs, no discomfort and she is now back home with the baby.
So, what is the point in me conveying this.
Well quite simply. To would be mothers I would suggest several things which I believe if followed will increase the likelihood of a trouble free birth and benefit mother and baby alike.
1. Leading up to the pregnancy do every thing possible to maximize your health. In Selenas case that meant a full daily dose of our Total Balance and Omega 3 fish oil.
2. After conceiving discontinue the Total Balance and replace with a prenatal supplement with extra folic acid and increase the intake of our Omega 3 DHA fish oil.
3. During pregnancy remain active and do appropriate exercises and keep fit.
4. Maintain a good diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
5. Opt for a natural delivery. Don't put yourself and the baby at risk by agreeing to a Caesarion unless there are serious complications and thus no alternative. Research about natural water births.
6. After birth resume exercise as soon as practical afterwards, and of course maintain your intake of Omega 3 DHA fish oil.
7. And most important...breast feed. If you are prepared to bring a new baby into the world you owe it to your child to give it a good start and that means breast feeding.
8. Whilst you are pregnant and breastfeeding abstain from alcohol, any form of drugs including prescription drugs as these are passed directly to baby.