North Fulton Regional Hospital – Roswell, GA – Expecting parents, both first time and repeat, flocked to the hospital last Thursday…but not for emergency deliveries. They came out of interest to attend Your Labor of Love, a free program offered through the 2009 Whole Body, Whole Health Seminar Series that offered information about natural birth options.
“I don’t want to take any medication,” one attendee remarked. “I want my baby to come when she’s supposed to; I don’t want there to be a rush,” explained another. Other reasons voiced for wanting a natural birth included not wanting a caesarean section and not wanting to deliver lying down on the back.
Led by Dr. Hughan Frederick, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, and Margaret Strickhouser, Certified Nurse Midwife, Your Labor of Love provided attendees with information about the various natural birth options that North Fulton Regional Hospital provides and those that expecting parents should consider in their birthing plans. Water birth was a main point of discussions, which is a delivery method that is gaining popularity and that is offered only in a select few locations. North Fulton Regional Hospital is one of the only hospitals in the state of Georgia to offer water birth as an option to these expecting parents.
“There is something about being in the tub that allows you to be more focused and present,” Strickhouser explained. “It allows you to move around so easily…to melt, sink and relax. The more you can relax and give in to the labor, the easier the process will be.”
Just as a hot bathe can be soothing at the end of a long day, it can have the same effect during a delivery. Some women might choose water birth for some of the following reasons:
o Some women find water helps them relax during labor.
o Being relaxed may help decrease stress hormones and allow a more functional progression of labor and, perhaps, less pain.
o Some women find that the relative weightlessness caused by water buoyancy helps with repositioning, comfort and muscle support.
o The buoyant effect of water may lessen muscle tension and promote relaxation.
o When a woman in labor relaxes, breathing becomes easier which may provide optimal oxygenation for both mother and baby.
o Laboring in water may help pelvic floor tissue to relax and may decrease the need for an episiotomy.
With the home-like atmosphere of the North Fulton Regional Hospital maternity suites coupled with the safety of the hospital as the safety net, water birth is in high demand.
In addition to water birth, women use various coping mechanisms to help them through the delivery process. This includes utilization of birthing balls and pressure points, among others.
Dr. Hughan Frederick works with many women who prefer a natural birth experience. He explained his thoughts to the attendees regarding their wishes for their births. “It’s a good idea to come to the hospital with a birth plan in place so that we can see what you see as important and so that we can understand what you want from your natural childbirth.” In most cases, physicians will honor these birth plans unless safety becomes an issue and medicine must intervene.
In regard to water birth and natural births in general, Strickhouser is diligent about providing patients with complete information.
“I like to present all of the options up front so that the expecting mom can understand and choose what is right for her. What I tell my patients is to trust the natural process and trust that your body can handle it. And if water birth is the choice…well, I hate to use the word magical, but it gives me goose bumps. It is certainly an event.”
Your Labor of Love was the first event in the 2009 Whole Body, Whole Health Seminar Series. Offered through a collaboration between North Fulton Regional Hospital and Harry’s Farmers Market, this FREE, monthly series features different health topics of interest each month. For more information about upcoming events, including Care for the Whole Heart in February and Nutrition 201-Modeling for the family in March, please visit www.northfultonregional.com/wholebodywholehealth or call 770-751-2660.
North Fulton Regional Hospital (NFRH), part of Tenet Georgia, is a 202-bed, acute-care hospital located on Highway 9, Alpharetta Highway, in Roswell. Opened in 1983, NFRH serves North Fulton and surrounding counties through its team of over 1000 employees, 400 staff physicians and 200 volunteers. NFRH is a state-designated Level II trauma center and provides a continuum of services through its centers and programs, including neurosciences, orthopedics, rehabilitation, surgical services, bariatric surgical weight loss, gastroenterology and oncology. The hospital is fully accredited and also is certified as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.
For more information about Maternity Services at North Fulton Regional Hospital, visit www.northfultonregional.com/maternity, or call 770-751-2660.
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