NATURAL CHILDBIRTH

Is a Natural Childbirth, without pain Medication, Best for Development?



Is a Natural Childbirth, without pain Medication, Best for Development?

The Alexander Technique can be useful throughout not only the pregnancy and delivery of the child, but also after the baby is born. The mother is experiencing drastic changes in her body. Her center of gravity is shifted as the baby grows larger; her body is called upon to work harder than it ever has before during delivery, and caring for a rapidly growing child all pose many risks to a woman's body.

The Alexander Technique allows one to unlearn bad habits and misuse of our bodies. Through the technique, one learns how to move without excess tension in the body in a mechanically advantageous way.

The average woman gains twenty-five to thirty-five pounds during pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman's uterus shifts and her pelvis and other bones expand to create room for the growing baby. This drastically throws off the mother's center of gravity. To counteract this feeling, many women lean backwards. This puts enormous pressure on the lower back, often leading to low back pain. Paying attention to the relationship of the head, neck and back will help the mother to find her new center of gravity, which leads to balanced standing.

Although American views are changing, the typical delivery occurs while the woman is lying in the hospital bed. This position is not advantageous for the mother. It gives the doctor the most advantage. It is the easiest position to administer medication to the mother, to view the cervix and to deliver the baby. Other cultures recognize the importance of gravity in the childbirth process. If the mother is left to move by herself to what is most comfortable for her, she will naturally choose a position that will not only ...