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" Drugs and medical technology can be enormously beneficial when used to take care of real complications, but too often they are abused when applied to women birthing normally. These women are thus subjected to unnecessary risks. The key to this problem is informed consent, an ideal too seldom realized. Informed consent means that no woman during pregnancy or labor should ever be deceived into thinking that any drug or procedure (Demerol, Seconal, spinals, caudals, epidurals, paracervical block, etc.) is guaranteed safe. Not only are there no guaranteed safe drugs, but many of them have well-known, recognized side effects and potential side effects.
Informed consent should mean that no woman would ever hear such falsehoods as, “This is harmless,” or, “I only give it in such a small dose that it can’t affect the baby,” or, “This is just a local and won’t reach the baby. "
― Susan McCutcheon , Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
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" Contraction begins: 45 seconds long, 5 minutes apart COACH: Coach her from head to toe in relaxation and in quiet, relaxed abdominal breathing. Coach her in mental imagery (“bag of muscles” technique), keeping in mind the purpose of each technique. Breathing=Control Relaxation=Comfort “Bag of muscles” technique aids in perception Rub her back if there is any backache at all. You should be serious and alert. Don’t let tension build up. Be ahead of things, Coach. You see she is MORE SERIOUS NOW. Another contraction: 50 to 55 seconds COACH: Repeat the sequence above. Remind her not to hold herself still, imitating relaxing, but to really let go! In between contractions COACH: Offer her a wet washrag; wipe off her brow and the back of her neck, if she lets you. It can be nice, too, to have sweaty palms wiped. Continue to rub her shoulders in between contractions. Talk to her about relaxing. Do not let tension build up anywhere. The hours are going by. You see she is MOST SERIOUS NOW. Another 1-minute contraction COACH: Coach her in everything. Don’t forget key phrases: slack open mouth, loose limp hands. In between contractions COACH: About every hour and a half, remind her to go to the bathroom, and encourage her to turn over onto her other side. (A contraction is not your enemy. It is just your own big bag of muscles flexing for you, to get the door open. As you feel the flex, think of opening and opening.) "
― Susan McCutcheon , Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
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" Another contraction begins Oops, no, it dwindled away before it got started. Contraction begins: 60 seconds long, 5 minutes apart Practice through it with your coach. Do not skip any practice contractions. Contraction begins: 60 seconds long, 4 minutes apart On this practice contraction, we are going to do a little play-acting and pretend that a contraction is starting to get away from you. You don’t think you can relax, you tighten up a bit, maybe clench your hand, open your eyes, contract your tummy muscles slightly, and breathe rapidly. Respond to your coach only after he has coached you firmly! COACH: Firm coaching does not mean harsh coaching, and, of course, you never criticize the laboring mother. Never tell her, “No, you’re doing it all wrong!” If you say something like that, her whole body will immediately go “twang” with tension. This is not helpful. Instead, look for tension, listen for frantic breathing. Give her specific coaching in whatever she needs help with, and continue to give it in an absolutely confident, warm, strong voice. Many women never get off the track with a single contraction. Others lose one or two. If they do, it’s not a big deal. It helps for both of you to remember what happens if she tightens up on a contraction. She just makes it last longer, and it’s very painful for her to work against. "
― Susan McCutcheon , Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way