pathway to a healthy birth...your baby are healthy not having skilled, personalized support while...

Helping Your Hormones Do Their Most Wonderful Work

IN HEALTHY PREGNANCIES, THE PATHWAY SHOWN HEREIS THE SAFEST, SMOOTHEST ROUTE FOR LABOR, BIRTH AND THE CRUCIAL DAYS THAT FOLLOW.

HEALTHY BIRTH

Staying on the right path means helping your body’s natural hormones work well for you!

PATHWAY TO A

WHAT CAN PULL YOU AWAYFROM THE PATHWAY?

WHAT WILL HELP YOUSTAY ON THE PATHWAY?

WHAT CAN PULL YOU AWAYFROM THE PATHWAY?

WHAT WILL HELP YOUSTAY ON THE PATHWAY?

Inducing labor4

(or having a cesarean) beforeyour body is ready to give birth and your baby is ready to be born

Choose the care provider and birth placethat support your body’s abilities while avoiding unneeded tests and treatments

Choosing the careprovider and birth placethat intervene in natural processes when you and your baby are healthy

Not having skilled,personalized supportwhile giving birth

Feeling stressedduring pregnancy

Find a doulato help you stay comfortable and calmwhile you give birth2

Limit stressduring pregnancy whenpossible1

LATE PREGNANCY- Hormones prepare you for safe and smooth childbirth, breastfeeding, and bonding3

Let labor begin on its ownwhen possible

WHAT WILL HELP YOUSTAY ON THE PATHWAY?

WHAT CAN PULL YOU AWAYFROM THE PATHWAY?

EARLY LABOR- Hormones prepare you for a smooth labor and birth5

- Hormones help avoid unneeded interventions and side effects

Stay home until labor isstrong (“active” labor), while staying in touch with your care provider

Stay calm and relaxed,and get support froma doula2

Going to the hospital earlybefore labor is strong(“active” labor)6

Feeling stressed or anxiouscan slow down labor

If you or your baby need special medical care, you are likelyto benefit from the checked practices whenever possible.

Learn more about the pathway to a healthy birthin a booklet made just for women at

Presented By:

Selected References

ChildbirthConnection.org/BirthPathwayThese recommendations are based on the research summarized in Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing:

Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care by Sarah J. Buckley. Available with full extensive references at ChildbirthConnection.org/HormonalPhysiology

Fink et al. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs, 2012:296-306Hodnett et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2013:CD003766Fuchs et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1984; 150:734-41Phaneuf et al. J Reprod Fertil, 2000:91-7Blanks et al. BJOG, 2003(Suppl):46-51Holmes et al. BJOG, 2001:1120-4Hillman et al. Clin Perinatol, 2012:769-83Anim-Somuah et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2011:CD000331Nissen et al. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 1995:530-3Moore et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2012:CD003519Bystrova et al. Birth, 2009:97-109Khan et al. Matern Child Health J, 4 June 2014Winberg. Dev Psychobiol, 2005:217-29

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.

10.11.12.13.

a program of thenational partnership for women & families

© 2015 National Partnership for Women & Families. All rights reserved.

ACTIVE LABOR- Hormones prepare you for a safe birth and the time after birth7

- Hormones help avoid unneeded interventions and side effects

WHAT CAN PULL YOU AWAYFROM THE PATHWAY?

WHAT WILL HELP YOUSTAY ON THE PATHWAY?

Stay in skin-to-skincontact with your baby inthe hours after birth10

Being separated from yourbaby after birth11

Breastfeed soon afterbirth and when yourbaby seems interestedin feeding12

Not breastfeeding shortlyafter birth and when yourbaby is interested in feeding

Limit distractions, staycalm, and focus on beingwith your baby in the daysafter birth13

Being distracted withother people and activitiesin the days after birth

EARLY HOURS ANDFIRST DAYS AFTER BIRTH - Hormones help you and your baby feel calm, connected, and ready to breastfeed9

Use comfort measuressuch as tubs, showers,and birth balls

Stay upright and movearound for good laborprogress; be patientduring labor

Stay calm and relaxed

Getting an epidural may slowyour labor and make pushingdifficult8

Getting synthetic oxytocin(“Pitocin”) to strengthen yourlabor can interfere with yourbody’s hormones4

Feeling stressed or anxious

DURING PREGNANCY- Pregnancy is a time to plan for safe, smooth childbirth- Low levels of stress hormones help you and your baby stay healthy1

WHAT CAN PULL YOU AWAYFROM THE PATHWAY?

WHAT WILL HELP YOUSTAY ON THE PATHWAY?

This information is not intended to be a substitute for the professionalguidance of qualified health care providers.