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Back To The Basics of Labor and Delivery
By Madison Voorhies
C hildbirth has got to be, a woman may endure– and we’ve been doing it for centuries! Most parents come up with a birth plan ahead of their new bundle of joy’s arrival, and whether they arrive via cesarean section (c-section), vag- inally, in a hospital, in the water, or at home, that’s completely up to mom. It’s also completely up to mom whether she wants to receive pain meds (more specifically, an epidural) during labor or go au naturale. hands-down, the most chal- lenging, painful experience Did you know the earliest use of pain relief during labor and deliv- ery dates all the way back to the 19th century? Chloroform became popular after being used during Queen Victoria’s childbirths, and WhatToExpect.com shows how it evolved from there. It explains how the early 1900s saw increased use of other drugs to relieve pain. As the 20th century progressed, several feminist movements swept through and paved the way for
today’s labor and delivery methods and practices. Amid these diverse childbirth options, a flourishing movement exists now toward embracing the natural, unmedicated birthing ex- perience. Shanika Valcour-LeDuff, a family nurse practitioner and doula at Labor & Love in New Orleans, is here to shed light on the essence of this transformative journey. At Labor & Love, Val- cour-LeDuff facilitates a holistic approach to childbirth, emphasiz- ing mental preparedness, physical support, and trust in the body’s innate abilities. Her insights illumi- nate the profound beauty inherent in every birth, regardless of the chosen path. Choosing the Natural Path Natural birth typically refers to having a vaginal birth without pain medication or routine med- ical interventions. According to Valcour-LeDuff, although this approach may involve discomfort and pain, women who opt for it
often feel a sense of strength and fulfillment with the proper prepa- ration and support. Women opt for unmedicated childbirth for myriad reasons, including faster recovery times and a better sense of connec- tion with the birthing process. “I always tell moms, you only have to get through that moment of intensity [contractions], and then we have our break,” she explains. “During that break, we regroup, and we figure out our next steps. So, whatever positions you want to use to be comfortable, breathing techniques, aromatherapy, mas- sage, anything that’s going to help get you through.” Another perk for mothers who choose to forego epidurals is the postpartum recovery time. Val- cour-LeDuff explains that most women who deliver unmedicated feel immediately better after the baby is out. Your body still needs time to heal though; you can just get started faster and truly em- brace motherhood without delay.
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PINK&BLUE | SPRING 2024
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