Pearls for Normal Birth

Here are some things to keep in mind if you or your partner are planning on having a natural birth:

Oral hydration and nutrition in labor optimize outcomes
Avoid routine intravenous fluids
Intermittent auscultation is safe for low-risk labors
Ambulation and freedom of movement facilitate labor progress
Hydrotherapy is a safe and effective comfort measure during labor
Continuous labor support is the standard of care
Avoid routine rupture of the membranes
Expect individualized labor progress
Support initial passive descent and self-directed open-glottis pushing
Avoid routine episiotomy and aggressive perineal massage
Delayed cord clamping improves neonatal outcomes
Facilitate immediate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding
Trial of labor after cesarean is the standard of care
Planned vaginal breech birth may be a safe option in an inter-professional setting
Inter-professional education, collaboration, and team-based care promote optimal outcomes
Practice according to current evidence and trust the body’s innate capacity to birth