Midwife's hack for a more comfortable labour
While more than 300,000 women give birth in Australia every year, the number doesn’t make each any less remarkable.
That’s if you ask seasoned midwife Natascha Dastur, who’s been a part of countless deliveries during her seven-year career at Westmead Hospital in Sydney and starred on the Australian version of One Born Every Minute in 2019.
Same same but different
But regardless of whether the cameras are rolling, Natascha says each mum-to-be should see her delivery as a unique experience, despite how often she may see one occur.
“Women don’t need to have preconceived notions of what other people think you need to be like and have that load on you,” she tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
“Each should go in there and make their own story, and not fear any part of it.
“Giving birth is something women have done, forever really, so while it’s nothing out of the ordinary, it’s completely extraordinary at the same time.”
The 32-year-old went on to explain other tactics she advises for women in her care to feel comfortable – no matter how unorthodox.
Feels like home
“Statistically speaking, women in their homely environment labour quicker. If you’re at home and you’re in early labour or in labour in general, your labour will go a little bit quicker,” she explains.
“Because of this I always advise women when they come in to bring any amount of stuff to make [the hospital] feel familiar.
“This could range from scarves, paintings, music or affirmations, aromatherapy or a diffuser.
“On the other end it could even be their support people, you need to bring people in who make you feel like you’re the best person at everything—that is it.”
But while the euphoria of birth may seem everlasting for some, the reality of having a newborn can set in quickly for other new mums, something Natascha says should not be feared.
“In terms of the mood drop that often comes in the days after birth, women should just ensure they keep bonding with their baby,” she says.
“This mothering ability can be greatly affected by how freely a mother is able to follow her own instinctual sense in this really critical time, with all these changing hormone levels with your bloodstream are getting you to have all these moods, you are still physically and emotionally caring for your little one.
“So even if that time arises, it’s not something extraordinary and you’re not alone in this, there’s always a couple of other million women always feeling that so remember to bring yourself back and have bonding time with your baby to keep that going.”
Words by Holly Hales.
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