Throughout pregnancy, most women will experience some degree of excitement and anxiety. The anticipation of seeing and holding their baby is powerful. The emotional response can motivate an expectant mother to re-evaluate her lifestyle choices, in order to provide the best care for her baby.

Fear, however, is also a common emotion with which expectant women struggle. Once her pregnancy is announced, it seems as though every woman within a 50-mile radius is drawn to her with the intent to regurgitate the story of her labor and birth experience. You can see the look of horror come over the expectant mom as she listens to the birth stories recounting the details about the doctor's behavior towards them, how they were spoken to and treated.

They talk about having their “bag of water ruptured” followed shortly after by the need for the baby to be delivered real fast, by c-section. Women describe how after the delivery of their baby, they became dangerously ill with what is commonly known as “hospital acquired infection.”

Ladies go on about how their doctors told them it would be best (no medical reason given) if they had their labors induced, sometimes as early as 37 weeks into their pregnancy. The story then includes a host of additional (interventions) procedures such as, rupture of membranes and the use of pitocin, or cytotek, to get labor moving.

The scenarios describe how they were “stuck” in the bed with tubes and monitors attached to their body, unable to move, and how they eventually gave in to the need for medications, in order to endure the ordeal. Some weep as they describe how their babies were sucked out, pulled out or cut out.

Many of these women initially believed in their body's ability to birth their baby without interventions and medications. They held to a strong desire to be completely involved in the labor and birth of their baby; awake and aware throughout the entire process. The birth they dreamed about and the birth they experienced were vastly different.

What happened?

Throughout her pregnancy, an expectant woman will be subjected to any number of birth horror stories. These scenarios sometimes end with a permanently injured mother or baby. So, are these stories just the imaginings of overly emotional women? Should childbirth be regarded as an event that teeters on the brink of catastrophe at any given moment? Are doctors in charge of the process of childbirth? Can birth be considered a normal process, and are women's bodies designed to give birth?

Lamaze International has always supported women in an effort to promote a normal birth experience for the family. The Lamaze philosophy of childbirth states:

** Birth is normal, natural and healthy.

** The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families.

** Women's inner wisdom guides them through birth.

** Women have the right to give birth free from routine medical interventions.

** Women's confidence and ability to give birth is either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth.

** Birth can safely take place in homes, birth centers and hospitals.

** Childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their inner wisdom.

Based upon best practices and careful evaluation of hundreds of studies, Lamaze International has compiled “10 Tips For A Normal Birth.” Each care practice is supported by several references. The entire study can be viewed at lamaze.org.

Ten tips for normal birth:

1. Choose a place to birth where you're most comfortable and supports normal birth. This may be at home, a birth center or hospital.

2. Choose a health care provider who supports and promotes normal birth.

3. Don't request or agree to induction of labor unless there is a medical reason.

4. Plan to move around freely during your labor and the birth. Try walking, sitting in a rocking chair or use a birth ball.

5. Consider having a doula or other labor support with you during your labor.

6. Ask that your baby's heart rate be monitored intermittently instead of all the time.

7. Eat and drink as your body tells you to during your labor to stay hydrated and energized.

8. Use non-pharmacologic pain management strategies. Baths and the shower give powerful pain relief.

9. Don't give birth on your back. Vary your positions during pushing. Consider: side-lying, all fours, standing and squatting.

10. Keep your baby with you after birth. Skin to skin contact keeps your baby warm and helps to regulate your baby's heartbeat and breathing.

Keep in mind, if problems arise, ask questions about the risks and the benefits of any recommended interventions (procedures). Understand that sometimes labor and birth don't go as expected. If you're involved with decisions about your care and have good labor support, you're more likely to be satisfied with your birth even if medical interventions are needed.

- References: Lamaze International, International Cesarean Awareness Network at www.ican-online.org and Coalition for Improving

Maternity Services at www.motherfriendly.org

Andrea Branagan, MA, CNMI, is a childbirth educator and health care advocate. She is an associate with Choice's West, A Center for Women's Health, and the director of education for “Gentle Birth Choices.” To learn more, visit www.gentlebirthchoices.net