BIRTHING OPTIONS

“Having never been through the birthing process, I didn’t know what to expect. It was important to me that all options, especially an epidural, were available to help manage the pain. In the end, I delivered my first child completely naturally and my second child with an epidural. Both experiences were great and I’m glad MCH could support my choices.”

- Jennifer with her son Ben, Keene, NH Pictured here with Jodie and her son Leo.

At the Birthing Center, a full range of birthing options are available – you decide how you want to experience birth and we will guide you through every step of the process

Comfort Techniques and Options

Every woman experiences labor and pain differently. At the Birthing Center, we can help you can choose the options that are best for you at that time. We provide comfort techniques and medications for pain including:

  • Birthing ball
  • Birthing stool
  • Heat therapy
  • Music
  • Quiet lighting
  • Walking
  • Laboring in water
  • Medication for pain relief

Laboring in Water

Giving birth or experiencing part of your labor through water therapies are options open to you at the Birthing Center

During Water Therapy, the warm water from a shower or tub can help you relax and can help to reduce pain and pressure. In addition, water’s buoyancy in a tub can help you more easily adjust your positioning to stay as comfortable as possible during labor. Water Therapy is used during labor, but prior to actively delivering your baby. You can use water therapy as a comfort measure without delivering your baby in water.

Water Birth has been a safe, but non-traditional method of delivery, that is supported by local obstetricians and pediatricians.  Water Births have been performed successfully at MCH since 1992 and MCH was the first hospital in New Hampshire and the fourth in the country to offer women this option.  The hospital is kown nationally and internationally for the use of water as a comfort measure for labor and birth.

If you are interested in Water Therapy as a pre-delivery comfort measure or a full Water Birth, we encourage you to talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of both options prior to your delivery date.

“I delivered all four of my children in water at MCH. Each time, I felt very safe, comfortable and in control. I could not imagine giving birth any other way.”

- Holleigh, Milford, NH, mother of Aspen, Alexeigh, Jaiden and baby Gage Tlapa


Medication for Pain Relief

The Birthing Center is one of the only hospitals in the Monadnock Region to offer a full range of anesthesiology options. Our Board Certified Anesthesiologists are available 24-hours a day to provide you with either Epidural or Intrathecal Anesthesia. In addition, you can also choose other pain relieving medications that are safe for labor. We encourage you to discuss all pain relief options with your doctor prior to delivery.

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section (VBAC) is performed at MCH. Your doctor will discuss with you whether or not a VBAC is a safe option for your circumstances.