Read method [Grantley Dick-Read, English obstetrician, 1890–1959] , a method of psychophysical preparation for childbirth. It was the first “natural childbirth” program, a term coined by Dr. Read in the 1930s. Read held that childbirth is a normal, physiological procedure and that the pain of labor and delivery is of psychological origin—the fear-tension-pain syndrome. He countered women’s fears with education about the physiological process, encouraged a positive welcoming attitude, corrected false information, and led tours of the hospital. To decrease tension he developed a series of breathing exercises for use during the various stages of labor. To foster relaxation and optimal physical function in labor and recovery after delivery, he incorporated a series of physical exercises to be performed regularly in classes and in practice at home during pregnancy. Currently many authorities who advocate use of other aspects of the Read method strongly recommend that a woman in labor not lie on her back. Supine hypotension is frequently the result of this position, because the uterus can fall back, occluding the vena cava and decreasing the volume of blood returned to the heart, thus reducing the volume of the cardiac output. Maternal hypotension follows, resulting in decreased placental perfusion and an inadequate supply of oxygen to the fetus. Today the woman using the Read method spends most of labor lying on her side or in a semisitting position with her knees, back, and head well supported. Compare Bradley method, Lamaze method.
