Natural Childbirth
Experience childbirth without using medication
Natural childbirth generally refers to a mother's desire to experience childbirth without using any pain medication or having any unnecessary medical interventions. Those women who choose natural childbirth believe that birth is a natural, healthy process — a process that women's bodies are designed to accomplish.
Why natural childbirth?
Women who choose natural childbirth accept the potential for pain and
discomfort as part of childbirth. The pain of childbirth which is normal
and even healthy will give them the cues that they will need to work effectively
with their bodies. This acceptance of pain and a desire to cope naturally
with the challenges of labor and delivery can give the mother and the
father or support person a sense of purpose, accomplishment and empowerment.
For many women, choosing natural childbirth is choosing to have more control over her own body and the events surrounding labor and delivery. The mother chooses how she wants to labor and uses positions and coping techniques to deal with the pain of labor.
Other women feel that a natural childbirth is best for the baby. When a mother births naturally her baby is in no danger of being adversely affected by pain medications. Also the mother can labor unencumbered without the medical interventions that are often associated with labor including IV's, confinement to bed, monitors etc. Doctors often tell us that these drugs and interventions in most cases do not adversely affect the baby, however, those who advocate natural childbirth do not want to take that chance.
Can you have a natural childbirth in a hospital setting?
A woman can have a natural childbirth at home or in a hospital with the
cooperation of her doctor or midwife. If she chooses to deliver in a hospital,
a supportive nursing staff is very important.
How do you prepare for a natural childbirth?
Once a woman decides to have a natural childbirth, she needs to begin
to plan and prepare for it. It is very important first of all to find
a supportive doctor or midwife, and to have a supportive labor partner
or doula. A doula is a professional labor support person who can be invaluable
if a mother is planning on having a natural childbirth. It is also very
important that the mother educates herself about childbirth and the coping
techniques for labor and delivery. Taking childbirth education classes
with her support person helps to prepare the mother for the birth both
physically and emotionally. The comfort measures and relaxation techniques
learned in the classes can also be very helpful during labor. There are
many types of childbirth classes offered including hospital based classes,
Lamaze, Bradley and ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association).
Finally, the mother should make a birth plan-a written plan that outlines her desires about how she wants to labor and deliver. This plan is for her own use and for the use of her doctor or midwife and the nursing staff if she chooses to deliver in a hospital.
What happens if the mother changes her mind about a
natural childbirth while she is in labor?
No matter how well prepared a woman is for childbirth, the possibility
always exists that there will be road-blocks along the way. It is possible
situations will arise that were not planned on and over which the mother
has no control. It may be that labor is longer, more exhausting and more
painful than anticipated and the mother changes her mind about medication
or an epidural. Or a situation may arise where a cesarean is necessary
for the well-being of the mother or the baby.
If things do not go as planned, a mother should not feel a sense of failure. The end result should always be a healthy mother and a healthy baby and if this occurs there was no failure.