All About Natural Childbirth

Natural childbirth is a method based on the philosophy that women are adequately equipped to give birth naturally, without medical intervention. The application of this philosophy can be varied, as it is based on each individual woman’s perception of what she deems ‘natural’. It may range from no intervention at all to limited intervention when deemed appropriate.

Natural Birth Stories in History

Throughout most of history, natural birth stories involved women giving birth at home, without the availability of medical intervention. The Industrial Revolution in the 1800s made natural childbirth at home became more difficult for the lower classes due to congested and dirty living conditions. For this reason, women of the lower classes often opted to give birth at newly available hospitals, while those of higher classes continued giving birth at home. With the increased development of hospitals in the 1900s, more and more women from all classes sought medically assisted childbirth. However, in the 1940s, mothers and professionals began to challenge medical intervention in childbirth, and alternatives, such as water births and birthing centers, were introduced.

Benefits of Natural Childbirth

Giving birth naturally requires a positive attitude. Each woman’s body and each case of birth is unique, so listening to your friends’ natural birth stories, especially if they are negative, will only serve to frighten you. Giving birth naturally allows you to be more in control of your body and your labor. This method is noninvasive and poses little harm for your baby. Despite having to endure labor pains without medication, giving birth naturally will leave you with a great sense of accomplishment.

Pain Management During Delivery

When considering natural childbirth, you may be most worried about the pain involved and which you may have heard of in many natural birth stories. Certainly the pain is greater without medication, but the body is a marvelous thing. The increase of pain leads the body to release a greater amount of endorphins which results in a decrease in your perception of pain.

Prepare for natural childbirth by taking birthing classes, reading books on the subject, and practicing breathing and relaxation techniques. When the time comes for giving birth naturally, there are many methods of pain management including massage, hypnosis, hydrotherapy, and acupressure. Changing positions, using hot compression packs, or getting personalized labor support from a midwife can also help in your pain management efforts.

There are many methods of natural birth ranging from water birth to home birth with a midwife. If you are unsure natural childbirth is the way to go and are concerned your pain may be too great, you can always decide to opt for medication while at the hospital.

Epidural: Popular Alternative to Natural Childbirth

The main pregnancy related basic medical intervention is an epidural. An epidural is a popular medical procedure which presents little risk for the baby and greatly helps decrease your labor pain. The epidural is administered by an anesthesiologist through a catheter inserted into your back that delivers the drugs. It takes about 15 minutes to kick in.

Most epidurals will eliminate all contraction pain by numbing the lower area of your body. However, some hospitals offer a combined spinal epidural, also known as a walking epidural, which relieves some pain but still enables you to feel your leg muscles.