From the article: Why would anyone want a natural childbirth?
Natural birth is something that many women aspire to for their baby's birth. What makes a woman want to skip an epidural and give birth without drugs? Some cite empowerment, others safety. If you've had a natural birth or are planning on a natural birth, share your reasons why natural birth was the right choice for you. Share Your Thoughts
Natural
- with my son I had a hospital birth, completely natural. Zero interventions and I will not be doing it in a hospital this time. Sure the labor and delivery was exactly what I wanted but the after "care" was nothing that I had wanted or expected. The nurses came in every 2 hours like clockwork and woke us all up for "checking" on things like my bp and hr which were fine and kept pricking my son's feet for glucose checks "because he's a big baby (8.5lbs)". First, that is NOT a big baby. Secondly, it was traumatic for me to see him cry every time until I finally told them to back off. And third, don't you think if something was wrong I, his mother, would have enough sense and instinct to realize it? Needless to say, this time I am having my baby safely at home with no interventions and NO unneeded "checks". Definitely do your research on both pregnancy (testing especially during pregnancy, there are so many tests done that can cause more harm than good) and child birth options. I feel so empowered now!=
- —Guest angelica
With support and education, you can!
- We are very capable of giving birth but we doubt ourselves. Knowledge is power, taking a childbirth preparation course and surrounding oneself with supportive people help a woman to discover the pwer within.
- —Guest nursegve
I would do it again in a heart beat
- I choose natural labor and delivery for both my pregancies and would do it again . I have had an easy and quick first labor and delivery. My second one was long and painful ( baby was in an OP position). With both i felt this amazing urge and stregth to push. I also loved being able to hold my babies right away. My recovery was so easy and i had no side effects from medication or pain from an epidural. I felt great right after and breastfed right away. I truely believe that this is the best way , the natural way. Remember our bodies are designed to give birth , and you can give birth naturaly
- —Guest Guest Jessica
Freedom to be in Control
- When I go into labor, my body will be doing enough things without my permission. An epidural would take away even the freedom to walk about, pee on my own, or choose my birthing position. I don't yet know what I'll choose; everyone's telling me an epidural is the only way. I'm scared of the pain, of not being able to handle the labor, and of people seeing me so vulnerable, but I'm also afraid of being helpless.
- —Guest Erin
oxytocin
- Oxytocin is released during labor and intensifies uterine contractions, and a huge surge of it is also released just after the baby is born. This has a dual purpose…first continuing the contractions to expel the placenta, as well as getting us to touch and hold the baby. Once the baby begins suckling on the breast, (which a baby will do within the first hour of life, if un-medicated during birth) more oxytocin is released. This helps us to feel connected and bonded with our baby, which is invaluable to our first weeks of motherhood. If you are given Pitocin the artificial version of this hormone your body won't make much if at all of the natural one. The effects of them are not the same at all the natural one is way better. Do a ton of research and go natural if you can. The more prepared you are the are more confident you will be. Panic releases adrenaline which is almost the opposite of oxytocin and raises your blood pressure and that of your baby. Watch the Buisness of Being Born
- —Guest Adonna
Guest Nicole
- It's incorrect to assume that an epidural means a painless, totally comfortable birth. I have heard many mothers talk about the pain of getting the epidural in the first place, that all was fine until they turned the medication off so they could push, or about all of the painful side-effects of the medication. Second, it would be a mistake to decline medication and not be prepared with an alternative, such as hypnobabies (self-hypnosis for childbirth) or another method to both give you relief and be empowered during the process. In summary -- get educated and prepare accordingly.
- —Guest Nicole
a gorgeous proposition!
- I fell in love with natural birth when my sister gave birth naturally with me as her labor support. I watched her move with her contractions, accept them, and find ways to manage her pain. I watched how things progressed so normally, each stage building on the other. I watched her power as she pushed her baby into the world without anyone counting in her ear or urging her to bare down harder. It was peaceful. After the baby was born, she was all smiles and ready to take care of him. Sure she was sore, but she wasn't groggy or sick. She felt fine. Having also been through birth that needed medication, I have witnessed the affects on both mother and baby. Recovery is more difficult for both. It is often the unsupportive environment or medical need of medication that makes natural birth an unbearable situation. I do believe the wonder of it is the experience of using our bodies to their fullest female capacity.
- —Guest Kelli
Don't Mess With Delicate Things
- It was only after several years of using X-rays on pregnant women that they discovered it was causing childhood cancer. A lot of what is done during pregnancy and labor has not been well studied- for example Pitocin (something up to 80% of women in some hospitals receive during labor) and continuous electronic fetal monitoring (exposing your baby to hours on end of ultrasonic energy). With the autism rate jumping from 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 166, I think it's prudent to leave well enough alone when you can, and only accept interventions that are truly necessary. Many women find labor bearable. After taking such care with diet and health during pregnancy, the same consideration should be taken with drugs in the labor and delivery room. Many so-called "routine" interventions can be quite dangerous to your baby, causing fetal distress. Every mom wants the best for her baby, so educate yourself about the trade offs of feeling no pain in labor-- there are many, for you and your baby.
- —christyswift
Changing Ideas About Natural Childbirth
- With my first baby, a natural childbirth was to avoid unnecessary interventions. After my first baby, I decided it was more about dealing with the discomfort of labor during labor rather than having to recover from what they had had to do to get the baby out when I couldn't feel it. So I felt like if I could labor (with support from my husband and doula) and avoid medication, I would have an easier postpartum period. It certainly worked for me! I will say I couldn't have done it without preparation though.
- —Guest Robin
