Natural childbirth

Natural childbirth is a childbirth philosophy that attempts to minimize medical intervention, particularly the use of anesthetic medications and surgical interventions such as episiotomies, forceps and ventouse deliveries and caesarean sections. Women pursuing a natural birth should consider the possibility of necessary emergency medical intervention. Preparation may aid avoiding feelings of failure or depression for not sticking to the intended birth plan.

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Risks of anesthetics and other interventions

Proponents of natural childbirth note that anaesthetics may increase the likelihood of complications, because labor may be slowed or the woman may not be able to adequately move her body during labor or work with her body during final delivery. All epidural medications given during labor cross the placenta and affect the fetus, (Kitzinger 2004, p. 321) and it has been shown that pain medication can affect the feeding behavior of the newborn and reduce the chances of successful breastfeeding. ^[1]

In an unmedicated labor the body produces its own oxytocin, which stimulates contractions. The brain responds to the pain of these contractions by releasing endorphins. When synthesized oxytocin (aka pitocin) is administered through an IV, contractions are often longer, more intense and more consistent than the body’s natural endorphins can keep up with. The intense pain of Pitocin-augmented labor often causes women who may have wanted an unmedicated birth to ask for or accept pain medication. One intervention can cascade into multiple interventions changing your once pre-planned natural birth into a medicalized birth. ^[2]

A natural birth also increases the probability of a healthier postnatal period and an easier recovery due to better hormonal balance and less post-operative discomforts.^{[citation needed]} This is because a woman who has given birth with minimal intervention does not have to recover from major abdominal surgery (caesarean section), instrumental delivery (by forceps or ventouse), cutting of the perineum, called episiotomy) (although the perineum will sometimes tear during childbirth anyway), bruises from IV lines, or severe headache backache (a possible and well-documented side effect of epidurals). Natural childbirth maximizes the innate birth physiology and laboring movement of healthy, well-nourished women and minimizes interventions in the normal course of spontaneous childbirth.

When discussing benefits of natural birth, one must not overlook the baby itself. A baby that is not exposed to the narcotics of labor, drugs that augment labor, or the separation from its mother after a cesarean birth benefits by not having its liver taxed, lessening the chance of stress from reduced oxygen, and immediate skin-to-skin maternal contact which increases the likelihood of successful breastfeeding.

Alternatives to anesthetics

Pain management techniques other than medication include:

• hydrotherapy
• massage
• relaxation therapy
• hypnosis
• breathing exercises
• vocalization
• visualization
• mindfulness
• movement and different positions (i.e. using a birthing ball)
• hot and cold therapy (i.e. using hot compresses and/or cold packs)
• having one-on-one labor support, such as a midwife or doula

It should be noted that it is not uncommon to defecate while giving birth.

Psychological benefits

Many women consider natural birth empowering. A woman who is supported to labor as she instinctively wants to, is a woman who will likely feel positive about her birth experience and future parenting skills. Her baby is more able to be alert and placed on her skin (promoting maternal bonding) and breastfeeding is more likely to be enjoyable and successful.

Preparation

Prevalence of Medical Intervention in the U.S.

A recent study revealed the rates of medical intervention in childbirth in the U.S.:

• Electronic fetal monitoring- 93%

• Epidural use- 63%

• Had their membranes ruptured- 55%

• Received oxytocin to progress labor- 53%

• Received episiotomies- 52% ^[3]

References

1. ^ (2001) "Maternal analgesia during labor disturbs newborn behavior: Effects on breastfeeding, temperature, and crying". Birth 28(1): 5-12.
2. ^ (2003) "A Reclamation of Childbirth". Journal of Perinatal Education 12(3).
3. ^ What Women Aren’t Told about Childbirth (2007).

^  Simkin, P. (1992) "Just another day in a woman's life? Nature and consistency of women's long term memories of their first birth experience." Birth 19:64-81.
^  Sakala, C., M. Corry, and H. Goer. (2004) Vaginal Birth and Cesarean Birth: How Do the Risks Compare? New York: Maternity Center Association. Full report available at http://www.maternitywise.org

See also

• Midwifery
• Home birth
• Water birth
• Unassisted childbirth
• Doula