Giving birth to a child is one of the most memorable and meaningful experiences in a woman’s life. One of the important decisions a woman will make about the experience is whether to deliver her child the natural way or with medication.  Sometimes a choice isn’t possible as nature and circumstances have a way making the decision for us.  But for women trying to plan ahead for a natural childbirth, understanding the benefits of this choice can be helpful.

A natural childbirth is one that attempts to lessen medical intervention, in particular the use of anesthetic medications.  Expectant mothers hear often about the great pain of childbirth and why it is “unnecessary” to go through such pain.

Natural birth advocates argue that in a healthy situation, pain is often nature’s way of guiding the mother through the labor process.  In other aspects of our health care we become concerned when there is pain—we don’t just simply cover it up.  For instance persistent headaches, or back aches or leg pain, etc., is usually followed up with a visit to the doctor who may at that point uncover the source of the pain which in some instances is a serious health issue.

Pain during the labor may be nature’s way of telling the mother to shift her position to ease the baby into the right position for delivery.  For example, having back pain during labor is believed to be a sign that the baby might be in a posterior position which requires rotating. Women experiencing this pain will tend to move themselves off of their backs and in this “natural” way they may in fact be helping to move the baby to a better position for delivery.

One of the difficult aspects of a medicated birth is that the nerve blocking or pain reduction medication can limit the mother’s ability to move around.  On the other hand mothers experiencing natural labor can walk around freely and change the positions of their body as needed.

Knowing when to push and when to stop pushing is an important part of the labor process. Mothers who labor naturally can respond to the vital indicators that their body is sending them and this allows them to push better and faster.  Studies have shown that mothers who are given an epidural (an anesthetic that numbs the body from the belly button down) often have prolonged labors.

Many women who have a natural birth say that their recovery was faster and easier because they were able get themselves up out of bed sooner. Some women are even able to eat right away.  This isn’t often the case when a woman receives medication to numb labor pain.

Babies also benefit from a healthy natural delivery.  Research has shown that in cases where the mother has natural childbirth, the babies are more alert take to breast feeding earlier and more readily.

There are many important benefits associated with natural childbirth.  Ultimately the choice should be a pressure-free one that is based on an understanding of what is involved and the health condition of the mother.   A point to keep in mind is that many mothers who choose natural childbirth attribute their positive experience to the support of their health practitioner, partner and/or family.

More Reading: Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way

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