Childbirth the Natural Way

Because 39% of women today are seeking all natural, safe means to bring their little one into the world, we have decided to provide information regarding natural childbirth, also known as birth without medication.

Something important to keep in mind is that birthing is a natural process that, in most cases, does not require medical intervention. A woman’s body was designed to bear children, and women have been delivering babies naturally for thousands of years.

Reasons Many Women Choose Natural Childbirth:

Without pain medication, the woman experiences no loss of sensation or alertness. She is able to maintain control of her body and has the ability to know when to push during contractions. In most cases, she may move around freely to find positions that help her to remain comfortable. The woman will also feel a sense of empowerment after she is able to give birth naturally.

As with most drugs, there are potential side-effects to the pain medications and uterine stimulants often administered in a non-natural birth. Some of the repercussions of these drugs include having a baby born slightly “drugged” who may not be as responsive to breastfeeding. The first few moments after a child is born is important for mother-child bonding and without medications, natural instincts are unhindered.

Labor is often shorter with natural childbirth because pain medications may lead to slower deliveries. Medications can interfere with the body’s natural processes and may slow down contractions. Because pain medications may slow labor, the woman may be administered a uterine stimulant to speed up contractions. The resulting contractions usually come on very quickly and strongly, leaving the woman with very little recovery time between contractions, resulting in less oxygen reaching the fetus. This may lead to brain cell damage or neurological problems for the baby.

Ways to Prepare for Natural Childbirth:

Develop a birthing plan. Choose a caregiver and a location for the birthing process. Make sure your caregiver understands your wishes for a natural childbirth.

Learn as much as you can about the birthing process. The more you understand about what your body is going through at each particular stage in the process, the more you will know how to cope with the situation.

Prepare your body for the birthing process using herbs. According to A Mother’s Guide toHerbal Extracts: Saving Tristan, by Kathy Garber, “midwives have used and promoted herbal remedies for many years to tone and prepare the body for giving birth. Red Raspberry leaf is the most popular uterine tonic and enjoys an excellent reputation as the single most important herb to prepare the body for giving birth and reduce the pain of childbirth.”

*Please Note: Red Raspberry is not suggested for use during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.

Pain Management Techniques:

Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a pain-free childbirth. However, there are many methods of pain management that women have found helpful.

Practice breathing and visualization exercises.

Have the strong, steadfast support of a partner who can help you through the process.

Try a variety of positions (standing, sitting, kneeling, squatting…) or movements (walking, sitting on a birthing ball, rocking in a chair…) during labor.

Hydrotherapy- try using water to soothe and relax your body.

A massage may soothe tense muscles and may be calming.