Sum it up
A natural birth is when a woman gives birth without any interventions and without pain medications.
Natural Childbirth
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Everyone has a different idea of the kind of birth they want to have. Many women are choosing to have a natural birth. There isn’t a right or wrong way to give birth. But it’s valid to want a certain kind of birth experience.
What does having a natural birth mean?
A natural birth is when a woman gives birth without any interventions and without pain medications. Natural birth can happen in the hospital, birth center or at home.
Is natural birth painful?
Everyone has a different perception of pain so birth, whether painful or not, is very individualized. Most women would agree that birth comes with discomfort. There is prep work you can do before giving birth that can make birth less painful.
The pain experienced in birth is very different than pain you get from, say a broken bone. Birth pain has a purpose, it’s signaling to your body that you have something very important happening and you need to focus on this.
There are women who don’t describe birth as painful, some who even describe having a pain free birth without the use of medication. There are also women who actually have orgasmic births. Yep, you read that right. A small amount of women have a pleasurable birth experience.
What is the most painful part of birth?
This is going to be different for everyone. Some women think that the contractions of birth are the most painful part, while others think that pushing is more painful.
Personally, I found the moment my baby’s head came out to be the most uncomfortable/painful part of birth.
What does pushing a baby out feel like?
There’s this really incredible thing that happens when you have a natural birth, your body will start pushing on its own. When your body is ready to push then during a contraction your body will start to push out the baby. It’s a very intense feeling and can take your breath away.
I once heard someone say that it feels like you’re throwing up but the opposite way, throwing down. I found this to be an accurate description of how pushing feels because when your body is ready to push you have no control over it, just like when your body wants to throw up.
Is it healthier to have a natural birth?
Typically, natural birth is safer and healthier for mom and baby. This is because there are usually less complications with natural birth. With natural birth, mom is less likely to experience things like severe perineal tear, need for Pitocin, severe bleeding and more.
There are several benefits for baby when born naturally. Babies born vaginally have a more diverse microbiome which is beneficial for them later in life because they are more likely to have less allergies, and a lower risk of developing diabetes and obesity. Pain medication that is administered to the mom does cross the placenta and enter the baby’s bloodstream which can impact the babies heart rate and breathing. Meaning baby’s born naturally, without medication, have better heart rates and breathing outcomes.
How can I give birth without an epidural?
It can seem really appealing to not feel any pain during birth and you may think that an epidural is a great option. There are risks to an epidural, like lowered pressure, infection, breathing problems, nerve damage and more. Epidural can also impact the baby by change in heart rate, breathing problems, drowsiness, reduced muscle tone, and reduced breastfeeding.
If you want to give birth without an epidural then you need to prepare. You need to have a plan on how to cope with the discomfort of birth. Things like breathing techniques and visualization are great, as well as changing positions. A doula is a great asset to have to help support you through birth.
If you are planning to give birth at the hospital it is especially important to consider creating a birth plan and discussing the importance of your wishes with your doctor or midwife.
How do I increase my chances of natural birth?
There are things that you can do to increase your chance of natural birth. Preparing is key. Preparation would ideally begin before you get pregnant but is also important while pregnant.
- Start by changing your mindset on birth. If you think birth is going to be scary and painful then you’re setting yourself up for a birth with fear and pain. And if you’re afraid and in pain you are more likely to have interventions like pain medications. If you can have a positive mindset on birth then you are more likely to have the outcome you desire. To change your mindset I recommend learning about birth and listening to positive birth stories on podcasts or YouTube.
- Practice relaxing. It might sound funny to practice relaxing but when you are having contractions it may be hard to relax if you haven’t been intentional about relaxing. Lay down, get comfortable, and practice relaxing every muscle in your body from your tippy toes all the way to the top of your head. Don’t forget about the jaw and your eyebrows. Relax everything.
- Nutrition is also important if you want to prepare for natural birth. Eating well can prevent a lot of pregnancy complications. Check out Three Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy for more details.
- Another great way to prepare for natural birth is to exercise. You will never know how long your labor will be until it happens and you’ll need the endurance and strength to get through it. Walking is an excellent form of movement when you’re pregnant. I’d also recommend doing squats daily, as many as you can, to strengthen your legs.
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Final Thoughts
By preparing ahead of time you are much more likely to have a natural birth. Having a natural birth in many cases is safer and healthier for both mom and baby. Definitely discuss the importance of your birth wishes with your birth team. Having a supportive birth team will also increase the likelihood of you having a natural birth.
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I created Natural and Empowered Birth because I want to help women have a positive birth experience.
I’ve always been fascinated by birth and love hearing other mama’s birth stories. Learning about how women can have a beautiful and empowering birth set me on a path to have one myself and now I want to help women have a great birthing experience too.
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2 thoughts on “What You Need to Know About Natural Birth”
This is an awesome article! It always helps to hear about others experiences with natural birth.
Definitely having a natural birth it’s quite an experience! I had an unplanned home birth with my second and I was amazed how your body takes control and knows exactly what to do!
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