Natural Birth
We are stronger as a family because of the encouragement I received on your wonderful website and my children adore their baby sister. Please keep this vital resource going! ~Paula
Your body is built for natural birth. Amazing, isn't it? You have been designed to give birth to your baby without any medical intervention.
Natural childbirth is not martyrdom. Women don't choose drug-free childbirth to win medals. Giving birth naturally is the best choice - and it's empowering.
A woman allowed to trust her body and move to her own rhythms during labor and birth is a powerful being. In Spiritual Midwifery
Ina May Gaskin says that laboring women are "like an elemental force." When you give birth to your baby, you will be that powerful force.
Are you new to the idea of natural birth?
Unsure of what to expect?
Would you like inspiration?
Go watch NBBC's Birth Video Collection!
Natural birth is the best birth for you and for your baby. Despite what you might be told all medication (including the epidural) has an affect on your baby. The medications used during birth cross to your baby and change the way your body responds to labor.
Be prepared for emergency childbirth and baby care. You never know when chance or natural or man made disasters could make this info vital!
Medical intervention and surgical birth - either by cesarean section or by "assisted delivery" (forceps and vacuum extractors) and episiotomy - interferes with natural birth. Intervention will have effects on your earliest moments with your child.
Each woman must make the choices that are right for her, and those choices are not the same for every woman. But natural birth is almost always the best choice for babies and for women.
Preparing
Preparing for birth begins with a healthy pregnancy or even before pregancy. You should read all you can to prepare. There are hundreds of articles and book recommendations throughout this site.
Also take a minute to sign up for Tiger Lily - a free newsletter full of information on giving birth naturally, and caring for your baby naturally.
One of the first things you'll decide is where to give birth. You have several options. Some women want to be in the hospital. If you find a good care provider and are able to advocate for your rights it is possible to have a wonderful natural birth experience in the hospital.
You can also choose a birth center. Many women like the thought of the extra backup and medical attention that can be given at a birth center even while a birth center feels very homelike. Birth centers generally have low intervention rates and natural births happen most of the time.
A home birth may be an option for you. Birth at home is intimate, empowering, and beautiful. It is a wonderful experience that gives your baby and excellent start and allows you the most freedom.
Another choice to consider is who should be at your baby's birth. This can end up being a complicated choice. There are many considerations to take into account but it comes down to what you want. You choose who to have there and even if you want your older kids at the birth.
You might decide that you want a doula. A doula is a woman who is specially trained to support you during labor - to "mother the mother." Doulas offer amazing support during natural birth.
There are women who choose unassisted childbirth with only their partner and family. Some want to birth alone. The choice of where to birth and who to have there is yours.
Learning
As noted before, books are a great way to learn about pregnancy, labor, and birth. Select books that are supportive of your choices to have a healthy, aware pregnancy and a natural birth.
A good childbirth education class is often recommended for first time parents. It can help you to learn about pregnancy, labor, and birth. As with your books, be choosy about your childbirth education. Select classes that will enrich your birth experience and support your choices.
Practicing relaxation during pregnancy is an excellent way to prepare for natural birth. It will serve you well during labor, birth, and for the rest of your life. You might also want to review natural pain relief techniques as you get ready for your baby's birth.
Nesting
As you ready yourself for your baby's birth you naturally want to prepare your home. You will want to decide what to get for baby.
This is truly one of the most joyful parts of expecting a new child - the preparation and anticipation that comes with it.
As your baby's day of birth gets closer, you may be treated to a baby shower or a blessingway. Both rituals will be events that you treasure. You will also probably begin cleaning your house and preparing for the arrival of your new little one!
Laboring
Labor and birth are powerful processes that your body is ready for. The journey may not be easy but it's rewarding and your body is perfectly primed for it. You can have a natural birth even if you've had a previous c-section or assisted delivery. VBAC has been under fire lately, but evidence shows that VBACs can be a great option for mothers and babies.
You might have some anxiety about knowing how labor will start. You may also be curious about inducing labor - or your care provider may have suggested it. Be sure to read about inducing labor naturally if you're considering any induction.
Try to rest or just go about your daily. Your little one knows when the time is right. Review relaxation and pain relief for natural birth. You might want to have a pain relief checklist handy in the last days before labor begins.
Are you planning a waterbirth? Labor is the time to dip in and relax! Water can feel great in labor. It may also help you birth more gently and avoid intervention such as episiotomy.
Meeting
The first moments with your new child are precious. Cherish them forever. Your natural birth will empower you and energize you throughout your child's first days and for years to come. You may enjoy remembering the amazing job you just did!
Be sure you continue to care for yourself postpartum. Though not as common with natural childbirth, postpartum depression is real and you and your baby are worth getting it resolved.
Hold you newborn infant close and relish your "babymoon." Nothing is quite as special as the magic between a mother and a child in the early days after birth. Allow yourself to be pampered. Enjoy that time. It truly is an ordinary miracle, and it will change you forever.
Or read and enjoy other women's birth stories.
