Natural Birth - Why have one?

Although women throughout the centuries have birthed naturally, in this day and age, natural childbirth seems to be a radical concept. This kind of attitude is not surprising, since today's society encourages women to have a pain-free labour.  In a society where there's a pill for everything, why go through labour without pain relief and all the technology that's available to us?

To make matters worse, the media seems to echo this sentiment by portraying childbirth as a medical event involving a lot of pain.  Therefore, it is not surprising that almost all women accept that it is impossible to have a natural birth, and to expect that something always goes wrong.  Thank goodness for hospitals!

So what makes somebody want to have a natural birth? And is it worth it?

What Makes Natural Birth Worth It For You ?

Natural birth offers big advantages which boil down to the fact that natural birth is best for mothers and babies and therefore is worth striving for.

• When you choose a natural birth, you don't have to worry about drug safety because you're not using any drugs.  Remember that all drugs have side effects.  All drugs pass through to the baby.  We spend our entire pregnancies avoiding medications and certain foods, only to have every drug on offer in labour!

• Within the realm of safety, when you refuse drugs and interventions which will interfere with the normal course of labour and birth, you actually help yourself to have a healthy and uncomplicated birth.  Epidurals frequently lead to further intervention which can, in turn affect the baby. 
  
• Choosing a drug-free birth means that your new baby is likely to be very alert after birth and hence you will be able to breastfeed, bond and connect immediately with your baby.

• It's well-known that a labour-inducing drugs speed up labour and result in longer, stronger and more frequent contractions.  Many babies suffer from the consequences of induction by showing signs of distress.  This sign often prompts hospital staff to recommend a caesarean.
• Natural birth leaves women on a high that lasts for weeks.  The triumph and sense of massive achievement that is created when women birth naturally is amazing!
  
• Natural birth leaves women confident of birth and of their abilities.  What better way to start motherhood than to feel confident, exhilerated and bonded to the new baby?
• Natural birth in one pregnancy will help all subsequent births to be natural and free of complications.