For some mums-to-be, a natural childbirth is the go-to option to feel in control of their pregnancy. If you\u2019re choosing to push through the pain, you might be wondering what exactly that means for baby\u2019s big arrival. Here is our guide to everything you need to know \u2013 including the logistics of natural childbirths and cord blood banking.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.17.2″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”What is natural childbirth?” _builder_version=”3.17.2″ background_color=”#eeeeee” custom_padding=”20px|20px|0px|20px”]\n
Simply put, a natural birth is when a mother chooses vaginal delivery without most \u2013 or in some cases, any \u2013 medical intervention. This can range from the choice of doctor to the type of pain relief the mother uses. Once upon a time, this practice was fairly common; nowadays, it is much less so.<\/p>\n
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There are two main methods for a successful natural birth.<\/p>\n
In most cases, it is highly unlikely that a natural birth would be entirely painless \u2013 mainly because mothers eschew all pain relief or assistance.<\/p>\n
However, mums-to-be often take certain measures to mitigate their pain and improve the process. These could include hypnobirthing, yoga and meditation, massage, taking baths or showers, having a water birth, and visualising a pain-free pregnancy.<\/p>\n
You might also want to consider using a doula, as it can reduce your need for pain medication, shorten labour and give you peace of mind thanks to their extra knowledge and skills.<\/p>\n
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Of course, for some mums, the pain proves to be too much and if that is the case, doctors can still administer medication. Don\u2019t feel bad if you can\u2019t sustain the pain \u2013 labour lasts a long time, and there is no shame in needing some assistance.<\/p>\n
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For some mums-to-be, foregoing medical interventions makes them feel in control of their baby\u2019s birth. It can also be empowering for many expectant parents, as giving birth without pain relief is quite the achievement.<\/p>\n
It can also be a way of bonding with your baby and birthing partner \u2013 you\u2019ll almost definitely need their support to get through the pain.<\/p>\n
For other expectant parents, natural birth is an attractive option because they are still able to move during pregnancy whereas epidurals confine them to their beds. This also means that the mother can move sooner after birth, whereas pain medication can leave them feeling groggy and numb.<\/p>\n
The lack of pain medication also could make pushing easier and more effective, because the mother can still feel the sensations.<\/p>\n
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Because natural childbirth involves eschewing medication and interventions, it is generally very safe. However, it can be dangerous if the mum-to-be ignores her birth team\u2019s recommendations or refuses an intervention if something doesn’t go to plan.<\/p>\n
Choosing natural birth can be a big decision, and it can therefore be disappointing if something goes wrong. It’s crucial, however, to keep an open mind because in an emergency, medical help could save you and your baby’s life.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also worth remembering that choosing a natural birth means you\u2019ll feel everything; the pain is often much more intense than anticipated and can often seem unbearable. Because of this, it might turn out that you require a general anaesthetic \u2013 this occurs if your baby\u2019s heart rate drops and you haven\u2019t had an epidural, as you made need a C-section.<\/p>\n
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There are three main options when it comes to a natural childbirth: giving birth in a hospital, a birth centre, or at home.<\/p>\n
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