Giving birth is an important decision every woman has to make. It's a life changing experience that can be either for the better or for the worse. With the continuing increase of hospital costs and development of new alternative methods, some mothers prefer to give their baby a natural birth.
Natural childbirth was prevalent in the 60's and 70's. It is still being practiced today especially in provinces where medical help is limited. In some countries the care of pregnant women is delegated to midwives. This is where homebirths are still being practiced.
Having a child nowadays has a lot of impact in the different aspects of a household. It affects both the mental, physical and emotional health of the parents. It also signals a new financial obligation.
Giving your baby a natural birth has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
The goal of natural childbirth is to reduce medical intervention. It seeks to avoid the use of anesthetics and surgical operations.
Anesthetics were believed to have effects on the mother and the child. It also helps the mother to be relieved from post-operational discomforts. Mothers would be able to recover much faster. They don't have to recover from a major surgery due to a caesarian section. They don't have to undergo an episiotomy. It also relives them for the side effects of anesthetics such as a headache or backache. It can also serve as an economical choice since it can be done at home with the assistance of a midwife.
Mothers also feel a sense of empowerment during a natural childbirth. It also gives them control over their body during the delivery.
Cons
Unfortunately, there are circumstances when medical intervention is needed. They also help the mother for a less exhausting and painful delivery.
Anesthetics are primarily used to relieve pain. Labor and childbirth can be a painful process. Predisposing factors and complications are the reason why medical intervention is needed. Drugs such as Oxytocin induce contractions to help the mother. Other mothers don't have the pelvic structure for a natural childbirth that's why a caesarian section is needed. Compromised health condition of the mother also indicates the need for the operation.
Due to this natural pain management methods have been devised. Labor support is given by a doula. They serve to help the mother through the delivery process. Breathing, visualization, massage, touch, hot and cold therapy is also used. In some cases they use hypnosis and acupuncture. Proper positioning can also help reduce pain and ease the delivery.
Although these methods might work they do not guarantee the total relief of pain. Without the help of anesthetics, mothers will still feel the discomfort of giving their baby a natural birth. Even though natural childbirth discourages episiotomy, chances are the perineum will still tear due to delivery.
Types of natural childbirth
Home Birth
From the word it self it's giving birth to a child at home. It can be either assisted or unassisted. Assisted homebirth is done with the help of a midwife or a physician. This is ideal for low risk pregnancies. According to research planned and assisted homebirth is as safe as childbirth in a hospital. Of course unassisted homebirth is done without any medical help. The mother and her partner will have to work together to delivery the baby in a suitable environment. When things go wrong during a homebirth the consequences can be devastating. it is therefore safer to give birth with the proper caregivers.
Water birth
Childbirth is done in a bath tub or suitable container full of warm water. It's an alternative to standard delivery. The warm water relives labor pain during delivery. It also eases the passage of the infant from the womb through the birth canal and to the outside world. Studies have shown that it is a safe alternative adapted by 300 hospitals in the United States.
Giving your baby a natural birth will depend on your needs. The mother will have to choose what the best is for the child and for her. No matter what the soon to be parents choose it's important to consult a doctor first. Natural childbirth may not be applicable to all aspiring parents. If you're ready to endure the pain with a low risk pregnancy then you can opt for a natural childbirth.
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