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It is exactly as it sounds: a birth that begins on its own, progresses at its own pace, and ends with a vaginal birth without interventions such as an induced labor, an epidural or other medical procedure for pain relief, the use of forceps or vacuum extractor, or a cesarean. |
In most cases, when you prepare for a birth by creating Birth Preferences, you come to understand the process of natural birth, which can help you succeed in having a baby without any unnecessary interventions. Sometimes, though, even with the best efforts, such as in the case of pre-eclampsia or placenta previa, medical interventions are needed to save the life of a mother and/or her baby. How fortunate we are to live in a time where life-saving tools are at the ready in the small percentage of births where they are necessary. But having natural birth does take some planning. With these Four Keys, you will increase your chances of having a natural birth while reducing your chances of needing any medical interventions: | |
| Four Keys to a Natural Birth 1. Knowledge: Any time we face a new situation, there's a certain amount of anxiety that comes with not knowing what to expect. When it comes to labor, simply understanding the birth process, choosing your birth preferences, and acknowledging that birth is inherently unpredictable can relieve anxiety and build self-confidence. The most beneficial knowledge is from credible sources, such as expert websites, books and childbirth classes like Happy Birth Way. 2. Support: | |
While it's key to read and plan for a natural birth, it is equally important that those who will be at your birth support your choice to avoid unnecessary medical interventions. Labor supporters can include:
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3. Surrender: When we allow the contractions of labor to move through us, and we surrender to each wave and let go with each sensation, we gain a rhythm with our labor that moves us through to the next contraction and ultimately to the birth of our baby. If surrendering, or letting go, is the ideal response to a contraction, think of the opposite: your body becomes rigid and stiff, your face, hands and legs tense up. These actions take energy away from the uterus, which needs the energy to contract and move the baby down the birth canal. Here are some ways to let go, surrender, and embrace each contraction. 4. Remain Low-Risk: Pregnancy and childbirth are not illnesses, so medical interventions are not necessary unless or until an illness appears. A woman who is having a completely normal, disease-free pregnancy is considered low-risk and therefore has little or no chance of needing medical interventions during her labor.  A pregnant woman is considered high-risk when health issues such as high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, or gestational diabetes appear. These conditions can increase the chance that labor induction, intravenous medications, and/or a cesarean birth might be indicated.While it is not always possible to prevent a pregnancy complication, you have the best chance for a low-risk pregnancy when you eat nutritious, healthy foods and opt for low-impact exercise during your pregnancy. | |
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