Why We Need to Stop Talking About Giving Birth 'Naturally'

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The very thought of becoming a mother is surreal for most women. The responsibilities and experience they are about to gain make them excited to embark upon this new journey. Couples don’t like to talk about the details much, especially when it involves marriage and conceiving a child. People love to interrogate others; they have this desperate need to know what’s going on and how things are going to work out. A mother-to-be becomes an easy target for numerous questions (not like she wasn’t bombarded with questions before conceiving). Some of the inappropriate and intimate questions that these future parents are asked are mostly about the kind of delivery they wish to go for, whether it will be ‘natural’ or not.

What Is Natural Birth?

In the last few days of pregnancy, the cervix begins to soften. The uterus starts to contract, and the baby moves to the pelvis and settles there. The contractions get stronger, and the cervix begins to stretch and opens up. The baby then rotates and moves to the lower part of the pelvis, proceeding towards the birth canal. Oxytocin is released with each contraction as the pain receptors signal the brain to do so. The contraction increases with the increase in the release of oxytocin. The contractions become harder(1).

Natural birth is the one where the birth occurs through the female genitalia, without any aids like narcotics or any other medical intervention. People often confuse between the former and cesarean delivery thinking which one is more natural. But isn’t the act of giving birth itself the most natural thing in the world, irrespective of the kind of birth option? There are also concepts of medicated and unmedicated deliveries. Parents-to-be are already in a very emotional stage at this point, and hence these questions confuse them even more. They begin to wonder if the delivery is through the female genitalia but medicated, then does that negate the naturality of the birth? The concept of natural birth is a little twisted and you might find it harder to grasp. Below we discuss the difference between C-section and so-called natural delivery, as well as medicated and unmedicated delivery.

‘Natural’ Vs. C-section

‘Natural’ delivery is one that allows the baby to come through the birth canal during birth. In contrast, a cesarean delivery is when incisions are made in the uterus of the mother for the baby to come out of her womb.

Medicated Vs. Unmedicated Delivery

The medicated delivery comprises giving drugs such as epidural or intravenous medications to a mother during labor. Some of the other ways to relieve pain are by providing them with nitrous oxide and Pitocin that will improve and strengthen the uterine contractions.

People pick their delivery options as per their convenience and then call it the best option. Most of the people consider unmedicated delivery via the birth canal as natural delivery. But that’s just the logic they use.

Right Labor And Delivery Experience For Mothers

To-be mothers have the right to choose whether they wish to deliver the baby from the hospital, a birth center, or at home. The kind of delivery offered is based on their preference. However, at times there can be cases where the doctor suggests going for a C-section to avoid any kind of complications.

Nature’s plan for birth requires a good amount of flexibility. Delivery differs from person to person as each mother, and every baby is different. The process might sound similar, the physiology and anatomy might be the same, but the way the doctors handle each labor and birth varies.

Women who are about to become mothers need a lot of support from their loved ones. They should be educated about the procedure of labor and how birthing takes place. Irrespective of whether they go for a ‘natural’ delivery or not, women should get a sense of confidence and strength to believe that they can overcome any difficulties that come their way. The different birth options and possible complications should be informed to pregnant women. If pregnant women are confident, have a positive attitude, and willpower, then the process of childbirth can be made simpler.