Natural Childbirth Options
Childbirth is one of the most natural things in the world. People have been doing it for thousands and thousands of years, most of those without medical intervention. These days pregnancy and childbirth are big business, especially for hospitals who can count on a fairly steady stream of income from it since there are always babies being born. Due to concerns over liability and the fact that the hospital makes upwards of ten times as much from performing a caesarian section or C-section, these procedures are performed far too often which is not beneficial to either the mother or the child.
If you don’t want a C-section forced on you by the hospital, natural childbirth options are available and should most definitely be taken into consideration. The first thing a woman needs to know about delivering her baby is that she is in control and has the power to decide how her baby is going to be born.
One option is at the hospital.Do you know the hospital’s C-section percentage? This is something you can find in the hospital’s history. Back in 1970 the percentage of C-sections was around 5%. By 1978 that percentage had tripled to over 15%. Today hospitals range from the 5% level to as high as 50%. Knowing in advance that your hospital is at the lower end of the range will give you the greatest possibility of delivering your baby vaginally, barring any true emergencies.While a home birth may be more natural, some hospitals do have nurse midwives on staff if you prefer the most natural experience they can offer.
Depending on what state you live in, home birth with a midwife is another viable option.Check your local laws because it is illegal in 11 states. If you are lucky enough to live in one of the 39 states where it is legal, having a home birth with midwives can be one of the most rewarding ways to bring a child into the world. The mother is able to feel much more relaxed without tubes and wires being stuck into her and if the baby sleeps for 4 or 5 hours the first night (this is typical); she doesn’t have to be awakened to have her temperature taken or have her baby’s heel pricked for a blood sugar test.
Just remember that no matter your choice for birth, a natural home birth with a midwife or a natural child birth in a hospital, the decision is yours and yours alone.Make sure to get as much information as possible from hospitals as well as midwives so you can make an informed decision.Giving birth to your child should be a special and momentous occasion, not something that is forced on you regardless of your desires.
Mary Olsen has assisted in many natural child births and home births, and is the main contributor for Mothers Naturally. Mothers Naturally is a public education program for the Midwives Alliance of North America. Mothers Naturally celebrates the journey of natural pregnancy and natural child birth, and believes in informing the public of their birth options and the importance of the role they play during pregnancy and labor.
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