Archive for August, 2010
Natural Child Birth
Natural child birth, what does that mean? You would think that something so natural as having a baby wouldn’t be so confusing or complicated. Well it shouldn’t be that way, however in our Western culture child birth seems to be complicated more often than necessary. If we would just let Mother Nature take its course a natural, undisturbed vaginal birth would be more common.
Two major factors that disturb a birthing mother are being in an unfamiliar place and the presence of an observer. So, basically if you are going to a hospital or even a birthing center for that matter you are in an unfamiliar place. Not to mention the entire Western system of obstetrics is based on observing pregnant and birthing women, by both people and machines. If things are not going smoothly during labor obstetricians respond with more intense observation.
Having a baby is very similar to making a baby; the same hormones, same sounds, same parts of the body and the same need of privacy and safety. When you think of birth in this manner it is amazing that any woman can give birth under such opposite conditions. Can you imagine making love in the conditions under which we expect women to give birth?
When planning a homebirth you can arrange a situation where you feel both safe and private. Once these two fundamental needs are met you are more likely to have a natural, vaginal birth.