Why Consider A Natural Birth?
By Tine Reese
July 1, 2010I often think back to my first prenatal yoga classes when the teacher, who was also a doula (something I’d never heard of at the time), introduced the idea of natural birth. I guess I had always assumed that I would have my baby in the hospital, most likely under the spell of an epidural or other drugs that would make the experience entirely bearable. In fact, I don’t think anyone I personally knew had had a baby any other way, unless by accident. The only pregnancy book on my shelf at the time was “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy” which, as funny as it is, would have me believe that one might die if she actually felt a single contraction or was made to “room-in” with her baby during the remainder of her hospital stay. Thank heavens for my prenatal yoga instructors!
I was intrigued by all this talk of natural birth and attracted to the idea that our bodies were meant to have babies without the aid of drugs or medical interventions. I’ve always exercised, eaten healthy and shied away from taking medication in my day-to-day life, so why not give natural birth a try, right? Perhaps you’re not swayed as easily as I was. After all, natural birth is not the norm in our society. You must actively work to educate yourself on the topic and often have to defend your position to friends and family leery of your choice—especially if you’ve decided on a home birth! On top of that, you might have to find a different prenatal care provider who can fully support your wishes and attend MUCH LONGER childbirth classes than you would if preparing for a “normal” hospital birth.
However, many parents find preparing for a natural birth to be one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives! You learn a lot you probably didn’t know before about the wonders of the human body. It forces you to face your fears, not just about birth itself, but also about how this new baby will change your lives. Women learn to be proud of their bodies and what they can do, giving them a healthy perspective on their post-pregnancy bodies as well. Husbands learn how to play an active role in pregnancy and birth, gaining a new respect for their wives and sometimes learn a trick or two themselves. During HypnoBirhting class, my husband learned how to use self hypnosis to push himself further during difficult workouts. His trainer didn’t think it was possible…then again, many people think natural birth is impossible.
What I find most compelling in the case for natural birth is the commitment a mom and dad make to taking responsibility for the well-being of their baby before it is even born. If you are willing to go against the grain of society, devote yourselves to extensive learning and conquer your own fears about birth, there is no doubt in my mind that you have also prepared yourselves to be outstanding parents in the process. After all, that is the end product of this whole business. Pregnancy only lasts 9 months, but you will be this child’s parents for the rest of your lives. And even if your birth doesn’t turn out like you had planned, all of that preparation has not gone to waste.
On a personal note, I couldn’t have imagined going through life knowing that I had passed up the opportunity to experience the birth of my children. If you have been fully present during your birth, you will always be able to call upon that experience when times get tough in the future. It is something I think back to often when faced with a difficult decision or stressful situation—”I can get through this…I birthed 2 babies and this definitely won’t be that hard!”
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Comments
Ah – two similar paths diverge at a critical moment and yield two entirely different birth experiences.
I too read The Girlfriend’s Guide to Getting a Cesarean, and took prenatal yoga, but I found the yoga stuff a little too crunchy for me at the time. So, instead of dropping the Cesarean Guide, I dropped the Yoga. Oh, how very stupid I was.
I know OWN a childbirth education studio, after battling for my successful VBAC. But boy, don’t I wish I had stuck with the hippies the first time around and had your story instead.
That is amazing that our pregnancy stories began with the same influences and turned out so differently. I’m glad to hear that your VBAC was a success! Funny how so many of us that have experienced birth as it was meant to be become passionate about educating other women.
I wish you the best of luck. I’m sure our paths will continue to cross into the future…
Tine