What does the term “natural childbirth” mean to you?
ByI have heard it used in many ways. Some say it only means no c-sec. Others say it means no medication, and still others say it means no episiotomy, no electronic monitor, and being allowed to eat during labor.
Related posts:
13 Comments
February 1st, 2010 at 2:06 am
I understand it to mean a vaginal delivery without medication.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:25 am
It means Natural- no medications no nothing just having the baby. Good luck
February 1st, 2010 at 2:28 am
To me, it means no c-section, no medication or episiotomy involved.
As for the monitor and eating, I think some of those are more safety precautions…and by no means affect the labor process.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:50 am
I’d say no C-section. Doing that without meds seems crazy to me.
February 1st, 2010 at 3:13 am
Id say it means a vaginal birth with no Meds. At least that’s how I’ve always heard it explained.
February 1st, 2010 at 3:29 am
for ME it really means like a home birth! Not a hospital birth.
February 1st, 2010 at 4:26 am
To me it is when you have a vaginal birth with NO meds.
February 1st, 2010 at 4:26 am
The terminology gets messed up. What ‘natural childbirth’ normally means is a vaginal birth with no drugs.
But some people mean it to be a vaginal birth WITH drugs (as in, it’s normal to birth a child via the vagina rather than C-section).
When I hear it, my first inclination is it’s a drug free, vaginal birth (since a drug-free C-section is not an option).
February 1st, 2010 at 4:44 am
I would define it as an unmedicated birth.
A non-c-section birth is a vaginal birth.
But yes, it’s a term that has no set definition, so you have to be sure that the person you’re talking to means it in the same way you do.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:13 am
I use it as no pain meds and vaginal.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:48 am
Overall, it means a vaginal birth without medication of any kind. However, use natural pain relief, like massage, walking, and even herbs.
I had two quick, wonderful, natural births, and there is *not a chance* I could have eaten during either. (Food doesn’t have to do with natural, though if you’re going for a natural birth, you’ll want freedom to, say, walk, drink, or eat.)
To the v. pregnant lady (btw: congrats) who answered “It’s a home birth”, please remember that not all insurance covers home births, and for some people, the price of a midwife is too high and they have to resort to a hospital birth, as was my case. Also, not all intended home births finish where they started, as was my friend’s case. But congratulations, and best of luck!
For more help or interest in this topic, check out the movie “The Business of Being Born.” It’s inspiring.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:40 am
As it seems most agree, to me it means vaginal birth with no medications. However while I was pregnant, I had many people ask if I was going to deliver naturally — when I’d respond, “No, I’m getting an epidural,” they’d look at me funny. It seems they meant vaginally.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:59 am
To me it means absolutely no medication and a vaginal delivery. To be very specific I would say no restriction on food or drink, no iv’s, no restrictions on positions you can be in during labor or birth.