Comments on: Why do some women prefer to have a natural childbirth?

By: dianalam1983

dianalam1983 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:42:46 +0000

I want to have a natural birth because i know it’s safer for me and the baby. I know that they say epidural’s are safe, but it is still a drug. Also, the way i see it women have been giving birth for thousands of years without epidural’s so if they can do it so can i.

By: sassy sarah

sassy sarah — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:04:36 +0000

I think that in natural birth the mother is prepared for motherhood. Emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually she traverses a great distance in those hours. I don’t see that happening with an epidural. I’m not slamming women who want meds, that’s a personal choice; I just wonder if they aren’t missing out on something. I think a woman should give birth in whatever situation makes her most comfortable, so she can focus on her baby.

By: andi

andi — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:15:36 +0000

My first birth I was unable to have an epidural due to the fact that I was really dehydrated. I was scared at first, but after just 4 pushes the baby was out and it didn’t even really hurt. So the 2nd birth I chose to go natural again. Once again I found that it was all about the mind set. I just focused on the fact that in just a little while I was going to see my precious little girl. I kept my focus and never even noticed the pain and in 4 pushes my little girl was here.
Natural is not for everyone, but don’t think that for the ones who choose it that they are in unbearable pain. I am a very very small person and do not deal well with pain, but for me childbirth was all about the mind set.

By: Gracielacey

Gracielacey — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:38:55 +0000

This is what I say, no matter how crude it sounds:
The baby is coming out of some hole in your body, whether it is your vagina or a hole cut for a c-section…how much more natural do you want?
For me, drugs didn’t make the birthing process any less “natural” the baby still came one way or another and out of my body.

By: mystic_eye_cda

mystic_eye_cda — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:42:49 +0000

For one thing you are assuming it is excruciatingly painful, and for many women it is not.

For another epidurals and most other methods have potential side effects for mom and baby. Something like 20% of women who get epidurals have some side effect -sure it is usually mild but some are serious. If you get an epidural it also will cause a drop in mom’s blood pressure which some babies will not handle, and there is no way to know ahead of time. Also all women given epidurals will have their temperature continue to rise the longer they have it. In most cases this is no problem, but if it gets too high they will give the baby a spinal tap to make sure the temperature was only caused by the epidural and not also by an infection. Epidurals also increase the chances of needing other interventions such as pitocin, forceps/vacuum delivery, and c-section. Each additional intervention is more risk for both mom and baby and increases the chances of needing even more interventions.

Thirdly by actually being able to feel what you are doing you cause much less damage to your body. You are less likely to bruise your bladder, less likely to tear, etc.

Plus trust someone enough to let them put a needle in my spine! I don’t think so!

I know many women who regret having an epidural, who had previous or subsequent pregnancies without. Some had serious side effects, and some just felt that they missed the birth of their child or didn’t like how the epidural left them feeling. I have never met a woman who planned to have a natrual childbirth and regretted it. Some women who end up having a natural birth because there isn’t time for an epidural regret it, but a planned natural birth is far different and women that choose them are generally well educated and prepared.

By: fingerlickinchicken

fingerlickinchicken — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:11:06 +0000

having had 2 kids i feel i can explain – the idea behind natural childbirth is wonderful. its meant to be a wonderful bonding experience for mum,dad and baby. but in reality childbirth is the most difficult thing u will ever go thro. its very painful,very emotional,ultimately rewarding but not without its risks.i always wanted a section but nature had its own agenda – labour started spontaneously on both and on my second i had a much shorter labour resulting in ineffective analgesia so it was very much a natural birth. 1st time round the pethidine was amazing. 2nd time around the pethidine went in my leg,the baby came out so it didn’t even work for me.if i had a choice it would be as painless as possible every time.a lot of women who opt for a natural drug free delivery are usually screaming for pain relief before the baby is born so i reckon most women don’t have a clue what its really like.

By: eli_star

eli_star — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:37:29 +0000

I have two friends, who each had one child with an epidural and one without. Both of them wholeheartedly agreed that their experience and recovery were far better with natural childbirth.

I’m not talking about bonding or being super-mom or even not wanting to expose the baby to drugs. Those are all valid things, but I’m talking strictly from a physical experience. They said they hurt less afterward, were up & around faster and healed quicker.

I had my first son without an epidural and plan to have the next one the same way.

By: empresstnt

empresstnt — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:17:29 +0000

i guess because before there were painkillers women did it like that in the past and maybe they want to see if they can do the same now.also they want to truly experience everything so as to be able to give advice to others and share their experiences in the future.
another thing is that they will be able to let their children know just how much they should appreciate everything that their mother has done for them.
in other words “if i bring you into this world i can take you out of it” lol lol

By: doulakaren

doulakaren — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:45:29 +0000

Pain in labor is progress. The baby and your body work together to get the baby in the most efficient position to be born. The cycle of oxytocin, endorphins and adrenaline that is triggered throughout a normal unmedicated labor is important for a normal birth.

Interventions like epidurals can lead to complications for mom and baby, and surgical births as well.

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:11:19 +0000

I really didn’t have a reason for deciding to have my child natural, it just felt like it’s the right thing to do when giving birth. having a natural childbirth, like back in the day. don’t get me wrong, i won’t ever forget that pain, but it is a wonderful experience.

i have four sisters and my mother ’til this day brags about how i handled it better than they did. i have a high tolerance for pain and believe it or not didn’t scream or anything like that– the lady next to me was screaming enough for the both of us!