When people hear natural birth, they often think of someone squatting out their babies somewhere in nature and picture a really primitive act.
Newsflash! Birth IS a primitive act! We have been doing it forever, which is why it is extra confusing when people treat pregnant women like they have a disease. They seriously need to chill. While natural birth can very much resemble this, I am referring to a birth free of intervention. This can happen in a hospital, the middle of the woods, in your home, your car or your local birthing center. Let’s explore reality, planning, and the pros and cons to each. Hospital: Birthing naturally in a hospital can be challenging but is possible. I say this one is the most challenging more so because you are right in a place supplied with meds and around people who can and will intervene if they feel as though it is necessary. Pros: If anything were to go wrong, you will be able to get immediate assistance. Cons: They put your labor on a clock, increased chance of unnecessary intervention and pushy birth team, increased chance of a cesarean section, doctors and nurses may not be natural birth friendly, parking and sharing the space, you are on their field and have to play by their rules, required to receive Pitocin and after birth, will likely push vaccinations, may offer your baby formula, sometimes immediate skin to skin and delayed clamping/Lotus births will be an issue, parking and visitation rules To be successful: Labor at home for as long as possible, KNOW YOUR STUFF & HAVE A WRITTEN BIRTH PLAN! I’m talking copies. Make sure the L&D nurses are familiar with this, hire a doula J, plan and remain strong (they might try to pressure you or use fear tactics), have support (doula, partner, family), have everything ready to make the transition smooth, clear stuff with the hospital and doctor beforehand, give family member proper directions Birthing in Nature and Birthing in a Car Birthing in nature is pretty much what we did before we had abodes and far, far, far before hospitals. This can be on a camping trip, in your backyard, amongst the flowers in your parents garden, or really any secure and able location of your choice. Birthing in a car tends to be more of an accident than on purpose. Pros: You are in a place of your choice which increases the chance of an ideal birth experience, you can be as loud as you want, you will have an amazing story to tell your kid, no cleanup, immediate skin to skin and breastfeeding, less stress and intervention Cons: You cannot control the weather, risk someone calling for help or the authorities, if something happens it could be a hassle getting to help, have to be mindful of how a hospital will treat a transfer To be successful: Pick a safe and secure location that you can visit and/or prep before the birth, do research and figure out if it is the best decision for you, make sure you have all the supplies you will need not only for labor, but for birth and baby as well, check the weather consistently to make sure there will be ideal and safe conditions. Homebirth Homebirths are very popular. These are very special because they often take place in the home that the child will grow up in. I’ve seen kids show me the exact spot that mommy took that final push in that brought them earth-side. Homebirths do not have to take place in your home, or any home for that matter. They can also be in barns, hotels and other peculiar places. Pros: You are in your safe place, you can construct and control your birthing space, can birth and then head right to bed, no release wait time, you have a kitchen, if you plan to encapsulate or cook your placenta, you have all the tools. Cons: Your neighbors can grow concerned, need to have a plan in place in case of emergency, have to be mindful of how a hospital will treat a transfer To be successful: Plan ahead, if you are getting a doula or midwife make sure you secure them, let your neighbors know and post a note on the front door of what is going on, prepare your space, body and mind Center birth Pros: you get to tour beforehand, midwives instead of doctors, more natural minded individuals, typically have various things for labor (squatting chair/stool, swings, pools), midwives are trained to handle emergency situations, the environment is typically very calming and serene, you can still personalize your space Cons: you are not at home, they may have certain rules they require you to abide by, just because you have a midwife does not mean she will avoid unnecessary intervention. How to be successful: Give yourself ample time to tour multiple centers and meet with the midwives, speak with them about your birth plan, bring some things to personalize the space So, all of this was to say your version of a natural birth may not mimic someone else's, as it shouldn't. It is your birth, your body, your baby, your family, and it should be tailored to fit your needs! Another awesome way to increase the chance of a natural birth is to hire a doula! Feel free to contact Hey Honey or your local birth workers! Benefits of a doula: (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/)
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