What do you mean when you say 'Natural Birth'???

Question

I have found many different definitions of natural birth. I want to know what the majority of people think is meant by this term. I had a natural birth and I know what that term means to me. Is there anyone out there who considers themselves to have had a natural birth and what was it about the birth that made it natural? Those who have had a medically managed birth, what interventions can be performed and the woman involved still feels she had a natural birth?? Anyone any ideas or experiences to share?

What I mean by natural birth is:
Spontaneous vaginal birth with no pain medication or inducements, no IV or augmentations such as hormone drip or artificial rupture of membranes. No foetal monitoring or manipulation. And preferably in as natural an environment as possible, moving with your instincts and using gravity to your advantage. Also a non-artificially induced third stage (delivery of the placenta)

This is what I had. I had my baby at home, and did not consider either of us to be at risk. I had an experienced midwife there for the pushing stage. I know I was lucky to have been able to do this.

I don't want to come across as a new-age birth nazi. I hate the 'no pain relief' police! Each to their own, I just want there to be a standard definition of various types of birth, so people can make better choices for themselves. Whether that's a homebirth or elective c-section, it matters not as long as the woman makes an informed decision, but it's hard with so many definitions

Answer 1

I have always viewed natural as in no meds. Not necessarily a home birth, but one free of any medications for pain management (or swiping of the membranes or breaking of the water by the OB).

I know many women these days view natural as vaginal because so many are getting C-sections.

I didnt have my 3 kids naturally, but they were vaginal. I wanted to be able to be coherent and functioning, so I chose a walking epidural so I could be as involved as possible without being taken over by pain. I would love to be one of those moms able to have a natural birth, but I do not manage pain well.

Answer 2

I had a natural birth. No pain meds, just IV fluids. But, I ripped and the baby came out blue and not breathing due to being in the birth canal for too long. I would suggest doing whatever you are comfortable with but don't be afraid of the medical advances that we have. Regardless of how labor and delivery goes, meeting your baby for the first time is as natural as it gets.

Answer 3

I had all 3 of my children naturally. I usually say that because I had the vaginal birth with no drugs. If I were to use an epidural or something, I guess I would say I had a natural birth with use of drugs. Either way its natural, but to me its more natural without any interventions.

Answer 4

I considered the birth of my daughter a natural birth. I gave birth vaginally. I went 25 of the 26 hours of labor with out pain medicine- had I known it would only be another hour I'd have gone without completely.

Answer 5

Natural birth, vaginally, without pain medication or medical interventions. IE-drugs to get your labour going. I have had three. My waters were broken for me though, late in labour. My doctors were great and let me call the shots. I found that the tub helped me relax for a short while. So did walking and changing positions frequently.

Answer 6

well alot of people refer to a natural birth being having a baby vaginally without pain medicine.i would never suggest doing it without pain medicine .i did with my 4 child only because he came to early and didn't get there in time for epidural.never do that again though that hurts bad.i had my other 5 kids vaginally with epidurals . i would still call that a natural birth but of course that is my opinion everyone thinks differently.

Answer 7

I have 2 , had a C section with Daughter and natural with my son and it wasnt anything like people say, i didnt say a word i was in labour 12 hours i just pushed and pushed and i think i used the gas and air 3 times and i think id rather have natural birth anyday

Answer 8

Going "natural" typically means without pain medication for the labor/delivery and giving birth vaginally (obviously- I don't know anyone who'd have a c-section w/o pain meds).

Answer 9

My impression is that natural birth allows a woman to move around as she needs. Use of epidural and traditional 20th century birthing positions like stirrups is not a part of natural birth. I was wondering too...So I looked it up and one of the first Google hits I got was Le Leche League's website, which offers a free video of women giving birth "naturally," moving about as they please, changing position, and not having epidural. They say it is a great method for women with low-risk pregnancies.

I am due in Oct. (a ways to go yet) and I can't imagine forgoing the epidural...

Answer 10

I have had two natural births, and one with pain medicine. The first two being vaginal with absolutly no medicine what so ever, not even to induce, no pain medicine at all. Of course I guess if you wanted to, you could say since I was hooked up to an IV for fluids and in case of an emergency, and I was hooked up to a fetel monitor it wasn't all natural. That would have to be done at home with no medical intervention at all. But I don't want to put myslef or baby at that risk.