Why do some women prefer to have a natural childbirth?

Question

I have never had a baby, nor am I pregnant, but when I do have a baby, I cannot imagine putting myself through all that pain.
Why would someone deliberately put themselves through all that pain when they can have the baby without pain?
I am just curious to know.
Thanks!

Answer 1

I think some women want natural childbirths because they want to be heros and seem superior, or they are afraid of the side effects of other methods. I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter. I had an epidural right away and am so glad for it. I am 8 weeks pregnant and will have an epidural again. I'm a strong woman but I don't need to prove anything but having all natural childbirth. I'm smart enough to get an epidural.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

You can't have a baby without any pain. Epidurals do not take away ALL pain. But anyway, having a natural birth is usually safer for mommy and baby, unless there is some reason that an epidural is called for... You can be a more active participant in the birth if you don't have an epidural and therefore you are less likely to have interventions like episiotomies, forceps, and c-sections. (When you get an epidural you can't get into the optimal positions for laboring and giving birth because you can't feel your legs). Episiotomies *may* actually lead to worse damage of the perineum than a natural tear, and they don't heal as fast as a tear (OUCH); forceps could harm the baby; and c-sections have much higher risks than vaginal birth. Plus, some women just don't like the idea of not being able to feel much going on below their waist.

p.s., yes, it's true that the drugs go to the baby. when you are pregnant, everything you put into your body can get to the baby through the placenta. an epidural is no different.

and that comment about how people who have natural births do it to feel superior is just ridiculously stupid.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

I have had 4 kids with no pain meds but not by choice! my labors and delivery's went very fast. I would recommend it for any woman though, With an epidural there are side effects like vomiting and dizziness, if you go natural after the pain you feel fine, Its a badge of honer, i remember every aspect of the birth and enjoyed it!! the most painful part is not the contractions but the head coming through the vagina, but once it is through, your feeling fine! Besides meds at birth for the baby make him groggy and less responsive.

Answer 6

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.

Answer 7

women prefer natural childbirth

Answer 8

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.

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

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!

Answer 11

With proper training and preparation, the pain is not that bad. Many of the things that can be done to prevent pain can also injure the baby. That is a risk not worth taking. I had three babies that had difficulties during birth. If I had taken drugs they might have died or been brain damaged.