Introduction to Natural Birth
Natural birth is the process of giving birth without the use of medications for pain relief or to induce or accelerate uterine contractions. It emphasises allowing labour to progress naturally. The majority of women opt for it due to the benefits and as a holistic way of living. The benefits include, a quicker recovery, fewer complications, and stronger bonding with the baby. However, as with any evolving situation, challenges may arise, some of which can include, desire for analgesia or prolonged labour.
This comprehensive guide addresses all areas of natural birth. If you are committed to an unmedicated birth or just exploring options, this article will answer key questions, debunk myths, and provide professional insights. No matter the circumstances, always seek guidance from your midwife or obstetrician.
How do I prepare for Natural Birth?
Proper preparation is the key to a smooth pregnancy and birth.
Take Prenatal Education and Classes
Start your groundwork for a positive birth experience by attending antenatal classes through which you and your birthing partner will gain both physical and mental preparation for this moment. Various approaches primarily focus on breathing techniques, labor positions, and alternative methods for pain relief, all designed to support a more intuitive and comfortable birthing experience.
Create a Birth Plan
The birthing process unfolds spontaneously and cannot be fully planned. However, a well-considered birth plan enables the expression of desired outcomes while maintaining an open mind to accommodate any changes that may arise. Generally speaking, the terms “birth preferences” or “birth wishes list” are more appropriate, as “birthing plan” often implies a strictly structured process. When the plan isn’t followed, it can sometimes lead to feelings of anxiety and disappointment.
Choose a Birth Place
Choose your home, a birth center, or a hospital with supportive practices. For a natural birth, choosing a setting that supports the body’s natural hormonal flow is essential. A calm, comfortable environment supports the release of oxytocin and endorphins, both essential for labour progression and pain management.
Elements like dim lighting, familiar surroundings, and minimal medical interventions can contribute to an atmosphere where labour can unfold more smoothly. It’s essential to ensure that your healthcare providers are supportive, advocate for you, respect your birth preferences, and are prepared for any complications that may arise.
Select a Supportive Birth Environment
Strengthen your body with exercises, a balanced diet, and healthy sleep. You also need to prepare your mind by eliminating negative emotions through calming practices and positive affirmations. While natural childbirth is incredible and empowering, it is just as important to remain adaptable to whatever surprises may occur. Surround yourself with supportive people – whether it’s your partner, a trusted birth team, or a doula.
The Labor Process
The 3 Stages of Labor
Labor occurs in three stages.
The first stage starts as early labour and is characterized by weak contractions that gradually strengthen as the cervix dilates. It has three phases: early, active, and transitional- each marked by progressively intense sensations and increasingly frequent contractions.
The second stage is the actual birth. When the cervix is fully opened to 10 cm dilation, the body naturally pushes the baby out on its own. The baby makes its way through the birth canal and into the world. Here the upright positions can shorten labor duration.
The third stage is the delivery of the placenta, which completes the birth process. It is typically less intense than the earlier stages of labour.
How to Recognize Signs of Labor?
Signs of labour include regular contractions (every 5-10 minutes) that last longer (40-60 seconds each), discomfort in the lower back, the breaking of the amniotic sac (commonly known as “water breaking”), and the release of the mucus plug. Unlike false labour or Braxton Hicks contractions, true contractions do not subside with movement and become increasingly more intense.
When to call my midwife or go to the birth Center / hospital?
If you choose to have a homebirth you can call your midwife and let her know when contractions are becoming more frequent and lasting longer or when water breaks. She will provide guidance and support according to your needs.
On the other hand you can go to your birth place when contractions come frequently (every 5 minutes for more than an hour).
If water breaks, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the baby will be born right away. If you’re comfortable and the contractions are manageable, the best course of action is to contact your birthing center or hospital. They will provide guidance based on their guidelines.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33493463/
Staying at home during early labour allows for an uninterrupted period in which labour can progress naturally and in a calm, relaxed environment.
Pain Management Techniques
Managing labour pains naturally involves methods that enhance comfort and progress the birthing process. Each strategy functions differently, giving women the opportunity to choose the one that is most suitable for them.
Breathing and Relaxation Techniques
An example of focused breathing is to take slow, deep breaths through the nose and exhale through pursed lips (as if you are blowing out a candle) to help control discomfort and maintain composure. Relaxation techniques such as visualisation, progressive muscle relaxation, and even mindfulness therapies have been found to significantly lessen stress and promote a sense of peace in women.
Movement and Positioning
Changing positions—squatting, kneeling, or leaning—may ease the pressure and also contribute to a more comfortable labour. Walking, exercising, or using a ball to ease your muscles can help the baby to move further down into the pelvic canal. The key is to utilise gravity effectively as a natural tool.
Hydrotherapy
Warm water therapy can be an intense relief to get through labour. A warm bath or shower, and the use of a birthing pool are all soothing treatments that can help to relax the muscles, ease strain, and relieve pain, particularly during contractions. Consider also, warm tea or broths. Warm water can do wonders.
Massage and Acupressure
The use of focused pressure to reflex points on your hands or feet, along with performing specialised massage therapy on the neck, back, and shoulders, can help release blockages and relax muscles.
Role of Birth Support
Involvement of Partners, Family, and Friends
Family, friends, cultural, and faith communities offer emotional comfort, encouragement, and tangible support. Partners can help with breathing, offer massage, and comfort measures. Family or friends can provide support and a calming presence. However, their involvement should fit with the mother’s wishes so as not to add more stress.
Midwives
Midwives are highly skilled healthcare providers who specialise in supporting natural births. They can assist you in a variety of settings, including home births, birth centers, or hospitals, depending on your preferences and circumstances. Researches shown that continuity of care model https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/birt.12875 and Midwife-led care improve
birth outcomes.
Hiring a Doula
Nowadays, more women are choosing to hire a doula for additional support during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum. A doula provides continuous informational, physical and emotional support.
Common Concerns and Questions
Are Labor pains unbearable?
The experience of pain is deeply personal and varies from person to person. Some may be able to tolerate that pain more easily while some find it extremely challenging. Every woman who goes through labour will experience it in her own way.
May I drink/eat during labor?
There are no restrictions regarding drinking or eating during labour.
Labour is an energy-intensive process, and keeping your body hydrated and nourished is vital. During active labor, the body’s energy shifts entirely to the process of childbirth, often leading to a diminished sense of hunger.
Eating light and easy to digest foods, can provide sustained energy without causing discomfort. Sipping on water, use of ice chips, electrolyte drinks, or clear soups helps maintain hydration.
Should I call my midwife or go to the birth centre / hospital right when labor
contractions begin?
The right time to call your midwife or head to the birth centre/ hospital is when the contractions are regular about five minutes apart and last about 40-60 seconds. Otherwise, it is always best to check with a healthcare provider.
Do the waters have to break by themselves?
The waters do not necessarily have to break by themselves. Normally the amniotic fluid is released during labour through natural force. Sometimes, the amniotic sac does not break at all, and the baby is born within it. In some cases, the midwife or obstetrician may intervene by break the amniotic sac to release the water, which can help stimulate hormonal responses. In natural birth, this practice is usually avoided.
Does labor begin when the mucus plug comes out?
The loss of the mucus plug may herald an impending labor, but it does not mean that labor is about to start. Many women will go into labor hours, days, or even weeks after losing their mucus plug.
Does screaming during labor soothe the pain?
Crying out in labour can release tension and help manage discomfort. However, if screaming becomes uncontrollable, it may increase stress and tension in the body. Pain relief is typically better acquired through focused breathing and controlled sounds.
Can uncontrolled bowel movement occur during labor?
Yes, this is common due to the pressure of the baby’s head on the rectum. You do not need to worry about it, as it is a natural part of the process.
Are perineal ruptures and incisions inevitable in childbirth?
Not every woman experiences tearing in the perineum during childbirth. Perineal massage can lower the risk. Spontaneous pushing seems to reduce perineal tear during childbirth comparison to directed and forceful pushing.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377587821_Spontaneous_Pushing_and_Hands-
Off_Technique_A_New_Approach_to_Reduce_Perineum_Tear_in_Natural_Childbirth
Episiotomy does not seem to reduce the severity of pelvic floor issues, and should be discouraged as a standard practice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546675/
Can you pass out during labor?
Fainting while is rare, is possible, with pain, dehydration or low blood pressure. Proper hydration and support from a health practitioner minimise that risk.
Can you die during childbirth?
Maternal mortality is uncommon today but childbirth can sometimes occur with complications. Prenatal care and trained health professionals are two ways to increase safety.
