Natural Birth

Childbirth is one of the most powerful experiences in a woman's life, and each woman has her own vision for it. If you are dreaming of a natural birth, you have several options. You can give birth in a natural delivery center, a natural delivery room in a hospital, or at home. A natural birth can also occur at home (home delivery is a subject currently under discussion and regulation).

A natural birth does not include the use of labor-inducing drugs or epidural analgesia, but it does include intermittent fetal monitoring according to specific guidelines. Additionally, in natural labor, there is less medical intervention after labor.

The term natural childbirth was coined by the obstetrician Grantly Dick-Read in his book Natural Childbirth, published in 1933. In this book, Dick-Read claims that the fear of the labor process is the reason for the prolonged labor and intense pain. According to him, fear nourishes the difficulty during labor and makes it even more painful. In his 1942 book, Childbirth Without Fear, he claims that natural childbirth is the simplest and easiest way to give birth.

Over the years, various methods and approaches have been developed for conducting a natural birth. Today, natural childbirth is generally understood to mean a birth without medical interventions such as epidural analgesia, labor induction, or other medical procedures.

The benefits of choosing natural childbirth

• An empowering process: many women consider the natural childbirth process an empowering experience.
• Movement during labor: a natural childbirth enables one to be in maximal movement during labor and to progress labor with movement, for instance, in the shower, or while sitting on a birthing ball, and more.
• Some women cannot have epidural analgesia (for instance, because of a structural problem in the spine), and they may wish to have a natural birth and a natural preparation for labor pains.

Planning for natural childbirth

• Choosing a delivery room: if you decide to give birth in a hospital, you should take a tour of the delivery rooms and inquire about the options they offer in terms of natural birth and whether they will support your wishes. For example, if you are considering a water birth, inquire if there is a medical center in your area of residence that enables it. Schedule a tour of the delivery rooms you have decided to check in depth and ask the questions relevant to you.
  Apart from the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health (referenced at the end of this page), each medical center has its own policies concerning the management of natural childbirth. It is recommended that you inquire with the hospital about their protocols and practices to determine if they align with your preferences for privacy, intimacy, midwifery support, dim lighting, noise levels, and delivery room amenities to ensure they align with your vision for a natural birth.
• Childbirth companions: choose a companion or companions that can help you feel confident during labor, who can prepare for it with you, and who, when it matters most, will truly be there to support you.
• Childbirth preparation course: you can choose a childbirth preparation course that offers comprehensive tools and effective training.
• Childbirth plan: prepare a thorough childbirth plan and share it with your midwife and the medical staff. Make sure that your companion shares the plan and knows what to ask for when you are in pain.

Managing pain in natural labor

There are numerous ways to cope with pain during natural labor. Every medical center offers specific methods. During your tour of the delivery room you have chosen, inquire about the options you have for managing pain. Among the options:

• Integrative treatments: in some delivery rooms, one of the staff members practices complementary medicine and will offer you treatments such as acupuncture, reflexology, massage, and more. As mentioned, each medical center offers different options.
• Birth in water.
• Shower, warm water or staying in the water: it is important to pay attention to the water temperature. Water that is too hot may cause a drop in blood pressure and fainting.
• Movement: movement can help progress labor, especially pelvic movements, such as using a birthing ball. The pelvic movements are important both for the mother and the newborn. It alleviates pain, and helps position the head of the baby in the pelvis.
• Various techniques, such as guided imagery, breathing exercises, relaxation, massages, and emotional support.

Movement during labor

Many midwives believe that movement plays a significant role in the progress of childbirth. You can move during natural labor but also use epidural analgesia, laughing gas (nitrous) in the delivery bed, or other positions that progress labor. Movement enables the mother to cope better with contraction pain, helps fetal engagement in the uterus, encourages position changes and descent into the birth canal, enables the woman to be active during labor, and fosters a sense of connection to her body.

During the first stage of labor, it is recommended to perform various pelvic movements: standing while leaning on the delivery room bed or the shower, sitting on a birthing ball and moving the pelvis in a variety of motions, sitting upright on the delivery bed, kneeling with an open pelvis, standing on all fours, lying on your side, or staying in a bath or a swimming pool.

In the second stage of labor, when the baby's head is still high, certain positions, like lying on your side with the upper leg outside the bed, can help lower the baby. Any position that opens the pelvis creates more space and aids in the baby's descent. Once the baby's head is in the correct position for the pushing stage, various positions can be explored.

Every woman can find the best pushing position during labor, whether it is lying on the back, kneeling with the aid of available equipment (such as poles or ropes in some delivery rooms), being on all fours while using the elevated bed backrest, or lying on the side with the upper leg folded toward the chest.

Movement limitations: certain fetal or maternal medical conditions may necessitate restricted movement during labor. For instance, continuous monitoring may be essential, making it necessary to remain in bed when there are concerns about fetal distress or difficulty monitoring while being active. During the pushing stage, there can be instances where the midwife adjusts the lower part of the bed to ensure the safety of both the baby and the mother (especially in cases of estimated high birth weight where precise control over the baby's delivery is necessary), and you may not be able to be in these positions during the second stage of labor.

During pregnancy, it is recommended to practice the positions and movements you prefer so that when you are at labor, you will be able to try these positions your body already "knows" and is used to, and you can easily check what feels right for you.

To be fully prepared, it is advised to read and expand your knowledge on the topic and consult your obstetrician, pregnancy care nurse, or midwife providing your care.

The medical staff during labor

The midwife will assist you in adopting positions and movements that promote labor progress in alignment with your preferences. The medical staff in the room will try to ensure a positive labor experience, so it is advised to communicate your preferences and priorities. If a natural birth is not feasible, the staff will make every effort to accommodate your wishes during labor.

Despite the common definition of a natural birth, many midwives view it as a process with open options, recognizing that the needs of the patient and fetus can evolve during labor, and some plans may still be feasible despite changes.

See further information on the medical staff

In conclusion, during pregnancy, it is natural to have aspirations and form expectations. However, when you arrive for the long-awaited childbirth, you should remember to maintain your cognitive flexibility because labor process is dynamic and may entail unexpected changes. Even if you dreamed of giving birth in the most natural way possible, remember that your goal is a safe delivery that will keep you and your baby healthy.