Top Ten Reasons to Have a Natural Birth
Share your natural birth story! 1. Natural birth is what your body is designed to doIf women weren’t good at birthing babies, the human race would not have survived as long as it has. For centuries women have given birth at home, with other women present to help them or have birthed alone by themselves. Only within the last century have women given birth in hospitals with epidurals, inductions, episiotomies, fetal monitoring machines and other interventions. I gave birth at home with no interventions or pain medications. Women who have given birth with epidurals and other routine interventions have told me, “You are the toughest woman I know.” My response is, “I’m no tougher than you. You could have done the same." Women’s bodies are made to give birth—-it is not some extraordinary feat. Yes, it can be hard work and you do need support, but it doesn’t take a Superwoman to give birth naturally! 2. All interventions can have an adverse effect on the mother and babyThe body that can make and grow a baby also has the ability to bring that baby into the world without outside interference.All interventions including epidurals, c-sections, inductions, early cord clamping, and simply the fact that a mother is in the hospital have an adverse effect on the mother and baby. In many cases interventions cause the need for further interventions and/or life-saving measures. Even though we are told that the hospital is the safest place to have a baby, evidence shows that this is just not true. The best studies show that homebirth is as safe as if not safer than hospital birth.* The United States has one of the worst rates of maternal mortality and infant mortality among developed nations.**
3. You are able to experience the full effect of your birthing hormones.Giving birth naturally allows your body the full effect of all the birthing hormones which can actually give you a natural high. The endorphins your body produces take the edge off of pain and discomfort. They have the effect of making time non-existent and fuzzing the edges of your perception. 4. A natural birth makes you feel empowered. It makes you feel strong5. Your husband or partner sees how strong, awesome, and powerful you are!6. Initiating successful breastfeeding is easierWhen mothers and babies have an un-medicated and non-traumatic birth experience breastfeeding goes more smoothly. And breastfeeding is best for babies and mothers. 7. If you already have a daughter or son, you are showing them that women’s bodies are wonderful and don’t need to be “fixed”,”rescued”, or altered in any way8. A natural birth gives your new baby a gentle and aware introduction to the world9. A natural birth is more cost-effective***The United States spends more on maternity and neonatal care than any other nation in the world, but has one of the worst outcomes. The average cost for a typical hospital birth is $10,000-$13,000. The cost for a midwife attended homebirth is between $3000-5000, and has far better outcomes for mother and baby. Yet, most insurance companies won't pay for it. 10. You become a richer personYou become richer by experiencing all the intensity that life has to offer. You do not become richer by numbing yourself or tuning out.You allow yourself to feel and experience the whole birth process. You experience the discomfort, the ecstasy, the effort, the elation, the frustration, the rewards—-all the sensations and emotions that accompany birth. References * Goer Henci, Obstetric Myths versus Research Realities (Westport, CT:Bergin and Garvey, 1995) 331-347. ** Gaskin Ina May, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth (New York,NY:Bantam, 2003), 274-277. www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/43094.php *** Arms Suzanne, "Economics of Birth" www.birthingthefuture.com. Learn How To Avoid Unnecessary InterventionsHow To Ensure A Natural Birth
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