Everyone knows that a woman giving birth to a baby naturally is probably experiencing the worst pain of her life. Although this can happen in unprepared situations before a pregnant lady reaches the hospital to give birth under medical care, some women choose to deliver their babies naturally, without medications, so that they can actively participate in the process. If you want to deliver your baby with minimal intervention, you must be ready to embrace discomfort and pain. But with sufficient support and preparation, you will be able to experience the satisfaction of giving birth to a baby naturally.

What Happens in Natural Birth?

One of the rewards of a woman giving birth to a baby naturally is the sense of empowerment as she endures the pain of labor. Furthermore, the feeling of being in control of her body while she gives birth increases her sense of deep accomplishment. Some women also believe that taking charge of their bodies helps reduce their pain.

Natural childbirth uses the least form of intervention and lets nature take its course. It involves:

• going through the process of labor and childbirth without the use of pain relievers, including epidurals
• using minimal medical interventions, including continuous monitoring of fetal heartbeat or performing episiotomies (these involve cutting the external structures between the anus and vagina, also called the perineum, to increase head room for the baby’s passage during delivery)
• allowing giving birth to a baby naturally, in any way that she feels comfortable

How Does Natural Birth Feel?

Labor is believed to be one of the most painful human experiences, but in reality, it varies with every woman and may differ with every pregnancy. Some deliveries are more difficult than others, even with the same woman. The experience of labor pain varies widely, just like menstrual cramps, which can be more severe for one woman than the next, or from one period to the next. However, a woman giving birth to a baby naturally for the first time is more likely to rate her pain higher than those who have had babies before.

How long does natural childbirth take? There is no standard timetable followed when giving birth. Some women deliver their babies within a few hours, while others may take almost a day. Just remember that every woman reacts differently to labor and delivery.

Natural Birth Tips

• Prepare yourself for natural childbirth if you have decided this is the way you want to deliver your baby. The key is to find asupportive caregiver and to prepare a suitable birth environment.
• During your pregnancy, you can try to learn how to use breathing exercises and other relaxation techniques such as self-hypnosis and visualization. You can use theserelaxation techniques during labor and delivery to relieve your discomfort.
• You must also educate yourself about childbirth, develop a birth plan, and ensure that you have good support and coping techniques. Although it is possible to deliver a baby naturally in a conventional hospital setting, an alternative setting such as your home or a birth center is more likely to be more comfortable for you. A birth center is designed to give mothers a natural, family-oriented experience, since you can arrange things as you would like it to be.
• Do not be afraid to quit. In fact, many women give up, especially when the pain is so severe that they feel they cannot go on anymore without using pain relievers. This usually happens near the end of labor, just before delivery, when the baby’s head is stretching you cervix. You can lean on people around you for support and focus on your baby who is about to be in your arms for the first time.

Natural Birth Precautions

Natural childbirth is a normal human process that is generally very safe. However, it may become risky when you ignore your health care provider's instructions or if you continue to refuse medical intervention when something does not go as planned.

Keep your mind open and look at other options if there are risks involved to avoid complications and to ensure your well-being, as well as your baby.

In case of an emergency, accept medical help to avoid putting your life as well as your baby's at risk.