Perfect Timing.
Your baby and your body know when it’s the right time for labor and delivery. Natural childbirth means the best timing for a baby's arrival. Interventions such as c-sections and inductions are often scheduled for our convenience, and in some cases, can cause more difficulties if your body or baby is not ready.
Freedom to Move.
Contractions serve a purpose, and there are many things that you can do to help move the process along. However, you’ll need to have the freedom to move and change positions, which is more difficult if you’re being machine monitored or have an epidural.
Decrease Risk of Complications.
Unfortunately, many medical interventions and drugs can have side effects or unintended consequences. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, “there is an increasing body of research that suggests that the routine use of each of these interventions, rather than decreasing the risk of trouble in labor and birth, actually increases complications for both women and their babies.”
Less Vaginal Tearing.
When labor occurs naturally without pain medication, it’s easier to push instinctively, reducing the likelihood of tearing.
Shorter Pushing Time.
Labor pain helps tell the body what is happening and what to do. Being able to feel contractions means that you’re working with your own body instead of against it.
Sense of Accomplishment.
Everyone takes pride in completing something “all on their own” and childbirth is no different.
Immediate Bonding. Mothers that choose natural childbirth are often alert and ready to breastfeed immediately after delivery, which leads to immediate bonding.
Fewer Side Effects.
While it’s true that your body will need time to heal after labor and delivery, natural childbirth means you’re only healing from the birth, not dealing with the side effects of medications and other interventions as well.
Faster Recovery.
When comparing a vaginal birth with a c-section birth, the National Partnership for Women and Families, reports that “even though labor and vaginal birth can be hard work, they are generally easier on a woman's body than a cesarean. Recovery after vaginal birth is usually shorter and less painful than after a C-section, and allows the woman to spend more time with her baby.” Any medical assistance including forcep or vacuum assist, epidurals, or other interventions can also lengthen recovery time.
Ability to Return Home Sooner.
Most new mothers are anxious to return home after labor and delivery to begin the joyous and challenging process of child-raising. Since natural childbirth means a faster physical recovery and fewer side effects to monitor, it’s easier to make that transition.
It’s important that women decide what is best and most comfortable for them when it comes to labor and delivery. However, the advantages of natural childbirth are many and deserve consideration during this exciting time. If you’d like to learn more, please fill out our form or give us a call. We’d be honored to be part of your birthing experience.