Is Natural Birth Right for Me?
7 Simple Steps to a Well-Informed Decision.

This article is written by Paula Grady LM, CPM - a California licensed midwife serving Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Contra Costa and Marin counties for over 25 years. If you are are looking for natural pregnancy care in the North Bay area, you can learn more about Paula and her practice here.

Natural birth is a wonderful option - and it is not for everybody.  "Is natural birth right for me" should be the first question on any mama's mind, when considering options other than a typical hospital experience.

As a licensed midwife with more than 25 years' experience, I have had the honor of helping more than 1500 mamas answer this exact question.  Over the years my team has identified the 7 most important considerations to help each woman make the best decision for herself.  I'm delighted to share those answers with you now.  

What Do We Mean by Natural Birth

Before you can answer the question "is a natural birth right for me," you must first have a crystal clear understanding of what a natural birth is - and what it is not.

Natural birth generally means "minimal medical intervention" in mama's pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care. What that actually looks like can vary a lot, depending on care setting, provider, and personal values and preferences.

At this stage of the decision process, it is wise to start with understanding what a natural birth is — and what it is not — in practical, non-ideological terms.  You can find that information here.

👉 Read: What Is Natural Birth

Is a Natural Birth Right for Me?  10 Advantages to Consider

Many families first become curious about natural birth because they want to AVOID the typical hospital experience.  But avoiding the hospital is not the only reason to choose a natural birth - and it's probably not even the best one.  Here are 10 other reasons to consider.

👉 Read: Advantages of Natural Birth

Does it Hurt?  How Can I Manage the Pain?

For many mamas, the biggest hesitation around natural birth is pain — and understandably so.

A natural birth plan doesn’t ignore the pain; it just approaches pain differently than a typical hospital experience. Preparation, environment, movement, support, and coping techniques all play a role in how labor pain is managed.

The real question isn’t so much “Will it hurt?” The best question is: "How can I manage the pain to ensure the best outcome for me and my baby?"  I would like to share my perspective with you here.

👉 Read: Natural Birth Pain Management

What About Cost?  Is a Natural Birth Expensive?

The simplest answer is:  it depends.  The more useful answer is: Let's explore how the real costs of natural birth compare to those of a hospital birth - and how those costs can be managed. 

For some families, natural birth is financially accessible; for others, it requires creative planning.  Knowing in advance what some of your options are can help with this part of the decision process.  Let me show you what I mean.

👉 Read: How Much is a Midwife?

What Does a Midwife Actually Do?

One of the most important — and least discussed — factors in whether natural birth is right for you is who will be with you throughout the process.  Understanding the difference between a midwife, doula, OB/GYN and other care providers on your team is an important factor in answering the question "is natural birth right for me?"

Our next article explains the roles that different providers play and how the structure of your care team influences both your experience and your results.

👉 Read: What Does a Midwife Do?

How Do I Find the Perfect Midwife for Me?

Even families who feel they understand natural birth (and want one) can have very different needs, personalities, and risk profiles.  Access to excellent midwifery care is a critical factor in answering the question "is natural birth right for me?"

We offer a page to help you think through compatibility, communication style, experience, and trust — all critical to deciding whether you have found the perfect midwife.

👉 Read: Finding Your Perfect Midwife

The Importance of Birth Education

For many families, education is what makes natural birth feel possible — or not.  A well designed online childbirth education course can:

• Build confidence
• Clarify expectations
• Reduce fear of the unknown
• Help partners participate meaningfully

Our article comparing the best online education options will help you decide whether — and how — an online birth course fits into your overall preparation for a natural birth.

👉 Read: Birthing Classes for a Natural Birth

So - Is Natural Birth Right for Me?

After working through these considerations, the decision often comes down to a few core questions:

• Do I want an unmedicated birth, free from unnecessary medical intervention?
• Do I understand the advantages of birth outside the hospital?
• Am I comfortable with the cost of a natural birth?
• Am I confident in using natural (not medicated) methods to control pain during labor?
• Do I know what to look for in finding my own perfect midwife?
• Do I understand the differences between the different kinds of caretakers on my team>
• Do I have access to effective natural childbirth education?

If your answers lean toward "yes," then natural birth may be a good fit.

If they lean toward "no," you may find a hospital birth to be more appropriate for your needs and preferences.

The goal isn’t to choose a label.  It’s to choose a path that feels right for you.

Whichever path you choose, I send you best wishes for a beautiful birth!

Copyright 2024 THEMIDWIVES.COM

View Our Privacy Policy