| The debate between unassisted natural childbirth | | | | feel guilty if you have your heart set on giving |
| and medical childbirth continues to rage. The | | | | birth the natural way and you find you need pain |
| medical profession argues that giving birth in a | | | | relief during the process. The important things is |
| hospital is safer in case a medical problem arises | | | | to bring baby into the world safely while still |
| during the process, while those who support | | | | maintaining your own well being so that you can |
| freebirthing declare that most problems occur due | | | | look after your baby when you get home. |
| to medical intervention. So who is right and who is | | | | If you have chosen an unassisted birth, you may |
| wrong? The answer is neither. It should be up to | | | | want to take some childbirth classes to help you |
| the mom-to-be what method she chooses to | | | | cope with labor especially if you are not planning |
| bring her baby into the world. | | | | on using pain relief such as an epidural. Opt for |
| There are those who believe that any chemical | | | | classes held outside of the hospital system as |
| pain relief or surgical intervention may harm both | | | | many hospitals do not support natural childbirth. |
| mom and baby. Others simply want to be in | | | | Classes that teach the Bradley Method or |
| control of their own body during the birth process. | | | | Hypnobirthing are very popular. |
| Some moms are perfectly happy to hand the | | | | If you have a supportive partner, get them |
| whole process over to their pediatrician and that's | | | | involved in the process. If you are going solo, |
| perfectly OK. Everyone has to do what they feel | | | | consider hiring a doula who can help support you |
| is right and not be bullied into a course of action | | | | both physically and emotionally throughout the |
| which they may regret later. | | | | birth process. |
| So what is an unassisted natural childbirth? Can a | | | | Birthing centers are ideal for moms who are |
| mom who has for instance an epidural or pain | | | | healthy and confident they will not require medical |
| killing drugs claim to have given birth naturally? | | | | attention. These centers encourage unassisted |
| Does it actually matter? | | | | natural childbirth, however it is important not to |
| The important thing is to bring your baby into the | | | | put your health, or your child's health at risk, |
| world safely and without suffering more | | | | because you are determined to give birth |
| discomfort than you can tolerate. Some women | | | | naturally. If you have any doubts about your |
| have an easy birth, others have a high tolerance | | | | ability to cope, there is no shame in having a |
| for pain while still others find the whole birth | | | | medical childbirth. It's up to you! |
| process frightening. The important thing is not to | | | | |