Pregnancy and Natural Childbirth Options

One of the most natural things in the world is childbirth. People have been doing it for thousands and thousands of years, most of those without medical intervention. These days pregnancy and childbirth are big business, especially for hospitals who can count on a fairly steady stream of income from it since there are always babies being born. Due to concerns over liability and the fact that the hospital makes upwards of ten times as much from performing a caesarian section or C-section, these procedures are performed far too often which is not beneficial to either the mother or the child.

If you don’t want a C-section forced on you by the hospital, natural childbirth options are available and should most definitely be taken into consideration.Having the power to decide how your baby is going to be born is powerful. A woman needs to know that she is in control concerning her child’s birth.

One option is at the hospital.Do you know the hospital’s C-section percentage? This is something you can find in the hospital’s history. Back in 1970 the percentage of C-sections was around 5%. The percentage had tripled to over 15% by 1978. Today hospitals range from the 5% level to as high as 50%. Knowing in advance that your hospital is at the lower end of the range will give you the greatest possibility of delivering your baby vaginally, barring any true emergencies. Some hospitals even have nurse midwives on staff for a more natural approach, although not quite as natural as a home childbirth.

Home childbirth is another option depending on the state you live in. It is illegal in 11 states, so you may need to check your local laws. If you are lucky enough to live in one of the 39 states where it is legal, having a home birth with midwives can be one of the most rewarding ways to bring a child into the world. The mother is able to feel much more relaxed without tubes and wires being stuck into her and if the baby sleeps for 4 or 5 hours the first night (this is typical); she doesn’t have to be awakened to have her temperature taken or have her baby’s heel pricked for a blood sugar test.

Whatever decision you make regarding the birth of your child, midwife or hospital, the choice is yours to make and you are in charge.Make sure to get as much information as possible from hospitals as well as midwives so you can make an informed decision.Giving birth to your child should be a special and momentous occasion, not something that is forced on you regardless of your desires.

Mary Olsen has been a part of many natural child births and home births, and is a main contributor for Mothers Naturally. Mothers Naturally is a public education program for the Midwives Alliance of North America. Mothers Naturally celebrates the journey of natural pregnancy and natural child birth, and believes in informing the public of their birth options and the importance of the role they play during pregnancy and labor.