Natural childbirth is a childbirth philosophy that attempts to minimize medical intervention, particularly the use of anesthetic medications and surgical interventions such as episiotomies, forceps and ventouse deliveries and caesarean sections. Parturition redirects here. ... Anesthesia or anaesthesia (see spelling differences) has traditionally meant the condition of having the perception of pain and other sensations blocked. ... Medio-lateral episiotomy as baby crowns. ... Plastic forceps are intended to be disposable Forceps are a handheld, hinged instrument used for grasping and holding objects. ... Ventouse is a vacuum device used to assist the delivery of a baby when labour has not progressed adequately. ... A caesarean section (AE cesarean section), or c-section, is a form of childbirth in which a surgical incision is made through a mothers abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more babies. ...

Risks of anesthetics and other interventions

Proponents of natural childbirth note that anaesthetics may increase the likelihood of complications, because labor may be slowed or the woman may not be able to adequately move her body during labor or work with her body during final delivery.^[1] All epidural medications given during labor cross the placenta and affect the fetus,^{[citation needed]} and it has been shown that pain medication can affect the feeding behavior of the newborn ^[2] and reduce the chances of successful breastfeeding.^{[citation needed]} Anesthesia or anaesthesia (see spelling differences) has traditionally meant the condition of having the perception of pain and other sensations blocked. ... The placenta is an ephemeral (temporary) organ present in female placental vertebrates during gestation (pregnancy), but a placenta has evolved independently also in other animals as well, for instance scorpions and velvet worms. ... For other uses, see Fetus (disambiguation). ... An infant breastfeeding International Breastfeeding Symbol (Matt Daigle, Mothering magazine contest winner 2006) Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant or young child with milk from a womans breasts. ...

A natural birth also increases the probability of a healthier postnatal period and an easier recovery due to better hormonal balance and less post-operative discomforts.^{[citation needed]} This is because a woman who has given birth with minimal intervention does not have to recover from major abdominal surgery (caesarean section), instrumental delivery (by forceps or ventouse), cutting of the perineum, called episiotomy) (although the perineum will sometimes tear during childbirth anyway), bruises from IV lines, or severe headache backache (a possible and well-documented side effect of epidurals). Natural childbirth maximizes the innate birth physiology and laboring movement of healthy, well-nourished women and minimizes interventions in the normal course of spontaneous childbirth. Postnatal (Latin for after birth) is the period beginning immediately after the birth of a child and extending for about six weeks. ... A caesarean section (AE cesarean section), or c-section, is a form of childbirth in which a surgical incision is made through a mothers abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more babies. ... Plastic forceps are intended to be disposable Forceps are a handheld, hinged instrument used for grasping and holding objects. ... Ventouse is a vacuum device used to assist the delivery of a baby when labour has not progressed adequately. ... Medio-lateral episiotomy as baby crowns. ... A bruise or contusion or ecchymosis is a kind of injury, usually caused by blunt impact, in which the capillaries are damaged, allowing blood to seep into the surrounding tissue. ... Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is the giving of liquid substances directly into a vein. ... A headache (cephalalgia in medical terminology) is a condition of pain in the head; sometimes neck or upper back pain may also be interpreted as a headache. ... Back pain is one of humanitys most frequent complaints and does not usually reflect any underlying disease. ... An epidural catheter after insertion. ...

Alternatives to anesthetics

Pain management techniques other than medication include: Pain management (also called pain medicine) is the discipline concerned with the relief of pain. ...

• hydrotherapy
• massage
• relaxation therapy
• hypnobirthing
• breathing exercises
• vocalization
• visualization
• mindfulness
• movement and different positions (i.e. using a birthing ball)
• hot and cold therapy (i.e. using hot compresses and/or cold packs)
• having one-on-one labor support, such as a midwife or doula

It should be noted that it is common to defecate while giving birth. Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy, is probably the oldest form of medical treatment. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Look up relaxation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Breathing transports oxygen into the body and carbon dioxide out of the body. ... In animals, vocalization is a means of communication generated in many cases by their primitive versions of vocal chords. ... Visualization can refer to: Graphic Visualization as in any technique for creating images, diagrams, or animations to communicate any message. ... Look up Mindfulness in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A doula is a non-medical assistant in prenatal care, childbirth and during the postpartum period. ...

Psychological benefits

Many women consider natural birth empowering. A woman who is supported to labor as she instinctively wants to is a woman who will likely feel positive about her birth experience and future parenting skills. ^{[3] [4] [5]} Her baby is more able to be alert and placed on her skin (promoting maternal bonding) and breastfeeding is more likely to be enjoyable and successful.^{[6] [7] [8]} A mother holds up her child. ...

Preparation

The Lamaze, Bradley Method, Birthing From Within, and Calm Birth are popular systems to help parents-to-be prepare for the birth process in general, and emphasize natural birth in particular. The Lamaze Technique is a prepared childbirth technique developed in the 1940s by French obstetrician Dr. Fernand Lamaze as an alternative to the use of medical intervention during labor. ... See Bradley method (disambiguation) for other uses of the term Bradley method. ...

References

1. ^  Simkin, P. (1992) "Just another day in a woman's life? Nature and consistency of women's long term memories of their first birth experience." Birth 19:64-81.
2. ^ Hodnett, E. (2002) "Pain and women's satisfaction with the experience of birth: A systematic review."American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 186, no 5:s160. PMID 12011880
3. ^ Knapp, L. (1996) "Childbirth satisfaction: the effect of internality and perceived control." Journal of Perinatal Education 5:7-15.
4. ^ World Health Organization Department of Reproductive Health and Research. (1999) "Care in Normal Birth: A Practical Guide" Geneva: World Health Organization, 3.
5. ^ Lieberman, E. and C. O'Donoghue (2002) "Unintended effects of epidural analgesia during labor: a systematic review." Supplement to American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 186, no. 5s31-s68.PMID 12011872
6. ^ Sakala, C., M. Corry, and H. Goer. (2004) Vaginal Birth and Cesarean Birth: How Do the Risks Compare? New York: Maternity Center Association. Full report available at [9]
7. ^  Anderson, G., et al. (2000) "Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants." The Cochrane Library 3. Oxford: Updating Software.
8. ^ Uvnas-Moberg, K. (1998) "Oxytocin may mediate the benefits of positive social interactions and emotions." Psychoneuroendocrinology 23, no. 8:819-38
9. ^  Vernon, D (2005) Having a Great Birth in Australia, Australian College of Midwives
10. ^ Righard, L. and M. Alade. (1990) "Effect of delivery room routines on success of first breastfeed." Lancet 336, no. 8723:1105-107.
11. ^ Ransjö-Arvidson A.B., Matthiesen, A., et al. (2001) "Maternal analgesia during labor disturbs newborn behavior: Effects on breastfeeding, temperature, and crying." Birth 28, no. 1:5-12. PMID 11264622

David Vernon is an Australian writer. ... The Australian College of Midwives is the professional organisation representing midwives and midwifery policy in Australia. ...

See also

• Midwifery
• Home birth
• Water birth
• Unassisted childbirth
• Doula

// Midwifery is the term traditionally used to describe the art of assisting a woman through childbirth. ... Home birth is childbirth that occurs outside a hospital or birthing center setting, usually in the home of the mother. ... Water birth is a method of giving birth in a bathtub or pool full of warm water. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... A doula is a non-medical assistant in prenatal care, childbirth and during the postpartum period. ...

External links

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• NaturalChildbirth.org
• Natural Birth tips
• Preparing for a Natural Birth
• Birth Ecology Project
• Birthing Naturally Tips, techniques and comfort measures for a natural childbirth
• Birthing From Within Childbirth Preparation
• Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth
• Hypnosis for Natural Childbirth