Why Unmedicated Birth Matters: Embracing the Power of Physiological Birth
Today, I'm diving deep into a topic that I’m incredibly passionate about: why unmedicated birth matters. Whether you’re a first-time parent or looking to refresh your knowledge, my goal is to empower you with insights that can enhance your birth experience. Let’s explore the concept of unmedicated birth, its numerous benefits, and how I can support you on this transformative journey.
Before I get into it - I wanted to let you know that this blog post is also available as a Podcast episode if you’re someone who prefers to listen, that to read! You can find the link to my podcast on my website.
Understanding Unmedicated Birth
Okay so first things first, let's clarify what we mean by "unmedicated birth." An unmedicated, or physiological, birth is an all-natural process without any medical interventions. According to midwifery expert Elisabeth Howard, a normal physiological labor and birth is “powered by the innate human capacity of the birthing person and fetus.” In simpler terms, it means letting birth unfold naturally without medical assistance or interventions (like inductions of labour, epidurals, forceps, or episiotomies).
It's important to note that I’m not here to shame anyone who has chosen or needed medical interventions. That’s never, ever my intention. Medical assistance can save lives, and I wholeheartedly respect the choices women make regarding their bodies and their births. However, many women aren’t given the full picture of the benefits that come with unmedicated birth, which can lead to uninformed decisions. So that’s why I’m here! Let’s talk about why having an unmedicated birth can be really beneficial to you and your baby if you have a normal, healthy pregnancy.
The Benefits of Unmedicated Birth
First off, it’s important to acknowledge that a huge benefit of unmedicated birth is that it’s usually (for low risk women with healthy babies/pregnancies) safer, because interventions themselves come with a myriad of risks. Things like inducing labour, having a caesearen, even an epidural, all come with significant risks. And going intervention-free means you’re not taking any of those on. So avoiding the risks that come with the interventions is one thing - but let’s unpack the actual benefits to physiological, intervention-free or unmedicated birth itself.
1. Physical Benefits
Enhanced Breastfeeding: One surprising benefit of unmedicated birth is that breastfeeding is often easier. Medications like epidurals, which are opioids, can enter the baby’s system and make them lethargic post-birth, leading to challenges in breastfeeding. Opting for an unmedicated birth can help your baby be more alert and ready to feed. I don’t know about you, but this one is a huge factor for me personally and for a lot of my clients!
Shorter Labors: Unmedicated births tend to be shorter. When women aren’t using pain relief medications, they’re less likely to require interventions like forceps or vacuum extractions. This not only improves the baby's condition but also aids in the mother’s recovery (big win!).
Higher APGAR Scores: Babies born without interventions often have higher APGAR scores, indicating better overall health immediately after birth. Lower rates of medical interventions mean less likelihood of complications, leading to better outcomes for both mother and baby.
Better Oxygen Supply: Epidurals can sometimes cause drops in the mumma’s blood pressure, leading to less oxygen-rich blood reaching the baby. Unmedicated births minimize these risks, promoting healthier outcomes.
2. Emotional Benefits
The emotional experience of unmedicated birth is profound. Many women report feeling an incredible sense of empowerment and confidence after birthing without interventions. Personally, after my unmedicated births, I felt like I could conquer anything. This newfound confidence is often transformative and can have lasting effects on a woman’s self-esteem and sense of agency.
The emotional highs that come from overcoming the challenges of labor can help reinforce the belief that women are strong, capable, and resilient. It’s crucial that we recognize and celebrate this strength rather than reinforce the notion that women need rescuing from the intensity of birth.
Preparing for Unmedicated Birth
If you’re considering an unmedicated birth, preparation is key. Here are a few essential steps to ensure a positive experience:
Understand Your "Why": Knowing the benefits of unmedicated birth can provide the motivation needed to persevere through labor. Reflect on your reasons for wanting a natural birth and keep them close to your heart.
Hire a Doula: Having the right support is crucial. I’ve seen this firsthand! Research shows that hiring a doula can significantly improve birth outcomes. Doulas provide physical and emotional support, help with comfort measures, and offer guidance to navigate the birth process.
Educate Yourself: Knowledge is power! Take childbirth education classes to understand the process and learn techniques for coping with labor pain naturally. I offer these as a standalone service, and for my clients who are going to have me supporting them throughout their births.
Connect with Your Care Provider: Open communication with your healthcare provider about your birth preferences is vital. Make sure you feel supported in your choices.
Keep your eyes peeled: How can I have a natural birth in a system where intervention is so common? I hear you. That’s a very good question. I am in the process of working on a super exciting resource that’ll massively improve your odds of having a natural physiological birth. So make sure you’re subscribed to my email list - because I will announce when the resource is ready there first.
Final Thoughts
Unmedicated birth offers remarkable benefits for both mother and baby, but it doesn’t just happen by itself. It requires the right mindset, preparation, and support. If you're in Sydney and interested in exploring your options for an unmedicated birth, I would love to connect with you. Remember, you are strong, capable, and worthy of a birth experience that aligns with your values!
References:
I’m big on evidence - I don’t just say things I don’t have a good reference for. Here’s the reference list that informed this blog post/podcast episode:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023b). Australia’s mothers and babies, method of birth. [online] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/labour-and-birth/method-of-birth.
Betran, A., Torloni, M., Zhang, J. and Gülmezoglu, A. (2015b). WHO Statement on Caesarean Section Rates. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, [online] 123(5), pp.667–670. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.13526.
Cleveland Clinic (2022b). Vaginal delivery: What to expect, benefits & complications. [online] Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23097-vaginal-delivery.
Dr. Morales (n.d.). 7 Advantages of Natural Childbirth. [online] Willow obgyn. Available at: https://willowobgyn.com/blog/7-advantages-of-natural-childbirth.
Hospital, E.H., PhD, CNM, FACNM, Academic Division of Midwifery, Women & Infants (2022b). Physiologic Birth. [online] www.womenandinfants.org. Available at: https://www.womenandinfants.org/blog/physiologic-birth.
Humenick, S.S. (2006b). The Life-Changing Significance of Normal Birth. Journal of Perinatal Education, [online] 15(4), pp.1–3. doi:https://doi.org/10.1624/105812406x151330.
Lothian, J.A. (2000a). Questions from Our Readers: Why Natural Childbirth? Journal of Perinatal Education, [online] 9(4), pp.44–46. doi:https://doi.org/10.1624/105812400x87905.
Simkin, P., 2021. DONA Birth Position Paper, DONA.org. Available at: <https://www.dona.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DONA-Birth-Position-Paper-FINAL.pdf>.
Klaus, M. H., Kennell, J. H., & Klaus, P. H. (1993). Mothering the mother: How a doula can help you have a shorter, easier, and healthier birth. Addison-Wesley.
Kenneth J. Gruber, Susan H. Cupito, Christina F. Dobson, Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes, J Perinat Educ. 2013.
