 Natural childbirth is a philosophy of childbirth that believes through adequate education and preparation all women have an inherent ability to give birth without routine medical intervention and without the pain that society attaches to this amazing process. The term "natural childbirth" was coined by obstetrician Grantly Dick-Read upon publication of his book Natural Childbirth in the 1930s.
During natural childbirth, the woman allows instinct to prevail and she maintains control of her body and her labour. This is usually aided by a birthing partner and / or midwife. Many women want to experience the labour and birth process as nature intended. If you watch an animal giving birth without any interference, you can see how the body responds to the stages of labour and it is the same in human beings. When the time is right an animal will normally find a quiet corner away from people, noise and bright lights. The “animal mother” will get comfortable and go “into the zone”; much in the same way an athlete will describe their experience when they accomplish a major win. During labour and the birth the “animal mother” will allow the natural process of labour to take over its body and usually will birth her babies in a relatively calm and controlled manner. This has major implications for human birthing. In our society the norm is to have people around in labour with bright lights, noise, well meaning intervention and this can lead to tension and the woman not connecting to her body and allowing the natural process of labour to take place as it can. It is important for the woman to connect the mind and the body. If this can be accomplished it is possible to have a virtually pain free childbirth. As outlined by Grantly Dick-Read in his book Childbirth without Fear: “Fear, Tension and Pain are the three evils opposed to the natural design, which have been introduced in the course of civilisation by the ignorance of those who have been concerned with preparations for and attendance at childbirth. If fear, tension and pain go hand in hand, then it must be necessary to relieve tension and to overcome fear in order to eliminate pain.” In childbirth the tension is caused by fear, which is caused by our perception of what childbirth is supposed to be like. All our preconceived ideas of labour and childbirth lead to fear of the pain and fear of complications, this in turn leads to tension in the body, which leads to pain. Can you see the cycle? So what if, childbirth was actually not meant to be painful? What if, birthing your baby was actually one of the most natural, wonderful experiences that you would ever have? Would that be something that you were interested in? From the moment you conceive until the birth of your baby, you are in the process of labour. Your body changes, adapts, protects and nourishes the growing child in readiness for the birth. Every “symptom” you have during pregnancy is your body telling you what it needs to allow this process to continue. Natural childbirth starts from the moment of conception, some even say before. If you are interested in learning more about how to experience an amazing pregnancy and childbirth contact me here….mailto:linda@lindaledwidge.com
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