Natural Childbirth: Is It The Right Thing For You?

By Angela Kendrick

Natural childbirth is what many moms talk about. In the twenty-first century, you need to decide if it is right for you.

Natural child birth is when someone goes through the course of childbirth without any medicines, drugs, epidurals or any surgical procedures. Many women who desire a natural childbirth choose to do so at home, but it is still considered natural to do it at a hospital. Usually mothers and fathers are motivated to do this for a number of reasons. One of the overall goals is to avoid all anesthetics usually associated with child birth. In addition, studies have shown that mothers recover more quickly and babies recover and are more alert.

While all that sounds wonderful, and ideal, I have opened myself up that doing things that way is not for everyone. In some circles, it almost becomes bragging rights and silly competitive talk. Ridiculous really. The fact is, the pain is intense. It is more than you can imagine or prepare for. Sometimes pain has a way of clouding our focus and actually and physically inhibiting the birth process. An epidural or other anesthetic can help you relax, refocus and allow the childbirth to proceed. Let me tell you about my friend Traci.


Traci had this exact thing happen with your third child. She wanted to try things without meds. As the hours clicked by in the delivery room, there was no progress with efacing or dialating. However, labor pains were increasing. The more the baby moved into position, the less progress she seemed to make. Finally, she agreed to an epidural. She relaxed, and while her husband watched her sleep for about 2 hours, the contractions continued. She awoke as the nurse came to check on her. She was fully dialated and efaced, and within 12 minutes of waking up, her son was born.

I truly believe in her case, medication was her ally. It is not the enemy. Had she continued to insist on no anesthetics, having her pride get in the way, it could has actually been quite harmful to the baby. Natural childbirth is fine, but don't let your foolish pride stand in the way of doing what is probably a better choice. Keep Traci's story in mind as you prepare for your labor and delivery. Natural child birth is really not the goal. Birth is the goal.

Angela has served in several youth and kiddos's ministries, educating kids and soon to be parents through all stages of life.