What Is A “Natural Birth” And Should I Have One?

In the simplest terms, a “natural birth” is one that happens without any medical intervention - which includes induction to begin the labour, drugs to speed or slow the labour, narcotic pain relief, and any surgical procedures. 

It’s worth pointing out before unpicking the concept that some birth workers and medical care providers prefer not to call it “natural” childbirth, simply because the implication is that birth that includes some form of intervention is by default “unnatural”. To avoid this, we commonly refer to it as “physiological birth” - that is, birth that continues as the body intends.

The World Health Organisation defines physiological - or “natural” - birth as having several key criteria: it will begin spontaneously, between weeks 37 and 42; the baby will be head down and be born vaginally; and the birth will be low risk from its commencement to the baby’s arrival. If these criteria are met, there should - in theory - be no need for any medical intervention.

Throughout history until relatively recently, birth progressed in this way. In most ancient civilisations, the birthing woman would be tended by several women from the local community - sometimes including family members, and usually women who had given birth before. It is this supportive, personal and loving environment that doulas seek to replicate along with the parents and medical professionals attending the birth. In this way, and aided by other practices including hypnobirthing, aromatherapy, massage, acupressure and more, the birthing woman can be enveloped in the kind of safe, comfortable environment that facilitates and encourages physiological birth.

The medical benefits of physiological birth - much like the advantages of breastfeeding - are well documented. From a shorter recovery time for the mother, to a higher chance of early bonding and greater breastfeeding success, physiological birth undeniably benefits the mother and baby where it is possible.

When it comes to the mental benefits, the impact of a physiological birth is more difficult to measure. The birthing woman who dreams of a tranquil birth - at home or in a birthing centre, perhaps in water - and then looks into her baby’s eyes after having just the birth she dreamed of will undoubtedly feel euphoric. But, more important than being able to have a physiological birth with no interventions, is having a birth that you are fully engaged in. Being informed ahead of the birth, and involved in decision making throughout the birth, appears anecdotally to have a greater impact on birth satisfaction than the absence of interventions.

So, to whether you should have one. I’d recommend asking yourself some questions. What kind of birth do you want to have? What is important to you about the way birth progresses? Maybe you don’t know the answer to these questions, as this is your first baby and you’ve not given much thought to birth before. If so, sometimes asking what kind of birth you don’t want is a good place to start. Do you have any fears or concerns about birth? Have you heard any stories or been taught any beliefs that influence the way you think about birth? Some of these topics can be useful to talk about with a doula who will be able to signpost reading materials on the topics. Generally, after some reading and chatting with informed friends or kindly professionals, you will begin to have an incline about how you would like your birth to look: whether it will be at home or in a birth centre or hospital; who will be there supporting you; and how you will have prepared. 

However you decide you’d like your birth to progress - from low-intervention to surgical - the most important word is: flexibility. Birth takes its own path. Doulas often recommend that clients create Birth Preferences rather than Birth Plans, simply to reflect the fact that your baby sometimes needs to take a route you hadn’t planned for them. We also talk about the Doula Toolbox - the metaphorical kit that we take to every birth to help the birthing person navigate anything that comes their way during birth. In this toolbox are lots of helpful comfort measures - from acupressure and aromatherapy, to positions and massage - but there are also lots of interventions. Each has its appropriate time for use. If aiming for a physiological birth, you’d begin with the lowest impact comfort measures - but always with the knowledge that the others would be there if you needed them.

Whichever path you choose for your birth, the most important preparation is information - read all you can, decide what feels most comfortable for you, advocate for your birth choices, and then let nature take its course.