Confession: I don’t like or use the term “natural childbirth.” At all. It is a term commonly used to describe an unmedicated vaginal birth, however; childbirth, however it occurs, is a natural and momentous event. There is no easy way out, there is no right or wrong way, and every type can be beautiful. That said, avoiding an epidural during labor is a goal for many people these days, and I am frequently asked by clients what they can do during pregnancy to set themselves up to reach it.

Ensure your partner is on board and prepared

Having a partner who doesn’t understand or support your desire for an unmedicated birth can greatly affect the experience and even the outcome. Discuss your reasons with them, show them evidence-based research or studies, share stories or videos with them. Dig deep into their reasons for envisioning a different type of birth than you and try to work through these feelings together. A good childbirth education class is a game changer for many partners! A supportive, educated partner who is prepared to advocate for you and help you through labor is so important and will improve your ability to manage it yourself.

Seek out a supportive provider

Another member of your birth team who should be supportive of your plans for a physiologic birth. To be clear, your doctor or midwife should be encouraging when you speak with them about this. Supportive is very different from simply being tolerant. A former client of mine once told me that when she told her OB that unmedicated childbirth was her goal, her response was “Do what you want, I just don’t know why women want to suffer when they don’t have to.”(That woman found a new provider.) Go in to your consultation (yes, interview providers before choosing one) with a well-researched list of questions: What is their cesarean rate? Episiotomy rate? What are their thoughts on unmedicated birth? What can they do to support you in this plan?

Take an independent childbirth education class

Childbirth education classes are so incredibly important. A good class will teach you what to expect from each stage of labor, how to avoid interventions or when the optimal time to ask for them is, and how to choose a provider that will support your wishes. Hospital classes often fall short and teach you to be a good patient. No matter where or how you choose to give birth, an independent childbirth education class is invaluable.

Consider out-of-hospital birth

One way to increase your odds of avoiding pain medication and other interventions if your pregnancy is low-risk is to plan an out of hospital birth. We have three options for this in Buffalo: a home birth or birth at the Coit House with Fika Midwifery, or the Birthing Center of Buffalo. Giving birth outside of a hospital is safe, empowering, and is typically free of common interventions. A hospital transfer is always available if there are any unforeseen complications (which is quite rare… ask the provider their transfer rate!)

Read/watch stories of unmedicated birth

Positive stories and real-life videos of birth are empowering and educational. Many people enjoy Ina May Gaskin’s books. I’d also recommend “Natural Hospital Birth” by Cynthia Gabriel, “The Birth Partner” by Penny Simkin, “Babies Are Not Pizzas” by Rebecca Dekker, and the various stories collected on the Birth Without Fear website. Birth videos are available on YouTube

Consider saying “no” to some procedures

Things you are not required to have during labor and birth: vaginal exams, continuous monitoring, IV fluids, an empty stomach, pitocin after birth… the list goes on. Your childbirth education class should educate you on the various options available to you, and you can also discuss them with an experienced doula. Limiting these interventions increases your chances of a physiologic birth.

Hire a doula

Having a professional labor doula with you for your labor has been proven to decrease cesarean risk, increase vaginal births, and decrease the use of medication. Not to mention, many report an increase in satisfaction with their birth experience whatever the outcome was when they had continuous support from a doula. A large piece in the role of a doula is the evidence-based information they can offer during pregnancy.

Know that plans change

Birth is unpredictable. All of the aforementioned tips do increase your chances of having a physiologic birth, but with that being said, some births require intervention. Sometimes babies don’t cooperate, sometimes labor lasts a very long time and an epidural will give the laboring person the rest they need to give birth, sometimes cesareans save lives. However, we are allowed to want and plan for any type of birth, and it is our right to have access to the information we need to advocate for that birth and make the choices that will shape our experience. We’re also allowed to change our minds!

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Questions for a Doula | How Do I Have a Natural Birth?