The concept of natural childbirth is the result of criticism of the medically guided birth model. The term “natural birth” was popularized in the 1980s by a British obstetrician of French origin. Michel Odent with his book Birth Reborn. He wrote the book after several years of experience with births conducted in a different way than the usual medical one.

The basic principle of this philosophy is based on the ability of a mother to give birth to her child on her own, without the need for directive guidance and medication . Natural childbirth is a birth that begins and proceeds spontaneously without external intervention. The woman determines its course according to her instincts. The medical staff tries to help the woman, make the birth easier, support her and encourage her. He is not there to dictate what she should do, how she should lie down, when to push, that she should be quiet, etc. During natural childbirth, the staff tries to intervene as little as possible and not to disturb the intimate environment of childbirth, respecting the intuitive behavior of the mother. They meet the wishes and requirements of the mother, which supports positive emotions and contributes to the birth. without stress and fear . The staff avoids analgesia and anesthesia so as not to disrupt the natural hormonal balance.

The research found that that if a woman is healthy, the birth will most likely be normal and without complications. The only thing that is really necessary during childbirth is careful observation , in order to detect any complications that may arise and intervene in time. An experienced midwife or doctor can use observation to determine whether the mother and baby are doing well, or whether more careful monitoring or treatment is needed. The fact is that although childbirth is a natural process, complications can occur, and a specialist - a doctor or a midwife - becomes essential for a woman.

During natural childbirth

• the mother is allowed to move completely freely during the first and second stages of labor
• the woman chooses her own position in the pushing phase of labor
• the mother is actively helped by her partner
• No genital shaving or enemas are performed.
• episiotomy is not routinely performed
• no means are used to accelerate labor
• so-called painless methods (epidural analgesia) are not used
• in the case of increased perceived pain, natural methods of pain relief are used instead of medication (massage, shower, position changes)
• Immediately after birth, the baby is placed in the mother's arms to ensure the important first contact between the baby and the mother.
• after the necessary treatment of the child after birth, the child is permanently left with the mother

Who is natural childbirth suitable for?

Natural childbirth is chosen by women who are used to an active approach to caring for their health and who reject the role of surrendered patients. They believe that natural birth mechanisms, including pain, have a purpose, they feel responsible for the birth and just want to experience it to the fullest. They often see it as an extraordinary spiritual opportunity.

A woman considering natural childbirth should know that natural childbirth is not for everyone and that it can only be recommended for women who:

• they meet the basic condition that they had a normal pregnancy, which indicates a normal birth
• are interested in actively participating in the birth process
• they want to manage and regulate their birth themselves
• they have an intuitive certainty that they will be able to handle the birth
• refuse birth under medical guidance
• tolerate pain well
• do not require analgesics or labor accelerators

Natural childbirth is chosen by women who are used to an active approach to caring for their health and who reject the role of surrendered patients. They believe that natural birth mechanisms, including pain, have a purpose, they feel responsible for childbirth and want to experience it to the fullest. They often see it as an extraordinary spiritual opportunity.

A woman considering natural childbirth should know that natural childbirth is not for everyone and that it can only be recommended to women who are generally healthy and who, like their babies, do not have any predictable birth complications, have undergone careful prenatal preparation, and have reached a natural birth based on their own, completely voluntary and informed choice.

And for whom is it not suitable?

On the contrary, it is not suitable for those women who are passive, anxious, dependent or psychologically unstable, convinced that they cannot handle childbirth on their own. For those who trust institutions and authorities more than themselves.

The advantages of traditional obstetrics are undeniable when complications arise during pregnancy or childbirth. In such cases, doctors save lives. Premature babies or women who have serious health complications also need experienced medical assistance.

However, modern medicine has its pitfalls. Doctors, with their vision of the fastest possible delivery, forget that a woman in spontaneous labor needs a calm passage of time and kind treatment.