Considering Natural Childbirth: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself First

For many women, natural childbirth is a viable option. Just over 67% of women in the United States deliver via vaginal birth, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows that 39% of single vaginal births in the U.S. went forward without an epidural or spinal anesthesia. Some of those women chose to forego the medications, while others simply didn’t have the time to safely receive pain prevention methods.

Whether you’re 100% sure you want a natural childbirth or are still on the fence, there are several things you need to consider first. If you’re an expectant mom interested in having natural childbirth, you should ask yourself these five questions before finalizing your birth plan.

Are you prepared?

Preparing for the big moment by attending birthing classes can help you make the most informed decision. As you learn more about the different phases of labor and delivery, you may feel more confident in your decision to forgo medications that help you handle the pain or you might decide you want to pursue other options, such as an epidural or a planned cesarean section.

Are you focusing on success?

As a pregnant woman, you’ve likely heard plenty of stories relating to scary deliveries or unexpected C-sections. It’s important to stay focused only on your own experience and pursue choices that are best for you and your baby.

A positive outlook not only helps prepare yourself mentally for the stress of labor and delivery, but it can also influence your physical health. With less stress and worry, you can reduce your risk for medical complications that can sideline a natural birth.

What’s your pain threshold?

Choosing to have a medication-free birth is something you decide long before labor pains kick in. It’s important to think about how well you manage pain in your everyday life because, in general, contractions hurt worse than most pains you’re used to experiencing, such as headaches and typical body aches.

Discuss your normal reaction and tolerance to pain with your provider at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group early on. They can help you make the best choice for addressing labor and delivery pain well in advance of childbirth so you know what to expect.

Do you have the right expectations?

Giving birth is a highly personal experience. While you may have outlined in your mind exactly how you want things to go, you also need reasonable expectations for reality.

After the first contractions start, you might change your mind about pain medications. Last-minute complications, like umbilical cord obstructions or failure to dilate, may result in an emergency C-section.

While you shouldn’t worry unnecessarily about potential problems during labor and delivery, it’s wise to plan for the unexpected.

Do you have the right support team?

Experiencing natural childbirth, staying in control of your own body, requires the support of your loved ones and your medical team. Fortunately, the compassionate  team of obstetricians and midwives at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group are fully supportive of your decision to go through labor and delivery with as little medical intervention as possible.

Our team creates a specialized care plan, designed to address your specific wishes and needs through your pregnancy and during childbirth.

Find out more about your options for natural childbirth by calling the office or by using the online booking feature.