Natural childbirth is based on the beliefs that mothers that are properly prepared for child birth are able to deliver their baby without the intervention of a gynaecologist or hospital staff. Natural childbirth has gained popularity, which attempts to minimize medical intervention and in particular attempts to minimize caesarean sections, anaesthetic medications, episiotomies, ventouse deliveries and surgical interventions. Over centuries, women gave birth in their homes, without any emergency medical care. However, the maternal mortality rate, where maternal death was not prevented is around one thousand five hundred per one hundred thousand births. Before modern medicine, there were around seven hundred deaths per one hundred thousand births.
During the 19th century industrial revolution, home birthing presented difficulties due to unsanitary living conditions and overcrowded living spaces. The lower class and urban women then started delivering in available hospitals, and the middle class and wealthy women continued to deliver at home. As more hospitals became available in the 1900’s more and more women made use of these hospitals for delivery which provided a less painful and safer labour and delivery. Labour without pain was an early feminist movement, which change the care women received when birthing. However, in the 1940’s women were sedated and the babies were then delivered by means of forceps from the unconscious mother. Hospitalized births were then challenged by mothers with regards to the safety and this is when midwives started promoting birthing centres, home births and water births as an alternative to birthing in hospitals.
This has created a demand for midwives and has also created midwife job Australia. Nowadays many women find natural childbirth more empowering as the baby is born far more alert and has contact with the mother immediately after birth, which instinctively promotes breastfeeding and maternal bonding more successful and enjoyable. Skin to skin contact between mother and baby immediately after birth, is extremely beneficial and improves the interaction; breastfeeding is more successful and reduces crying. During the first two hours after birth the baby should be allowed to bond with its mother, as the baby is found to be far more alert. Midwifery holds a far more holistic approach to birthing and tried to avoid medical interventions, although they do rely on medical tools should complications arise.
There are several different types of none invasive methods used during natural childbirth which do not carry the risk of inherent medical procedures. Pain management techniques include water birthing, massage, and hydrotherapy, breathing exercises, acupressure during labour, TENS and vocalization. Natural birthing requires that the mother becomes an active participant which includes walking and changing positions.
