Natural Childbirth Resources

While giving birth in a more natural setting -- without the use of medications and often in a birthing center, rather than a hospital, or at home -- is becoming more popular, many mothers-to-be are not aware that this is an option. When preparing for an unmedicated childbirth, it's best to get both local support for your choices and to do some research to best understand your options.

  1. Local Support

    • The key to having your ideal birth is having a support system that's onboard with your choices in an environment conducive to natural childbirth. While it's entirely possible to have an unmedicated birth in a hospital with a doctor, the rate of unnecessary intervention is higher. Many women seeking a natural childbirth take measures to ensure their success in the form of making a detailed birth plan, hiring a midwife instead of an OB and having a doula. A doula is professional hired to counsel you throughout your pregnancy, help ensure that your emotional and physical needs are met appropriately during your labor and assist throughout the process. You may want to consider a local birthing center, if you're hoping to avoid a hospital and are uncomfortable or unable to birth at home, but birthing centers are not common in all areas. Taking a class in pain management -- whether through Lamaze, the Bradley method or Hypnobirthing -- can help prepare you for unmedicated childbirth and ease pain and tension during labor.

    Books

    • There are countless books on pregnancy and childbirth, ranging from the ultra-popular "What to Expect When You're Expecting" to the more niche books. "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin offers firsthand narratives of parents who have given birth naturally, while "Born in the USA" by Marsden Wagner discusses the problems within the maternal care of hospitals. Other books about natural childbirth include "Birth Your Way" by Sheila Kitzinger and "Having a Baby, Naturally" by Peggy O'Mara. Checking out these books at your local library can help you decide if natural childbirth fits your needs.

    Websites

    • While it's no stretch to find an online community that supports parents, it might be a little harder to find a website and community with resources that fit your natural childbirth goals. MothersNaturally.org and IndieBirth.com are both websites that not only offer reading material for those considering childbirth alternatives, but also have directories for finding local like-minded professionals.

    Magazines

    • While there are numerous parenting and pregnancy magazines on the market, many of them still support the more conventional notions of medicated and hospital birth; as such, they can be frustrating to a mother looking for further information on alternative birthing methods. "Mothering" magazine seeks to help parents achieve a more natural lifestyle and boasts an online community as well. While "Midwifery Today" is directed more towards birth professionals than pregnant women, the website content regarding natural birth is written from the birthing professional's standpoint, which may be a worthwhile read.

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