Why is unmedicated / "natural birth" glorified

[daffodils123]

It really baffles me the extent to which "natural births" are glorified both by pregnant women, midwives and even others when they ask if you're planning on a "natural birth".

There is no other procedure that people routinely turn down painkillers or pain relief when getting & so it always confuses me that this is even a thing.

I also have a feeling that if men could give birth, this obsession with "natural birth" may not be a thing!

Has anyone else found this to be the case??

I wouldn’t say natural birth is glorified, every birth is different. I consider myself very fortunate to have had two natural spontaneous labours. I wouldn’t consider myself to have a high pain threshold, but I coped well in labour. My labours were short so I think that helped. But as long a baby arrives safely and mum is well, it’s really doesn’t matter.

Because no one cares when you are pregnant. They literally tell you to suck it up and deal with it.

I can't get painkillers or sleeping tablets that work at the moment because of the baby. The baby is going to be much worse off if I can't sleep for more than 10 minutes a night.

Pisses me off. Just do some fucking research and give pregnant women what we need! In 2021 we shouldn't just be left to suffer. I've now twice had to quote Nice guidelines to my GP because they won't do shit.

Can you tell I am pissed

I've had 2 births with epidurals and pethidine, and 2 births with no pain relief at all. My conclusion is that in the perfect circumstances some women can deliver without pain relief, but when everything isn't going to plan, pain relief is a godsend. I'll be the first to admit that my 2 births without pain relief were the best/easiest deliveries, but also equally admit I couldn't have birthed the other two without happily accepting all pain relief offered.

I wouldn’t say it was glorified but I did choose a natural birth purely based on the fact that there are more benefits to a natural birth than a medicated one. I didn’t want to slow down labour by having an epidural or the risk of forceps etc. Almost every single person I k ow who has had an epidural said they had some sort of intervention and I was bloody terrified of childbirth without any other risks. I will say though, I really bloody wanted an epidural by 7cm and if it wasn’t too late I probably would have had one!

Because of the sheer and absolute denial of pain medication I was begging and screaming for during my one and only natural birth I am now flat out refusing a VBAC and want another csection. I said all the way through, from my birth plan in my notes to the moment I got to hospital I want STRONG pain meds. Then suddenly it was "too late". It took 2 months for me to be able to walk normally again and be able to comfortably pick up and hold my baby. This was after a short "textbook" delivery with zero tearing or complications.

My csection I was up and about, pain free, in 24 hours. They actually gave me decent pain relief after to manage the pain (I was given paracetamol after my natural birth - I was breastfeeding in both instances).

Pregnant women are treated like utter shit in the UK.

@Sleeplessem I’ve had four births and pain relief was very hard to get in two of them.

I don’t think either should be glorified or criticised..I had a ‘natural’ birth and lots of people made comments about how brave I was but I was quick to point out to them that I begged for pain relief but they had no time! Definitely not my ‘bravery’ that kept me going 😂

I am happy things turned out that way though as it meant I was up and in the shower 30 mins after and not even particularly sore the next day which I was baffled by...I still wouldn’t shun pain meds next time though. If it’s too much to handle or something goes wrong I think they absolutely should be used without any judgement!

I had an ELCS and I'm always surprised that people seem to expect me to be upset or ashamed about it. NOPE. I'm lazy and a wuss, so natural birth was never going to be for me. I would have been hyperventilating and begging for an epidural at the first twinge .

However if you want a natural birth then go for it. I file it with Ultramarathons and bungee jumping as "good for you, not for me".

Not mad keen on the phrase “choosing a natural birth” - you may choose to aim for a vaginal birth but you don’t get a say in whether you get it or not! I chose to aim for a natural birth first time round, ideally a water birth. I ended up with an EMCS after a failed induction (and huge feelings of failure).

I think people who have straightforward natural deliveries that they feel happy about afterwards are incredibly lucky.

I agree that “natural birth” is seen as the preferable option. But not too natural! If you go for a home birth you’ve gone too far! You have to get it just right to avoid the judgement people like to pile on.

[quote 5zeds]@Sleeplessem I’ve had four births and pain relief was very hard to get in two of them.[/quote]
That sucks @5zeds, was any reason given? I’m guessing from your comment that you were able to get it in the end? So whatever ‘reason’ for making it difficult might have been BS. I hope you complained!

@allfurcoatnoknickers

I had an ELCS and I'm always surprised that people seem to expect me to be upset or ashamed about it. NOPE. I'm lazy and a wuss, so natural birth was never going to be for me. I would have been hyperventilating and begging for an epidural at the first twinge .

However if you want a natural birth then go for it. I file it with Ultramarathons and bungee jumping as "good for you, not for me".

Don’t think an ELCS makes you a wuss! You still grew and birthed a baby. And it’s major surgery. I feel the same way about a CS, too much of a wuss for one x

Choose what you are comfortable with.
If it is not for you, it is not.
It has worked for some for centuries. Baby is wide awake coming into this world. Mother is in full control of her body, which she needs, to know when to push.
But if it is too much for anyone, there are plenty of options so take them.
You never know how it will go, really. Yiu could plan for a home birth, and end up in hospital for your last 4 weeks and aCS section.

I’m guessing from your comment that you were able to get it in the end? too late and ludicrously inadequate. I would have preferred an epidural, as it was unnecessarily painful and both midwives were very aware of my preference they just felt “natural was better”. I can assure it wasn’t and I feel utter contempt for how they behaved. In contrast for my first birth I had a fabulous midwife who I still think of with gratitude.

It wasn’t alright in the end, and it wasn’t for the best and I am not exaggerating or unreasonable. They were shit and should be ashamed of themselves.

It isn't by me. Does it matter. No medals are given out AFAIK. I dreaded forceps though. Didnt happen thank goodness.,

@5zeds

I’m guessing from your comment that you were able to get it in the end? too late and ludicrously inadequate. I would have preferred an epidural, as it was unnecessarily painful and both midwives were very aware of my preference they just felt “natural was better”. I can assure it wasn’t and I feel utter contempt for how they behaved. In contrast for my first birth I had a fabulous midwife who I still think of with gratitude. It wasn’t alright in the end, and it wasn’t for the best and I am not exaggerating or unreasonable. They were shit and should be ashamed of themselves.

Exactly what I mean by obstetric violence, awful! I’m sorry ❤️ Whatever their feelings are should have had no bearing on what is made available to you! Imagine is a Jehovah’s Witness doctor/ nurse denied someone a transfusion based on what they ‘felt was best’. Disgraceful xx

I would have loved to have had a natural birth but after being induced with an oxytocin drip my contractions hit me like a hurricane and I had a very long back to back labour. I couldn't cope with the pain. I'm so thankful for the option of an epidural and I wouldn't have managed without it. Next time I'll try again for a natural birth though.

My baby was a neonatal baby and he was whisked away almost immediately after the birth. He was born at 12:30 and I wasn't allowed to get out of bed until 20:30 due to the epidural so that was 8 long hours of lying there worrying and not able to go down to the neonatal unit to see him.

I think it's glorified because it is the ideal birth. Women have been giving birth for millenia, our bodies are designed for it so it's more allowing the body to get on with what it's designed to do. I'm having my 2nd csection soon and think pain relief is great but still completely understand why 'natural' birth Is preferred.

I've had two very different labours and can confirm that labour experience is just not comparable! It's impossible to know if your pain level for the labour was more, less or the same as the next persons.
My first was horrendous... seemed a constant contraction of pain coming from god knows where and my brain just couldn't comprehend what was happening. I had an epidural it was a failed epidural, although it did help to regulate the contractions a little bit. However, the contractions remained so bad throughout and it was tough.
My second the contractions were very text book (the rise and fall etc) and were so manageable (I wouldn't say I had a good pain threshold). I had gas and air at 9cm. But I'm not a martyr. It just didn't hurt nearly as badly as the first time. I wouldn't know how I could begin to compare with someone else's experience.

I think it's glorified because it is the ideal birth. why do you think this? I mean what is an ideal birth to you that you think “natural” is so much better? The damage that particular idea causes is huge. How many women must die, be damaged psychologically and physically before we stop this idea that natural is best.

All five of mine were natural, including a breech.

I think I was probably lucky with the first in that it was a quick labour and no need to make any 'decisions'.

I think having confidence that, for the majority of women, bodies are designed to do just enough to get through.

For the others, we have a wonderful medical system.

I had my children chiefly in the 90s where natural birth was encouraged and supported.

I think natural is ideal in the sense that most interventions come with some degree of risk and also can prolong recovery time etc. I also think it’s total pot luck whether someone can have a natural birth and not to be seen as a badge of honour (well no more than ALL births should be seen as a badge of honour!).

Medicated / interventions are not a failing, as much as some carry risk they can also be lifesaving and different women may have different tolerances for pain and shouldn’t be denied or shamed for wanting relief. They might also have off the scale pain from inductions, back to back or simply being exhausted or frightened.

I think whatever gets baby out safely is a good birth, with mums mental health intact.

Saying that I do know people that have regretted having things like diamorphine as they weren’t aware that it can slow things down a lot and weren’t aware of things like the cascade of interventions so think as long as people are properly advised on pros and cons they should have what they want. I very nearly had diamorphine but there was no time, I was totally shattered after 4 day stop start labour and I’m certain if Id had it I wouldn’t have had the energy to push myself and would have probably led to a series of interventions. I had an unplanned natural birth due to no time..I’m glad I did as recovery was super quick and I don’t think I’d have been able to do it otherwise but wouldn’t hesitate to ask for relief again for baby 2 if I feel I need it and have time.

I think that the natural birth movement evolved in response to the total lack of control over their birthing experience that western women had had for many years. (think lying on back, don't make a noise, feet in stirrups, etc. etc.)

As PPs have pointed out above, one way over another isn't necessarily better. What is right for one person, won't be right for another. Having a choice is so, so important though.

Of course, as @Muttly says, "A woman’s place is in the wrong", so whatever we choose, it's always wrong according to someone or other.

@CraftyGin do you mean “vaginal birth”, or without pain relief?

I know people whose birth stories are all different and all amazing.
I am incredibly proud of myself for managing a natural birth with no pain relief. However I wasn’t in hospital and wasn’t given an option. Had the midwife realised earlier something was wrong I would have had pain relief and intervention.