Should it be called a “natural” delivery?

[CaptainJason]

I’ve got two DC, my first was an emergency c section and my second was a VBAC, so I’ve had both types of delivery.

I have noticed the use of the phrase “natural birth” or “natural delivery” (one doctor asked if I’d had a “normal delivery”), and I wondered what people think of it.

I personally think it should be referred to as either a c section or a vaginal delivery.

I theoretically understand that a vaginal delivery is “natural” in that it is what nature intended, but I also think if you’ve had any form of intervention at all, “natural” doesn’t seem to fit.

No strong feelings on natural as a term, but 'normal' feels hideously insensitive and I'm sorry that was said to you.

I take your point but there is nothing natural or normal about a C section. The "natural" and "normal" way to have a baby is vaginal.

I think it was a less pearl clutching alternative to "vaginal delivery" for those with a sensitive disposition who couldn't cope with hearing the word vagina 🙄.

@MiseryIn I wouldn’t say it’s “normal” to have a vaginal delivery necessarily; my local hospital has more c sections than vaginal deliveries.

My community midwife called round after my DC was born and told me, “Everyone in the antenatal class had a normal delivery except you.” I don’t know why she felt the need to give me this pointless information.

@WellsAndThistles my mum can’t bring herself to say “vaginal”, so me and SIL have thoroughly enjoyed making her squirm by discussing our vaginas regularly!

Surely medical professionals should be able to say the word vagina!!

Not tge best thing for a community midwife today!

I dont think “normal” does mean “vaginal”, it means a birth where nothing unusual happens.

It was a long time ago and if it was meant to make me feel guilty, it failed!

I had a vaginal delivery and I hate the term "normal" delivery. I generally say my children were born the "conventional route".

I think it depends, I had two natural deliveries, no drugs no interference except the midwife "catching" at the end.

I agree with this. Would say that a C section is not conventional or where instruments / inductions are needed. But as I'm typing that sentence this would not be what 'nature intended' in animals in general, so I guess natural is technically correct?

Depressingly, yes

I think it can only be called natural if there were no interventions at all, no forceps etc. I've had c sections and don't really notice someone referring to it as natural or normal, mainly because having your stomach cut open to yank out a baby is neither normal nor natural 😂 but now I'm thinking about it I don't think forceps or assisted delivery should be called natural either

I had a "natural" delivery and a C section.

They are both perfectly valid ways of having babies

Both are births, not deliveries

I agree - words matter.
Don't think I've heard this from a medical professional, so if some can manage it, why not all?

Fair enough if the mother volunteers the term 'natural' or 'normal', maybe. Within reason, makes sense to use the term as understood by the person they're speaking to.

Completely agree! I just personally refer to my most recent birth as being vaginal, rather than “natural” or “normal”

I would assume if somebody asked if I’d had a “natural birth” I’d think they were asking if baby came out of my vagina (because that’s the route nature intended).
If somebody asked if I had a “normal birth” I’d say absolutely fucking not, it was horrific and I needed a ventouse to get her out 😂

If I’d had a caesarean and somebody asked if I had a normal birth, and it had all gone smoothly and to plan, I’d say yes.

I’ve never had a caesarean (so far… I’m pregnant so who knows what life will bring) but I have found women who have had a caesarean are somewhat defensive over the natural/normal questions because of a constant stream of judgement from shitty people making them feel “less than” for needing intervention.
I needed intervention during my vaginal birth and even explaining that I’ve often had the “oh well I gave birth to my 18lb son with absolutely no drugs and no help, I did it while cooking a Sunday roast for 7 people actually…” 🙄

Id see it as this too.

To me, this is what I'd call a natural delivery too. I'd also add that this means the woman chooses her birthing position, isn't forced to lie down or have unnecessary internal exams.

That's not to say that not natural deliveries aren't important sometimes. I think when doctors ask, they are looking for information that may be relevant to the health of the mother or baby. Knowing if you've had recent surgery, a major blood loss (which can be natural but isn't normal) or other interventions is medically relevant.

PP said words matter. I do agree with this. I gave birth in two hospitals - 1st called the 20w scan the anomaly scan and the other an anatomy scan. First made me feel like they were looking to find faults and the second was a nicer way to phrase that they were looking at the whole anatomy of a baby.

I think of it as a quick way to explain something if I understand what they mean that is as deep as I feel about it, we could think deeply about everything ever said if we really want to but I just cant

My natural birth was induction epidural, hormonal drip and forceps in theatre, and about 18 spectators. Nothing natural about it

That's not a natural birth at all. I had one like that and it was awful. I made sure no-one touched me for the rest. I wouldn't call my forceps birth natural. It was high intervention and caused by preceding interventions. I also wouldn't call it normal, because it's not.