UO natural vs unmedicated

OliveMom3 · July 2013

For some reason it bugs me when people say natural birth when they are talking about an unmedicated birth. Am I wrong to think or the only one that thinks that you can have pain meds and that the birthing process is still natural? Back in the day I'm sure at least some women took or used other types of pain relief techniques and I doubt it was considered any less natural.

I'm a ftm leaning towards an unmedicated birth but will play it by ear, for what it's worth.

llybeck · July 2013

I plan on going unmedicated as well, FTM, and I completely agree about the terminology. It makes it sound like getting an epi or other meds is a really negative thing or that med free is the 'right' way. I feel like whatever is best for mom and baby is what is right and it's a totally personal choice.

But yes, that term just rubs me the wrong way too when talking about med free.

ravenclaw1 · July 2013

Loppy19:
I tend to say medfree, but I don't think people who say "natural" mean anything against people who use epidurals, are induced, or have csections.

yep. this.

Habs2Hart · July 2013

madeline10L:
My opinion.
Unmedicated birth = natural birth
Medicated birth = medicated birth
No way is "better" than the other, but they are different to me.

This exactly. Since medication isn't "natural", it's not a natural birth. It's not a bash on those who choose medicated births, it just isn't natural. There are pain relief things out there that are natural and have no medicinal ingredients in them or methods of coping with pain that are still natural.

Burrberrymum · July 2013

I believe once you have pain meds whether its the Demerol gravol or the epi or whatever is decided, it is then considered a Vaginal Birth and not natural birth because there is something intervening with the birth. Does not mean one method is better then the other ofcourse.

Habs2Hart · July 2013

I don't think I've ever heard of a medicated birth being called an "unnatural birth" though...

missmuffin87 · July 2013

It's just that people have been saying "natural" to mean med-free for a long time. I don't think anyone means anything hurtful by it, but the terminology is becoming outdated. It is more sensitive and respectful to say med-free.

EMLYNNLERETTE · July 2013

I don't think using medication is natural. If you choose to have a medicated vaginal birth, that is what it is IMO. If you are having a 'natural birth' and don't say with medication, I assume med free. You don't have meds in nature.

disneyfan0511 · July 2013

missmuffin87:
It's just that people have been saying "natural" to mean med-free for a long time. I don't think anyone means anything hurtful by it, but the terminology is becoming outdated. It is more sensitive and respectful to say med-free.

Agreed.

EMLYNNLERETTE · July 2013

missmuffin87:
It's just that people have been saying "natural" to mean medfree for a long time. I don't think anyone means anything hurtful by it, but the terminology is becoming outdated. It is more sensitive and respectful to say medfree.nbsp;

I don't know why anyone would be offended by calling it what it is. If someone had a csection, like the PP, it does not mean her labor isn't valid, it just was not natural. It's like arguing with someone that skim milk is the same as whole milk. Both are milk, yes, but they are certainly not the same.

mrssamarataylor · July 2013

EMLYNNLERETTE:
I don't think using medication is natural. If you choose to have a medicated vaginal birth, that is what it is IMO. If you are having a 'natural birth' and don't say with medication, I assume med free. You don't have meds in nature.

This exactly!

Mmamax2 · July 2013

I've just used vaginal birth or csection when referring to it. I think any women that is able to go through "medfree" is a trouper but I don't think getting an Epi or any kind of meds is not natural because in my case I wanted to go med free with my first but was unable to because I had group b strep and had to have pennicylan don't think I spelled that right, and ended up opting for an Epi but IMO I still went natural

foxyroxy · July 2013

I get where you are coming from. I find it interesting (but not hurtful) that natural has become equated with unmedicated. There isn't anything inherently natural about being in a hospital, IVs, fetal monitors, and a lot of other modern birth procedures, but somehow you can avail yourself of all of those things and still have a "natural" birth. The line seems to be drawn at medication. Would it be different if it were a drug found in nature? Can I get high and have a natural birth?

Like I said, this isn't anything I find hurtful and I don't think (most) people mean it in a pejorative way, but it is intriguing to me.

missmuffin87 · July 2013

EMLYNNLERETTE:
missmuffin87:
It's just that people have been saying "natural" to mean medfree for a long time. I don't think anyone means anything hurtful by it, but the terminology is becoming outdated. It is more sensitive and respectful to say medfree.nbsp;
I don't know why anyone would be offended by calling it what it is. If someone had a csection, like the PP, it does not mean her labor isn't valid, it just was not natural. It's like arguing with someone that skim milk is the same as whole milk. Both are milk, yes, but they are certainly not the same.

that totally makes sense, but I feel like because I've only had a med-free delivery I don't know what it's like to be on the other side, so it's not my place to tell someone else that her birth wasn't natural. It's all semantics, so I just try to ere on the side of caution. I certainly don't want to offend anyone or make them feel like their birth experience was any less just with my choice of words.

AshleyPT · July 2013

foxyroxy:
Would it be different if it were a drug found in nature? Can I get high and have a natural birth?

I couldn't care less about the terms and I certainly don't go around censoring what I say or worrying about how other people refer to it.

I do, however, think this is the best idea ever maybe.

Habs2Hart · July 2013

When it all comes down to it, birth is birth. The rest is just details.

mrssamarataylor · July 2013

I don't think that anyone should feel irked or offended by the use of the term natural birth vs medicated. (I honestly don't like the term 'tradition' it almost implies that modern birth means to be medicated and have interventions). Naturally letting your body birth, naturally working with the pain of birth to deliver is natural. When you add medications and interventions it is going against what your body is naturally doing. I wouldn't consider medicated birth natural, especially if you can't even feel labor. But that is just my personal opinion. It is not devaluing anyone's birth experience. What matters is we have a choice now in our birthing experiences!

foxyroxy · July 2013

AshleyPT:
foxyroxy:
Would it be different if it were a drug found in nature? Can I get high and have a natural birth?

I couldn't care less about the terms and I certainly don't go around censoring what I say or worrying about how other people refer to it.
I do, however, think this is the best idea ever maybe.

I highly doubt I'll go with an epi, but if this were an actual option? Hmmmm...

CutieBean79 · July 2013

On the bump I tend to say med-free just to be clear (even though technically I mean pain med-free because someone who needs antibiotics or clotting agent, etc. still falls into my umbrella). IRL, people assume natural = vaginal. After DD, people would ask me if I had her naturally and they meant "not a c-section". I think they just didn't want to say "vaginal", lol. I always clarified that I thankfully did not need a c-section, but I happily took the drugs.

bexsd · July 2013

I don't know if we even want to get into it from the philosophical side, but the nature/man-made dichotomy is a really problematic one anyway.

CutieBean79 · July 2013

AshleyPT:
foxyroxy:
Would it be different if it were a drug found in nature? Can I get high and have a natural birth?

I couldn't care less about the terms and I certainly don't go around censoring what I say or worrying about how other people refer to it.
I do, however, think this is the best idea ever maybe.

All I can think about is having a severe case of munchies between contractions. My poor DH would be inundated with demands, lol.

OliveMom3 · July 2013

EMLYNNLERETTE:
I don't think using medication is natural. If you choose to have a medicated vaginal birth, that is what it is IMO. If you are having a 'natural birth' and don't say with medication, I assume med free. You don't have meds in nature.

There are TONS of "meds" in nature. Care to reword that last statement?

Have you used a Doppler to hear the heart beat? Is that found in nature? Have you had an ultrasound? I haven't come across a ultrasound machine during my canoe trips recently. Meds however are found everywhere in nature. Think penicillin. It's was found in mold on bread. Think aspirin which is derived from Willow trees.

Also I should specify that I'm not offended by the senantics it just rubs me the wrong way. The general impression in modern age is that natural is better than unnatural. I just don't love the implication.

redfallon · July 2013

I think people think way too much on different terms in general. I don't care about someone using the term natural birth. Generally I take that to mean without pain meds when people say it, but I also think people get their panties in a wad and way too sensitive about using the term or not, much like a lot of other things these days.

OliveMom3 · July 2013

auroraloo:
EMLYNNLERETTE:
I don't think using medication is natural. If you choose to have a medicated vaginal birth, that is what it is IMO. If you are having a 'natural birth' and don't say with medication, I assume med free. You don't have meds in nature.
There are so many things wrong with this. There are MANY medicinal plants and things found in nature.
I hate the term natural birth because of what someone else said. It implies that people who have a medicated birth for whatever reason, c/s, epi, etc, had an unnatural birth. And they didn't. It's natural to do whatever YOU need to do to birth a healthy baby.
Unless that baby comes out your mouth, it's a natural birth. 

Love this! Auroraloo, I'm with you.

A37licia · July 2013

The traditional use of the word natural to refer to childbirth does indicate no meds and little use of other interventions. You're talking about a vaginal birth vs surgical birth.

Nukke · July 2013

For me, natural birth is one that's unmedicated and without interventions.

For example, either you're relying on the hormones produced naturally by your own body, or your labour is progressed by use of synthetic hormones that mimic the natural ones produced by your body. One chemical is naturally produced by you, the other is introduced from an outside source.

I think if someone gets into a huff about having her medicated birth dubbed "unnatural" it's probably because the person saying it was being an a$$. There are plenty of high and mighty ladies out there who look down on medicated birth experiences, interventions and cesarians as less than ideal, less than natural, and less than 'best for baby and mum'. Yes, it's definitely something to be proud of if you managed to birth without drugs or interventions, but you're no better than a mum who needed to make a different decision for herself or her child/ren.

So I suppose I don't mind the terms "natural" birth, but I don't like it when it's used to put down someone who chose to birth another way.

VitaLuna · July 2013

While I understand where you're coming from, I always assume people mean med free when they use the term "natural birth".

In my mind, natural is the same as med free, plain "vaginal" is medicated, and c section is CS.

OliveMom3 · July 2013

auroraloo:
A37licia:
The traditional use of the word natural to refer to childbirth does indicate no meds and little use of other interventions. You're talking about a vaginal birth vs surgical birth.
The traditional meaning of the word "gay" was happy. Traditional is not a great argument.

Auroraloo, you are two for two!!!

redfallon · July 2013

laurelannie:
I don't mind either term, there's a flipping board on this site titled Natural Birth, and obviously they meant it to mean unmedicated. I honestly find it a little annoying to see women corrected when they use the term natural, but it's totally a term I avoid here because if I do the resulting conversation ends up straying from whatever the point of my comment or post intended.

Yes

Cleo421 · July 2013

I had always thought natural mean vaginal before joining TB.

I agree with auroraloo's reasoning. That being said, I'm having an epi and perhaps a c section since I'm carrying twins and I don't really care about the semantics or terminology of it. It doesn't offend me at all.

That being said, I do get annoyed when ppl ask me if my twins are natural. That I find truly ignorant, so i imagine that's what others feel like who take offense at the natural birth comments.

EMLYNNLERETTE · July 2013

OliveMom3:
auroraloo:
EMLYNNLERETTE:
I don't think using medication is natural. If you choose to have a medicated vaginal birth, that is what it is IMO. If you are having a 'natural birth' and don't say with medication, I assume med free. You don't have meds in nature.
There are so many things wrong with this. There are MANY medicinal plants and things found in nature.
I hate the term natural birth because of what someone else said. It implies that people who have a medicated birth for whatever reason, c/s, epi, etc, had an unnatural birth. And they didn't. It's natural to do whatever YOU need to do to birth a healthy baby.
Unless that baby comes out your mouth, it's a natural birth. 

Love this! Auroraloo, I'm with you.

I have you both in this so you both see I am addressing you. No, I don't feel the need to revoke my last statement. I think you both are aware that I am also aware that there are medicines found in nature. However, those were NOT the medications that were being discussed, and even if they were, it still would NOT be natural to use them. It has nothing to do with whether the medications are derived from nature or a lab. Natural birth, if you really want me to spell it out in my opinion, is not having any interventions at all but listening to your body and going with it. So for you ladies fond of the herb, sorry but it wouldn't cut it in my book. But maybe I will let it slip if my midwife were to allow it!!!

AshleyPT · July 2013

auroraloo:
A37licia:
The traditional use of the word natural to refer to childbirth does indicate no meds and little use of other interventions. You're talking about a vaginal birth vs surgical birth.
The traditional meaning of the word "gay" was happy. Traditional is not a great argument.

Sheesh

coraggiosa · July 2013

laurelannie:
I don't mind either term, there's a flipping board on this site titled Natural Birth, and obviously they meant it to mean unmedicated. I honestly find it a little annoying to see women corrected when they use the term natural, but it's totally a term I avoid here because if I do the resulting conversation ends up straying from whatever the point of my comment or post intended.

I tend to use the word unmedicated/med free on here as well, since I've seen people get up in arms about it.

I honestly think it's just semantics. If I use the words natural birth, I'm not saying it to denigrate other birth experiences. The term natural birth has long been accepted as meaning vaginal birth without pain medication, at least from my understanding.

Regardless, I honestly think people get their panties into a twist over something that isn't really meant to offend. I know there are people who sit up on their high horse about going med free, but I honestly don't think that just using the words "natural birth" is offensive in some way.

coraggiosa · July 2013

Nicoleashlee26:
This got a bit interesting. As I saw someone mention earlier I don't get offended by the term natural birth, med free, or whatever the baby has to get here somehow. It is only irritating when someone ask me if I had a natural birth or a c section and the disappointed look I get when I say c section.

I understand being upset if someone got a look on their face. If someone told me they had a c-section, I'd feel for them because I'd be concerned that their birth experience was traumatic in some way. That being said, I don't see any forms of birth as "less" than any other kind. We all do what we have to do to bring our children into this world, and I don't fault any woman for the way it turns out for her.

OliveMom3 · July 2013

Nicoleashlee26:
This got a bit interesting.

As I saw someone mention earlier I don't get offended by the term natural birth, med free, or whatever the baby has to get here somehow. It is only irritating when someone ask me if I had a natural birth or a c section and the disappointed look I get when I say c section.

Yes! This did get interesting. Thanks for everyone's input. For the record, I'm not offended by the term, I just think it's inaccurate and the connotation bugs mr. Also, since people have brought up my panties, just thought I would let you know that they are currently not knotted. In fact they are a cute pink leopard print, and on correctly, not even inside out, if you really want to know! ::: mobile smiley:::

SweetPeaK26 · July 2013

Well, IMO. Having a period is natural. It's your body doing something nature intends it to do. My choosing to take some medication doesn't make the process of having a period any differently. Same with birth. Nature intends a baby to come out of my vagina. If I choose to be more comfortable while that happens, it still doesn't change how that baby actually comes out of me

I do not call my first a natural delivery , because she was vacuum delivered. However, I call my second a medicated natural delivery :even though the epi fell out and technically by the end I was unmedicated:

JocelynB0911 · July 2013

For me both a medicated birth and a non medicated birth are both natural. You pushed the baby out of your vagina in the end.

Its a long the same lines as exclusively breastfeeding vs exclusively pumping. You are still giving the baby breast milk therefore still breastfeeding.

blonde151188 · July 2013

This is something that always annoys the he!! out of me about my own mother.

She's always gone around with her nose held high claiming she had an all natural med free birth, and always tried to make me feel bad for having epidurals. Come to find out, during labor she got stadol, and before she pushed, the dr numbed her entire arse so she didn't feel anything. There's nothing natural about that.

EMLYNNLERETTE · July 2013

auroraloo:
AshleyPT:
auroraloo:
A37licia:
The traditional use of the word natural to refer to childbirth does indicate no meds and little use of interventions. You're talking about a vaginal birth vs surgical birth.
The traditional meaning of the word "gay" was happy. Traditional is not a great argument.
Sheesh 
eh. I'm not saying she can't argue, but words evolve, and I get annoyed in any discussion when people say something along those lines. If you truly look at the history of some words, they had very different "traditional" meanings. To me, it isn't a valid argument. c**t would be an example of a word with a non-threatening history, doesn't mean I want people to start using it in conversation.

Out of curiosity, is there any conversation that does not annoy you aurora?

JocelynB0911 · July 2013

EMLYNNLERETTE:
auroraloo:
AshleyPT:
auroraloo:
A37licia:
The traditional use of the word natural to refer to childbirth does indicate no meds and little use of interventions. You're talking about a vaginal birth vs surgical birth.
The traditional meaning of the word "gay" was happy. Traditional is not a great argument.
Sheesh
eh. I'm not saying she can't argue, but words evolve, and I get annoyed in any discussion when people say something along those lines. If you truly look at the history of some words, they had very different "traditional" meanings. To me, it isn't a valid argument. c**t would be an example of a word with a non-threatening history, doesn't mean I want people to start using it in conversation.
Out of curiosity, is there any conversation that does not annoy you aurora?

OliveMom3 · July 2013

Out of curiosity, is there any conversation that does not annoy you aurora?

Lol!!! This is awesome!!! Thanks for sharing JB!

UO natural vs unmedicated

Re: UO natural vs unmedicated

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