I like what @maureenmce is saying about "an evolving discussion about birth" and terminology specifically in regards to the original post.
This was first brought to my attention from my doula who stated she was trying to move away from saying "natural birth" and instead using "med free" or "intervention free" because all birth is a natural process, regardless of the different paths it can take. This made sense to me and I've been trying to use that terminology as well (I sometimes forget or use whatever terminology is being used in the moment, so don't call me a hypocrite if you see me doing the opposite on other threads please!!).
I do think our society has a correlation between "natural" as "best" in many areas (it's used as a word to advertise a product so people will choose it over what that language would suggest is a non-natural product, for example), so it's only normal for us to have a concious or subconscious association with the word "natural".
Since women feeling empowered to choose what kind of interventions they would and wouldn't like involved in their birth (to the extent of safety) is relatively new, in the grand scheme of things, I think it's important that the terminology is also empowering. If calling an intervention/medication-free birth a natural birth makes another woman feel less than or that her birth is then unnatural (for her own reasons or from my intention), then I'd personally rather use a different, more inclusive term.
Yes, never knew so many women are offended by the term 'natural birth' It is what it is by definition.
That's called ignorance, feel free to educate yourself. Just because it is a definition medically, doesn't mean it's not offensive when put into the context that many people use it in. Like previously stated, the opposite of natural is artificial or unnatural, and in the event you need medical intervention to save your baby's life, you'll feel like garbage when someone throws their "natural" birth in your face.
Excuse me. I did "feel free to educate myself." I think it was very unnecessary for you to belittle me. All I said was that I never knew that so many were offended by the term. How does that make me ignorant? I never once said that others should not be offended. This is obviously a touchy subject for you.
Just throwing in my two cents for what it's worth. I've avoided completely the use of the term "natural birth" because honestly I didn't understand what it meant and assumed others didn't as well. It could mean vaginal birth, med-free, etc. Who knows.
For me, when I get asked (and I do often because I'm having twins) my options are either c-section or vaginal birth. It's nobody's business if my vaginal birth is intervention free or not. I like to keep things neutral, and it's a bonus when someone gets weirded out by the term "vaginal." Serves them right for asking!
I will be having a unnatural medicated birth because I am high risk due to having type 1 diabetes. That is how it is for me. If you have a problem with how I am having my baby, please ignore me. I support my team of doctors 100% in the medically necessary choices they make so I will only defend them.
Birth shaming is something we need to stop. You are not in the other person's shoes and you also have no idea the exact circumstances of how they are giving birth. That's my opinion on the matter.
Medicine has already saved and will save my baby's life, so thank heaven for "unnatural" birth methods.
I'm not really offended by the phrase "natural birth", but I do think it's inaccurate. Birth is a natural process, regardless of the medical interventions involved. I understand there is a specific definition that goes along with it. But the phrase is so non-specific we really need better terminology to discuss things. Med-free clearly tells others what you mean. "Natural" is just a catch-phrase for all the health posts on my Facebook wall.
I had a natural, pain med free, unassisted vaginal birth with my son. In no way is that statement meant to offend anyone but sadly I'm sure it does. I don't judge mothers who have any experience that is different from mine. Your experience is yours, just as my experience belongs solely to my son, my husband and myself.
I really don't understand why people are offended by my description of my birth experience. I am not implying anything about yours. You gave birth to your child in the way that you felt was best for your family as did I. I am in no way implying that my experience was better than yours and I'm sorry if you interpret it that way.
I chose a "natural" birth for many reasons. My very first experience with this was through my Mom, for whom I have so much respect for so many reasons. She delivered her first three babies naturally and had the third via emergency c-section. I figured if she could do it so could I. She and my Dad took the Bradley class over 30 years ago and they still light up when they talk about it because it was such a positive experience for them and their marriage. I wanted that strength also.
Of course as an adult I wanted to make an educated decision that was right for myself and my husband, not just because it is what my parents did. So I when I became pregnant I did my research, tons of research on the matter. After that I chose the method of childbirth that felt right to me and sought to do all that I could to ensure that I had the best experience possible. I chose an ob who is highly respected in our area and whom I trusted implicitly. I took the Bradley classes and prepared as best as I could at home with my husband. Not only did I know what to expect with my chosen method but I also knew what to expect if things didn't go according to my plan ("You want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans") ie, medicated, c-section, ect.
I also chose this method of childbirth out of fear. Fear of the cascade of interventions that are more likely to happen with an epidural, fear of having to be induced (pitocin contractions are said to be more painful), fear of surgery (aside from oral surgery I've been fortunate to not need surgery before), fear of the recovery from said surgery.
My biggest motivation, however was my son. He was born at 32w2d and while I was in labor I knew that the road ahead would be not be easy for him. He would need to stay in the NICU for who knows how long. It was uncertain what sort of interventions he would need. Deep down I feared he might not make it even though I was told his odds of survival were good. I didn't want to be recovering from major surgery when he needed me the most. I didn't want any medication in my body that might hinder breastmilk production as I knew that was one of the few things I could do for him. So for all of those reasons I chose to continue with my plan for a natural childbirth. Of course I knew that if he or I showed signs of distress we'd be rushed to the or. If a csection was best for him then it was best for me too.
This is my story and in no way is it meant to reflect on you and I definitely don't intend to judge anyone whose story is or will be different from mine.
Edited to say, sorry for the novel and thanks for reading if you made it through.
I would like to point out that women choosing pain medication and/or labor augmentation (pitocin etc) are not some kind of persecuted minority. In either of the two hospitals I could deliver in over 90% of women go down that route. Women wanting natural childbirth are the ones who have to fight for their rights, and fight hard, to be ‘allowed’ to do things naturally. Setting up more roadblocks, taking away more of our language, is harmful to us, and it limits everyone’s choices.
Telling women that getting pitocin and an epidural is exactly the same as not getting these things is ludicrous. All interventions have positives and negatives (please notice I said positives) and by acting like they don’t many women don’t know to ask or read about these things.
Every thread I read where someone asks about options or experiences with natural childbirth, she is answered with hateful and patronizing comments about using the word natural, as are many of the people who respond with positive stories about their own natural childbirth. We are not allowed to use the word empowered for our birth experiences, not allowed to discuss known medical complications of interventions (even if we also bring up the positives of the interventions) and not allowed to be proud of the choices we made, all because they are different from what the majority is doing.
To act like these things don’t have an impact on childbirth choices is simply untrue. In the USA the rate of medicated deliveries nears 90%, c-section rate is well over 30% (it is 50% at my nearest hospital) and the regulations about what is allowed keep getting stricter. I want no say in how you have your baby, my only wish is that you have all the information and options that you want. I wish you all felt the same about mine.
All childbirth is beautiful and wonderful and all babies born healthy are a miracle, and all the ones who need help are even more so. I don’t think anyone reading anything I have ever written could doubt for a second that I think that. Good luck to all in whatever choices you make, wishing you the healthiest and happiest deliveries and babies!
Can you at least stop using the term "us", you do not speak for all women, only yourself.
Edited to add: I have had no push back or issues from anyone, medical staff or anyone else for that matter, no one has criticized anything I have said about the birth that I am "hoping" to have. I think a lot of it has to do with the language I use when I respond to questions. The description of "natural" does come off as "better" and since you clearly know this it just seems you are even more stuck up by continuing to use it.
But you are who you are, and you're going to do what you're going to do. Enjoy your terminology but don't act like you're confused when people get agitated by the use of it when they have explained (pretty clearly to me) why they do.
Oh good lord. @enkb - no one has ever said people who opt for a medicated birth are a persecuted minority, no one has ever said there is no difference between a medicated and unmedicated birth, and no one wants you to change a single thing about your birth plan (or anyone else's!) The only thing, again the ONLY thing people are objecting to is the terminology of the word natural vs medication free. Please don't make this into something it's not.
This thread just went from ludicrous to enfuriating. Just because you are choosing to go the nature route in no way makes you prosecuted for your choices. Yes with today's medical advances and such it is less common, but in no way does that make you prosecuted. Do not insinuate that you are because of your choices. Those women who have medicated births or csections are not setting up roadblocks or limiting your choices, they are simply choosing what is right for them as you are for you.
I have never seen anyone on here ridiculed for their birth plans. Each woman does whatever they need to in order to have their baby.
It's time to let this go, continue with your beliefs and allow others to do the same, and do whatever is right for you in your birthing plan.
For Serious! The reason @enkb that you are getting push back from so many people is not because you choose the "natural" route, it's because the way you come across is high and mighty and as if your choices are superior to those women who do not choose that way.
You do realize that many women go into labour "planning" on an intervention free birth, but are denied it because of many many reasons that can get in the way it complicate things that no one has control over, right?
Have you ever considered that by belittling woman who tell a medicated birth story, you may just be pushing women who are upset with themselves for not achieving their "planned" birth, further in their own disappointment? You may say you are not doing this or that belittling is not your intention, but all of the pushback to your comments should tell you that the way you come across. I think the point here is you need to stop acting as though anyone choice is better than another. And remember that we have no idea what really goes on in the lives of other people. Not everyone gets their ideal birth plan, and not every woman feels it important to them to have an intervention free delivery. Who are any of us to judge, or suggest our way is more correct?
"The term "natural childbirth" was coined by obstetrician Grantly Dick-Read upon publication of his book Natural Childbirth in the 1930s, which was followed by the 1942 Childbirth Without Fear."
For those that don't like the term "natural childbirth" take it up with him.
Re: Definition of Natural and Natural Childbirth
This was first brought to my attention from my doula who stated she was trying to move away from saying "natural birth" and instead using "med free" or "intervention free" because all birth is a natural process, regardless of the different paths it can take. This made sense to me and I've been trying to use that terminology as well (I sometimes forget or use whatever terminology is being used in the moment, so don't call me a hypocrite if you see me doing the opposite on other threads please!!).
I do think our society has a correlation between "natural" as "best" in many areas (it's used as a word to advertise a product so people will choose it over what that language would suggest is a non-natural product, for example), so it's only normal for us to have a concious or subconscious association with the word "natural".
Since women feeling empowered to choose what kind of interventions they would and wouldn't like involved in their birth (to the extent of safety) is relatively new, in the grand scheme of things, I think it's important that the terminology is also empowering. If calling an intervention/medication-free birth a natural birth makes another woman feel less than or that her birth is then unnatural (for her own reasons or from my intention), then I'd personally rather use a different, more inclusive term.
For me, when I get asked (and I do often because I'm having twins) my options are either c-section or vaginal birth. It's nobody's business if my vaginal birth is intervention free or not. I like to keep things neutral, and it's a bonus when someone gets weirded out by the term "vaginal." Serves them right for asking!
Birth shaming is something we need to stop. You are not in the other person's shoes and you also have no idea the exact circumstances of how they are giving birth. That's my opinion on the matter.
Waxing eloquent about natural vs unnatural is not going to make anyone go OMG you are totes right!
We are all having babies. Who cares how anyone does it or what they call it as long as baby gets here safely and mom is okay.
I'm having a baby and no one but me, my vagina, doctor, and DH need to know the details.
I'm not really offended by the phrase "natural birth", but I do think it's inaccurate. Birth is a natural process, regardless of the medical interventions involved. I understand there is a specific definition that goes along with it. But the phrase is so non-specific we really need better terminology to discuss things. Med-free clearly tells others what you mean. "Natural" is just a catch-phrase for all the health posts on my Facebook wall.
I really don't understand why people are offended by my description of my birth experience. I am not implying anything about yours. You gave birth to your child in the way that you felt was best for your family as did I. I am in no way implying that my experience was better than yours and I'm sorry if you interpret it that way.
I chose a "natural" birth for many reasons. My very first experience with this was through my Mom, for whom I have so much respect for so many reasons. She delivered her first three babies naturally and had the third via emergency c-section. I figured if she could do it so could I. She and my Dad took the Bradley class over 30 years ago and they still light up when they talk about it because it was such a positive experience for them and their marriage. I wanted that strength also.
Of course as an adult I wanted to make an educated decision that was right for myself and my husband, not just because it is what my parents did. So I when I became pregnant I did my research, tons of research on the matter. After that I chose the method of childbirth that felt right to me and sought to do all that I could to ensure that I had the best experience possible. I chose an ob who is highly respected in our area and whom I trusted implicitly. I took the Bradley classes and prepared as best as I could at home with my husband. Not only did I know what to expect with my chosen method but I also knew what to expect if things didn't go according to my plan ("You want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans") ie, medicated, c-section, ect.
I also chose this method of childbirth out of fear. Fear of the cascade of interventions that are more likely to happen with an epidural, fear of having to be induced (pitocin contractions are said to be more painful), fear of surgery (aside from oral surgery I've been fortunate to not need surgery before), fear of the recovery from said surgery.
My biggest motivation, however was my son. He was born at 32w2d and while I was in labor I knew that the road ahead would be not be easy for him. He would need to stay in the NICU for who knows how long. It was uncertain what sort of interventions he would need. Deep down I feared he might not make it even though I was told his odds of survival were good. I didn't want to be recovering from major surgery when he needed me the most. I didn't want any medication in my body that might hinder breastmilk production as I knew that was one of the few things I could do for him. So for all of those reasons I chose to continue with my plan for a natural childbirth. Of course I knew that if he or I showed signs of distress we'd be rushed to the or. If a csection was best for him then it was best for me too.
This is my story and in no way is it meant to reflect on you and I definitely don't intend to judge anyone whose story is or will be different from mine.
Edited to say, sorry for the novel and thanks for reading if you made it through.
I would like to point out that women choosing pain medication and/or labor augmentation (pitocin etc) are not some kind of persecuted minority. In either of the two hospitals I could deliver in over 90% of women go down that route. Women wanting natural childbirth are the ones who have to fight for their rights, and fight hard, to be ‘allowed’ to do things naturally. Setting up more roadblocks, taking away more of our language, is harmful to us, and it limits everyone’s choices.
Telling women that getting pitocin and an epidural is exactly the same as not getting these things is ludicrous. All interventions have positives and negatives (please notice I said positives) and by acting like they don’t many women don’t know to ask or read about these things.
Every thread I read where someone asks about options or experiences with natural childbirth, she is answered with hateful and patronizing comments about using the word natural, as are many of the people who respond with positive stories about their own natural childbirth. We are not allowed to use the word empowered for our birth experiences, not allowed to discuss known medical complications of interventions (even if we also bring up the positives of the interventions) and not allowed to be proud of the choices we made, all because they are different from what the majority is doing.
To act like these things don’t have an impact on childbirth choices is simply untrue. In the USA the rate of medicated deliveries nears 90%, c-section rate is well over 30% (it is 50% at my nearest hospital) and the regulations about what is allowed keep getting stricter. I want no say in how you have your baby, my only wish is that you have all the information and options that you want. I wish you all felt the same about mine.
All childbirth is beautiful and wonderful and all babies born healthy are a miracle, and all the ones who need help are even more so. I don’t think anyone reading anything I have ever written could doubt for a second that I think that. Good luck to all in whatever choices you make, wishing you the healthiest and happiest deliveries and babies!
I have never seen anyone on here ridiculed for their birth plans. Each woman does whatever they need to in order to have their baby.
It's time to let this go, continue with your beliefs and allow others to do the same, and do whatever is right for you in your birthing plan.
You do realize that many women go into labour "planning" on an intervention free birth, but are denied it because of many many reasons that can get in the way it complicate things that no one has control over, right?
Have you ever considered that by belittling woman who tell a medicated birth story, you may just be pushing women who are upset with themselves for not achieving their "planned" birth, further in their own disappointment? You may say you are not doing this or that belittling is not your intention, but all of the pushback to your comments should tell you that the way you come across. I think the point here is you need to stop acting as though anyone choice is better than another. And remember that we have no idea what really goes on in the lives of other people. Not everyone gets their ideal birth plan, and not every woman feels it important to them to have an intervention free delivery. Who are any of us to judge, or suggest our way is more correct?
DD - January 2016
"The term "natural childbirth" was coined by obstetrician Grantly Dick-Read upon publication of his book Natural Childbirth in the 1930s, which was followed by the 1942 Childbirth Without Fear."
For those that don't like the term "natural childbirth" take it up with him.