Natural childbirth
From Free net encyclopedia
Natural childbirth is a childbirth philosophy that attempts to minimize medical intervention, particularly the use of anaesthetic medications and surgical interventions such as episiotomies, forceps and ventouse deliveries and caesarean sections.
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Risks of anesthetic and other interventions
Proponents of natural childbirth note that anaesthetics may increase the likelihood of complications, because labor may be slowed or the woman may not be able to adequately direct her body to push properly during final delivery Template:Ref. Medications given during labor may cross the placenta and affect the fetus, and it has been shown that pain medication can affect the feeding behavior of the newborn Template:Ref and reduce the chances of successful breastfeeding.
A natural birth also increases the probability of a healthier postpartum period and an easier recovery. This is because a woman who has given birth with minimal intervention does not have to recover from major abdominal surgery (caesarean section), instrumental delivery (by forceps or ventouse), episiotomy, bruises from IV lines, or backache (a possible and well-documented side effect of epidural anesthesia). Natural childbirth tries to minimize such interventions in the normal course of childbirth.
Alternatives to anesthetic
Pain management techniques other than medication include hydrotherapy, massage, relaxation therapy, hypnosis and deep breathing.
Psychological benefits
Many women consider natural birth empowering. A woman who is allowed to labor as she instinctively wants to is a woman who will likely be empowered by her birth experience (see citations 1, 2, and 3). ATemplate:Ref Template:Ref, Template:Ref Her baby is more able to be alert and placed on her skin (promoting maternal bonding) and breastfeeding is more likely to be successful.Template:Ref Template:Ref Template:Ref
Preparation
The Lamaze, Bradley Method and Calm Birth (in Australia) are popular systems to help parents-to-be prepare for the birth process in general, and emphasize natural birth in particular.
Criticism
Though some have portrayed natural birth as merely a "technique," or even "martyrdom," advocates dispute this characterization. Some have also criticized natural childbirth as a fad, and point out that medical advances have significantly decreased the incidence of maternal death during childbirth and infant mortality. This last point fails to consider that maternal and child deaths in the past were caused mostly by poor nutrition and hygiene, and that the dramatic improvement in maternal and child health has not been caused by the medicalization of birth, but by improved nutrition and medicine's understanding of the germ theory of disease. In Western Countries where medicalization of birth is greatest, there has been a gradual increase in maternal and infant morbidity and mortality as interventions in birth, such as caesarean sections, have increased.
References
- Template:Note Simkin, P. (1992) "Just another day in a woman's life? Nature and consistency of women's long term memories of their first birth experience." Birth 19:64-81.
- Template:NoteHodnett, E. (2002) "Pain and women's satisfaction with the experience of birth: A systematic review."American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 186, no 5:s160. PMID 12011880
- Template:NoteKnapp, L. (1996) "Childbirth satisfaction: the effect of internality and perceived control." Journal of Perinatal Education 5:7-15.
- Template:NoteWorld Health Organization Department of Reproductive Health and Research. (1999) "Care in Normal Birth: A Practical Guide" Geneva: World Health Organization, 3.
- Template:NoteLieberman, E. and C. O'Donoghue (2002) "Unintended effects of epidural analgesia during labor: a systematic review." Supplement to American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 186, no. 5s31-s68.PMID 12011872
- Template:NoteSakala, C., M. Corry, and H. Goer. (2004) Vaginal Birth and Cesarean Birth: How Do the Risks Compare? New York: Maternity Center Association. Full report available at [1]
- Template:Note Anderson, G., et al. (2000) "Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants." The Cochrane Library 3. Oxford: Updating Software.
- Template:NoteUvnas-Moberg, K. (1998) "Oxytocin may mediate the benefits of positive social interactions and emotions." Psychoneuroendocrinology 23, no. 8:819-38
- Template:Note Vernon, D (2005) Having a Great Birth in Australia, Australian College of Midwives
- Template:NoteRighard, L. and M. Alade. (1990) "Effect of delivery room routines on success of first breastfeed." Lancet 336, no. 8723:1105-107.
- Template:NoteRansjö-Arvidson A.B., Matthiesen, A., et al. (2001) "Maternal analgesia during labor disturbs newborn behavior: Effects on breastfeeding, temperature, and crying." Birth 28, no. 1:5-12. PMID 11264622