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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 . 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 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 , Bruise s 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). A , Her baby is more able to be alert and placed on her skin (promoting Maternal Bond ing) and breastfeeding is more likely to be successful. 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 Section s, have increased. REFERENCES |
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