Unassisted Childbirth

There is a slow but steadily growing number of women who are choosing to give birth without the attendance of professionals. Unassisted childbirth is a a planned birth that happens without the assistance of professionals, but most unassisted birthers have their husbands present, and some like to have their children, mother, or friends join them also. Women who give birth unassisted describe birth as empowering, spiritual, rewarding, wonderful, and beautiful. Birth usually happens quickly, safely, and some would describe their births as painless.

When the baby is born, he is gently welcomed into the mother or father's loving arms. He usually breathes well on his own without suctioning. Breastfeeding is initialized soon after the birth. Weighing and measuring is delayed so that the baby can adjust to the outside world.

Most women who choose to birth unassisted are well educated. They are familiar with the patterns of labor and birth, and most take excellent care nutrition wise to reduce risks of complications. Many join lists specifically dedicated to unassisted birth where they can exchange information and ideas about labor and birth, nutrition, what to do if a complication arises, herbs, and more. Women have had unassisted births with twins, breaches, and vbacs successfully and safely.

Unassisted birthers view childbirth as natural and normal part of life and being a woman. Pregnancy and childbirth is not a disease and should not be treated as such. Interventions can obstruct the natural flow of labor and birth and in turn endanger the mother and baby. Doctors are not trained to simply stand by and watch. They "act" and they "perform" and "save". Childbirth happens so perfectly without assistance (except for a few cases, an estimated 5%) so the doctor must create his own rituals and interventions in order to be a part of the process. If he does not, he has "not done his job". Many women who give birth unassisted feel that birth is a private and sacred event in the same way that conceiving the child was.

Some unassisted birthers have prenatal care. Some do not. Everything that happens in a normal prenatal visit is easy for a mother to do herself; test her urine for glucose and protein, weigh herself, measure her growing belly, and listen to the heartbeat with a stethoscope. All this is easy to learn.

Some women do not weigh, measure, or test themselves. They conclude that a moving baby and a healthy body is enough reassurance that baby is doing well. After all, it is not the testing, measuring, and weighing that creates a healthy baby. It is a mother's careful attention to nutrition, exercise, and emotional well-being.

Think unassisted childbirth is for you? Learn more by joining an unassisted childbirth list, and read books about natural, unassisted homebirth, and midwifery. Giving birth unassisted may seem like a big step to take, but is an option worth investigating.

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