Health Help

I’m expecting a baby and thinking about my birth plan. Should I try to avoid painkillers and aim for a natural vaginal birth?

With the surge of social media and online articles about natural births without painkillers, interventions and monitoring, it can be hard for mums-to-be to field all the information out there and decide the best way forward for themselves and their unborn babies.

The truth is, there is no ideal version of childbirth. What you read online is not always right, nor the safest way to go about it.

Labour doesn’t have to be a painful, drug-free ordeal with no monitoring of the baby. You can have safe pain relief and reassuring monitoring of your little one, and still have a vaginal birth with minimal intervention. Everything should be within your comfort levels. Do trust your obstetrician to want nothing but the best for you and your little one, and to advise you on the best approach. This trust and bond will assure you that all is well during labour, and that everyone is on the same page.

While a woman’s body is conditioned and developed in ways that predispose her to have a healthy vaginal birth, it’s very important to keep in mind that giving birth “naturally” isn’t an all or nothing experience. Being prepared to be flexible with changing circumstances is often the best way to have an empowered birth experience – whether it goes “according to plan” or not. Every pregnancy and subsequent labour is different. Focus on the fact that you are bringing new life into this world, which on its own is miraculous.

And, remember – you are more than enough to get this little miracle out of you. Whether you have a vaginal birth or need a medically indicated caesarean section, the dream goal of having a healthy bundle of joy in your arms is all anyone can ever ask for.