Over the years, many women have opted for a natural and non-invasive birthing method, following the discovery that doctor intervention can have a potentially harmful effect. Choosing to give birth at home allows new parents to have more control, with unnecessary procedures posing an increased risk to the mother and baby.
We’ll be explaining some common procedures that should only be used when required, as well as the benefits of non-invasive and natural birthing methods.
Intervention during labour
Your doctor or midwife may decide to intervene during labour if they believe the birth is not going to plan. These common intervention procedures should only be used when necessary as they can come with a number of side effects.
An induction begins your labour artificially, either through the use of a balloon catheter, pessary, breaking your waters or a hormone drip. This is usually offered if you are long overdue, your contractions haven’t started or your pregnancy cannot continue for any longer.
The risks of being induced include a higher chance of needing a C-section, as well as you experiencing more painful contractions.
Assisted birth introduces the use of instruments, such as forceps or ventouse, to help deliver the baby. This can come with a number of complications, including bruising or small cuts to the baby. You may also experience a high likelihood of severe tearing and blood clots compared to a natural birth.
It can be worrying not knowing what may happen during childbirth. However, women and children can be legally protected if things were to go wrong. You can make a number of compensation claims, including brain injury claims, to give you peace of mind and alleviate a bit of stress before you give birth.
Non-invasive and natural procedures
Natural birthing methods remove the chance of medical intervention and allow you to take control. You won’t be receiving any pain medication, such as an epidural to help you manage, but this can also have its benefits.
Whilst an epidural numbs the pain, it can interfere with your natural hormones and slow the delivery process down. Therefore, it’s more likely that you would need medical intervention to help assist with the birth.
Natural birth also reduces your chances of needing a C-section, which decreases any potential complications or side effects you may have had in the long run.
This process can also be safer for your baby, as pain relief can cause your blood pressure to drop, resulting in less oxygenated blood being received by your newborn. Additionally, an epidural can make both you and your baby feel tired and groggy – not ideal for when your baby arrives!
