Why is a natural birth so important???

[blackbird]

Hi Sarah
I've been contemplating this issue for the last week or so as my EDD approaches so it was very interesting to read your post and the responses. Do I want a natural birth because it suits the control freak part of me? Because I want to 'prove' that I can do it without 'resorting' to drugs? I am by nature a researcher, especially when it comes to my health and am not content to just let things happen to me. I have found this to be empowering when managing the various chronic and acute health problems I've had over the years so continued the pattern with conception and pregnancy.

What I want is to give our bub the best possible start in life and feel like I have a responsibility to put in some 'hard yards' towards making that happen - a natural birth. This is in the context of not putting either bubs or myself at risk and accepting (well trying to) that if in the end, some form of intervention is absolutely necessary, that I won't have failed in some way. I have had long discussions with my OB about this and he is happy to work with me on this and only intervene if he feels the risk is too great. I've been doing some hypnotherapy to learn to just trust in my body as well as develop relaxation triggers.

I'm starting to get a little scared now that it could happen any day but reading about all your experiences gives me strength so thanks for sharing.

[{sarah}]

What I want is to give our bub the best possible start in life and feel like I have a responsibility to put in some 'hard yards' towards making that happen - a natural birth. This is in the context of not putting either bubs or myself at risk and accepting (well trying to) that if in the end, some form of intervention is absolutely necessary, that I won't have failed in some way.

That is it entirely Blackbird, very well said