Natural childbirth is a term used to describe the process of giving birth without medical intervention. The spelling of "natural childbirth" can be broken down into IPA phonetic transcription, which is "nætʃrəl ˈtʃaɪldbɜrθ". The first syllable "nat" is pronounced with the short "a" sound, followed by "chur" with the "ch" sound as in "church". The final syllable "th" sounds like "th" in "birth". The word "childbirth" has an emphasis on the second syllable, but "natural childbirth" emphasizes the first syllable.
Natural childbirth is a term that describes a method of delivering a baby without interventions or the use of medical procedures that alter the natural process of labor and delivery. It refers to the process where a woman gives birth without any medical interventions like anesthesia, pain medication, or cesarean section, relying solely on the natural abilities of her body to bring the baby into the world.
In natural childbirth, the emphasis is placed on the belief that a woman's body is designed to give birth naturally and that medical interventions should only be used when absolutely necessary. This approach intends to promote a more holistic, empowering, and individualized experience for the mother, with an emphasis on the physical and emotional well-being of the mother and baby.
Typically, natural childbirth involves coping techniques such as controlled breathing, relaxation exercises, massage, and movement to manage pain and discomfort during labor. It often takes place in a supportive and preferably home-like environment, where the mother is encouraged to trust her body's ability to handle the birthing process.
Natural childbirth aims to enhance the bond between the mother and baby, allowing the mother to actively participate in the birth experience and feel a sense of achievement and empowerment. However, it is important to note that natural childbirth may not be suitable or safe for all women and may require careful consideration of individual circumstances and medical conditions, with close consultation with healthcare practitioners.
The word natural childbirth combines two terms: natural and childbirth.
The term natural derives from the Latin word natura, meaning birth, character, or quality of a thing. It is derived from the verb nasci, which means to be born. In English, natural refers to something that exists or occurs in nature, as opposed to being artificial or man-made. The concept behind using natural in the context of childbirth is the idea of allowing the process to unfold as it would in nature, without medical interventions or the use of medications.
The word childbirth is a compound of child and birth. Child comes from the Old English word cild, which means an infant or young person. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word kiltham, meaning womb or young of animals.