Unassisted Childbirth: A Viable Option for Some

Unassisted childbirth, or free birth, is the act of having a natural birth without any outside help or hindrance. There are no doctors, no nurses, no midwives, no one except the mother and whomever she chooses to be with her guiding the birth of the child. This may mean completely alone or with a spouse or relative nearby for support. It may take place in her home, outside, at a hotel, and occasionally in the car. Giving birth unassisted is, as you can imagine, not for everyone.

For the women who choose unassisted birth it gives them the freedom that they feel they need to be able to bring a new life into the world. She is free to follow her instincts, to move, to breath, and to push as she feels she needs to without any direction from an outside person. Most women who choose this are already in touch with their bodies, they are relaxed with the knowledge that their bodies can and will do what they are designed to do. Giving birth outside the medical confines seems the natural choice for them, yet it is not a choice they take lightly.

Some feel that unassisted childbirth is not a safe choice for women and their infants, however those that support unassisted birth say that birth can be as safe outside the hospital as it is inside. Childbirth itself is not inherently dangerous for a healthy pregnant woman and a healthy child. Even in the time when women died often during or after childbirth the causes were more poor living conditions and poor health due to lack of nutritious food and difficult work. Normal, healthy women rarely die due to childbirth.

Before considering the option to give birth unassisted a woman should be knowledgeable about birth and her body. Many women become certified in infant resuscitation and various ways to treat any possible emergencies that may arise. Knowing how to slow heavy bleeding and how to deliver a breech infant are some of the things that a woman needs to know before attempting an unassisted birth. Luckily there are countless sources of information and support groups available online that will help a mother prepare for her unassisted birth. There are even several books that women can read, such as Unassisted Childbirth and Unassisted Homebirth: An Act of Love.

Unassisted childbirth is one of the many childbirth options available for women today. Like any other choice it requires research to be able to make an informed decision.