The term “natural childbirth” was coined by obstetricianGrantly Dick-Read, in his book Natural Childbirth in the 1930s.

Natural childbirth is widely defined as a birth without routine medical interventions, particularly anesthesia/epidural. In modern times, the focus on natural childbirth arose in opposition to the techno-medical model of childbirth that has recently gained popularity in industrialized societies.

Birth professionals who practice or work towards natural childbirth are trained to work with the nature and physiology of the body in such a way that it can minimize medical intervention, particularly the use of anesthetic medications and surgical interventions such as episiotomies, forceps and C-Sections. Natural birth ca be facilitated by midwives or physicians in hospitals, birth centres, homes.

At Birthvillage, our model of care prepares mothers and fathers to understand labour and what it entails, birth and what to expect, make their own decisions based on information – through our Birth Education classes.

When a mother comes to the centre, in labour – she will be moving as her body dictates, eating and drinking to keep up her energy, using gravity/in a upright position to push out her baby, be well supported emotionally, physically and mentally by her birth team and her partner of choice, baby will have delayed cord clamping and not be separated from mother immediately after birth. Baby will have natural initiation of breastfeeding based on baby cues. The mother’s/family’s birth wishes and plans, and desires will be honoured and adhered to completely/ to greatest degree possible, as the situation allows.

Natural Birth has been proven to reduce risks to baby and the mother, ensure against certain disorders in the baby, lowers the need for blood transfusion, increased rates of breastfeeding with ease, better for baby’s brain development, easier and better recovery, lower ris of repiratory issues, and better microbiome for the baby.