Skip to main content

Natural Childbirth

Experience Our Natural Childbirth Approach

Our natural childbirth approach allows you to experience labor and delivery without the use of pain medications, on your own terms. Our board-certified obstetricians commonly support their patients’ requests for natural childbirth. To find out if you can safely deliver without interventions, call us at (608) 227-7007 or request an appointment through our website today.

608-227-7007

Natural Childbirth Q & A

What is natural childbirth?

hether to have a natural childbirth is one of the many choices available to most healthy and uncomplicated pregnant women. If experiencing labor and delivery without pain medication or an epidural is something you’d like to try, we encourage a focused discussion during one of your prenatal visits. As a result, we can be informed and prepared to help make your baby’s birth the experience you hope for.

Choosing natural childbirth is a very personal choice, and we support you either way. Pain medications don’t always cause problems, and they often help you endure labor and delivery. Even if you’d prefer natural childbirth, we encourage you to keep an open mind. Because labor can be unpredictable, allow yourself some grace for modifications or changes to your plan.

After all, if you’ve never been in labor before, there is no real way to understand the discomfort or duration that often accompanies it. The obstetricians at Physicians for Women acknowledge your goals. In turn, we work very hard to make your birthing experience the one you desire. For more general guidance on labor and delivery options, ACOG’s patient resources offer helpful, evidence-based information.

What are some natural childbirth techniques?

There are several available techniques or methods for natural childbirth. Many of these methods have been around since the 1940s and are still utilized today. The team at Physicians for Women can help you review your options so your choice fits your plan for natural childbirth.

Some common techniques are:

Lamaze

In the 1950s, Dr. Fernand Lamaze championed psychoprophylaxis, a method for preparing pregnant women with physical and psychological training. This includes conscious relaxation and controlled breathing as an alternative to drugs for the management of contraction pain during childbirth. You may consider taking a Lamaze class during your pregnancy to learn deep concentration, deep breathing, and helpful massage techniques.

The Bradley Method

You may choose the Bradley method, sometimes referenced as the “husband-coached method of natural childbirth”. This method ascertains certain conditions are essential for a laboring woman: darkness, solitude, quiet, physical comfort during the first stage of labor, physical relaxation, controlled breathing, and need for closed eyes/appearance of sleep. Dr. Bradley espoused the fundamental premise that laboring women must have a supportive coach/husband in this process.

What does natural childbirth feel like?

Natural childbirth has a reputation for being extremely painful. Still, many women choose to have a natural childbirth with confidence. The truth is that the sensations of natural childbirth vary between women. You might feel like you have strong menstrual cramps or intense pressure.

To explore natural childbirth and its many variations, please call our office at (608) 227-7007 or request an appointment through our website today.

More Comfort, Less Stress

Your comfort is our priority. We offer nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) to help reduce anxiety and discomfort during many gynecologic procedures, including IUD insertions, colposcopies, biopsies, Pap smears, and pelvic exams.

This safe, fast-acting option wears off quickly. Ask our team if nitrous oxide is right for you at your next appointment.

Request Appointment