What with the pain interventions that doctors have available to you in hospital these days, is there anything that suggests a natural birth? Not if you equate “natural” to “drug-free”. We have all heard of the choices in pain reduction that is available to the mother in labour – epidurals, spinals, IV injections…. But what if you want to give birth with minimal pain and not take these pain meds?

If you have a midwife or doula with you in hospital, they can help you have a natural birth, with massage, rocking, changing position, and aromatherapy just to name a few alternatives. If you choose to have a midwife or doula, they help you stick to your birth plan and encourage you, supporting your decisions all the way through your labor and birth of your baby.

When should you choose a midwife?

If you want to have an informed choice and be the active decision maker during your birth, a midwife can help you keep and carry out the birth plan you want.

Whether your choice is to give birth in the hospital or at home, a midwife will cater to both of these choices, where as an OB/GYN will only deliver in hospital.

A midwife, unlike an OB/GYN, is available on a 24/7 basis in case of questions or emergency. You do not have to worry of being passed off to another doctor whom you have had no other association with up until this time. It can give you peace of mind, especially if this is your first pregnancy.

For more information about midwives, how to become a midwife, or to find one in your area, please go to American College of Nurse-Midwives

http://www.midwife.org/find.cfm

Yoanna Vadim CD, CBE is a certified birthing assistant and child birth educator. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and son. Her column runs every Tuesday.

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