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When my wife first informed me that she wanted to have our first child the natural way, I was a bit fuzzy on what that exactly meant. I thought to myself, “isn’t all childbirth natural?” Ten months later we found ourselves in the delivery room walking, squatting, rocking and eventually celebrating the birth of our first born son free of any medical intervention.

This experience changed my perspective on one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences woman get to have. Now I know I’m a man and I can’t relate to PMS, never mind labor, but through the lenses of my eyes I witnessed my wife endure and overcome with great joy and genuine satisfaction. After witnessing this beautiful life emerge, I developed some strong convictions about the importance of laboring and delivering babies naturally.

The Way Grandma Did It

One of the key elements in preparing for labor that really stuck out in our minds was that woman for thousands of years have been giving birth to millions of babies without medicine. A woman’s body is designed to give birth; it’s not a mistake. Our midwives told us that they had seen 90 pound Asian women give birth to 10 pound babies without drugs. They encouraged us that not only is it possible, but it’s one of the oldest traditions of womanhood.

Drugs Cheapen the Reward

Many drugs used in labor actually slow labor down or make the delivery more drastic and painful (in the long run). For example, pitocin, which is used to accelerate or induce labor causes very painful contractions and many times leads to larger rips during the birthing process. Many women who didn’t initially want an epidural, opt for one once they’re given pitocin because of the immediate and intense pain. Once an epidural is administered, you are required to lay down, which is the best way to slow labor down. Who wants to slow it down?

Watching my wife endure and welcome each contraction was like watching my little boy score a goal in his soccer game. Like anything in life, the greater the sacrifice, the greater the reward. Once our son was born the freedom and empowerment my wife had was glorious. She was up walking around with our son, enjoying the newness of newborn life and able to fully feel every moment.

Medicine is a Business

Let’s not fool ourselves; the medical field is a very lucrative business. The shorter amount of time a doctor has to be in the delivery room, the more money he or she makes. Your OB will charge you the same price if you deliver in 14 hours or in 1 hour. If you deliver in 14 hours, his fee is divided by those hours but if he can get you in and out, he is worth his or her full charge but in only one hour. On top of that, c-sections are much more expensive than natural childbirth which gives great incentive for doctors to perform as many as they can. Unfortunately, money is the bottom line for many in the medical field.

Every woman, every pregnancy and every baby is different. You have to make your own choice in how you will give birth to your children. Natural childbirth should be the aim, but is not always attainable.

Educate yourself and research every aspect before giving your life into the medical field’s hands.

From one man who witnessed his wife do it, I know you can too.

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