Image: Shutterstock
Back in the day, women didn’t go to hospitals or have doctors in their presence when they give birth. They would give birth at home naturally in the absence of any medical professionals. A few older members of the community would assist the woman in labor while she gave birth. It might sound strange, but this was common back in those days, but it also led to high infant mortality rates because of the lack of advanced medical care in case of complications. After the advent of technology and several advancements in medicine, doctors, nurses, and midwives started gaining popularity among women. Then, hospitals were the only way to have a baby, and women didn’t take any other route.
In the recent past, history has been repeating itself. Women are gradually going back to the time of self-assisted birth and denying medical help during delivery. As a result of this, mortality rates are increasing for both mother and baby. So, if you’re wondering why this shift in mindset has taken up, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to find out why women are rejecting modern medicine and opting for an unassisted birth:
What Does It Mean?
Image: Shutterstock
Unassisted birth or free birth refers to a situation when a woman in labor actively chooses to deny professional care from doctors, nurses, or midwives. It does not refer to a situation where a woman has a baby in an unexpected scenario while waiting for help. It has been gaining popularity, and several authors have been promoting it. Some famous personalities believe that childbirth is a sacred and intimate event that only the parents should be a part of, just like lovemaking.
Why Are Women Doing It?
Image: Shutterstock
With this trend becoming popular by the day, many first-time moms and childbirth veterans choose to go solo on the baby delivery. Several philosophies state the sacredness of childbirth and believe that it’s a naturally occurring event that requires no medical intervention. They also say that one medical intervention paves the way for several others to follow, and it’s a never-ending vicious cycle. Philosophers also believe that if a woman is subjected to a life of solitude, her body will adapt to birth complications, pain relief, pushing, and positioning all on its own.
Why Is It Scary?
Image: Shutterstock
Going into labor is a nerve-wracking experience that has a high chance of going south quickly. If timely medical intervention is not given, the health risks for mom and baby are high. All these factors are true for any childbirth. If you’re in a hospital, trained medical professionals can assist you, monitor your health, and take care of complications well beforehand. But with a free birth, that is not possible. Even if a woman manages to give birth smoothly, the medical procedures that follow are absolutely essential to determine the newborn’s health. An unassisted birth doesn’t take care of any of those tests.
Possible Risks
Image: Shutterstock
There is no denying that more and more women are choosing to opt for an unassisted birth. Therefore, if you want to choose a free birth, here are a few possible risks that you may encounter:
- A high mortality rate is inevitable because there is no access to immediate medical care in an emergency.
- Life-threatening complications may arise during labor that may affect the mother and baby’s life.
- Lack of proper baby care soon after birth may lead to health complications for the baby in the future.
Choosing to give birth without proper medical assistance is extremely risky. Sure, our ancestors used to follow these methods back in the day, but it’s a different time and era right now. You don’t have to follow the bandwagon just because it’s trendy. But if you still choose to do it, ensure you’re well-read and have everything you need during the process. What are your thoughts on unassisted birth? Let us know in the comments below if you’ll ever consider such a birth!
