Women want to have natural birth in order to give themselves and their babies great odds for having fewer interventions labor and birth. Minimizing the amount of technology during the birth process leads to the best outcomes for mother and baby. When women are laboring without medication, they maintain freedom of movement and mental clarity. Women who set a goal to labor without medication do so because they are aware of the risks involved in current labor management practices, for example, using pitocin for induction, or anesthesia to control pain.

In addition, some women have avoided taking any medication throughout pregnancy, and prefer not to take anything during labor. Other women really don't want to be restricted to lying in bed and being monitored continuously, so they prepare for labor by learning about other comfort measures.

Women who plan to give birth naturally see birth as an empowering time in a woman's life. The birth process is a rite of passage that involves self-exploration, determination and social support.

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.