| The advantages of natural childbirth for both the | | | | important in natural childbirth so being at home with |
| mother and baby are something to consider. Today | | | | those who love and support her increases her |
| there are many options and a woman has a right to | | | | chances of having a natural birth. |
| deliver in any way she chooses. She no longer has to | | | | For those women who are not comfortable having |
| allow an authoritarian doctor to make all the decisions. | | | | their babies at home, birth centers offer another option. |
| She has the right to the type of healthcare provider | | | | Birth centers provide a more relaxed environment yet |
| she wants. She has a right to deliver her baby where | | | | contain medical equipment necessary in case of an |
| and how she wants. | | | | emergency. Many women want the security of |
| Midwives are becoming a popular choice for many | | | | knowing immediate help is available if anything should |
| pregnant women. Midwives are educated and trained | | | | go wrong. Birth centers are fully equipped to handle |
| to provide care for low risk pregnancies. Midwives can | | | | emergencies yet offer the same advantages of a |
| be formally trained medical professionals or | | | | home birth. Birth centers allow a woman to labor in her |
| experienced lay women. Both types of midwives | | | | own clothes, eat what she wants, and deliver in any |
| provide expert care and work toward helping a | | | | position she is comfortable in. They often offer things |
| mother have a natural unmedicated birth. Midwives use | | | | like birth balls, birthing stools, a hot tub or shower and |
| proven natural techniques and homeopathic remedies | | | | may even allow water births. |
| to make the birth of a baby a positive experience. | | | | No matter the environment a woman chooses to give |
| Home births are another natural childbirth experience | | | | birth, having a natural childbirth experience is a popular |
| many women are considering. As this generation of | | | | choice. The positive effects for both the mother and |
| young women consider where they will deliver, many | | | | baby of giving birth naturally make nursing and bonding |
| find the choice to give birth at home appealing. Those | | | | easier. A baby born to an unmedicated mother is more |
| desiring a natural childbirth experience find the idea of | | | | alert. The advantages of natural childbirth are |
| being at home in familiar, comfortable surroundings | | | | numerous and, even if total success is not achieved, |
| very appealing. It allows the laboring mother the | | | | any natural methods employed will have rewards for |
| freedom to walk and eat during labor. Relaxation is | | | | both mother and baby. |