A natural birth is also known as a natural or vaginal birth whereby the baby is birthed through the vagina. This means that the majority of women are perfectly designed to give birth, just as they are to conceive and grow their babies.  The remaining 5% will fall into a 'high risk' category and may need or end up having either a medically managed or surgical birth.

Pro's

• Quick recovery
• Best for both mom and baby
• Baby is coming when it is ready to be born and not before
• Can be attended by a doctor or midwife
• More options for where to birth (hospital, birth centre, home)
• Mom has more control of her birthing process
• More choices on how you labour (bath, pool, positions)
• Can eat and drink if urge is there
• Can be active throughout labour
• Empowering experience birthing as nature intended
• Babies are more alert and responsive following birth
• Easier breastfeeding

Con's

• Birth can occur anywhere in a 5 week window
• If mom needs medical assistance a doctor needs to be on call
• Can be emotionally and physically tiring
• Possibility of perineal damage
• Can be painful if the body is tense

If the right preparation has been made and the mother is calm and relaxed through her labour pain can be significantly reduced and often eliminated completed. It has also been clinically proven that with perineal massage the risk of tearing or the need for an episiotomy is eliminated in most cases. - Kim Young