natural birth
Intervention-free labor process
Natural birth is childbirth without medical interventions—no epidural, no cesarean section, no induced labor.
The term emphasizes letting the body's processes unfold without pharmaceutical or surgical assistance: She's planning a natural birth at a birthing center.
Some use it more loosely to mean vaginal delivery as opposed to cesarean, regardless of pain medication.
Shortened word forms
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- breathing techniquesMethods for regulating respiration
- dilationWidening of an opening
effacement · perineum · pushing · crowning · pain management · relaxation · hypnobirthing · positioning
Childbirth assistance professional
- doulaTrained childbirth support person
- homebirthChildbirth at residence
- waterbirthChildbirth in a tub
- prenatal yogaExercise practice during pregnancy
skin-to-skin · breastfeeding · postpartum care · babymoon · aromatherapy · acupressure
Unclothed bodily touching
- golden hourWarm-lit period near sunset
- eye contactDirect visual connection
- newbornInfant just delivered
- imprintingRapid early learning attachment
attachment · nurturing · kangaroo care · rooming-in · co-sleeping · babywearing · breastfeeding · colostrum
Innate behavioral tendency
- mammalianOf the nursing class
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
- endorphinsBody's innate pain blockers
- hormonesBloodstream signaling molecules
surrender · raw · visceral · animalistic · guttural · involuntary · urge · waves
Power to exert force
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
courage · determination · capability · fortitude · perseverance · power · self-reliance · sovereignty
contractions
Shortened word forms
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- breathing techniquesMethods for regulating respiration
dilation · effacement · perineum · pushing · crowning · pain management · relaxation · hypnobirthing · positioning · squatting
midwife
Childbirth assistance professional
- doulaTrained childbirth support person
- homebirthChildbirth at residence
- waterbirthChildbirth in a tub
prenatal yoga · skin-to-skin · breastfeeding · postpartum care · babymoon · aromatherapy · acupressure
skin-to-skin
Unclothed bodily touching
- golden hourWarm-lit period near sunset
- eye contactDirect visual connection
- newbornInfant just delivered
imprinting · attachment · nurturing · kangaroo care · rooming-in · co-sleeping · babywearing · breastfeeding · colostrum · recognition
instinct
Innate behavioral tendency
- mammalianOf the nursing class
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
- endorphinsBody's innate pain blockers
hormones · surrender · raw · visceral · animalistic · guttural · involuntary · urge · waves · transition
strength
Power to exert force
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
autonomy · courage · determination · capability · fortitude · perseverance · power · self-reliance · sovereignty · informed choice
- childbirthcontractions, labor, pushing, dilation, crowning
- Maternity Wardmaternity ward, labor and delivery, delivery room, labor room, midwife
- women's healthgynecologist, gynecology, menstruation, OB-GYN, period
- birthstillbirth, cesarean, c-section, birthplace, birthday
- fertilityfertility, fecundity, infertility, conception, reproduction
- prenatal careprenatal vitamins, prenatal care, prenatal checkups, fetal ultrasound, prenatal checkup
natural birthcesarean section
Surgical childbirth method
C-section · cesarean · caesarean · cesarean delivery · emergency C-section
natural birthin vitro fertilization
Laboratory-assisted reproduction
test-tube baby · artificial insemination · assisted reproduction · surrogate birth · cloning
natural, birth, childbirth, unnatural, birthing, supernatural, naturalist, naturalistic, naturalize