Undoubtedly, pregnancy is one of the most important stages in one’s life, especially their child’s birth. In addition to being all-new, it is the milestone of a new stage that will change their lives forever. Many fear vaginal delivery due to the great pain it causes and believe it to be an invasive procedure.
Natural delivery is a physiological process
However, natural birth is considered ideal by specialists. Since it is the moment when the baby feels ready to be born, it reduces the chances of complications and the need to stay in the neonatal ICU. Everything happens so naturally that the baby’s lung when releasing a substance, tells the mother’s body that it is time to go into labor.
Upon receiving this warning, the body produces, in greater quantities, hormones such as oxytocin and cortisol, which facilitate uterine contractions and help regulate stress. Even the baby’s chest is compressed to facilitate the release of amniotic fluid, reducing the risk of breathing problems.
After both are ready for delivery, the baby finally passes through the birth canal and is a natural expulsion. This moment can be less painful with the use of analgesia since this is the main fear of so many mothers.
Even when it passes through the birth canal, the baby is covered by bacteria and fungi from the region, which helps the newborn to have a healthy development, since these microorganisms assist in the colonization of the baby’s intestine. After this stage, the baby will also produce its own microbiota, keeping their intestines healthy, which is extremely important.
In the womb, through the placenta, the baby already has contact with some microorganisms necessary to build the defenses of their bodies, leaving this little one stronger and more protected.
Obstetricians have even recommended cutting the umbilical cord a bit late, about three minutes after delivery, as the newborn receives the oxygen that is supplied by the placenta, this process decreases the baby’s chances of having anemia early in life.
A moment full of affection
Childbirth is a unique moment in life. Mainly because the connection between mother/parent and child is strengthened in those first minutes of life. In natural childbirth, this happens even more intensely, because in addition to skin-to-skin contact, the baby can go straight into the mother’s arms after birth. And it is much more comfortable later for mothers since recovery is faster than the cesarean section.
There is less risk of infection for both mother and baby, as it is a natural event and does not require any invasive procedure on the woman’s body. Even the uterus returns to its normal size more quickly when a woman has a natural birth, compared to a c-section. In this way, the mother can dedicate herself more to her little one and breastfeeding, which is also a great challenge.
Baby and mother’s health benefits
The baby becomes more active and responsive when receiving the hormonal changes that the mother’s body undergoes. Many babies who are born by natural birth, and still do not have their umbilical cord cut, when placed under the mother’s belly, voluntarily drag themselves up to the breast to breastfeed, on their own.
At the same time, natural childbirth also calms them down, when they pass through the birth canal, the baby is massaged, is awake and the touch of people is not strange, since they have been in contact with the mother throughout this process. They can then go soon into their arms without having to observed and monitored first. They can also be breastfed in the first minutes of life, which calms the baby and the mother.
Oxytocin is also largely responsible for reducing stress. This hormone is only released in large quantities during labor, due to all the endocrine changes that the woman’s body undergoes when preparing for that moment.
In addition to assisting breastfeeding, especially after the delivery, it is responsible for strengthening affective bonds and pleasure, as it reduces stress and fear, and promotes calm, connection and healing.
It even helps after childbirth, both in stimulating maternal care, associating baby care with something pleasurable, as well as facilitating breastfeeding and adapting to this new reality.
