"Natural" birth doesn't matter.

I've been thinking alot lately about the term 'natural' birth and just how many variations there can be on that term.

How perception can alter the definition of natural about 100%.

It seems that the mainstream views 'natural' birth the same exact thing as 'vaginal' birth.  No matter what other intervetions were used.

Some people say that 'natural' birth only occurs when it's 'undisturbed' birth.  Untouched.  Unassisted.

If there's any intervention whatsoever, then it's not really 'natural' is it?

If a vaginal birth was an induction, with AROM, with an epidural, with a vacuum, with an episiotomy, is that 'natural'?

If a c/section is the mode of delivery after spontaneous labor, SROM, complete and total unhindered laboring to 10 cm with 2 hours of pushing in different positions results in a stuck baby, is that birth considered 'natural'.

If a mom uses 'natural' methods at home to induce...acupuncture/accupressure, castor oil, herbs, nipple stimulation, sex, spicy food, etc....Is that 'natural'?

The term 'natural' is completely open to interpretation.

What I'm saying here...Is that it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of your birth!  What IS important is that you have your definition of what you want to get out of it and that you have a supportive team willing to see you through to the birth you want.  It's also important when your birth doesn't go as planned, that you can look back and see the things you DID want, happened, even if the mode of delivery wasn't exactly what you wanted or there was an intervention you didn't choose...you can still have a GOOD birth....you can still feel EMPOWERED...you can still be proud of your birth however 'natural' it was.

Happy Birthing!

(I feel the need for clarification on this post.  I do truly believe that 'natural' birth is best...but my blog is geared towards moms who beleive in birth and have tried to birth and for one reason or another, it did not work out...This is for the CBAC mamas who didn't quite get the birth they wanted.  I want to encourage women to try to get it, to believe that getting 90% is better, WAY better, than getting nothing.  I just hate hearing a CBAC mama saying that she failed when she got everything she wanted, except the mode of delivery)