Natural birth is a method of delivering a baby without relying on medication and other medical interventions.

When the baby is ready to come out, your cervix (opening of the womb) thins out and begins to widen (dilate) to about 10 cm. Contractions help the baby to move down the birth canal. This is described as intense pain and pressure that increases during the course of the delivery, and is generally feared by many women. 

To aid in a pain-free delivery, many turn to a regional anaesthesia called epidural to block the pain. Apart from this, many others opt for caesarean section surgery, where the baby is surgically removed (under anaesthesia) through an incision made on the abdomen Here, you would not have to push at all. However, pain medications may be associated with certain side effects such as nausea and drop in your blood pressure, while surgery may lead to potential complications such as excessive bleeding, infection, longer recovery and breathing problems in your child.

On the contrary, some women opt for a natural birth, and avoid pain relievers to numb labour pains and choose a normal vaginal delivery. Medical interventions such as epistomy (surgical incision made between the vagina and anus to facilitate child birth) or foetal monitoring are also avoided. Labour pains are important indicators, as each contraction acts as a guide for the progression of labour and encourages the movement of your baby down the birth canal. Without pain, labour is more likely to slow down and become less effective. As labour proceeds and pain increases, the body produces endorphins, natural pain killers, which will help you, continue with the birthing process.