The Truth About
Natural Childbirth
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7
TTie current fad in child delivery can help
mothers-to-be, says this noted obstetrician, but it is
being overemphasized to a point of cruelty
By CHARLES RICHARD ALSOP GILBERT, M.D.
Author of "Childbirth: Th Modern Guide for Expectant Mother"
The first devotee of "natural childbirth" I ever
encountered was in a hospital in Baltimore,
Md. Interns and doctors could hear her screams
five floors above them.
After her ordeal, during which she gave birth
to a beautiful eight-pound boy, the mother told
astonished doctors:
"There was no pain at all. 'Natural childbirth'
is the only way to have a baby."
The physicians put little faith in her protesta
tions of "no pain."- They knew as all doctors
know that a patient who is in love with a fad,
or has been imbued with an idea, cannot be relied
upon to give objective testimony even about her
own experience.
The late Dr. Grantly Dick Read is called the
father of "natural childbirth." He deserves praise
for reminding us that any patient in labor who
knows what to expect is not as frightened as one
who is ignorant.
However, modern medical advancements should
be used in conjunction with Dr. Read's teachings
of "childbirth without fear."
The current fad of "natural childbirth," a term
of hope for many fearful expectant mothers and a
term almost of derision in some medical circles,
deserves thorough analysis by those most con
cerned: the millions of women who each year
become mothers.
As with so many fads, "natural childbirth" has
a germ of truth in it 'Unfortunately, it also has
the germs of half-truths. Sometimes, it has led
expectant mothers to believe that there is some
magic mumbo jumbo that will help them dodge
all pain in giving birth. In this respect, "natural
childbirth" is cruel and deceptive.
. The strongest point about "natural childbirth"
is that the mother-to-be learns about herself, the
formation of a baby, the anatomy of the female
reproductive organs, and most important, what
happens during labor and delivery.
This is excellent Every modern obstetrician
strives to take the mother-to-be into his confi
dence and acquaint her with what the future will
bring. Such familiarization helps dispel much of
the fear associated with childbirth. But some
"natural childbirth" enthusiasts go far beyond
the elementals. They practice a form of yoga
which holds that if the patient learns to relax
the pelvic muscles, the fetus will slip through
the birth canal by contractions of the uterus
which is not under control of the patient's mind.
This is an interesting theory, but it isn't sup
ported by any scientific facts. There is no proof
that patients contract the muscles of the birth
canal, thus prohibiting the progress of labor. Care
fully controlled studies have shown that labor
is no longer for patients In fear than it is for those
who appear calm.
The patients who practice such yoga-type exer
cises are .benefited, to some extent, because
when in labor they are thinking about relaxing
their muscles rather than about the pain. But any
patient can achieve the same result by disciplining
herself to think about any object in the delivery
room, concentrating on that object so intently she
forgets, to some extent, her labor pains.
I have termed this positive thinking, and I have
seen many patients practice it for their own good
in giving birth. But it is important, in my judg
ment, for maternity patients to be forewarned
and thus forearmed that every mother-to-be will
suffer some pain in giving birth. No amount of
"relaxation," as taught by "natural childbirth"
enthusiasts, and no degree of positive thinking
can suppress all of the pain of childbirth.
One of the dangers of this overemphasis is that
the patient often expects no pain. When it does
strike, she may become unstrung and lose confi
dence in herself and those aiding her.
Some "natural childbirth" enthusiasts even insist
that the patient should bear the pain without the
help of drugs. This is not only ridiculous it is
cruel. The proper kind of analgesia and anesthesia,
administered at the proper time during a preg
nancy, is a great boon to women in labor, and they
have as much right to it as any person undergoing
surgery. Unless proper anesthesia is used at the
time of delivery, permanent injury to the tissues
supporting the birth canal may be extensive.
What everyone should remember is that modern
science has not only reduced the dangers of child
birth but, with drugs in proper usage, has reduced
pain to a level no woman need fear. Training and
education for childbirth can supplement these ad
vantages. But it is a cruel deception to promote
magic nature formulas for "painless childbirth."
There is no such thing.
S3
3E3
COVER:
The faces of the two youngsters in Paulus
Leeser's photo reflect the spirit of Easter.
For your holiday reading, turn to Taylor
Caldwell'- eloquent retelling of the Resur
rection (p. 7) and the Easter quiz (p. 13).
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