It's not really something I hear a lot. I think it's becoming impolite to ask for details unless it's two women in the same stage or whatever. I had to be induced but I did not get pain meds so neither unmedicated nor naural would apply, but I guess some people would describe it that way. I just say I didn't get an epidural if someone wants to know.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had people say "natural birth or c section?" so it can also mean vaginal birth and people just can't say that word.

Agree with this. Some people just mean vaginal when they say “natural.”

This is usually how I use the word too.

I like to make everyone uncomfortable (especially since we moved to the midwest) and if asked say "I had her vaginally."

Anonymous wrote:I've had people say "natural birth or c section?" so it can also mean vaginal birth and people just can't say that word.

Agree with this. Some people just mean vaginal when they say “natural.”

I truly don’t care how anyone refers to their births. Use whatever term you’re comfortable with; I’m not going to police your story.

Having said that, if it’s used to pass judgment like a PP was describing with people boasting about not using meds, yes, I’d roll my eyes at you.

I've had people say "natural birth or c section?" so it can also mean vaginal birth and people just can't say that word.

My births were anything but natural. And for that I am grateful. Nature tries to kill a lot of mothers and babies.

For me- having a baby is torture any which way, and I cringe hearing birth stories. Having a baby should not be a competition. Women should not brag about natural births or breastfeeding. We are not cows.

I had a "natural birth" but I like to say i f'ing got there too late for the epidural.

Natural means without any medical intervention at all. That means out of hospital, no blood transfusion, no sutures, nothing. It can mean a birthing pool, or whatever non-medical aids to birth people wish to use.

Unmedicated means no medication. People understand "no pain meds", but occasionally laboring mothers need other medication than pain meds, such as steroids to mature the lungs of premature newborns.

I had two pain med-free births in hospital. As a shorthand, I have said "natural", but that's actually wrong. I was stitched up, given steroid shots for DC1's premature birth, given IV fluids, etc.

I had one labor with epidural and one without, both induced. So only one medicated and one unmedicated? Or both medicated (or medicalized)?

I don't really care about the terminology. I think discussing birth stories is a good thing to do, and I am interested in hearing them, in all their permutations.

I had an unmedicated birth and I prefer that terminology to "natural birth." But I also don't really care that much. A C-section isn't at all natural, after all. And that's okay! I don't make any value judgments about how people end up delivering their baby.

Anonymous wrote:Eh. I try not to get caught up on stuff like that. It’s just how it’s always been described. I had two medicated births and couldn’t care less.

Me again. And there is nothing natural about an epidural or c-section IMO.

Eh. I try not to get caught up on stuff like that. It’s just how it’s always been described. I had two medicated births and couldn’t care less.

Instead of saying ‘unmedicated’? Like - all labor and birth is natural