ABSTRACT
A life being born into this world is akin to birthing the light. Childbirth is a journey which mothers used to embark on with confidence, fearlessly following their own instincts. This event has undergone enormous change over the last couple of centuries, especially following the medicalization of childbirth. Medical interventions and Cesarean sections initially appeared to be a boon by reducing preventable maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity, but gradually, rampant and irrational use of these interventions resulted in their becoming problematic due to associated maternal and perinatal complications. Most of the time, medical interventions take away some of the benefits of natural birthing, like a sense of fulfillment, emotional bonding with the new-born baby and partner, microbiome seeding of the new-born and related indirect long-term benefits for the new-born. The vast majority of these mothers, instead of embarking on the childbirth journey confidently, feel fearful, unprepared and unsupported during the process. It is important that this imbalance be corrected and mothers are well supported to undergo natural birth with requisite interventions wherever indicated. To make childbirth a positive experience for prospective mothers, we need to understand their perspective and prepare them for this role with childbirth classes, having a labor companion and a trained midwife to navigate this beautiful and wonderous journey.
