Why??? Why would we want to go through the labor process as women. Why not numb the whole thing and why not escape the fears that leap to the forefront of thoughts regarding birth in our current culture?
There are many reasons related to health of the baby, and even health of the mom. A baby needs this process to help stimulate her or him for life outside the womb. The contractions are a valuable process medically as well. Also, a woman in labor goes through an amazing process too that is much safer than a surgery to get a baby out.
But I want to talk to you about what lies underneath any great feat. An amazing thing happens as a woman labors, she experiences an internal testing that results in strengthening of character and parenthood. If she persists in following the process and allowing her body to labor well, it can instill confidence... an enduring kind. It also helps to bond her to this child that she labored for.
Now I understand that everyone's birth path is different and it is ok to do birth in many ways. But even if it has been tried and attempted as long as it is possible with you, to trust this process and surrender to a greater creative work going on inside of you, you will find it transformative. At the very least, you get to experience a piece of strong that you didn't know you had. You also get to know that you are able to do more than you ever thought possible.
I don't recommend that you attempt giving birth without adequate support in this vulnerable place, because the people around you can make or break you in this instance. However, if you choose to do this natural birth, to the capacity that your body, health, and baby cooperate together; it will be a dynamic introduction to so much more as an individual woman as well. Welcome to birth, welcome to more powerful moments, and welcome to newness of self.