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Today, childbirth is viewed with suspicion. Most young women have never seen a baby birthed. All their knowledge comes from Hollywood (dramatic, dangerous, or hilarious, but always filled with screaming), or from books put out by medical providers whose training has only covered medicated, managed births.

Medicalized childbirth has been around for barely a hundred years. How ever did the human race make it before then?

"But all those women and babies died in the old days."  I can just hear you saying that.

Some did, certainly. You're probably thinking about all those horror stories about women dying by the thousands due to infection. But that happened AFTER doctors got involved, and started delivering babies in hospitals.

I won't tell you that it was perfect back when midwives helped women give birth at home. But it wasn't the slaughter you're thinking it was.

Today, some women and babies still die. Especially in the United States. We rank 39th in maternal mortality. Albania ranks 22nd. 

There's something wrong with what we are doing. In fact, there's a LOT wrong with what we're doing, and I encourage any woman to find out what it is, and learn what she can do about it. It's simply safer to give birth without drugs and without medical interference. Even if you want to give birth in a hospital, you don't need the active management of modern obstetrics.

But it's important that you understand what your body is doing, and that you be as healthy and physically able as possible. Birth is hard work. Dr. Bradley compared it to running a marathon, and the comparison is a good one. If you're going to give birth, you must prepare for it. Otherwise, you'll show up at the hospital, and end up needing them to "deliver" your child for you. Which is what they are programmed to do.

You have to be proactive. Educate yourself. Prepare. Discover that childbirth is not terrifying - it's exhilarating!