What Does a Natural Birth Actually Look Like?

What Does a Natural Birth Actually Look Like?

Before my second birth, I honestly didn’t know what a natural birth even looked like. Like… what actually happens when you let your body do its thing—without medications, inductions, or someone continually checking your cervix?

With my first baby, I was induced at 39 weeks with two rounds of Cytotec in my cheek. That got me to 2 cm, but the contractions were intense and forced. My OB then inserted a Foley bulb, which got me to 6 cm. After that, I stalled out for nearly 30 hours. I ended up with Pitocin, an epidural, and eventually a C-section. I didn’t know then that I’d experience postpartum anxiety so intense, I couldn’t even leave my house without imagining cars hitting us on our walks or being convinced my baby would stop breathing in her stroller, carseat, bassinet - basically anywhere she was at.

When I got pregnant again, I knew I wanted something different. I was determined to have an unmedicated VBAC—and I did. It was intense, beautiful, and nothing like what I’d been told birth was. What helped me most? Learning what a physiological, unmedicated birth actually looks like.

So, What Is Physiological Birth?

Physiological birth is the natural unfolding of labor and delivery—without medical interference. It relies on your body’s own hormones, instincts, and signals to guide the process. Your cervix softens and opens. Contractions begin and build. You follow your body’s rhythm.

No drugs. No forcing. No “now you’re on the clock.” Just letting your body do what it was designed to do.

While no two labors are exactly the same, here’s a general look at how natural birth usually progresses:

1. Early Labor (The Quiet Start)

• Contractions begin—mild, crampy, often 10–30 minutes apart

• Cervix starts to thin (efface) and open (dilate) slowly

• You can still talk, walk, and rest through them

• May last hours or even a day or two (for me - I had about two and a half days of

early labor at home)

• The best thing to do here? Eat, rest, hydrate, and relax.

My experience:

After a day of contractions on and off, they became 11 minutes apart during night time. Thank God my doula told me to keep waiting it out because they stalled completely and then it wasn't for another day that I started having actual consistent contractions. I know its the hardest part to keep waiting and laboring but this is so vital in keeping you away from rushing, from unnecessary interventions, etc.

2. Active Labor (The Real Work Begins)

• Contractions pick up—stronger, longer, and closer together

• Cervix usually opens from 4 to 7 cm

• You’ll start focusing more through each wave

• You might lose your mucus plug or have bloody show

• Support is key here—your doula, partner, or birth team can help you stay

grounded

My experience:

I had mucus slowly showing more and more for about three days before my contractions consistently started. By the time I was in early labor, I had more and more mucus however, I never lost an entire mucus plug. Every woman is different so there is no “one way” you should expect for this to look.

3. Transition (The Peak)

• Cervix dilates from 7 to 10 cm

• This is often the most intense part—many women say, “I can’t do this anymore”

right here (and that usually means baby is almost here)

• You may feel shaky, nauseous, emotional, hot/cold

• It’s intense, yes—but it’s also short-lived

My experience:

Going into a natural birth the second time - it helped me so much knowing that this was the hardest part and to not give up. I knew that it was most intense and by the time you’re in it you know there is no going back. This feeling was actually really motivating for me to keep pushing and get through the intensity.

4. Pushing (The Final Stretch)

• The urge to push often happens naturally

• You may feel pressure, stretching, or the “ring of fire”

• This stage can be fast or slow—your body leads

• Baby moves down and out, and you finally meet them 💛

My experience:

One thing that really helped me was knowing that once I got through transition, the hardest part was over. I kept reminding myself of things I read in Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth—like how low moaning helps relax and open the pelvic floor, so I made sure to moan low. I also trusted that my body would dilate as it was meant to. With my second (unmedicated) birth, it was comforting to know my brain and body were working together.

At one point, my midwife asked if I wanted a mirror. I said no at first, but she encouraged me—“It can be really motivating.” I agreed, and honestly, it was. Seeing my daughter’s hair helped me stay focused and reminded me that progress was happening. My contractions were doing the work of pushing her out, and instead of trying to control them, I let them.

5. The Third Stage (Placenta & First Moments)

• After baby is born, the placenta detaches and is delivered

• Mild contractions help with this (you may not even notice)

• This is also when bonding, skin-to-skin, and first nursing begins

• Oxytocin is flowing—this is your golden hour

My experience:

I had experienced extra bleeding when contracting so I had to get massaged by my midwife. This is something midwives are trained to handle well. Also, she made sure that my baby's umbilical cord stopped pulsating before my husband cut the cord. If this is something you're interested in, I'll be writing a blog that goes into this more soon.

Why This Matters (Even If You Plan to Be Induced)

Even if your birth includes interventions—or you’re open to them—understanding how your body works matters. Knowing what birth is designed to do can help you:

• Make informed choices

• Feel more confident and calm

• Recognize what’s normal vs. what’s forced

• Avoid unnecessary interventions

• Support your hormones, mobility, and mindset

Women have been giving birth for centuries. Your body knows how to do this. Whether you’re planning a home birth or a hospital birth with all the options, you deserve to understand how birth works without interference.

You’re Not Broken—You’re Built for This

Birth can feel scary because it’s unknown. But when we take time to understand it—how it works, what it might feel like, and how it can be supported—it stops being terrifying and starts feeling possible.

I will soon be sharing a series - Nurture Your Birth Trauma and Nurture Your Birth Prep!

These are a collection of guided workbooks full of resources to help you heal, learn, and walk into birth with confidence.

If you want to be the first to know when each series drops, you can sign up here: Birth Series Interest List🤎

Want more support for your low tox, motherhood or wellness journey?

You can grab all my free downloads - like checklists, healthy swaps, and mama-friendly recipes – right here: Free Resources Page.I'm always adding new guides to help make this lifestyle feel more do-able.🤎

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Extra Resources

🎧 The Birth Hour Podcast — Real stories from women who’ve had unmedicated births (Spotify Link and Apple Music Link)

📚 Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth — A must-read (and a favorite of mine!)

🎥 The Business of Being Born — Documentary - also streams on YouTube or Vimeo

💛 Evidence Based Birth — Great breakdowns on natural birth options

Sources

Buckley, S. J. (2015). Gentle birth, gentle mothering: A doctor’s guide to natural childbirth and gentle early parenting choices. Celestial Arts.

Gaskin, I. M. (2003). Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. Bantam Dell.

Declercq, E. R., Sakala, C., Corry, M. P., Applebaum, S., & Herrlich, A. (2013). Listening to Mothers III: Pregnancy and Birth. Childbirth Connection.

Davis-Floyd, R. E. (2003). Birth as an American Rite of Passage. University of California Press.

World Health Organization. (2018). WHO recommendations: Intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience. Geneva: WHO.