If you choose to go this route, you accept the potential for pain and discomfort as part and parcel of giving birth — an experience that includes working with complete awareness through each stage of labor. But with the right preparation and support, you’ll probably feel empowered and deeply satisfied by natural childbirth.

Here are the pros:

• Most natural childbirth techniques are not invasive, so there’s little potential for harm or side effects for you or your baby.

• Many women have a strong feeling of empowerment during labor and a sense of accomplishment afterward. And despite having to endure pain, many report that they’d want an unmedicated birth again the next time. For some women, being in charge helps lessen their perception of pain.

• There’s no loss of sensation or alertness. You’ll be awake and active during labor and birth — so you can move around more freely and find positions that help you stay comfortable during labor and remain able to aid the delivery process when it’s time to push your baby out.

• If you don’t need to be hooked up to an IV or a monitor, you can move around with ease

• You’re less likely than women who get epidurals to need interventions such as oxytocin (Pitocin) to make your contractions stronger, bladder catheterization, or a vacuum extraction or forceps delivery.

• Your partner will feel involved in the process as you work together to manage your pain.

• Breathing exercises, visualization, and self-hypnosis can be practiced ahead of time — and used again later. Many new mothers find themselves drawing on their relaxation techniques in the early days of breastfeeding, while coping with postpartum discomfort, or when caring for a newborn feels especially stressful.

What are the disadvantages of going without drugs?

Unlike an epidural, natural pain-reduction techniques don’t eliminate pain — so if you’re not willing to feel and work with the pain, you’ll be happier with an epidural. Also, natural approaches may not offer adequate pain management, particularly if you end up with a prolonged labor or a complicated labor that requires a lot of interventions.