Natural maternity encompasses a range of practices that go far beyond just the day of childbirth. Pregnancy, birth, postpartum: each stage mobilizes physical and psychological resources that traditional hospital protocols do not always address. Since 2022, the Haute Autorité de Santé has updated its recommendations on supporting physiology during childbirth, and several French level I and II maternity hospitals are now incorporating formalized physiological protocols.
This movement is concretely changing the options available to pregnant women.
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Physiological protocols in maternity: what changes in care
For a long time, giving birth without an epidural or choosing a position other than the gynecological position was subject to informal tolerance. The situation is evolving. The Collège National des Sages-Femmes documented in 2023 the spread of physiological protocols in public maternity hospitals, with concrete commitments: freedom of movement during labor, limitation of unnecessary invasive procedures, access to natural birthing rooms.
This formalization has a direct consequence for expectant mothers: it becomes possible to discuss a birth plan on an institutional basis, not just based on the goodwill of the on-call team. The resources available on naturallymom.fr allow for these questions to be addressed with a foundation of reliable information even before the first consultation.
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Writing a birth plan benefits from being precise. Rather than listing vague wishes, it is more effective to formulate requests that correspond to the protocols actually in place at the chosen maternity hospital. Checking with the referring midwife what facilities are available (bathtub, suspension sling, ball) helps avoid disappointments on the big day.
Postnatal support: the role of doulas after birth
The majority of content on natural maternity focuses on pregnancy and childbirth. Postpartum remains a blind spot. The Association Doula de France noted in its 2023 activity report a rapid development of postpartum doula services in major Francophone cities.
The scope of intervention for these supporters is distinct from that of independent midwives. A postpartum doula provides support for breastfeeding, organizing daily life with a newborn, managing mental load, and ensuring the mother’s rest. This home support addresses a need that the healthcare system does not cover.
Field feedback varies on this point: some families describe immediate relief from maternal fatigue, while others find it difficult to integrate an outsider into the intimacy of the home. The use of a postpartum doula is not reimbursed by Assurance Maladie, making it an option accessible mainly to households with a dedicated budget.
Criteria for choosing a postpartum supporter
- Check the training completed: doulas certified by recognized organizations (Association Doula de France, Federation of Doulas of Belgium) have undergone a structured curriculum including practical internships
- Clarify the scope of intervention before birth, as the doula does not replace the midwife or doctor for medical follow-up
- Plan a prenatal interview to assess relational compatibility, a determining factor in the quality of support
Perineum and postpartum recovery: a timeline to respect
Perineal rehabilitation is almost systematically prescribed after a vaginal delivery in France. Sessions generally begin after the postpartum visit at two months. Starting too early risks stressing tissues that are still healing.
Several methods coexist. Manual rehabilitation, practiced by a midwife or physiotherapist, remains the most widespread. Electro-stimulation and biofeedback are offered as complementary options in some practices. The available data do not allow for a conclusion on the superiority of one method over another for all women: the choice depends on the type of delivery, the state of the perineum, and the patient’s feelings.
A often overlooked point: abdominal rehabilitation should not precede perineal rehabilitation. Resuming classic abdominal exercises (crunches, front planks) before restoring pelvic floor tone can worsen diastasis or stress incontinence. Health professionals specializing in perinatality recommend a sequential approach.
Slow maternity: revisiting expectations for daily life with a newborn
The concept of slow maternity opposes the pressure to “manage everything” that weighs on young mothers. It is not a program to follow, but a reframing of priorities: accepting a pace dictated by the baby’s needs rather than a pre-established schedule.
In practice, this means temporarily letting go of certain domestic and social standards. The fragmented sleep of the first weeks alters concentration capacity and emotional regulation. Several recent works on body awareness during maternity emphasize the importance of not adding performance-related stress to the physiological stress of postpartum.
- Delegate or postpone non-essential tasks during the first six weeks, including courtesy visits
- Maintain chosen (not imposed) social contact to limit isolation without exhausting the mother’s resources
- Identify early emotional distress signals and do not hesitate to consult a perinatal mental health professional
Natural maternity is not limited to giving birth without an epidural. The spreading physiological protocols in French maternity hospitals, the development of postpartum supporters, and a sequential approach to physical recovery outline a more coherent journey. The postpartum period remains the time when the gap between the real needs of mothers and the available resources is most pronounced.