The sensual potential of the birthing experience

The kinds of substandard and negligent care which lead to problematic births are, of course, the exception rather than the norm. Yet, more often than not, it is these difficult births that we are most likely to hear about, as they are the ones that fall within the public interest, not only causing personal tragedy but also costing hospital service's millions of pounds each month in birth injury compensation.

Against this background it can be easy to forget that for many women birth is what it is ideally meant to be: a joyful experience.

However, even our understanding of the richness of birth's joys is limited by social factors. For, while we know that a successful labour can be both empowering and feminine, many birthing experts and, indeed, mothers report that it can actually be a highly sensual experience that is sometimes even orgasmic. And these are not isolated experiences. One US study reported that of 151 women polled, 32 claimed to have experienced an orgasmic birth.

In fact, it is only long established social taboos that seem to keep this reality out of the public consciousness.

As a midwife with London's Birth Centre told the Times, "If couples are willing, [sensual] massage can be used to bring on labour contractions, open the cervix and vagina and help with pain relief."

"We work closely with women so that they can give birth at home, in intimate surroundings. If mothers-to-be are open to feeling sexy, labour can be pleasurable, not painful, and it sometimes builds up to a climax at birth."

Some believe that the numbers of women experiencing the kind of sensual birth many women report having would be even higher were it not for a perceived over-medicalisation of childbirth. For without a setting in which the mother-to-be can feel comfortable, it is very unlikely she will be relaxed enough to for it to happen.

Other factors, such as fear or anxieties of the kind generated by the UK's birth injury claims also play part in preventing a full, rich and sensual childbirth. All of which may go to show that even women whose birthing experiences are trouble free are in fact affected, albeit indirectly, by the substandard or negligent care experienced by others.

Clinical negligence lawyers specialising in birth injury compensation claims
Ideally, giving birth should be one of a woman's richest and most rewarding experiences. Nothing is more precious than a newborn life. To experience negligence or substandard care at such a time is traumatic and will deeply impact affected families.

YouClaim's birth injury lawyers specialise in securing compensation for families who find themselves in this difficult situation.

They always seek to explain things in plain English, describe all costs in full detail and, by taking no cuts, deliver all winning claimants 100 percent compensation.

We are available to discuss your case both online and over the telephone. Just fill out a claim form, have an echat, or call a legal advisor now on 0800 10 757 95.