The Rise of Natural Birth: A Growing Trend Among New Moms

The CRMC Birth center nurses and providers are here to support you through every step of your birth journey—however you choose to experience it. Whether you prefer a medicated or unmedicated birth, a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section, low intervention care or if you end up with a more complex birthing experience than anticipated, we’re here for you. Our team will walk with you through any changes in your plan, offering guidance, reassurance, and compassionate support along the way. The idea of having a natural birth is gaining momentum among millennials, especially across Facebook groups and Instagram reels. While “natural” can mean different things to different moms, it generally focuses on minimizing medical interventions during childbirth as much as possible.

“Our bodies were designed to do this. I view labor and birth as a natural event, not a medical diagnosis. It’s a process women are built for,” explained Gabrielle Holker, a mother of two.

Holker welcomed her second son, Luke, on April 22, 2025, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC). While her experience giving birth to Luke was different from her first birth with son Josh, one thing remained consistent—Holker’s desire for a physiological birth.

“Both were natural births with no medications,” Holker said. “I knew my recovery process would be easier, faster, and better for both the baby and me.”

A natural birth involves the spontaneous onset of labor and avoids medical interventions such as epidurals, forceps, vacuum extraction, or cesarean sections unless medically necessary.

“Another unique part of this experience was how Luke entered the world. Since I’d already had one child at CRMC and knew the sensations of labor and pushing, I was a candidate for a water birth. I would highly recommend it,” said Holker. Water births are overseen by Family Medicine provider Monica Goodwin, MD. Not every patient is a candidate—eligibility depends on individual risk factors—but Holker was an ideal candidate.

“To keep my labor progressing before getting into the water, I walked laps, did deep yogi squats, hip circles on a yoga ball, side lunges on the stairs, and drank lots of water and electrolytes,” Holker said. “Dr. Monica Goodwin is amazing. She was very hands-off, allowing my husband and me to make choices and have the freedom we wanted, without pressure.”

“Our wishes were honored and respected, and she really supported our hands-off approach,” added Ben Holker, Gabrielle’s husband. “CRMC is a smaller facility—you don’t feel like you’re in a hospital when you walk in. It’s more intimate.”

Holker’s passion for a physiological birthing experience is something she wants to share with other expectant moms. “I want to empower women with the knowledge they need to have the birthing experience they want,” Holker said. “I completely understand when medical intervention is necessary, but if I can help other women prepare their bodies and minds for a natural birth—the one they desire—it would mean a lot to me. I’m a runner and an athlete. I treat labor and birth like a half-marathon: you wouldn’t just get up one day and run 13.1 miles—you train for it. Birth is no different.”

Some of Holker’s favorite resources for learning about the natural birthing process included the website spinningbabies.com. “They offer a wealth of information on exercises and stretches you can do during pregnancy to support the baby’s positioning for birth,” she explained. “Luke was transverse at one point and later breech. Thanks to some exercises, I was able to naturally help him move back to a head down position. It was non-invasive.”

While everyone’s birthing experience is different, and sometimes the best-laid-out birth plan doesn’t go as planned, it’s a beautiful experience. At CRMC, the focus is on patient-centered care through every stage—from early pregnancy to delivery. Learn more about CRMC’s Birthing Center.