LIST: Alternative birth practices available in the Philippines

Water birth 

In this method, an expectant mother is placed in a pool filled with warm water assisted by a doctor or a midwife in child delivery. It can take place at your home or in a hospital. 

According to American Pregnancy Association, there are women who found this type of childbirth “relaxing” compared to usual vaginal delivery as the buoyancy of being in the water helps them move freely and switch positions during labor. Some celebrities who underwent this method are Max Collins when she gave birth to her firstborn, Skye, and Coleen Garcia when she welcomed her son, Amari. Beauty queen Katarina Rodriguez also opted for this method twice—for her son Robert Joaquin in 2021 and her daughter Clara in 2023.

Make sure to also consult your trusted doctor in weighing the risks of water birth. In the Philippines, Makati Medical Center offers this service which starts at P150,000.

Cesarean section

Cesarean birth (C-section) is the “surgical delivery of a baby through an incision in the birth parent's abdomen and uterus,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. This method is done when a baby is in an unusual position for a vaginal birth, if you’re carrying two or more babies, or if the labor does not progress normally. 

Under this method, some perform vaginal seeding—a “practice of wiping a baby’s mouth, face, and skin with its mother’s vaginal fluids after C-section,” as per Cleveland Clinic. This process is believed to help the baby have good health and fight disease. 

This practice, however, is currently not recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) due to limited data on its benefits and safety. 

C-section packages are priced at around P50,000 in the Philippines, depending on your chosen hospital and package inclusions.

Hypnobirthing 

Hypnobirthing is also a method of pain management—physically and mentally—with the help of visualization, meditation, and self-hypnosis taught by a childbirth expert. According to the National Library of Medicine, its major philosophy is the “belief that every woman has within her the power to call upon her natural maternal instinct to birth her babies in joy and comfort in a manner that most mirrors nature.” Meghan Markle reportedly used this method when she gave birth to her firstborn, Archie, in 2019.

This method is offered by Manila-based Hypno-doula, Irina of Conscious Birth Manila. Check out her services here. 

Lamaze

Another childbirth method is Lamaze, which focuses on building the confidence of a soon-to-be mom in giving birth. In this method, pregnant women are taught controlled breathing to ease anxiousness as well as techniques to cope with contractions in order to achieve a gentle childbirth. 

Under this, a pregnant woman would be able to manage pain without any drug. They can be accompanied by a supportive partner, a friend, or a doula in practicing relaxation techniques. 

You can avail of this in birth classes like Birthing is a Blessing, which offers a public workshop that costs P6,000 or a virtual workshop for P4,500. This covers the expectant mother and her labor support/partner/co-parent, one printed copy of the class manual, and a certificate of completion.

Private in-person and virtual workshops are also available. Know more about them here.

Bradley method 

Developed by Dr. Robert Bradley in 1947, this birth practice involves the husband or any supportive figure in inducing birth. They play an important role in keeping the expectant mother relaxed during the birthing process. This method is medication-free, solely relying on a natural birthing process with the help of a healthy diet and lifestyle during pregnancy. 

This method can be done with the guidance of a certified childbirth educator or doula, like Chiqui Brosas of Birth Times.