Protagonists of natural delivery

: In an attempt to re-humanize such natural event as giving birth, several, maternity wards have proposed alternative solutions. Since 1985 the obstetric-paediatric staff in Poggibonsi (Siena) has been using a special natural (active) room to this purpose. In this report we wish to understand the motivations which lead couples to decide to give birth in the active birth room. From daily contact with persons involved in this type of birth it has been possible to reach various conclusions regarding the persons most deeply involved in the event. The need of intimacy in a unique moment such as giving birth the almost total absence of medical intervention, the possibility of immediate and continuous contact with her baby, and also the reassuring presence of her family represent the main reasons for womans' choicfe in this matter. Even through the father cannot personally participate in the emotions of pregnancy and birth, he takes part by choosing to be as close as possible to his partner and child through his continuous and attentive presence. The mid-wife, that in this situation is far from the doctor's supervision is the person preferred by the woman giving birth because she too is a woman and because of her professional capacities, and she is therefore extremely reassuring. Last, the child-nurse represent the friend who affectionately and materially supports the mother and the family, especially concerning breast-feeding and care of the newborn baby.