You're In Charge When Giving Birth
Today’s expectant moms have a lot of choices: traditional hospital delivery, water birth, home birth, birthing center, vaginal or C-section, midwife or obstetrician . . . the options are many. Well-meaning family and friends may share their thoughts with you, and even your health care providers may state opinions that can sound definitive. In the end, though, you’re in charge when giving birth and making choices about your birth experience.
“How to give birth is a choice that women need not surrender to others.”
That’s not to say you should ignore medical advice or make all the decisions without consulting your partner, but you should definitely do your research and weigh your options. After all, it's your baby, your body, your choice.
Explore your options
Research the hospitals and birthing centers in your area. See what they have to offer, and talk with friends and family who have recently delivered - they can be the best source of honest information! You’ll also want to investigate what your insurance plan covers. Lastly, discuss your options with your practitioner. He or she can help steer you in the right direction, based on your pregnancy and your wishes.
Talk with your partner
As previously mentioned, there are a lot of decisions to make, and it can get overwhelming, especially when you consider the hormonal rollercoaster you’re riding. That’s where discussing options with your partner comes into play. Describe the experience you envision and the route with which you feel the most comfortable. Ask what your partner is thinking, so you can talk out any worries and wishes for the birth. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but it can help to talk things through, and it allows your co-parent to feel involved in the process.
Consider your health care providers
It’s not just the where and the how that you’re in charge of; you get to dictate who is involved in your delivery, as well.
Obstetricians are medical doctors who specialize in pregnancy, childbirth and a woman’s reproductive system. Obstetricians typically perform deliveries in a hospital. Women who have had complications in past pregnancies and those at a higher risk may be more likely to chose an obstetrician for their delivery.
Midwives are trained health professionals who assist healthy women with their delivery and postpartum care. Most midwives offer care that is flexible and individualized with minimal medical intervention. They may, however, limit their care to low-risk pregnancies.
Doulas are women who provide guidance and support to the mom during labor. Doulas typically do not have formal medical training, so they do not administer medication or give medical advice. Doulas do work alongside an obstetrician or midwife. Doulas can also support moms post-partum. Learn more about doulas on our blog, Doula or Don’t Ya?
These health care options are not exclusive of one another. As mentioned, doulas work with obstetricians and midwives, and midwives and obstetricians sometimes work together. Ask plenty of questions when talking to health care providers, so you can find the right person or team for your baby’s birth.
Regardless of where you decide to have your baby, how you have him or her, or who helps with the delivery, remember that you’re in charge. Sometimes, though, your sweet little bundle has their own idea of how they want to enter the world, so have a plan and a back-up plan, just in case.
For more information, read the full article, Taking Charge of Giving Birth, in Pathways to Family Wellness, issues #24 and #64.
Also consider these 10 Things About Giving Birth.