Where Should You Birth?
The childbearing year is a time when one should be extremely cautious in the choices made. In addition to good nutrition and adequate exercise, the care provider, support team and place of birth are of utmost importance in the creation of a safe, empowering, and healthy experience.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when making decisions about these three categories:
Does your care provider make you feel heard, answer your questions honestly and in a way you understand?
Is your care provider supportive of what you envision for your birth? If not, why not?
What is your care provider's philosophy as it pertains to pregnancy and birth; is it a normal bodily function, or is it a medical disaster waiting to happen and in need of intervention?
What are your care provider's statistics for things like: successful vaginal birth? cesarean birth? labor induction? VBAC? Twins?
Be sure to answer these questions about the hospital or birth setting you choose as well:
Who do I feel comfortable enough with that I'm willing to allow them to see me at my most vulnerable? (Who would I be most comfortable with seeing me naked.)
Would I be most comfortable in the hospital, where there is almost instant access to drugs and interventions if needed?
Would I feel more comfortable at home where I have more control over human interaction?
Would I feel better in a place that is more of a melding of the two?
Research into all aspects of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period can help you gain the knowledge needed to make informed decisions for both you and baby.