For parents, deciding where to birth can be hard!
For parents looking to give birth in a hospital setting with as little medical intervention as possible, it's important to do your research beforehand. Though hospital settings often provide a range of options, there are some steps you can take to ensure your birthing experience is as peaceful and undisturbed as possible.
The first step is understanding that hospitals have policies regarding every aspect of the labour and birth process. A lot of these policies have been developed as preventative measures, and while in some instances these interventions are needed, many times they are over-utilised. This means that birthing inside a hospital, you will need to be educated on what options are available and why.
No is a full sentence and get ready to use it when you are planning to birth in the hospital system
— Me, myself and I
Step two...
is find a care provider and hospital that respects and encourages the physiological birthing process. Make sure to research hospitals in your area to see which ones offer more natural birth options such as waterbirths, or birth centers for home-like experiences. You'll also want to make sure you ask about the facility’s policies regarding monitoring, drugs and other interventions during labor and delivery. Find a care provider who shares your philosophy on birthing. Speak with local midwives and doctors to see who best meets your needs. Choose one that understands your desire for an undisturbed labor and birth experience and supports your choices and bodily autonomy.
Next is education
You'll need to educate yourself about labor and birth. Reflect deeply on what birth means to you, and work on any fears you have related to labour and birth. It can help to consider your own birth story and how birth and becoming a mother has been presented in your family. Our preconceived notions can impact our pregnancy and birth journeys massively, so its definitely worthwhile thinking about how you feel about birth. You will also need to have at least basic knowledge on what your body is doing during labour and birth, so when the time comes you aren't worried. This is where an amazing care provider will sit and discuss what you can expect during labour and giving birth.
Understanding the risks of interventions and medications used in medical births is vital, so you can weigh out the pros and cons using the BRAIN acronym (benefits, risks, alternatives, intuition, nothing) with your partner and care provider should anything be suggested. Sometimes it can help to hear other peoples birth stories, so listen to some podcasts (see my birth resources page for some suggestions here) and chat with your friends. An important point to remember is that sometimes people can make birth sound scary because of their experiences, and if this is the case, it is ok to say no to hearing those stories!
Let your care provider know that you don’t want anyone else in the room, unless its absolutely necessary! Having minimal interruptions is extremely important to enabling labour to continue in order to birth your baby. If you have someone asking you a million questions it can be extremely distracting!
Aimee -
Consider hiring a doula...
or a birth keeper to help maintain your sacred space when birthing in a hospital! Having someone there who knows birth, and what to expect can be extremely comforting especially for the birth partner, so there can be reassurance that all is ok. Birth is an amazing experience for the mother and birthing person, and anyone who is present. Your birth space needs to feel safe and comforting for you to be able to surrender.
CHOOSE YOUR SPACE, AND THOSE WHO WILL BE AT YOUR BIRTH, WISELY.
