Who Will Attend Your Birth? ©
By Ryka George, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA)

There are many decisions to be made when having a baby. How do you know what are the best decisions for you? Where will you birth your baby? Who will attend to your needs while you are birthing? And, how do you prepare for your birthing time?
I will share with you some information that can make your journey easier.

The first decision you will likely make is, "Where will I birth my baby?" This decision should be made in your heart. It will be best for you to follow your intuition and not that of your partner's, or mother's, or your friends.' If you do not know your answer, please take some time alone to feel what is in your heart for you are the only one who will know what is best for you.

Many people do not know that statistically speaking, home birth with a skilled midwife is the safest place to birth, assuming a healthy mom with no major pregnancy complications. So, if there is any part of you that feels called to homebirth, please follow your heart. You will not get a do over.

How do you know what to look for in a birthing practitioner, a hospital or a birth center? Here are some of the questions that can assist you on your journey:

• Does your birthing practitioner view birth from the same vantage point as you do? Do they see labor and birth as a life cycle event or as a medical event that needs to be managed?
• Do you exhale when your birthing practitioner walks into the room? Or are you a bit more nervous?
• Do you feel listened to?
• Do you get your questions answered in a way that soothes your heart?
• What are the statistical chances of your birthing practitioner actually attending your birth? Does their back-up hold a similar view of birth?
• Are you comfortable with your birthing practitioner's statistics on Natural birth? Surgical birth? Induction? Epidurals?

Another decision that you will need to make is, "Who besides your partner will be there to help you through your birthing time?"

Until the 20th century, women birthed at home, surrounded by other women and attended at birth by midwives. In the 1920's and 30's women began to have physician attended births in hospitals but, it wasn't until the 1940's that most women were birthing in hospitals without the support of other women or their partners. Historically, women have been birthing in hospitals for less than 70 years. Now you have a choice of birthing at home, in a birth center or in a hospital for your birthing time. But who else will be there to support you and your partner?

If you choose to birth with your partner as you sole support, do they intuitively understand labor and birth? Can they suggest positions to enhance your birthing and your comfort? If you are birthing in a hospital do they have a comfortable understanding of medical interventions that are commonly offered? If family or friends are there to support you and your partner, do you feel free to let go and allow yourself to feel unobserved? Birth is a process which happens more easily if mom feels unobserved and supported.

Research supports the presence of a doula. A doula provides educated, non-judgmental support before, during and after birth. She is a non-medical professional who is there solely for the comfort and support of you and your partner. Her presence reduces your risk of surgical birth by 50%; her presence can also decrease the length of your labor and your need for an epidural or pain medication. There are many other benefits which include making your partner's job of supporting you easier because they will not need to know everything, they will be there just to love and support you through your birthing experience.

If you choose to have a doula, she will be with you continuously during your labor. She will offer encouragement and make suggestions to enhance your comfort and the effectiveness of your labor. She can also help you and your partner understand your medical options regarding interventions and their associated risks or benefits through education and by facilitating communication between you and the medical staff. (Your doula is not a medical practitioner and she does not make any of your medical decisions.)

A doula is not just for moms who want natural birth because women whose wishes are heard and supported feel better about their births, their babies and their partners. Doulas help this happen for all moms.

So, the last question is, "How can you emotionally begin to prepare for your birthing time in a society that does not trust birth?

• Recognize that vaginal birth was the norm until recently. In 1970 the surgical birth rate in this country was 5%. The last national statistic was 33% and locally I heard that one hospital's rate is greater than 40%.
• Become educated and informed about the process of birth and your choices in regards to your care and that of your baby.
• Take action to assure you and your partner are surrounded by family and professionals that share your vision of birth.
• Follow your heart; you know what is best for you and your baby.
  

For all of the questions posed in this article, the ultimate answers are within you. Do your research, become educated, get your questions answered, find the support that you and your partner need and go create your best birthing experience possible.

Blessings,
Ryka

You can visit Ryka George's website at www.themotheringway.com