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education of families
and their birth rights
Pregnancy is an ideal time for expectant families to plan for their future and the changes they will need to make in their lives once the baby arrives. It is also a time for expectant families to explore their options for birth. There are several options available for labor and delivery. It is of vital importance that parents are aware of all of their birthing options and be encouraged to make informed decisions throughout their perinatal experience.
In today’s western medical construct, many birthing families that plan for hospital delivery can find themselves unprepared on labor day for the decisions they will be faced with in labor & delivery. This lack of planning can leave them vulnerable to influenced or coerced decision-making, and even medical bullying. We attempt to explain some of the birthing options; however, we also encourage expectant families to retain the services of a Labor Support Specialist or Doula.
Pregnancy Support Providers
Birthing Places
Types of Deliveries
01
Labor Support Specialist/Doula
A trained, non-clinical professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during and after childbirth. These labor specialists can focus on labor and birth or postpartum. The labor and birth doula focuses on healthy alternative support for pregnancy, labor and childbirth. A postpartum doula assists the family during the postpartum period a.k.a fourth trimester.
02
Midwife
A Midwife is a woman trained to assist women in childbirth. The word derives from Old English and translates literally as with woman. They are trained professionals with expertise and skills in assisting women with maintaining healthy pregnancies and optimal births and recoveries during the postpartum period. Midwives work in homebirths, hospitals and birth centers.
03
Obstetrician
An Obstetrician is a physician who specializing in obstetrics which is the managing of pregnancy and childbirth by using a problem-solving approach known as the Medical Model of Care. This model focuses on the defect, or dysfunction, within a patient. These physicians have a combined discipline with gynecology and are generally referenced as Ob/Gyn. Obstetricians work primarily in hospitals.
01
Homebirth
is self-explanatory however it is defined as giving birth to a baby in a home or a place of residence. This option requires a trained midwife to provide clinical skills during labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.
Homebirth in most states is a legal and insured service. However, there are some states where this choice is illegal and/or unregulated. Be sure to check the laws in your state to learn about homebirth options.
02
Birth Center
a medical facility, specializing in childbirth, that is less restrictive and more home-like than a hospital. Birth Centers are managed by nurse-midwives and focus on very low-risk deliveries. Many Birth Centers offer water birthing as an option.
03
Hospital Birth
an institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured people. Many hospitals provide Labor & Delivery service where nurse-midwives and obstetricians manage the deliveries. Search for a hospital that is registered as baby-friendly and has lactation support on staff. These hospitals tend to be more accommodating for natural births and birth plan options.
01
All-Natural Vaginal Birth
Natural childbirth involves a woman laboring and birthing without the use of any type of sedatives or anesthesia (pain-relief medicine). Women choosing to use this method are able to be more mobile during labor such as walking, squatting, and assuming different positions which can shorten the labor and delivery. Women who give birth this way usually have speedy recoveries and fewer challenges with breastfeeding.
04
Caesarean Section
This is a surgical method of childbirth in which the doctor makes an incision in the lower abdominal area and into the uterus to remove the baby. This method is usually suggested for women who are at risk of major complications, birth defects, carrying multiple babies, or health conditions that may pose problems during vaginal birth.
C-Sections have a longer recovery time than vaginal birth.
02
Waterbirth
Waterbirth is a tool used to achieve All-Natural Vaginal Birth, and growing demand by many parents because of the comfort it provides. It has been found to be good for reducing anxiety, relaxing the muscles, and allowing more freedom of movement to the mother. No anesthesia can be used with this method.
05
Vaginal Birth after Caesarean (VBAC)
This option is available to many women who have had a previous cesarean. An expecting family may be a candidate for this option depending on the medical history and the cause of the initial cesarean. Be advised that anesthesia (pain-medication is not recommended to achieve a successful VBAC. Ask the provider about their success rate with VBAC families. Also, inquire about the provider's terms in order to plan for a VBAC hospital birth.
03
Medicated
Vaginal Birth
This method most commonly involves an epidural which is a local anesthetic that inhibits feeling from the waist down. By using this method many women can achieve vaginal birth without feeling any contractions or pushing discomfort. Epidurals restrict the mother’s ability to move and can slow labor. They can also increase the chances of complications and cesarean births.
Birth Plan Options
A Birth Plan is a one-page outline of labor and birthing preferences. It is a resourceful tool used to directly communicate the birthing family’s desires to the hospital or birth center staff. The Birth Plan ideally includes desires for immediate newborn care. Below are some questions to consider when creating a birth plan.
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How do you envision your laboring environment? i.e. dim lighting,
soft music, aromatherapy, etc.
Do you want to be mobile during your labor?
Do you want to bring your own cooler with beverages and snacks?
Do you want pain relief during labor? i.e. epidural, fentanyl, etc.
What would you like to do with your placenta?
Do you want delayed cord cutting?
Do you want skin-to-skin immediately after birth?
Do you want erythromycin (eye antibiotic) in your baby’s eyes after birth?
Do you want newborn vaccines?
Do you want your son circumcised?
Do you want to give your baby their first bath?
Do you want to breastfeed your baby?