What kind of support do you want?

There are increasingly more options out there for women who want to intentionally choose the type of people who will support her during her pregnancy and childbirth.  The initial options that come to mind include a doctor, a midwife, a doula and a birth partner.  And, there’s an infinite number of ways that you can carve out and create your relationships with these types of individuals.

When someone is pregnant for the second time, she has the information about how she thought and felt during the first pregnancy and childbirth.  Debi, during her first birth experience, discovered that she felt most at peace when it was just her and her husband in the hospital room.  It was a busy night at the hospital and they were frequently left to themselves.  When the hospital staff did come in the room, Debi experienced it as an interruption to the flow and peace they created when they were alone.

Debi’s second pregnancy comes along 5 years later and Debi knew she wanted to create a different kind of experience.  She contacted a couple of mid-wives.  Neither of them worked out – one, with whom Debi had a great connection wasn’t available and the second, didn’t represent a good connection in Debi’s view.  She refused to compromise.  She wanted to feel totally comfortable and at peace with her choice of care.  So, now what?  She wanted to give birth at home.

She looked to an option that many of us might not even consider to be a possibility.  She began to research the idea of doing it on her own.Well, with her husband, but without anyone else – no midwife, no doula – no one else!  As she researched, she became more and more convinced that they could do this and that it felt right.

Years later and after a natural, uncomplicated, at home and unassisted birth – she knows she made the right choice for her and her son.

Other women would find the idea of an unassisted, at home birth downright frightening.  Amy believes in her Doctor and his experience and goes along with his advice.  This is what gives her peace – that she has research, knowledge and experience at her disposal.  She thanks God for the medical interventions that are now available should she need them.  And, she still gets to have a say.  She talked to her Doctor about going into labor naturally and not inducing the labor.  Her Doctor was able to share from his experience and they agreed to wait until her body and her baby initiated the process.  With her second pregnancy Amy gave birth in week 43 without being induced.

There are different paths available for expectant mothers, and within each path there are an infinite number of options.  Choose what feels best for you.

Please join the conversation:  What choices have you made around pregnancy and childbirth?  How did you know these were the right choices for you?  How do you know especially when you’ve never experienced a pregnancy or childbirth before?