Let’s Talk Birth Choices
The journey to childbirth is a transformative and deeply personal experience for expectant parents. As they prepare to welcome a new life into the world, a myriad of emotions, hopes, and concerns swirl around their minds. One aspect of childbirth that often takes center stage is the choice of where and how to give birth, particularly for those planning to deliver in a hospital setting. This blog aims to introduce readers to the various decisions and choices they'll encounter during labor and birth in a hospital, even if they're not aware of them yet.
The Importance of Birth Choices
Every labor and delivery experience is unique, and the choices made during this time can significantly impact the overall experience. It's essential for expectant parents to be informed about their options, as well as the potential benefits and risks associated with each decision.
Before we dive into your choices in birth, I want to validate all the choices you’ve had to make so far because, YES, each of these is a choice.
Choosing a Healthcare Provider
The journey begins with selecting a healthcare provider who aligns with your birth philosophy and preferences. Obstetricians, family physicians, and midwives are common choices. Each brings a different approach and set of skills to the table.
Birth Location: Hospital, Birth Center or Home
For many expectant parents, the decision of where to give birth boils down to a hospital or home birth. Hospitals offer access to advanced medical technology, while home births provide a more intimate and familiar environment.
Prenatal Testing and Screenings
Throughout pregnancy, various tests and screenings are offered to monitor the health of both the mother and the baby. These tests can help identify potential issues and inform decisions about care and delivery.
There are so many choices to be made in birth which is why it is great to have a plan ahead of time. There is no manual handed to you about all of your options when you get to the hospital.
So many interventions are presented and you may not know what you can say no to.
The First Intervention
An intervention is anything introduced during labor. Your first one will be an IV lock placed to give you continual fluids throughout labor. This is also placed to administer pitocin, IV meds, and antibiotics. Did you know you have a choice in this?!
Let me share a little story. As you all know, I am a birth doula. I have been for 11 years. I had my first daughter 3 years ago. Going in, I knew ALL of my options. This is what I studied for the previous 8 years of my doula career. After I was checked in, the nurse came to give me my IV. I declined. She insisted, and I continued to decline. It was a good 5 minutes of going back and forth before my midwife walked in and said, “She doesn’t have to get one if she doesn’t want one.” I was not expecting to have to argue about what I wanted over a simple IV.
I knew that since I was not getting an IV I would need to stay hydrated throughout my labor which was the role of my husband and doula. I also knew that if I did need medication later, it may be much harder to place an IV. 16 hours later, I did end up getting an IV since I wanted an epidural. I was in so much pain, I don’t even remember getting it. However, I do remember that first interaction and feeling that I was going to have to fight for the birth I wanted. I did not want to labor with a needle in my arm and I am glad I had support for my decision but what if I didn’t?
I realized at that moment that it is really easy to change your birth plan or feel pressured because the staff is making something seem like it is medically necessary that it is not. That is where I come in! Stick with me and I help you learn your options and how to advocate for them.
What Are My Options?
SOOOO many!!
When learning about your birthing options, it is important to also learn that some options may be limited based on the other choices you make.
Let me explain. Intermittent monitoring has amazing research behind it, reduces cesarean rates and allows for more movement in labor. The choice you have is intermittent or continuous monitoring. This is how they monitor the baby’s heart rate in labor. You may read or learn about intermittent monitoring and love the idea behind it and put it on your birth plan. You may also put on your birth plan that you would like an epidural for pain relief.
Once medication is introduced whether it is IV meds, pitocin, epidural, etc., they need to continually monitor the baby to see how the baby is reacting to the medication.
These two options don’t go hand in hand.
This is why so many birth plans fail. People download a generic template, do a little bit of googling, and think they are set. As soon as one option goes out the window, several others follow. Another reason birth plans fail is that people don’t know what they can actually say no to. (Hint: you can say no to anything). However, if you are being scared into something or a provider is making claims that are really supported by evidence, things can change very quickly.
This is why I am so passionate about knowing ALL of your options, having research to back it, and building trust in yourself, your body, and your baby.
Over the next several weeks, we will continue to unpack your options, birth plans and more.
In the meantime, here is a short list of some of the options you have for your birth day:
Environment of room
Who is in the room
Continuous or Intermittent Monitoring
Pain relief: epidural, iv meds, nitrous oxide, hydrotherapy, movement
Hydration: IV or on your own
Pushing Positions
Delayed Cord Clamping or Banking
Newborn Options - erythromycin, hep B, vitamin k, heel prick
Skin to Skin
I can’t wait to dive into all of this with you! In the meantime, I just had an amazing podcast episode about empowered hospital birth that you can listen to here.
Also don’t forget to get on my waitlist to be the first to have access to something amazing coming your way that will help you make your ultimate birth plan!