How You Experience Childbirth

Giving birth only happens a few times in the lives of most women.  Birth is important.  How each woman experiences birth can have long lasting and far reaching impact upon mothering and understanding of her body and herself.

A supported and empowered birth experience may allow some women to begin motherhood feeling confident and exuberant about caring for their children. And feel assured about the power and abilities of her body.

An experience where the mother was not able to feel a part of her birth or participate in decision making may leave her questioning…

The transition to motherhood is so important.  Honoring, empowering, and supporting women  through this transformative phase cannot be over done.

How do women experience birth?  In fear, in love, empowered…

Are women encouraged to think about birth as an amazing, beautiful, wonderful experience.

Certainly, labor and birth can have challenges, but childbirth is so much more.  The experience of childbirth is enriching and valuable.

Suggestions

• Write down your vision of birth

• Select people who believe in you to be at your birth

• Choose caregivers and a birth place where you feel positive energy

• Ask questions and learn as much as possible about giving birth

Tags: birth choices, birth experience, birth vision

Birth Vision

What do you really want when you give birth?

Is it the satisfaction of knowing that you can!  The experience of giving birth to your child is important.  The birth vision that you hold should be affirmed.

Childbirth varies. Each woman has her own different experience.

Here are some steps to having a natural birth.  You are not crazy or underestimating yourself.

Of course you can do this…How long have women been giving birth?

I had both of my children without medications, and I am not particularly strong. Support made all the difference in my success.  My birth team listened to me.

One – Organize a birth team

These are the people who believe in you!  They are positive.  They are patient. They understand the process of natural birth.  They are able to be with you the entire time during your birth.  They should be familiar with comfort techniques so when you face any challenge during birth their assistance will guide you.

Two – Educate yourself

Take a class and learn techniques that you can use on your own.  Also, you want to understand how your body works during the labor process.  Understand about the benefits, risks, and alternatives of medications and procedures done during labor.  Most important, learn how to advocate and communicate your desires to your care providers, including how to refuse treatment that you are fully informed about, if it is not medically necessary.

Three – Trust your body

Knowledge is power.  Take out quiet moments to reflect on how your body grows a baby perfectly! The development of human life is complex, and your body doesn’t miss a beat.  This same body will birth perfectly as well.

Four – Consider your birth place

If you give birth in the wrong place your vision may have no real opportunity to be realized.  Learn as much as possible about your birth place.  Will you be comfortable in this place?  If not find another place to have your baby.  A woman that is stressed when giving birth, will have a tough time.  You might have to change doctors or spend more money than you budgeted, but it will be worth it, if you truly desire to have a natural birth, a water birth, etc.  Really think about what you need and find a way to have your birth vision realized.

Tags: birth plan, birth vision, birthing center, childbirth tips, postaday

You’re Appreciated

I am smiling and glad to have 1,000 facebook friends as of last night.

To all my friends on facebook,  the birth community, fellow moms, and my family, you’re appreciated!

Let’s spend time together face to face, soon.

Tags: birth community, doula, facebook, postaday